文章大意:本文是一篇记叙文。文章讲述了一个老人失去了日夜陪伴自己的女儿,在两年后的八十岁生日那天充满期待的等待另一个女儿给她寄来一份礼物,结果收到了女儿的一张支票,使她很失望的故事。
She got up early to be ready for the post. Myra wouldn’t forget her mother’s birthday, even if she seldom wrote at other times. Of course, Myra was busy. Her husband had been made Mayor (市长), and Myra herself had got a medal for her work for the aged. The old lady was proud of Myra, but Enid was the daughter she loved. Enid had never married, but had seemed pleased to live with her mother, and teach in a primary school. One evening, Enid said, “I’ve arranged for Mrs Morrison to look after you for a few days, Mother. Tomorrow I have to go into hospital—just a small operation, I’ll soon be home.” In the morning she went, but never came back—she died on the operating table.
Two years ago that was, and since then Myra had been to see her mother three times, but her husband never. The old lady was eighty today. She had put on her best dress. Perhaps—Myra might come. After all, eighty was a special birthday. Even if Myra did not come, she would send a present. The old lady was sure of that. Two spots of colour brightened her cheeks. She was excited—like a child. She would enjoy her day.
What would she like? A pair of slippers perhaps. Or a new blue sweater. Blue’s such a pretty colour. Or a table lamp. Or a book, a travel book, with pictures, or a little clock, with clear black numbers. So many lovely things.
She stood by the window, watching. The postman turned round the corner on his bicycle. Her heart beat fast. He gave her four envelopes. Three were unsealed cards from old friends. The fourth was sealed, in Myra’s writing. The old lady felt a pang of disappointment. “No parcel (包裹), sir?”
“No, madam.”
Maybe the parcel was too large to come by letter post. That was it. It would come later by parcel post. She must be patient.
She tore the envelope open. Folded in the card was a piece of paper. Written on the card was a message under the printed Happy Birthday—Buy yourself something nice with the cheque (支票), Myra and Harold.
The cheque fell to the floor like a bird with a broken wing. Slowly the old lady stooped to pick it up. Her present, her lovely present. With trembling fingers, she tore it into little bits.
28. How old was the old lady when Enid passed away?
A.Eighty. | B.Seventy-eight. | C.Seventy-five. | D.Eighty-two. |
29. What can you infer from this passage?
A.The old lady lived with Mrs Morrison. | B.Myra was much younger than Enid. |
C.The old lady was disappointed at last. | D.Myra was too rich to choose anything else. |
30. What’s the best title of this article?
A.The best gift for Mom | B.Mother’s love | C.A meaningful cheque | D.Trembling fingers |