Question

Everybody has had at least one experience from which he knows the meaning of life. This time, which took place several years ago, but seems as if it just happened.

On an afternoon several years ago, my brother-in-law opened the bottom drawer of my sister’s dress and picked out a beautiful skirt. “ Jan bought this the first time we went to New York, at least 8 or 9 years ago. She never wore it. She was saving it for a special occasion.” he said．I guess this was the occasion: it was the funeral of my sister, after her unexpected death.

He took the shirt and put it on bed, with the other clothes we were taking to the funeral. Then he closed the drawer and turned to me, “Don’t ever save anything for a special occasion. Every day you’re alive is a special occasion.”

I’m thinking about his words, and they’ve changed the way I live my life. I’m spending more time with my family and friends and less time in committee meetings. Whenever possible, life should be a kind of experience to enjoy, not to suffer. “Someday ”and “one of these days ”are losing their importance  on my vocabulary. If it’s worth seeing or hearing or doing, I want to see and hear and do it now.

Ever since that day, I have been trying very hard not to put off, hold back or save anything that would add laughter and color to our lives. Every morning when I open my eyes, I tell myself that every day, every minute, every breath, truly is a gift. So cherish every day and find the true meaning of your life.

1.Why did Jan buy the beautiful skirt but didn’t wear it?

       A．She waited for a special occasion to wear it on.

       B．She wanted to keep it for someone else.

       C．She saved it till she grew up.

       D．She would give it to herself as a gift some day.

2.What does the underlined word “cherish” mean?

       A．Treasure.            B．Waste.                 C．Own.                  D．Save

3.From his experience, the author learns that_______.

       A．everybody can have a happy life through efforts

       B．every day in our lives is worth cherishing

       C．enjoying ourselves is the most important thing in our lives

       D．everybody will have some things left to do after his death

4.What does the author write this passage for?

       A．To show how to make good use of everyday in life.

       B．To explain the true meaning of his brother-in-law’s words.

       C．To tell people to cherish every day and find the meaning of life.

       D．To encourage people to waste time and enjoy themselves in life.

5.What’s the best title for this passage?

       A．Every Day IS a Gift                             B．My Sister Jan

       C．What Is the Meaningful Life like            D．The Most Important Time in Your Life

Answer

1.A由第二段的“She was saving it for a special occasion.”可以看出。

2.A由第三段brother-in-law对“我”说的话，以及全文的主题可以看出：了解人生真正的含义在于珍惜每一天,所以这里cherish意思应是“珍惜（treasure）”，

3.B联系上下文，作者意识到：不要把一些值得去做或值得去想的事情放到将来某些特殊的时候，我们生活中的每一天都是值得珍惜的。

4.C由全文尤其是最后一句可以看出，作者是借讲述姐姐的故事告诫人们要珍惜每一天，利用好每一天，这有这样才能发现生活的意义。

5.A纵观全文尤其是最后一段，可以看出，文章的大意是每一天都是一个礼物，我们珍惜每一天，因为每一天都非常珍贵。