【正确答案】The sky gradually darkened at the approach of a storm. The rickshaw pullers quickened their pace, saying the weather was about to get worse. The sky seemed to have overheard their remark and responded with a thunderous roar from the air as though several dozen brass drums were rolling on the floor of the heavens. Ever since morning the air had been oppressive, as though it were holding its breath.Suddenly the sky sprang an opening at some point, and the wind outside came rushing in gusts. The yellowing vegetation awoke momentarily from its slumbers, sighing gently and rustling softly. The earth seemed like a steam cooker when the lid is lifted. The rain followed, fresh and joyful, not like the afternoon rain, which had seemed like sweat oozing from the hot, stuffy sky. The rain came down harder and harder, as though the drops were scrambling to get to the ground first, impatient to line up in rows. Pushing and shoving, they united in solid blocks of cold water, which splashed down in wild confusion. The rickshaw boys would run a few steps, then mop the water from their faces with their soaking sleeves.The heat generated by their running did not equal the force of the rain. Shivering, they said to one another that they’ d have to get a good drink of warm wine later and asked the passengers to lift themselves up, so the pullers could get at their dry clothes underneath the seats. The passengers curled up in balls, wishing they had some extra clothes handy to put on. Li borrowed Miss Sun’ s parasol again. The rain thickly dyed the night. As the water brought blackness down with it, the sky also became darker by the minute. The procession hurried along in what seemed like a bottle of black ink. The night had turned such a dense black that a person literally could not see the fingers on his out-stretched hand!

【答案解析】无