3．Waller was a liked-by-all fellow full of fun who often went to coffee houses to tell people interesting stories，of which some even brought him some money．One day，asked by an office secretary who told Waller that his boss was a never-seen before serious man and he never even smiled．Waller would tell a most funny story．"Well，sir，"Waller said before he began the story，"What will be given in return of my success？""＄100，"replied the secretary．"I haven't seen him have a bright face since I worked in his office．"
"Then let's make it．"Waller went to the man's table and whispered to him，"Please tell your boss that the funny man Waller's hen gave birth to a baby．"
Three days later a letter reached Mr．Waller in which were＄100 and a piece of yellow paper with the words，"Mr．Waller，you have succeeded-When I repeated your＄100-worth sentence，my boss burst into frightening laughter，saying that whoever has managed to make him laugh during the business hours will get dismissed!"
45．The secretary asked Waller for a most funny story because heB．
A．was tired of his boss seriousness
B．tried to please his serious boss with it
C．wanted to improve his working conditions
D．wanted to see his boss'laughing face
46．Saying"Let's make it，"WallerA．
A．was sure of his success
B．thought of nothing but the 100-dollar return
C．knew that his hen had really given a birth to a baby
D．wondered whether he could make the boss smile or not
47．Which of the following ends is true according to the passage？B
A．The boss was never so strict with the secretary from then on．
B．The secretary lost his job in office．
C．The secretary dare not make his boss laugh any longer．
D．Mr．Waller was dismissed at last．
48．Which sentence can describe the theme of the story？A
A．Things Went Opposite to Wishes B．Satisfying Both Sides
C．Killing Two Birds with One Stone D．Either Is in His Proper Place．
分析 本文记叙了秘书为了让老板笑一笑，找了一爱讲笑话的人，虽然老板笑了，但是他却因为违背了老板的规定在工作期间博得老板一笑而被解雇了的故事．借此说明，不要弄巧成拙，要谨慎行事．
解答 45．B．细节题，由第一段"his boss was a never-seen before serious man and he never even smiled．"以及"I haven't seen him have a bright face since I worked in his office．"可知他这样做的目的是博得老板的一笑，所以选B．
46．A．推理题，由第二段第一行"Waller went to the man's table and whispered to him，"可以推出他对自己的笑话是很有把握的，所以选A．
47．B．推理题，由第三段最后一句"whoever has managed to make him laugh during the business hours will get dismissed"可以知道在工作期间因为试图博取老板一笑而违反了公司规定被解雇了，其中during the business hours是一个关键信息．所以选B．
48．A．推理题，本文讲述秘书本来出于好心让老板笑一笑，可是事情却向相反的方向发展，他劳而无功最后被解雇了，所以选A．
点评 对于故事类的阅读文章，要先通读全文，然后带着问题，再读全文，找出答题所需要的依据，完成阅读．本文主要考查推理判断题，要求学生有很强的推理分析能力．
