had guards around him to make sure that he really did as promised.

　　The poor man made it.He told the king that there had been a street lamp nearby and that he had kept his attention on the lamp and managed to avoid the cold.The king then said that there would be no reward as he relied on the warmth of the street lamp.

　　The poor man went to Birbal for help.

　　The next day，Birbal did not go to court(上朝)．The king went to Birbal's house and see what he was up to.

　　He found Birbal sitting on the floor near some burning branches and a bowl filled with rice hanging five feet above the fire.The king and his followers couldn't help but laugh.

　　The king then said to Birbal，"How can the rice be cooked if it is so far away from the fire？"

　　Birbal answered，"The same way the poor man received heat from a street lamp that was more than two thousand meters away."

　　Finally，the king gave the poor man his reward.

5．The poor man used the lamp to .

A．keep him warm in the cold water

B．light his way around the lake

C．stop him from being afraid in the darkness

D．keep his attention away from the cold

答案　D

解析　细节理解题。根据文章第六段第二句"He told the king that there had been a street lamp nearby and that he had kept his attention on the lamp and managed to avoid the cold."可知，这个穷人把他的注意力放在路灯上来分散对寒冷的注意力。故选D。

6．Why did Birbal not go to court the next day?

A．He was angry with the king.

B．He had not had breakfast.

C．He wanted to help the poor man.

D．He didn't feel comfortable.

答案　C

解析　推理判断题。根据文章最后两段"Birbal answered，'The same way the poor man received heat from a street lamp that was more than two thousand meters away.' Finally，the king gave the poor man his reward."可知，Birbal不上朝是为了帮助那个穷人得到国王答应给的奖赏。故选C。

7．What can we infer from the passage?

A．The poor man did not get his reward in the end.

B．Birbal was wise and kind.