43. Harry Houdini’s best art was perhaps that .
A. he could use a steel needle-like tool instead of a key
B. he could invent all kinds of knots and locks in a minute C. he could free himself quickly while bound or locked up D. he made a close study of all types of lock
44. Harry Houdini was once locked in prison, being bound in chains, as .
A. he was accused of crimes and was arrested by police in Chicago B. he wanted to show to the police how skillful he was at escaping C. the police wanted to know whether their prison was secure
D. the police wanted to see whether he could escape with nothing on
45. The best title of this passage might be .
A. Harry Houdini, the Great Magician B. The History of Magicians
C. Why People Like Magicians So Much D. How Magicians Work
I lose so many things that I was sure they just get up and walk. Perhaps I have never admitted it—even to myself, but I am extremely jealous of people who are so orderly that they never lose anything. Most of my friends always seem to have a place for everything and everything is in its place. I hate comparing myself with them. They have special cupboards for tools, hooks to hang things on and drawers to put things in . It is quite impossible for me to compete.
Some things have a terrible habit of disappearing the moment I need them. Pencils and ballpoint pens are never anywhere near the telephone when it rings, no matter how much care I take. Screw-drivers and tin-openers always manage to walk into the garden and, as a result, screws remain loose, and tins remain unopened. Boxes of matches move under the radio, and needles disappear every time I want to sew a button on a shirt.
The situation was getting so much out of control that I decided to organize myself. I had a large cupboard put into the kitchen. On the shelves I neatly arranged a number of boxes and tins, the contents of which I clearly printed in ink on the outside. I had one box for pins, another for nails, and a special place for screw-drivers. There was a new address book in one corner so that I could make a note of telephone numbers and addresses. Before this I had always written addresses on bits of paper——which I quickly lost. Soon everything was tidily arranged in its place, from pairs of scissors to cakes of soap and spare lamps. Having made such a sincere attempt to prevent things from running away, I felt very proud of myself. But it was not long before the matches disappeared and the hammer decided to hide itself in the waste-paper basket. I soon got my revenge, however. I had a lock fitted to the cupboard and thus made sure that nothing could escape. This was an admirable solution——until I lost the key to the cupboard.
46. This passage is something written to .
A. tell readers a joke B. complain about his tools
C. teach readers some tricks D. criticize himself humorously
47. The author loses so many things because .
A. the things can really get up and walk B. other people never lose anything
C. he doesn’t have special cupboards for tools D. he can not organize himself well 48. Which of the following is NOT true according to the passage?
