On a Thursday afternoon in March, a Baltimore restaurant received an email request: fried broccoli(西兰花) topped with fresh herbs and onion. The woman who sent the email was actually writing in place of her mother, Jane, who enjoyed the dish, but was now in the final stages of lung cancer.
Steve Chu, owner of the restaurant, read the email and quickly replied, “Thanks for reaching out,” he wrote. “We’d like to meet you in Vermont and make it fresh for you. You tell us the date and location and we’ll be there.”
For the past 10 years, every time Jane visited Baltimore, she would go to the restaurant to order her favourite dish.
That Friday after work, a day after receiving Rina’s email, Steve loaded his truck with cooking equipment and ingredients needed and then headed for Vermont with two employees. They stayed overnight in a motel(汽车旅馆) and drove the next day to the flat where Rina’s mother lived.
As soon as Steve and his team pulled into the parking lot, they got down to work. In addition to broccoli, they made tofu with peanut sauce and some steamed rice. After neatly boxing(装箱) everything up, they knocked on their customer’s door.
Immediately Jane opened the door, she was greeted by the familiar smell. The mother also recognized Steve. “I don’t understand. You drove all the way up here to cook for me?” Jane screamed(尖叫).
As for Steve, he couldn’t help remembering his regular customer. “She loves the food and frequents our restaurant,” he said.
Steve and his team declined the invitation to join the family for dinner, for they needed to get back to Baltimore. Steve also wouldn’t accept any money from the family.
Rina was happy that her mother was able to enjoy her beloved broccoli at home.
4. Which of the following is true about Jane?
A.She suffered from a curable disease. |
B.She was particular about what she ate. |
C.She was a regular customer of the restaurant. |
D.She wrote the email to the restaurant in person. |
5. What did Steve’s team do to make Jane’s day?
A.He treated her to a big dinner in Vermont. |
B.They drove to Vermont and made the dish there. |
C.He shared the recipe of the dish with her. |
D.He delivered the dish to Jane’s home by air. |
6. Which of the following best describes Steve Chu?
A.Caring and calm. | B.Friendly and outgoing. |
C.Warm-hearted and generous. | D.Kind and determined. |
7. Which of the following is a suitable title for the text?
A.A restaurant going beyond its duties |
B.A cancer sufferer’s road to recovery |
C.Fried broccoli: a popular dish in the US |
D.Nice surprises are essential for life |