In many homes and offices, it is common to see a small statuette of the three wise monkeys. Of the three monkeys, one is
covering his eyes, another is hiding his ears, and __(41)__ has his paws placed over his mouth. While the monkeys are amusing, their
meaning has been __(42)__ as the ability of a disciplined mind to avoid evil. __(43)__, one should see no evil, hear no evil, and
speak no evil.
The three monkeys were first introduced __(44)__ Japan by a Buddhist monk from China in the 8th century A.D. In Japan, the
three monkeys became associated with a __(45)__ god by the name of Vadjra. The monkeys are covering their ears, eyes, and mouth
because of Vadjra’s command.
There are also those who believe the monkeys __(46)__ foolish people. These people walk through life with their ears covered,
in order not to hear; their mouths shut, so as not to speak; and their eyes hidden, so they would be __(47)__ to anything unpleasant.
They choose not to get involved with anyone or anything.
The final lesson from the three monkeys goes back to the god Vadjra. It is __(48)__ that if we follow all three commands of “see
no evil, hear no evil, and speak no evil,” then we will be spared evil.
【題組】41. (A) the other (B) another other (C) others (D) still other