Question

Poet William Stafford once said that we are defined more by the detours in life than by the narrow road toward goals. I like this image. But it was quite by accident that I discovered the deep meaning of his words.

For years we made the long drive from our home in Seattle to my parents’ home in Boise in nine hours. We traveled the way most people do: the fastest, shortest, easiest road, especially when I was alone with four noisy, restless kids who hate confinement and have strong opinions about everything.

Road trips felt risky, so I would drive fast, stopping only when I had to. We would stick to the freeways and arrive tired.

But then Banner, our lamb was born. He was rejected by his mama days before our planned trip to Boise. I had two choices: leave Banner with my husband, or take him with me. My husband made the decision for me.

That is how I found myself on the road with four kids, a baby lamb and nothing but my everlasting optimism to see me through. We took the country roads out of necessity. We had to stop every hour, let Banner shake out his legs and feed him. The kids chased him and one another. They’dget back in the car breathless and energized, smelling fresh from the cold air.

We explored side roads, catching grasshoppers in waist-high grass. Even if we simply looked out of the car windows at baby pigs following their mother, or fish leaping out of the water, it was better than the best ride down the freeway. Here was life and new horizons．

We eventually arrived at my parents' doorstep astonishingly fresh and full of stories.

I grew brave with the trip back home and creative with my disciplining technique. On an empty section of road, everyone started quarreling. I stopped the car, ordered all kids out and told them to meet me up ahead. I parked my car half a mile away and read my book in sweet silence.

Some road trips are by necessity fast and straight. But that trip with Banner opened our eyes to a world available to anyone adventurous enough to wander around and made me realize that a detour may uncover the best part of journey—and the best part of yourself.

1.Why did the author use to take freeways to her parents' home?

A. It was less tiring.    B. It would befaster and safer.

C. Her kids would feel less confined.    D. She felt better with other drivers nearby.

2.The author stopped regularly on the country roads to ________．

A. take care of the lamb    B. take a deep breath

C. relax in the fresh air    D. let the kids play with Banner

3.What does the author discover from the trip according to Paragraph 6?

A. Freeways are where beauty hides.

B. Getting close to nature adds to the joy of life.

C. Enjoying the beauty of nature benefits one's health.

D. One should follow side roads to watch wild animals.

4.What could be the best title for the passage?

A. The Road to Bravery    B. Creativity out of Necessity

C. Charm of the Detour    D. Road Trip and Country Life

Answer

1. B

2. A

3. B

4. C

【解析】

本文为记叙文。作者通过一次带着小羊羔Banner去父母家的绕道旅行，发现绕道旅行非常有意思。

1.细节理解题。根据第二段中的We traveled the way most people do: the fastest, shortest, easiest road, especially when I was alone with four noisy, restless kids who hate confinement (限制) and have strong opinions about everything.可知，作者以前喜欢走高速公路是因为那样更快更安全。故B选项正确。

2.细节理解题。结合第三段和第四段，我们发现是由于our lamb was born，并且第五段中有一句话We had to stop every hour, let Banner shake out his legs and feed him.可知，作者经常在乡间小路上停下来照顾羊羔。故A选项正确。

3.细节理解题。第六段中的it was better than the best ride down the freeway和最后一段均说明作者很开心，这段旅程是生活中最美好的(best)。作者发现亲近自然增加了生活的乐趣。故B选项正确。

4.标题判断题。根据文章第一段的we are defined more by the detours (绕行路) in life than by the narrow road toward goals. I like this image）和最后一段就说明绕道的魅力可知，C项“绕道的魅力”适合做本文最佳标题。故C选项正确。