Question

    Glancing at the large room through her blue eyes, four-year-old Nicole in her oversize short skirt began to cry. "It's okay: honey.” I tried to encourage." Come and play with the other children.” But the more I persuaded, the more tears flowed.

Every week for the past eighteen years, I've spent Tuesdays with a dozen kids dressed in satin ribbons, feathers, butterfly wings and plastic jewelry. These afternoons are free flowing and non-threatening but for some strange reason, Nicole saw this as the final kiss of death.

In her mind, she was going to be left all alone with a strange woman and several other children. Uncontrollable tears rapidly started to flow and there wouldn't be enough tissues in the whole building to mop up the flood.

Tip toeing quickly to the door, I gently called to her father." Just sit in here for a while until she warms up.” I said. Standing next to his first born, Rich took his daughter's hand and led her to the centre of the room. Slowly he pushed, but again the damn broke. "Daddy, don't leave me!" Nicole cried. "Don't make me do this." Bending down on his knees until they were nose-to-nose, Rich gently whispered in her ear, “I'll do it with you. There's nothing to be afraid of." Holding her entire young hand around his middle two fingers, the pair went on to skip around the floor.

“Wow!" I cheered. "You deserve a prize. I've never seen a dad do that before.”

For a brief second, Rich paused, and then with a smile, he replied, "Isn't this part of the job?"'

That wonderful moment was two years ago and I've thought of it often, especially when I see how well Nicole performs in class. More importantly, however, I've remembered it because it takes me back to my own dance beginnings with my father.

From the moment I was born, music spoke to me. The moment the radio or record player was turned on, I moved my arms and legs about the room in wild fashion. Most of the time, I was fine to perform alone, but the minute my dad walked into the room, I'd jump into his arms, hug him tight and place my tiny feet on top of his highly shined shoes.

While this memory is sweet, the real reason I hold it dear to my heart is because of what went behind his action. My father was not the most gifted creature on two legs when it came to dancing, but he'd stepped out of his comfort zone(区域）and danced because he knew how much I loved it. For him, helping his only daughter develop, despite how uncomfortable it made him feel, was part of his job.

As a child, my father did what he was told and lived as expected But when it came to his own children, he allowed us the chance to follow our own path and we were never forced to be like him, live like him or think like him. He provided an environment where my three brothers and I were permitted to explore our own jungle until we found the life that was right for us.

To all the fathers who've influenced your children's lives by stepping out of your comfort zones to dance, whether it is in mind, body or soul--this one's for you! You give a child the courage to stand on the center stage of life.

1.Why was Nicole so sad at her first dancing class?

A.She was asked to mop up the floor.

B.She had to be left with the strangers.

C.She didn't like the oversized dress.

D.She was threatened by the older boys.

2.What does the father mean by saying "Isn't this part of the job?” in Paragraph 6?

A.Dancing with their daughter is a father's part-time job.

B.It's a father's job to force her daughter to learn dancing.

C.Fathers are always there to help their daughter if necessary.

D.Fathers are required to accompany their daughter in dancing classes.

3.What do we know about the author's father?

A.He was fond of dancing.

B.He liked to make choices for his children.

C.He required his children to follow his path.

D.He tried to live up to his parents' expectations.

4.Why did the author treasure the memory of dancing with her father when she was a child?

A.It was her father who taught her to dance.

B.Her father encouraged her to dance when she was unwilling to do so.

C.Her father tried to please her although he was not comfortable about dancing.

D.Her father was patient enough when he was dancing with her.

Answer

1.B

2.C

3.D

4.C

【解析】

这是一篇记叙文。文章讲述了作者舞蹈班的小学员Nicole因为害怕而哭着不让父亲离开，她的爸爸鼓励且帮助Nicole，最后使Nicole取得很大进步。这件事让作者想起她与父亲的故事，父亲虽然不擅长跳舞，但也尽自己最大的能力去跳。因此，作者认为所有的父亲都对孩子有很大影响，请给孩子们站在舞台中央的勇气。

1.细节理解题。根据文章第三段中“In her mind, she was going to be left all alone with a strange woman and several other children.”可知，Nicole认为自己被留给了陌生人。这是她悲伤的原因。故选B。

2.推理判断题。根据文章第六段可知Nicole的父亲认为这是作为父亲的一份责任。结合上下文语境，作者联想起自己的父亲，并在第9段提出“For him, helping his only daughter develop, despite how uncomfortable it made him feel, was part of his job.”可推出，女孩的父亲认为当孩子需要父亲的时候，帮助孩子是一个父亲应该做的。故选C。

3.细节理解题。根据文章倒数第二段“As a child, my father did what he was told and lived as expected”可知作者的父亲遵照父母的吩咐去做，过着父母所期望的生活。所以他努力不辜负父母的期望。故选D。

4.细节理解题。根据文章第九段“My father was not the most gifted creature on two legs when it came to dancing, but he'd stepped out of his comfort zone(区域）and danced because he knew how much I loved it. ”可知，我父亲并不擅长跳舞，但是因为知道孩子很喜欢，所以他努力去完成这项工作。所以为什么作者珍惜她小时候和父亲跳舞的记忆是因为她的父亲尽管不喜欢跳舞，但还是努力让作者高兴。故选C。