Question

    My mother turned 75 this past fall. One night a few months before, I’d asked her what we could give her that she would really like.

“Maybe something big, that all three of us can go in on?” I encouraged, knowing that my brothers and I would cough up whatever it cost while also suspecting that any gift she might think up would be something strange but affordable like a duck-shaped bath soap.

“I know exactly what I want from you kids,” she said, like she’d loaded this gun a month ago. “Really?” Was she thinking of a trip to Hawaii? A latest bathroom decoration? “Absolutely.” She nodded in that way she does when she is dead sure.

She seemed to be waiting for me to ask again, so I did. “Well?” “If there is any problem that you or your brothers have that I can help with, I’d like to know about it.”

Astonishing. What a woman. She lives to serve. Oh, I wish that I could have an ounce of her devotion. “God, Mom..” I said. She put her finger up to indicate that she wasn’t quite finished. “And if there’s any problem that you have that there is nothing I can do to change,” she said, “I’d like to not know about it.”

Astonishing. What a woman. Oh, I wish that I could be that clear-headed and direct.

“You’re amazing.”

“Listen, Kelly,” she said, “I’ve been a mother since 1964, and I’d like to stop worrying and get some sleep.” Oh, Ma. I got you. You’ve carried us long enough. As of your 75th birthday, your status shifts to a mother retired with highest merits. You’ve done fine work. Nobody could have done more. Happy Birthday.

1.What was the talk between the author and her mother mainly about?

A.A birthday gift. B.A trip to Hawaii.

C.The mom’s worries. D.The mom’s merits.

2.Why does the author say “astonishing” again?

A.Mom is content with her life. B.Mom is always helpful to them.

C.Mom is still worried about them. D.Mom is well aware of her needs.

3.Which of the following best describes the author’s mom?

A.Friendly and easy-going. B.Determined and devoted.

C.Intelligent and considerate. D.Humorous and imaginative.

4.What might the mom really want for her birthday?

A.Some sleep. B.Her own life.

C.Her children’s company. D.Attention from her children.

Answer

1.A

2.D

3.B

4.B

【解析】

这是一篇记叙文。作者的母亲纪念75岁的生日，作者于是问母亲她想要什么生日礼物。文章主要是作者和母亲关于礼物的对话，最后作者明白了母亲真正想要的生日礼物是自己的生活。

1.

细节理解题。根据第一段My mother turned 75 this past fall. One night a few months before, I’d asked her what we could give her that she would really like.可知今年秋天，我母亲就到75岁了。几个月前的一个晚上， 我问她，我们能给她什么礼物，她会很喜欢。由此可知，作者和她母亲的谈话主要是关于一份生日礼物。故选A。

2.

推理判断题。根据倒数第四段中“And if there’s any problem that you have that there is nothing I can do to change,” she said, “I’d like to not know about it.”可知“如果你有什么问题，而我又无能为力，”她说，“我希望自己不知道。”以及倒数第三段中What a woman. Oh, I wish that I could be that clear-headed and direct.可知多么好的一个女人啊。哦，我希望我也能那样头脑清醒和直率。由此可推知，作者又说了一遍“astonishing”是因为妈妈很清楚她的需要。故选D。

3.

推理判断题。根据第三段中“Absolutely.” She nodded in that way she does when she is dead sure.可知“当然”。她点了点头，那是她非常肯定的时候才会做的事。以及倒数第四段中She lives to serve. Oh, I wish that I could have an ounce of her devotion.可知她活着就是为了服务。哦，我希望我也能有一丝她的奉献精神。由此可推知，作者的母亲的一个坚决和有奉献精神的人，故选B。

4.

推理判断题。根据最后一段“Listen, Kelly,” she said, “I’ve been a mother since 1964, and I’d like to stop worrying and get some sleep.” Oh, Ma. I got you. You’ve carried us long enough. As of your 75th birthday, your status shifts to a mother retired with highest merits. You’ve done fine work. Nobody could have done more. Happy Birthday.可知“听着，凯利，”她说，“我从1964年起就当了母亲，我想停止担心，睡一会儿。”哦，妈妈。我明白你的意思了。你已经照顾我们够久了。在你75岁生日的时候，你的地位变成了一位退休的优秀母亲。你做得很好。没有人能做得更好。祝您生日快乐。由此可推知，妈妈真正想要的生日礼物是她自己的生活。故选B。