An old woman became almost totally blind from a disease of the eyes. After consulting a doctor, she made an agreement with him in the presence of witnesses that she would pay him a high fee if he cured her. However, if he failed, he would receive nothing. The doctor prescribed a course of treatment and visited her on a regular basis to apply ointment to her eyes. With each visit, he took away with him some article from the house, until at last, when he visited her for the last time and the cure was complete, there was nothing left. When the old woman saw that the house was empty, she refused to pay him his fee. After repeated refusals on her part, he sued her before the magistrates for payment of her debt. On being brought into court, she was ready with her defense. "The daimant, "she said, "has stated the facts about our agreement correctly. I promised to pay him a fee if he cured me, and he, on his part, promised to charge nothing if he failed. Now, he says I am cured; but I say that I am blinder than ever, and I can prove what I say. When my eyes were bad, I could see well enough to know that my house contained a certain amount of furniture and other things. But now, when according to him I am cured, I am entirely unable to see anything there at all." 21. Why did the woman refuse to pay the doctor? A. She claimed he charged her nothing. B. She claimed he had received his payment. C. She claimed he did not cure her. D. She claimed he stated the agreement incorrectly. 22. What does the word "prescribed" mean as it is used in the text? A. advised a medical treatment B. wrote down directions C. wrote down ahead of time D. gave rules for one's visit 23. What role does the magistrate play in this story? A. He will determine the best way to fix the woman's eyes. B. He will perform a marriage ceremony. C. He will judge if a crime has been committed. D. He will determine if payment is due. 24. The underlined phrase "The claimant" in the story refers to ………………. A. the old woman B. the doctor C. the witnesses D. the magistrates 25. What is the moral of the story? A. Through evil doing, one loses any reward for the good he has done. B. We would often be sorry if our wishes were gratified in the end. C. Wealth unused might as well not exist. D. Things are not always as they seem.