阅读下面短文，掌握其大意，然后从各题所给的四个选项中，选出最佳选项。(共12个小题；每小题1分，满分12分)

阅读下面短文，掌握其大意，然后从各题所给的四个选项中，选出最佳选项。(共12个小题；每小题1分，满分12分)
A successful businessman was growing old and knew it was time to choose a successor(继任者) to take over the business.
29  choosing one of his children, he decided to do something different. He called all the young executives(主管) in his company together, and said, “ I will give each one of you a(n)  30
today. I want you to plant the seed, water it, and   31  here one year from today with what you have grown from the seed. I will then  32  your plants, and the one I choose will be the next CEO.”
Jim was there that day and he also received a seed. He went home  33  , and got a pot, some soil and planted the seed. Every day, he watered it and   34  to see if it had grown, but nothing ever grew.
Time flew, and it was time to  35  their plants to the boss. When Jim arrived, he wa s   36
the variety of plants grown by the other executives. They were all   37 ——in all shapes and sizes.
When the old CEO arrived, he   38  the room and greeted his young executives. “My goodness! What great plants, trees, and flowers you have grown.” All of a sudden, the CEO noticed Jim at the back of the room with his   39  pot. He asked him what had happened to his seed—— Jim told him his story.
The CEO looked at Jim, and then   40  to the young excutives, “ Now we have the next Chief Executive Officer ——his name is Jim!”
Nobody could believe it, including Jim himself. Then the CEO said, “ One year ago the seeds I gave everyone were all boiled seeds; it was not possible for them to grow. Remember, everyone, if you plant honesty, you will reap(收获) trust.”
29.  A. Because of            B. In addition to        C. Apart from           D. Instead of
30.  A. order              B. plant                C. seed                 D. appointment
31.  A. come back        B. get off               C. forget about         D. walk around
32.  A. collect           B. buy                  C. sell                D. judge
33.  A. excitedly         B. nervously             C. carefully          D. angrily
34.  A. declared         B. remained              C. watched           D. intended
35.  A. dig out          B. pack up               C. meet with          D. bring back
36.  A. disappointed at    B. amazed at              C. satisfied with        D. cautious about
37.  A. green           B. beautiful             C. disappointing      D. dying
38.  A. scanned          B. found               C. searched            D. inspected
39.  A. broken          B.empty                C. big               D. expensive
40.  A. explained        B. suggested             C. announced         D. introduced