Question

    In the early hours of the morning, Gary Miller was in his truck, traveling down the road alone to deliver. Everything seemed calm. But with the sound of a fire siren (警笛) cutting through the wind, he became alarmed. Miller, a trucker by trade, has been a volunteer firefighter for 40 years. That loud, sharp siren assured him that help was on the way.

Most people never realize that this help is often a crew of volunteer firefighters. They make up 70 percent of the country’s nearly 1.2 million firefighters. “When I was a teenager there would be many who responded. About 20 people were coming into the voluntary fire station at one siren.” Miller laughed. But now, at his 54, that memory is almost ironic (讽刺的)to him. When a call comes in, his station might get only three or four people responding. He said: “People don’t want to, or rather, they don’t have time to volunteer.” Adults’ burdens have become greater. There isn’t as much time left for volunteering when most people rely on a two-income household now more than ever.

Firefighters face far more than what we imagine. The emotional stress on a firefighter stands out. “We’re asked to help someone at their most vulnerable (易受伤的) time. But we can’t always save the day like we hope to.” Miller reflected on the case years ago. “A mother’s car was hit hard, and she had two children in the backseat." By the time he arrived on the scene, there wasn’t much to be done. “One child died in my arms and I felt so defeated.”

Along with the emotional stress, the physical danger is just as great. Even with the progress of equipment and new training, that’s still not always enough to save a firefighter’s life. In 2016, 60 firefighters died in the line of the duty. “When you respond, you never know if it is to be your last,” Miller said. “And that’s just a risk we take.” Miller continued. "It's dangerous. But it's also the most rewarding thing I've ever done."

1.What was Gary Miller doing when the fire siren sounded that morning?

A. He was off duty. B. He was doing the daily routine.

C. He was on the way to rescue. D. He was driving to the fire station.

2.Why is the memory of the early time ironic to Miller?

A. Because many of his crew lost their lives.

B. Because he no longer serves the fire station.

C. Because firefighter is not an appealing job any more.

D. Because fewer people want to be volunteer firefighters.

3.What mainly causes the number of volunteer firefighters to drop?

A. The challenging task. B. The emotional stress.

C. The increasing burden. D. The possible danger.

4.What does being a volunteer firefighter mean to Miller?

A. A worthwhile experience. B. A way to make a living.

C. An ironic memory    . D. A risky adventure.

Answer

1.B

2.D

3.C

4.A

【解析】

本文是是一篇议论文。Gary Miller是一个志愿消防队员。早期的记忆对米勒来说是讽刺的，那是因为现在想成为志愿消防员的人越来越少。不断增加的家庭负担使消防队员减少的主要原因。但是志愿消防员对米勒来说意味着“一个有价值的经验。”

1.推理判断题。根据第一段中In the early hours of the morning, Gary Miller was in his truck, traveling down the road alone to deliver. Everything seemed calm. But with the sound of a fire siren (警笛) cutting through the wind, he became alarmed. “清晨时分，加里·米勒(Gary Miller)坐在卡车里，一个人沿路去送货。一切似乎都平静。但随着一声火警警报声在风中呼啸而过，他开始警觉起来。”可知，那天早上火灾警报响起时，加里·米勒正在做日常工作。故选B。

2.推理判断题。根据第二段中“When I was a teenager there would be many who responded. About 20 people were coming into the voluntary fire station at one siren.” Miller laughed. But now, at his 54, that memory is almost ironic (讽刺的)to him. When a call comes in, his station might get only three or four people responding.可知，之所以早期的记忆对米勒来说是讽刺的，那是因为想成为志愿消防员的人越来越少。故选D。

3.推理判断题。根据第二段中Adults’ burdens have become greater. There isn’t as much time left for volunteering when most people rely on a two-income household now more than ever.“成年人的负担越来越重。当大多数人现在比以往任何时候都更依赖双收入家庭时，留给志愿者的时间就没有那么多了。”可知，不断增加的负担主要是导致志愿消防员的数量下降的原因。故选C。

4.推理判断题。根据最后一段"It's dangerous. But it's also the most rewarding thing I've ever done."“这是危险的。但这也是我做过的最有价值的事情。”可知，志愿消防员对米勒来说意味着“一个有价值的经验。”故选A。