文章大意:本文是一篇记叙文。本文介绍了作者作为一个独立的人,选择养植物而不是狗作为伴侣。作者介绍了自己养的三个室内植物的个性和特点,同时也分享了通过参加社区园艺小组将养植物作为一种兴趣来扩大社交圈的经历。
I come from a family of dog lovers—although my late mother never fed our pet s table foods, so I suppose that she was as lukewarm about them as I was. While I had the idea of getting a cat just after I moved to my first tiny studio apartment in New York City, I quickly realized the litter box(猫砂盆) would never be out of my line of sight. So I headed to the local nursery to pick up some indoor plants for a little companionship(陪伴). Little did I know that Phil and Charlotte, the philodendron and spider plant I bought that day more than25 years ago, would still be my roommates all these years later.
I have nothing against people who love their dogs—if pet ownership makes them happy, I’m happy for them. But as an extremely independent person, I find dogs too needy. When so many people kept puppies(小狗) during the lockdown days of the early COVID-19 pandemic, I turned my apartment into a greenhouse. My home became the quiet and peaceful place I needed at the time. And never once did I need to double-mask to take a dog on a walk in the cold rain!
But plants have personality and need attention too. They just don’t show it by crying or jumping on me. I’ve got a peace lily, which I’ve named Herald, who lowers his head dramatically(夸张做作地) when he needs a drink, giving me a message that the rest of the crowd are probably thirsty too. He springs back up just as dramatically right after I water him, and he makes me feel so proud that I’m keeping living things alive. It’s a quieter form of caregiving and companionship than pets, but it brings me purpose and joy.
Phil and Charlotte have completely different personalities than Herald. They know and have kept all my adult-life secrets, and like any good roommates, they maintain a low profile(低姿态). Overwatering, underwatering, fertilizer(肥料) or no, a fancy new flowerpot(花盆)—they don’t care about any of it. They just grow. I may not be able to take them to the dog park to communicate with my neighbors, but I have joined a community gardening group where all the members happily talk about their beloved potted friends too. So even if it seems unlikely, plants can widen your social circle just as much as a dog can.
12. What does the underlined part “lukewarm about” in paragraph 1 probably mean?
A.Confident in. | B.Uninterested in. | C.Mistaken about. | D.Concerned about. |
13. How did the author get through the hard days of the early COVID-19 pandemic?
A.By playing with her dog. | B.By staying with her family. |
C.By taking care of her plants. | D.By joining a community gardening group. |
14. Compared with Herald, Phil and Charlotte _________.
A.are easier to raise. | B.have shorter lives. |
C.need more attention. | D.are more attractive to pets. |
15. What is the best title for the text?
A.It is difficult to find your true purpose and joy in life. |
B.Taking your pets out is a good way to widen your social circle. |
C.I do share caregiving responsibilities with my family members. |
D.Keeping my leafy roommates alive is my suitable way to be a caregiver. |