One spring, when I was 10, during one of my father’s layoffs, I could tell my mother was unhappy. I decided to cheer her up by buying her a special Mother’s Day gift.
One day after school I rode my bike to the Agins, which, I learned years later, was known for its high-end fashions and style. I introduced myself to Sylvia Agins, telling her I was looking for a Mother’s Day present.
“Do you think she’d like a purse?” she asked. “I think she might.” I told her.
She took out an Italian handbag made of leather. She asked me what I thought, and I told her that my mom would like it.
“How much money do you have?” she asked.
“Twelve dollars,” I said.
“You’re in luck,” she told me. “It’s only $11. You have a dollar left over for the card.” She wrapped the purse and thanked me for my business, and I rode off home with the package under my arm.
When my mother opened the gift the next Sunday morning, she asked in an accusing tone, “Where did you get this?”
“I bought it at the Agins. It cost me $11.” I said.
My mother was shocked into silence.
It wasn’t until many years later, when I learned that the purse was worth several hundred dollars, that I appreciated just how wonderful Sylvia Agins had been to me. I always felt regretful that I never had a chance to properly thank her.
“You know, my son, what really amazes me to this day,” my mother said. “Letting you have the purse for just a few dollars was unbelievable enough. But the fact that she let you leave the store with a dollar for the card was a touch of kindness that I’ll never forget.”
1.The author bought his mother a purse to_________.
A. surprise his mother B. make his mother happy
C. show his ability of making money D. thank his mother for buying him a bike
2.Why was the author’s mother shocked into silence?
A. The purse was bought from the Agins.
B. She wasn’t expecting a gift from her son.
C. The author bought a card to go with the purse.
D. The Agins charged so little money for the purse.
3.Sylvia Agins’ behavior shows that_________.
A. she is critical and mean B. she is kind and thoughtful
C. she is good at making money D. she knows how to choose presents
4.What amazed the mother most was that_________.
A. the shop owner left one dollar for her son to buy a card
B. her son bought her a beautiful purse on Mother’s day
C. her son rode his bike to buy things by himself
D. the purse was worth several hundred dollars
5.Which can be the best title for the text?
A. An Unforgettable Event B. A Considerate Mother
C. A Priceless Mother’s Day Gift D. A Clever Shop Owner
Every night, my mother would come to my room, lean down and push my long hair out of the way, then kiss my forehead.
I don't remember when it first started me --her hands pushing my hair that way. But it did make me annoyed, for they felt work - worn and against my young skin.Finally, one night, I shouted at her: “Don' t do that any more --your are too rough!” She didn’t say anything in .But never again did my mother close out my day with that expression of her love.
Time after time, with the years, my thoughts returned to that night.I'm not a little girl any more.Mom is in her mid - seventies, and those hands I thought to be so rough are still doing things for me and my
Now, my own children are . Mom no longer has Dad. It was late on that Thanksgiving Eve, as I went to sleep in the bedroom of my youth, a familiar hand before stealing across my face to brush the from my forehead. Then a kiss, ever so touched my brow.In my , thousands of times, I the night my young voice complained. Mom's hand in my hand, I said how I was for that night. I thought she'd remember, as I did, Mom didn't know what I was talking about. She had forgotten — and —long ago.
That night, I fell asleep with a new for my gentle mother and her caring hands. And the I had carried around for so long was nowhere to be found.
1.A. surprising B. hurting C. annoying D. amazing
2.A. rough B. gentle C. smooth D. strong
3.A. noises B. words C. feelings D. hands
4.A. anger B. silence C. reply D. fear
5.A. healthy B. familiar C. popular D. perfect
6.A. coming B. remaining C. following D. passing
7.A. often B. even C. never D. once
8.A. family B. neighbor C. husband D. home
9.A. developed B. grown C. moved D. forgotten
10.A. imagined B. hesitated C. regretted D. trembled
11.A. hair B. tears C. dirt D. kisses
12.A. quickly B. roughly C. gently D. slowly
13.A. memory B. opinion C. history D. diary
14.A. chanced B. missed C. hated D. recalled
15.A. Beating B. Picking C. Catching D. Stopping
16.A. happy B. sorry C. annoyed D. amused
17.A. and B. while C. because D. but
18.A. remembered B. faded C. forgiven D. apologized
19.A. hope B. appreciation C. thought D. approval
20.A. guilt B. pride C. sorrow D. Failure
Sitting under the willow trees ____ an old man.
A. is B. are C. is there D. are there
It was with the selfless help of our teacher ______ we realized our dream.
A. that B. who C. when D. how
To build a harmonious society, we all have a part to play in the fight ____ injustice, unemployment and crime.
A. over B. by C. for D. against
This chemical material is very toxic. So put it ______ the children’s reach.
A. by B. beyond C. within D. from