I’ve loved my mother’s desk since I was just tall enough to see above the top of it as Mother sat doing letters. Standing by her chair, looking at the ink bottle, pens, and white paper, I decided that the act of writing must be the most wonderful thing in the world.

   Years later, during her final illness, Mother kept different things for my sister and brother. “But the desk”, she said, “is for Elizabeth”.

   I never saw her angry, never saw her cry. I knew she loved me, she showed it in action. But as a young girl, I wanted heart-to-heart talks between mother and daughter.

   They never happened. And a gulf opened between us. I was “too emotional”. But she lived “on the surface”

   As years passed and I had my own family. I loved my mother and thanked her for our happy family. I wrote to her in careful words and asked her to let me know in any way she chose that she did forgive me.

   I posted the letter and waited for her answer. None came.

   My hope turned to disappointment,then little interest, finally, peace---it seemed that nothing happened. I couldn’t be sure that the letter had even got to Mother. I only knew that I had written it, and I could stop trying to make her into someone she was not.

   Now the present of her desk told me, as she’d never been able to, that she was pleased that writing was my chosen work, I cleaned the desk carefully and found some papers inside---a photo of my father and a one-page letter, folded(被折叠) and refolded many times.

Give me an answer, my letter asks, in any way you choose, Mother, you always chose the act that speaks louder than words.

81. The writer began to love her mother’s desk________.

A. after Mother died         B. before she became a writer

C. when she was a child       D. when Mother gave it to her

82. The passage shows that__________.

A. Mother wrote her daughter in careful words

   B. Mother cared much about her daughter in words

   C. Mother was too serious about everything her daughter had done

   D. Mother was cold on the surface but kind in her heart to her daughter

83. The word “gulf” in the passage means________.

   A. part of the sea going far in land

   B. free talks between mother and daughter

   C. different ideas between the mother and the daughter

   D. deep understanding between the old and the young

84. What did Mother do with her daughter’s letter asking for forgiveness?

   A. She had never received the letter.     

   B. She read the letter again and again till she died.

   C. For years, she often talked about the letter.

   D. She didn’t forgive her daughter at all in her life.

85. What’s the best title of the passage?

   A. My letter to Mother        B. Mother and Children

   C. My Mother’s Desk         D. Talks between Mother and Me

Below is a discussion on a website.

http: / /www. Talking Points. com/

             Stuck on a desert island?

Started on 23rd April by Steve           Posts 1--7 of 42

Post 1

Steve

USA

Hi, everyone. What would you miss most and least if you were stuck on a desert island? For me, it would be the changing seasons in New England. I guess this will sound stupid but I’d probably miss the rain, too. I wouldn’t miss getting up at six every day to go to work, though! What about you?

Post 2

Tomas

Germany

Good question, Steve. I think I’d miss different types of bread, and shopping at the supermarket. I’d miss the food most. What would I miss least? My mobile phone--I’d like to be completely quiet--at least for a little while.

Post 3

Paola

Italy

I would miss the company of people because I know I’d like to have someone to share experiences with. I’d go mad on my own. And I sure wouldn’t miss junk mail(垃圾邮件)--I hate coming home every evening and finding a pile of junk mail in my post box.

Post 4

Miko

Japan

Hi, I would miss Manga cartoon, the Internet and Japanese food, like sushi. I’d also miss TV shows and shopping for clothes…In fact, I’d miss everything.

Post 5

Roger

UK

 I would miss my daily newspaper and listening to the news on TV and radio. I’d feel very cut off if I didn’t know what was happening in the world. What I’d miss least would be traffic jams in the city, particularly my journey to work.

Post 6

Jayne

Canada

Why hasn’t anyone mentioned their family? I’d be lost without my husband and two kids. They are the most important for me. And I can’t get started in the morning without a cup of black coffee. I wouldn’t miss doing the housework.

Post 7

Jaime

Mexico

It would have to be music.I couldn’t live without my music.I wouldn’t miss going to school at all or doing homework!

68.Who would miss his or her family most?

       A.Jaime         B.Jayne       C.Miko      D.Paola

69.Which of the following people would feel most uncomfortable without the news media?

     A.Steve        B.Jaime           C.Roger               D.Tomas

70.How many of them mentioned that they would miss food or drink?

     A.One         B.Two            C.Three                  D.Four

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