Question

In one of the old buildings near our school，one could see an old man sitting by a large window on the first floor．His name was James．During the three years at school, I had hardly ever found him missing from his usual position．

He was a high-ranking government official and lived happily with his wife．Once there was a bus accident，in which a number of passengers were seriously injured and were taken to the hospital for treatment．James was responsible for the rescue operation．It was a big hospital，but James was shocked to notice how ill-equipped it was．There were no enough life-saving drugs and life—supporting equipment． The injured and their companions had to struggle there．James attempted to help．However，though he emptied his pockets，many of them died that day．

That was a turning point in his life．He made a decision to devote his life to helping others，particularly the poor and needy patients and their companions．He began spending much of his income on these people．Since this required a lot of time and energy，he found it difficult to fulfill(履行) his official duties and therefore chose to retire，which，in turn，reduced his income considerably．

His wife was deeply worried. Most of the time，James was out and paid least attention to home affairs．Meanwhile，as he was spending a lot helping others，she had to struggle even to meet the household expenses．Though she was not opposed to his helping the poor，she urged him not to overlook his own life and home，but it had no effect on him．One day they had a heated argument and in the end she left him，never to return．Though he continued with his work，this was a great blow and did serious harm to his health and enthusiasm and was soon forced to stay indoors．That was when he took his position by the window，spending his time looking outside．

A few weeks after my graduation，I returned to school，only to find the buildings gone．I heard that they were torn down．All the people left except James．He refused to go and the next morning，he was found at his usual place by the window，dead．

1.What changed James’ view towards life?

A. The difficulties in his career．

B. The deaths in the bus accident．

C. The bad conditions in the hospital．

D. The responsibilities in the operation．

2.James chose to retire in order to____________________.

A. spare more time and energy to help others

B. find a better job to increase his income

C. take care of the injured passengers

D. stay away from the difficult official duties

3.James’ wife left because_________________________．

A. she was strongly against his deeds

B. James paid too little attention to his work

C. her work to support their daily life was too tiring

D. James failed to keep a balance between charity and home

4.What is possibly the reason why James sat by the window every day?

A. He expected his wife to return.

B. He looked forward to going out.

C. He desired to watch the students.

D. He attempted to know the outside life.

Answer

1. C

2. A

3. D

4. A

【解析】

该文讲述了一个叫James的老人决心献身慈善事业，却忽略了慈善与家庭之间的平衡，以至于妻子愤而离去；受到打击的James身体从此衰弱、精神日减，终日坐于窗前等待妻子归来，直到死去。

1.细节理解题。从前一段可知，James之所以投身慈善，是因为他亲眼目睹了医院恶劣的条件给病人及其亲属所带了的折磨。故选C。

2.细节理解题。从第三段末的Since this required a lot of time and energy，he foundit difficult to fulfill hisofficial dutiesand therefore chose to retire可知做慈善需要大量的时间和精力，让他无力做好自己的工作，所以不得不选择辞职，以便有更多的时问和精力做慈善。故选A。

3.细节理解题。从第四段中的Though she was not opposed to his helping the poor，she urged him not to overlook his own life and home可知，他的妻子不满他太专心于慈善而忽略了家庭，即：没有在慈善和家庭间达到平衡。故选D。

4.推理判断题。由全文可知，James因为妻子的离去，身体日渐衰弱，对慈善的热情也大减，从此终日坐于窗前，盼望妻子的归来。故选A。