I was in a rush as
always, but this time it was for an important date I just couldn’t be late for!
I found myself at a checkout counter behind an elderly woman seemingly in no
hurry as she paid for her groceries. A PhD student with not a lot of money, I
had hurried into the store to pick up some flowers. I was in a huge rush,
thinking of my upcoming evening. I did not want to be late for this date.
We were in Boston, a
place not always known for small conversation between strangers. The woman
stopped unloading her basket and looked up at me. She smiled. It was a nice
smile—warm and reassuring—and I returned her gift by smiling back.
“Must be a special
lady, whoever it is that will be getting those beautiful flowers,” she said.
“Yes, she’s special,” I
said, and then to my embarrassment, the words kept coming out. “It’s only our
second date, but somehow I am just having the feeling she’s ‘the one’.”
Jokingly, I added, “The only problem is that I can’t figure out why she’d want
to date a guy like me.”
“Well, I think she’s
very lucky to have a boyfriend who brings her such lovely flowers and who is
obviously in love with her,” the woman said. “My husband used to bring me
flowers every week—even when times were tough and we didn’t have much money.
Those were incredible days; he was very romantic and –of course—I miss him
since he’s passed away.”
I paid for my flowers
as she was gathering up her groceries. There was no doubt in my mind as I
walked up to her. I touched her on the shoulder and said, “You were right, you
know. These flowers are indeed for a special lady.” I handed her the flowers
and thanked her for such a nice conversation.
It took her a moment to
realize that I was giving her the flowers I had just bought. “Have a wonderful
evening,” I said. I left her with a big smile and my heart warmed as I saw her
smelling the beautiful flowers.
I remember being
slightly late for my date that night and telling my girlfriend the story. A
couple of years later, when I finally worked up the courage to ask her to marry
me, she told me that this story had helped to seal it for her—that was the
night that I won her heart.
61. Why was the writer
in a hurry that day?
A. He was to meet his
girlfriend.
B. He had to go back to school soon.
C. He was delayed by an
elderly lady. D. He had to pick up
some groceries.
62. What does the
underlined phrase “her gift” (Paragraph 2) refer to?
A. Her
words. B. Her
smile. C. Her
flowers. D. Her politeness.
63. Why did the writer
give his flowers to the elderly lady?
A. She told him a nice
story.
B. She allowed him to pay first.
C. She gave him encouragement.
D. She liked flowers very much.
64. Which of the
following is Not True?
A.
Strangers in Boston seldom have small conversations.
B. The
girlfriend was very angry because the writer was late.
C. The old
lady’s husband has passed away.
D. The
writer and his girlfriend got married at last.
65. What is the message
conveyed in the story?
A. Flowers are
important for a date.
B. Small talk is
helpful.
C. Love and kindness
are rewarding (有回报的).
D. Elderly people
deserve respecting.