1 . My Father, the Family Man

This year, my seasonal depression took me deeperssion the past, and a new portrait of my father came into my mind. He was a sometimes difficult, always determined man.

In my early memories, I was sitting at the kitchen table listening to my father yelling (叫嚷) about his challenges as an Italian immigrant. Back then, I couldn’t have known his pain as he struggled to find his footing in this new land.

“We left Italy to give you three girls more opportunities for a better life,” he said. “But we’d had a shaky start. The apartment your aunt had secured for us fell through at the last minute. It went to someone without children. So the five of us moved into your aunt’s living room.”

Bills mounted up. “And then I saw your mother’s face was as white as a sheet.” He said bitterly but soon stared down at the table to compose himself. “And the baby was crying. I worried that the houseowner would come knocking on the door.”

Dad jumped to the end of his story, “What more can I say? I went looking for a job. I found one.”

Armed with a few English phrases and determination, he’d walked for miles in a city he didn’t know, stopping at every hair salon, asking for a chance to show his skills as a hair stylist, his profession and passion. That’s what he’d been doing all day, supporting for his family.

Forty years later in Toronto, he sat at the table, asking if I thought he’d provided well for his family. I answered. His eyes watered. Mine did, too.

1. What did the author think of her father in the early years?

A．The father left Italy for a better job.

B．He was moved by his father’s story.

C．The father’s early struggle was in vain.

D．He didn’t realize his father’s difficulties.

2. What does the underlined word “compose” probably mean in paragraph.4?

A．Show off.

B．Cheer up.

C．Calm down.

D．Make up.

3. What can we learn from the passage?

A．The father had a big family to support.

B．The author’s eyes watered for her childhood.

C．The father and daughter misunderstood each other.

D．The father learned to be a hair stylist in Toronto.

2 . If you are looking to improve your relationship with your parents, you are not alone.     1     There are a number of steps that can be taken to make a better relationship with your parents.

Be grateful. Consider all that your parents have done for you. You may find yourself feeling thankful to your parents. You will be more willing to improve the relationship. Let your parents know that you are appreciative for all they have done for you.     2     For example, get them a nice gift. If you live with your parents, do some extra housework without being asked.

    3     Often, people do not get along because they fail to take others' perspective. Accept that your parents are different. Think about the ways that their lives may have been different from your life, and how these different histories may be contributing to issues in the relationship.

Avoid unnecessary arguments. Sometimes arguments are unavoidable, but do your best to avoid unnecessary quarrels. This may mean that you have to bite your tongue when one of your parents says something controversial.     4     If it is, make the point clearly and modestly in order to avoid an overly emotional argument.

Don't ask for their advice unless you really want it. Sometimes problems arise in relationships between parents and children, particularly at the teenage years and beyond, because parents can try to give advice that might hurt your sense of independence.     5     Otherwise, you may be opening the door to frustration on your part.

A．Put yourself in their shoes.

B．Be happy with them for this.

C．Show your appreciation with your actions.

D．It can hurt to feel taken for granted, even for parents.

E．Problems between parents and children are common.

F．So try only asking for their advice when you really want it.

G．Determine whether the need to respond is really necessary.