A

"I never knew before, Cecil, that you were so fond of drawing," said Aunt Sophia, as she looked over the shoulder of her nephew, who was busy with his pencil. "You really have made great progress."

"I need to do so," cried Cecil, "if I am to carry off the prize for drawing, as I am determined to do this term."

"I should have thought," said the aunt, "that you had little chance against Lee. He is an artist's son, and has used the pencil, one might almost say, from his cradle."

"That will double the pleasure of beating him!" cried Cecil, dashing the bough of a tree into his picture, as if he meant what he said. "I'm working now at this four hours a day; he never draws more than two."

"You are not neglecting your Latin for it, I hope? You have had the Latin prize every term for these three years past," said Aunt Sophia.

"Yes," replied Cecil, with a proud smile; "there is no boy in our class can match me in that, though Russell is now working hard. But I am not content with one prize: I cannot rest till I have won the paint-box for drawing, of which Tom Lee makes so sure. It would be glorious to beat the son of an artist on his own ground!"

"Take care," said his aunt, gently laying her hand on his shoulder, "that you do not lose the Latin prize, in trying for that which you are not likely to gain. Remember the fable of the dog that dropped the substance, in catching at the shadow."

On the evening of the day on which the names of the prize-winners were read out, Cecil came home from school gloomy and grave. His looks told his aunt enough to make her spare him the pain of questions; but his little sister Rosey was not so thoughtful.

" Cecil," she cried, running eagerly up to him, "tell me, are you to get the two prizes?"

"No, not even one. I was so busy trying to beat Lee, that I could not hold my ground against Russell." Cecil threw himself into a sofa in an angry mood.

Their aunt silently hoped that the lesson might prove worth the pain which it cost.

21.What made Cecil keep practicing drawing?

A. His interest in drawing.             B. His desire to win the prize.
    C. Lee’s being the son of an artist.           D. Russell’s working hard on Latin.

22.Which of the following words best describes Aunt Sophia?

A. Considerate       B. Strict           C. Determined       D. Optimistic

23.Why did Cecil fail to win any prizes?

A. He didn’t put in enough time.            B. He had no talent.  

C. He was too ambitious.                D. He was too tired.