The Cat and the Cock

    A cat caught a cock，and took counsel with himeself how he might find a reasonable excuse for eating him．He accused him of being a nuisance to men，by crowing in the night time，and not permitting them to sleep．The cock defended himself by saying that he did this for the benefit of men，that they might rise early for their lab ours．Thecat replied，“Although you abound¹ in specious² apologies，I shall not remain supper less．”He made a meal of him．Exercises：
    回答下列问题：
    ① What did the cat try to do after he caught the cock？
    ② What did the cock defend himself？

1 abound   

vi.大量存在；(in，with)充满，富于

参考例句：

• Oranges abound here all the year round.这里一年到头都有很多橙子。
• But problems abound in the management of State-owned companies.但是在国有企业的管理中仍然存在不少问题。

2 specious   

adj.似是而非的；adv.似是而非地

参考例句：

• Such talk is actually specious and groundless.这些话实际上毫无根据，似是而非的。
• It is unlikely that the Duke was convinced by such specious arguments.公爵不太可能相信这种似是而非的论点。