Walking up the mountain path from Imlil, my guide Hussein and I step aside to let a loaded mule pass. Looking back, I see tall houses among the trees on the lower slopes. There is a lot of building work going on, some to repair damage from the 2023 earthquake. Turning south, I see the Atlas Mountains, with snow near the top. That is where we are heading — the peak of Toubkal, the highest point in North Africa.

Hussein has been a guide here all his life. “Most people work in tourism now,” he says. “Twenty years ago, everyone grew food just for themselves. Now we’ve also planted apple trees to sell. This leaves us time for tourist work.” I ask if the change is good. He nods confidently. In a country where half the people are under 30, the young population may find it easier to accept change.

As we climb higher, we pass a small holy place. The river is almost clean, but not completely. I step into the cold water to pick up some plastic bottles. Hussein and two other guides jump in to help. “City people,” they complain. I say, “You might think that in a holy place, they would try to be clean.” This makes one guide laugh. He says: “My grandfather told me that the shrine (圣地) used to be an animal shelter and they built the dome over a dead donkey.”

The night before, I bought some amlou, a local mixture of nuts and honey, in the market. The seller made me taste it first. We then agreed on a price, and he added extra walnuts to complete the deal. This kind of face-to-face bargaining makes shopping fun. Morocco always surprises me with its honesty and its ability to make a joke.

Finally, we reach a mountain hut built for the many visitors. Mount Toubkal has become a famous peak. Hussein, always practical, sees the good side: “This means more work for guides.” For those who don’t like crowds, his answer is simple: “Go somewhere else.” There are other, quieter peaks nearby. For a moment, I am tempted, but like most, I want to stand on the highest point.

1.1. Why does the guide laugh at the writer’s comment about the holy place?

A He thinks the river is clean.

B He finds the writer funny.

C He knows a strange tale.

D He dislikes city people.

解析：选C。C推理判断题。第三段中，作者评论说“in a holy place, they would try to be clean”，导游听后笑了，然后告诉作者“the shrine used to be an animal shelter and they built the dome over a dead donkey.”。导游发笑的真正原因是他知道这个地方不同寻常的来历，而不是因为他认为河水干净（A）、觉得作者有趣（B）或不喜欢城里人（D）。选项C中的“strange tale”对应文中这个关于驴的奇特故事。

2.2. What does the writer’s market experience mainly show?

A Amlou tastes good.

B Bargaining is interesting.

C Sellers are honest.

D Shopping takes time.

解析：选B。B段落主旨题。第四段描述了作者在市场的购物经历：卖家让他先尝后买，讨价还价，最后加一勺核桃成交。段末作者总结说：“This kind of face-to-face bargaining makes shopping fun.”这句话直接点明了这段经历的核心——讨价还价的乐趣。选项A、C、D虽然都在文中有所体现，但都是为说明“Bargaining is interesting”这一主旨服务的细节。故选B。

3.3. Which of the following best describes Hussein?

A Humorous and strict.

B Proud and silent.

C Practical and positive.

D Serious and impatient.

解析：选C。C推理判断题。综合全文对Hussein的描写：第二段中他对当地的变化“nods confidently”，表现出积极乐观的态度；第五段面对游客增多，他既看到好处（“This means more work for guides”），又给出实用建议（“Go somewhere else”）。文中明确提到“Hussein, always practical”，他的言行也印证了他务实且乐观的性格。选项A（幽默，文中未体现Hussein幽默）、B（骄傲沉默，与文中他健谈的形象不符）、D（严肃不耐烦，与文中他友好耐心的形象相反）均不正确。故选C。

4.4. The word “tempted” in the last paragraph most probably means _____ .

A scared

B drawn

C puzzled

D exhausted

解析：选B。B词义猜测题。最后一段中，Hussein建议作者可以去其他“quieter peaks”，作者说“For a moment, I am tempted”，紧接着用“but”转折说“like most, I want to stand on the highest point”。这个转折关系表明，“tempted”表示作者短暂地被吸引，想要接受去其他山峰的建议。选项B drawn（被吸引）最符合上下文逻辑。选项A scared（害怕）、C puzzled（困惑）、D exhausted（疲惫）代入原文均不成立。故选B。