My daddy worked hard to support our family in the 1940s. The year I was eight, we barely had two dimes (十分硬币) for the coming Christmas.
Our neighbor suggested that we hang lights in our yard to lift the Christmas spirit along our street. However, we had just enough money for things to decorate our living room.
There was a hardware store (五金店) down the street. I wanted to see how much the lights cost. On the way I spotted a dime on the sidewalk. Joy! How lucky I was to have found 10 cents !
In the store, I stared longingly at the strings of outdoor lights. I knew I could not buy even the smallest set. Then I saw the single lights, and my hope rose. I got excited when discovering a single bulb cost only 20 cents.
Walking home, I was thinking how I might get another dime. Maybe if I helped my grandma gather evergreens, she would give me a few cents. As expected, Grandma asked for my help on the weekend. But I didn't get a cent when we finished.
Several days later, Uncle Charlie dropped in, and gave each child a dime. We jumped with delight. Just as soon as I could, I went back to the hardware store and bought a single colored bulb. Back home, I climbed the ladder and replaced the clear light with the colored one. After the sunset, I switched on the light and, unobserved, went outside to see the lovely colored light in the darkness.
When Daddy came home, he asked, “Who put the light on the front door?” “I did, Daddy!”I smiled up at him.“Doesn't it look Christmassy?”
He bent down and, with tears in his eyes, took me gently in his arms. Our house was wearing some holiday spirit, and it looked beautiful.
4. The neighbor suggested that the author's family
____ .
A.buy outdoor lights | B.beautify the living room |
C.decorate the yard | D.lighten the street |
5. Why did the author feel excited when he found the single bulbs in the store?
A.Because he was attracted by their lovely colors. |
B.Because he believed he could get the money for one. |
C.Because they were more beautiful than strings of lights. |
D.Because they were so cheap that he could buy one immediately. |
6. How did the author get another dime?
A.His grandma gave it to him as a reward. |
B.He found it on the way home. |
C.He earned it by taking a part-time job. |
D.His uncle gave it to him as pocket money. |
7. Why did the author's father take him in his arms?
A.His father was affected by his merry feelings. |
B.His father was moved by his caring behavior. |
C.His father was touched that he had helped his grandma. |
D.His father was proud that he had replaced the bulb by himself. |