大学英语二级词汇1new.docVIP

1 Eddie was in the back of the shop counting the day’s takings when the doorbell rang. It was just on closing time and the shutters were already up in front. Normally there were few customers after five, and the half hour before he shut shop was mainly devoted to getting orders ready for the morning and entering up the accounts. Of course it might be Maureen, who had lately developed a habit of coming into the shop just before closing time and so making sure that Eddie did not escape her for the evening. With a sigh Eddie put down his pen and came out from the back and went behind the counter. As he did so, he was turning over in his mind what possible excuse he could offer to Maureen for not spending the evening with her. If only Maureen would accept the excuse of a headache or pressure of work. But she would want to stay and fuss over him if he said a headache, and as for work, she was always bothering him to move into a district where there was more business than in Candlewick Street. “Why is it,” thought Eddie, “that she can’t leave me alone for one evening? Doesn’t it occur to her that I’d like a bit of time to myself.” There was a woman in the shop and a man standing with his back half turned towards the counter. The woman was not Maureen. He didn’t recollect ever having seen her before, but there was something vaguely familiar about the way the man was standing. It reminded him of the bare white-washed walls of St. Matthews Hospital and Sam Lewis standing with his back towards Eddie staring out of the window. The man turned. “Well, Eddie,” he said, “it seems we’ve caught you just before lock-up time, eh?” 1. From the story we understand that __________. A) it was nearly five o’clock in the afternoon B) it was almost closing time C) Eddie always closed the shop at 4:30 D) Eddie had just closed his shop 2. Why did Eddie think the caller might be Maureen? B