One day, Vinod Menon, the head of the physics department at the City College of New York, who had to face the unpleasant task of going through almost a year of COVID-lockdown office mail, opened a 9-month-old package, only to find it contained $180,000.
Piled notes in 50s and 100s wrapped in paper bands, a letter, and a return address to an alias were all that accompanied the parcel addressed to “Head of the Physics Department.” “I’ve never seen this kind of money in real life in cash form except in movies,” Menon told CNN. “That really floored me, so I just did not know how to react.”
The sender evidently had unshakable faith in the US postal system, and desired to send the cash to poor students looking to pursue physics and other sciences. City College of New York is one of the most-productive public university systems, and the physics department is particularly outstanding. Three Nobelists in physics received their education there, and in 1921 Albert Einstein gave one of his first lectures at the campus.
“Assuming that you are a bit curious as to why I am doing this, the reason is straightforward,” the letter read, continuing to explain that its writer had, many years ago, taken advantage of the “excellent educational opportunity” available at City College to study physics, earn a master’s, and pursue a “long, productive, rewarding scientific career.”
The alias return address was to Kyle Paisley, a name absent from the university’s graduation logs, at a house in Pensacola, Florida, whose owners apparently had no idea of the donation. After a two-month long investigation revealing nothing linking the money to criminal activity, the Board of Trustees held a vote and decided to keep the money. Dr Menon noted that the gift would provide for two fully-funded scholarships every year for a decade.
4. How did Vinod Menon most likely feel when seeing the cash?
A.Shocked. | B.Ashamed. | C.Worried. | D.Excited. |
5. Why was Albert Einstein mentioned in the text?
A.To introduce Einstein’s achievements. |
B.To prove that it is not easy to win a Nobel Prize. |
C.To show the excellence of the physics department. |
D.To tell that Einstein received education in the physics department. |
6. Which words can best describe the writer of the letter?
A.Generous and grateful. | B.Athletic and cautious. |
C.Brave and professional. | D.Cooperative and caring. |
7. What can be inferred from the last paragraph?
A.The writer of the letter was eventually found. |
B.Dr Menon was in charge of keeping the money. |
C.The school was careful when handling the money. |
D.Kyle Paisley is a graduate of the physics department. |