They asked me to have a drink with them. I said that it was at least ten years since I
A. had enjoyed
B. was enjoying
C. enjoyed
D. had been enjoying
Passage One
In the late 1860's, industry in America grew rapidly. More factories meant more jobs. But working conditions were dangerous. Employees were forced to work as many as 16 hours a day in hot, dirty rooms. Children often worked alongside adults. Wages were usually very low.
Workers tried to improve conditions by forming unions. One of the first important unions was the Knights of Labor, formed in 1869. Blacks and women were welcomed as members. The Knights of Labor wanted an 8-hour workday, higher wages, and better working conditions. The union called for an end to the employment of children under age 14.
Together with other unions, the Knights of Labor tried to make changes through collective bargaining. Union leaders would meet with employers and talk. When collective bargaining failed, the unions resorted to strikes. When some strikes that the unions held turned violent, public opinion turned against them. Many members left the Knights of Labor, and by 1890 the union had died out.
But other unions survived. The AF of L, American Federation of Labor, was formed in 1881. It continued to push for the goals set by the Knights of Labor. However, most federal laws protecting workers and outlawing child labor were not passed until the 1930's.
31. According to the passage, the Knights of Labor wanted all of the following EXCEPT ______.
A. an 8-hour workday
B. higher wages
C. improving working conditions in the factories
D. an increase in the employment of small children
Passage Three
An old Indian story says that the game of chess (国际象棋) was invented by Sissa Ben, Prime Minister of King Shirham. As soon as the invention was finished he gave it to the king, who was glad and asked him what he would like to have in return. To the king's surprise, what Sissa wanted seemed very little. "Your Majesty, "said the minister, kneeling before the king. "I want nothing but some wheat. Please put a grain of wheat on the first square of the chessboard (棋盘), two on the second, four on the third, eight on the fourth.., and so on, doubling the number for each following square. Give me enough grains to cover the 64 squares of the chessboard."
"You don't ask for much, my honest servant. You might have asked for gold or money," said the king and then ordered a bag of wheat brought to the palace.
But when the counting began, with one grain for the first square, two for the second, four for the third, and so on, the bag was emptied before the 20th square. More bags were brought, but the number of grain needed for the following squares increased so rapidly that the king was not able to keep his promise even with all the crops in the whole India! In fact, he would have needed 8 466 744 073 709 511 615 grains, which would be as much as that they would produce in about 2000 years!
Now tile king found himself deep in debt to his minister. He had either to face the terrible trouble all his life or to cut off Sissa's head, the litter of which, it is said was what he finally chose.
41. This story tells us ______.
A. how cruel the king was
B. how clever the minister was
C. Sissa was a famous mathematician
D. how the game of chess came into being