Question

    Over the years Lisa urged her sister Helen to prepare for her old age. Now they passed sixty. Lisa had a big house, Helen had the clothes on her back.

Lisa had hated being a child and couldn’t wait to grow up and buy herself everything. What Helen wanted was to go outside and play.

When anyone would hire her, Lisa put herself to work. She never touched a penny of her money though her young mouth watered for ice cream and candy. When the dimes (一角硬币) added up to dollars， she lost her taste for sweets. And her bankbook became her most precious possession.

Helen had a boyfriend Harry whose only ambition was to play a horn. That Helen married Harry straight out of high school was not surprising. Two or three times Lisa was halfway persuaded, but to give up a job that paid well for a homemaking job that paid nothing was a risk she was unable to take.

Helen’s married life was nothing for Lisa to envy. She and Harry played in second-rate bands. But Lisa had a big house because her boss offered her his first house at a price so low that it would be like losing money to refuse.

Harry died abroad, in a third-rate hotel, with Helen crying as hard as if he had left her a fortune. He had left her nothing but his horn. Lisa knew she would have to bring her home.

At dinner, Helen began to tell stories. They were rich with places and people, most of them lowly, all of them magnificent. Her face showed the joys and sorrows.

Then Lisa knew why Helen didn’t mention the shining room. Tonight Helen saw only what she had come seeking, a place in her sister’s home and heart.

She said, “That’s enough about me. How have the years used you?” “I didn’t use them,” said Lisa regretfully. “I saved for them but forgot to enjoy them. Now it’s too near the end to try. ”Helen said, “Don’t count the years that are left to us. At our time of life it’s the days that count. You’ve too much catching up to do to waste a minute of a waking hour feeling sorry for yourself.” Lisa smiled.

1.In her life Lisa attached most value to      .

A. further education    B. a job in hand

C. ice cream and candy    D. a chance to get married

2.Why did Lisa lose her taste for sweets?

A. Because she kept working and had no time to buy sweets.

B. Because she worked hard to make dimes add up to dollars.

C. Because she kept saving money and lost the basic desires.

D. Because she had little money to afford sweets.

3.In what way is the story mainly developed?

A. Changing locations.    B. Giving examples.

C. Creating conflicts.    D. Comparing characters.

4.What is probably the best title of the passage?

A. Single or Married?    B. Preparations for Old Age

C. Rich or Poor?    D. A House and a Bank Account

Answer

1. B

2. C

3. D

4. C

【解析】

本文是一篇记叙文，讲述了Lisa和Helen姐妹俩对生活有着完全不同的两种态度以及她们的生活状况。

1.细节理解题。根据第三段中的“When anyone would hire her, Lisa put herself to work.”可知，只要有人愿意雇用她，Lisa就会会努力工作，由此可知，Lisa最重视手头的工作，故B项正确。

2.推理判断题。根据第三段中的“When the dimes (一角硬币) added up to dollars， she lost her taste for sweets.”可知，当钱一分一分地积少成多时，她对甜食也失去了兴趣，由此可知，Lisa只想着不停地存钱，失去了对甜食的欲望，故C项正确。

3.文章结构题。通读全文可知，文章是通过对比Lisa和Helen对工作、婚姻以及生活的态度而展开的，故D项正确。

4.主旨大意题。通读全文可知，本文讲述了Lisa和Helen姐妹俩有着完全不同的生活态度以及她们的生活状况，一个及时享乐，最后生活窘迫，一个拼命存钱，却忘了享受生活，故C项（贫穷还是富有？）最能概括出文章内容。