5 . The flowers are blooming and the birds are singing as Melinda sits in the rose garden of the nursing home. She is recalling old times as she waits for her family’s arrival. The nursing home has been Melinda’s new settlement ever since Thomas passed away a week ago. Thomas had fought a long and hard battle against lung cancer for three years. Unfortunately, he has broken the promise that he and Melinda had made: to be with each other for every birthday. Melinda knew this was unrealistic (不现实的) but agreed to the promise for Thomas’s sake.
“Thomas, you are completely a dreamer” Melinda shouted to Thomas as he dragged on about living on an island with his beautiful wife. That’s what she loved about him most — he had a vivid imagination. They got married at age eighteen and began having children right away. Mary came within the year, followed by Thomas Benjamin Ⅱ, Lilly-Ann, and Joseph “Little Joey” George. The family lived an exultant life filled with laughter and love.
“Mom!” Lilly shouted, but it really sounded like a howl. Melinda had lost herself in thinking about the life she had shared with her late husband. Lilly pushed her down the long dark halls of the nursing home until they arrived at the recreational room.
When the doors opened, Melinda put her hand over her mouth and was completely speechless. The room was crowded with the people nearest and dearest to her and the warmth and love was felt instantly. The night went on; stories and cocktails were shared and everything was perfect.
However, when Melinda caught a moment to herself she looked around at her family. With a smile on her face, she raised her Manhattan and called out for a toast. “This one is for you, Thomas, though you are not here.”
1. Which of the following best explains “exultant” underlined in Paragraph 2?
| A．Peaceful. | B．Simple. |
| C．Stressful. | D．Happy. |
2. Why did Thomas break his promise?
| A．He was busy with his work. | B．He died of lung cancer. |
| C．He had to serve in the army. | D．He stopped loving Melinda. |
3. What can we infer from the last paragraph?
| A．Melinda’s children forgot their father. | B．Melinda was tired of noise. |
| C．Melinda missed her husband badly. | D．Melinda liked to drink alcohol. |
4. What can be a suitable title for the text?
| A．A Particular Birthday | B．A Woman at a Nursing Home |
| C．Memories of Old Day | D．A Big Surprise for Melinda |
