D
Hidden in our subconsciousness(潜意识) is a perfect mental picture.We see ourselves on a long trip that goes across the continent.We are traveling by train.Out of the windows，we think in the passing scene of cars on nearby highways，of children waving at a crossing，of cattle feeding on a distant hillside，of smoke pouring from a power plant，or row upon row of corn and wheat，of flat lands and valleys，of mountains and rolling hills，of city skylines and village halls.
But uppermost in our minds is the final destination.On a certain day at a certain hour，we will pull into the station.Bands will be playing and flags waving.Once we get there，so many wonderful dreams will come true and the pieces of our lives will fit together like a completed jigsaw(拼图玩具) puzzle.How restlessly we pace the aisles(通道)，condemning the minutes for loitering—waiting，waiting，waiting for the station.
“When we reach the station，that will be it!” we cry，“When I'm 38.” “When I buy a new 450SL Mercdes Benz!” “When I put the last kid through college.” “When I have paid off!” “When I get a promotion.” “When I reach the age of retirement，I shall live happily ever after!”
Sooner or later，we must realize there is no station，no one place to arrive at once and for all.The true joy of life is the trip.The station is only a dream.It constantly outdistances us.
“Relish(appreciate) the moment” is a good motto，actually it isn't the burdens of today that drive man mad.It is the regret over yesterday and the fear of tomorrow.Regret and fear are twin thieves who rob us of today.
So stop pacing the aisles and counting the miles.Instead，climb more mountains，eat more ice cream，swim more rivers，watch more sunsets，laugh more and cry less.Life must be lived as we go along.Then the station will come soon enough.
【语篇解读】 人生如旅行，重要的是旅行的过程和途中的风景，而不是目的地。不要懊悔过去，也不要恐惧未来，要好好珍惜和享受现在。
47.Why does the author describe the mental picture?
A.To lead us into a perfect world.
B.To let people enjoy the scenery.
C.To introduce an actual trip of his.
D.To compare it to our life's journey.
解析 推理判断题。在第一段，作者详细描述了我们潜意识中在旅行途中看到的美景，但接下来两段描述了现实生活中我们注重目的地的事实，由此可知作者描述这幅心灵图像是为了将现实旅行与其对比。
答案 D
48.How do people feel when they're on their trip?
A.Puzzled. B.Happy.
C.Relaxed. D.Impatient.
解析 推理判断题。根据第二段“How restlessly we pace the aisles(通道)...”可以了解人们经过通道时的那种焦躁不安的情绪，故选D。puzzled“迷惑的”;happy“高兴的”;relaxed“放松的”。
答案 D
49.What does the author mean by “Regret and fear are twin thieves who rob us of today” in Paragraph 5?
A.Regret and fear are responsible for the loss of today.
B.We must be careful of the two thieves：regret and fear.
C.Regret and fear stop us from enjoying our present life.
D.We're frequently challenged by the two：regret and fear.
解析 句子理解题。根据倒数第二段中“It is the regret over yesterday and the fear of tomorrow”可知，对过去的懊悔和对未来的恐惧使得人们无法享受现在，故C项最佳。
答案 C
50.Why does the author write the passage?
A.To teach us a good lesson.
B.To tell us the right attitude to life.
C.To advise us to forget our worries.
D.To stop us wandering along the aisles.
解析 写作意图题。作者试图告诉人们要树立正确的人生观，不要懊悔过去，也不要恐惧未来，要好好珍惜和享受现在。
答案 B
