A Life with Birds
For nearly 17 years David Cope has worked as one of the Tower of Londons Yeoman Warders, better known to tourists as beefeaters. David, 64, lives in a three-bedroomed flat right at the top of the Byward Tower, one of the gatehouses. From our bedroom we have a marvellous view of Tower Bridge and the Thames. says David.
The Tower of London is famous for its ravens, the large black birds which have lived there for over three centuries. David was immediately fascinated by the birds and when he was offered the post of Raven Master eight years ago he had no hesitation in accepting it. The birds have now become my life and Im always aware of the fact that I am maintaining a tradition. The legend says that if the ravens leave the Tower, England will fall to enemies, and its my job to make sure this doesnt happen!
David devotes about four hours a day to the care of the ravens. He has grown to love them and the fact that he lives right next to them is ideal. I can keep a close eye on them all the time, and not just when Im working. At first, Davids wife Mo was not keen on the idea of life in the Tower, but she too will be sad to leave when he retires next year. When we look out of our windows, we see history all around us, and we are taking it in and storing it up for our future memories.
练习：
1. A. more B. better C. sooner D. very
2. A. height B. summit C. peak D. top
3. A. Since B. Out C. From D. Through
4. A. for B. because C. of D. by
5. A. award B. applied C. presented D. offered
6. A. regret B. delay C. hesitation D. choice
7. A. aware B. knowing C. pleased D. delighted
8. A. holding B. maintaining C. surviving D. lasting
9. A. take B. make C. have D. keep
10. A. devotes B. spends C. passes D. provides
11. A. reason B. chance C. opportunity D. fact
12. A. hold B. have C. keep D. put
13. A. Firstly B. First of all C. At first D. First
14. A. interested B. keen C. fond D. happy
15. A. every B. all C. much D. so
参考答案：BDCAD CABBA DCCBB