题目内容
What’s wrong with you left hand?
--A bee has stung it and it is .
A. swelled up B. swelling down C. swelling up D. swelled down
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The young boy saw me, or rather, he saw the car and quickly ran up to me, eager to sell his Hunches (串) of bananas and bags of peanuts.Though he appeared to be about twelve, he seemed to have already known the bitterness of life.“Banana 300 naira.Peanuts 200 naira.” He said in a low voice.I bargained him down to 200 total for the fruit and nuts.When he agreed, I handed him a 500 naira bill.He didn’t have change, so I told him not to worry.He said thanks and smiled a row of perfect teeth.
When, two weeks later, I saw the boy again, I was more aware of my position in a society where it’s not that uncommon to see a little boy who should be in school standing on the corner selling fruit in the burning sun.My parents had raised me to be aware of the advantage we had been afforded and the responsibility it brought to us. I pulled over and rolled down my window.He had a bunch of bananas and a bag of peanuts ready.I waved them away.“What’s up?” I asked him.“I … I don’t have money to buy books for school.” I reached into my pocket and handed him two fresh 500 naira bills.
“Will this help?” I asked.He looked around nervously before taking the money.One thousand naira was a lot of money to someone whose family probably made about 5,000 naira or less each year.
“Thank you, sir,” he said.“Thank you very much!”
When driving home, I wondered if my little friend actually used the money for schoolbooks.
What if he’s a swindler (骗子)? And then I wondered why I did it.Did I do it to make myself feel better? Was I using him? Later, I realized that I didn’t know his name or the least bit about him, nor did I think to ask.
Over the next six months, I was busy working in a news agency in northern Nigeria. Sometime after I returned, I went out for a drive.When I was about to pull over, the boy suddenly appeared by my window with a big smile ready on his face. “Oh, gosh! Long time.” “Are you in school now?” I asked. He nodded. “That’s good,” I said.A silence fell as we looked at each other, and then I realized what he wanted.“Here,” I held out a 500 naira bill.“Take this.” He shook his head and stepped back as if hurt.“What’s wrong?” I asked.“It’s a gift.” He shook his head again and brought his hand from behind his back.His face shone with sweat.He dropped a bunch of bananas and a bag of peanuts in the front seat before he said, “I’ve been waiting to give these to you.”
【小题1】What was the author’s first impression of the boy?
A.He seemed to be poor and greedy. | B.He seemed to have suffered a lot. |
C.He seemed younger than his age | D.He seemed good at bargaining. |
A.told him his purpose of selling fruit and nuts |
B.wanted to express his thanks |
C.asked him for money for his schoolbooks |
D.tried to take advantage of him |
A.Because he had enough money to do that. |
B.Because he had learnt to help others since childhood. |
C.Because he held a higher position in the society. |
D.Because he had been asked by the news agency to do so. |
A.Brave and polite. | B.Kind and smart. |
C.Honest and thankful. | D.Shy and nervous. |
My father had always been an alert observer of human character. Within seconds of meeting someone, he could sum up their strengths and weaknesses. It was always a challenge to see if any of my boyfriends could pass Dad’s test. None did. Dad was always right---they didn’t pass my test either. After Dad died, I wondered how I’d figure it out on my own.
That’s when Jack arrived on the scene. He was different from any other guy I’d dated. He could sit for hours on the piano bench with my mother, discussing some composers. My brother Rick loudly announced that Jack wasn’t a turkey like the other guys I’d brought home. Jack passed my family’s test. But what about Dad’s?
Then came my mother’s birthday. The day he was supposed to drive, I got a call. “Don’t worry,” he said, “but I’ve been in an accident. I’m fine, but I need you to pick me up.”
When I got there, we rushed to a flower shop for something for Mom. “How about gardenias?” Jack said, pointing at a beautiful white corsage(胸花). The florist put the corsage in a box.
The entire ride, Jack was unusually quiet. “Are you all right?” I asked. “I’ve been doing a lot of thinking,” he said. “I might be moving.” Moving? Then he added, “Moving in with you.” I nearly put the car on the sidewalk. “What?” I asked. “I think we should get married,” he said. He told me he’d planned his proposal in a fancy restaurant, but after the accident, he decided to do it right away. “Yes,” I whispered. We both sat dumbfounded, tears running down our cheeks. I’d never known such a tender moment. If only Dad were here to give his final approval.
“Oh, let’s just go inside.” Jack laughed. My mother opened the door. “Happy Birthday!” we shouted. Jack handed the box to her. She opened it up. Suddenly, her eyes were filled with tears. “Mom, what’s wrong?” I asked. “I’m sorry,” she said, wiping her eyes. “This is only the second gardenia corsage I’ve ever received. I was given one years ago, long before you kids were born.” “From who? ” I asked. “Your father,” Mom said. “He gave me one right before we were engaged.” My eyes locked on Jack’s as I blinked away(眨掉) tears. Dad’s test? I knew Jack had passed.
【小题1】 According to the text, we know the writer’s father was __________.
A.interested in observing things around |
B.good at judging one’s character |
C.strict with her boyfriend |
D.fond of challenges |
A.Jack got the family’s approval except Dad’s. |
B.Jack was different from any other boy. |
C.Jack was getting on well with Mother. |
D.Jack knew a lot about piano. |
A.piece of advice | B.wedding ceremony |
C.celebration of birthday | D.offer of marriage |
A.pleased | B.worried |
C.surprised | D.disappointed |
A.The gift was the same as the one her husband gave her. |
B.She had never received such a beautiful gift. |
C.Her daughter found her life partner at last. |
D.The gardenia corsage was too expensive. |
—What’s wrong with you yesterday?
—When I was playing football, my strength ___________ and I fell down.
A.gave up |
B.gave off |
C.gave out |
D.gave in |