Question

The store was closing for the night. Young Alfred Higgins, the shop assistant, was ready to go home. Mr. Carr stared at him and said, “Hold on, Alfred. Maybe you’d be good enough to take the things out of your pockets and leave them here before you go.” Alfred’s face got red. After a few seconds, he took out what he had stolen. Mr. Carr said, “Maybe I should call your mother and let her know I’m going to have to put you in prison.”

Alfred thought his mother would come rushing in, eyes burning with anger. But, to his surprise, she arrived wearing a smile. “Hello, I’m Alfred’s mother. Is he in trouble?” she said. Mr. Carr was surprised, too. He had expected Alfred’s mother to come in nervously, shaking with fear, asking with wet eyes for a pardon for her son. But no, she was calm, quiet and pleasant and was making Mr. Carr feel guilty. Soon Mr. Carr was shaking his head in agreement with what she was saying. “You are right” he said, “Sometimes, a little good advice is the best thing for a boy at certain times in his life, and it often takes the youth long time to get sense into their heads.” And he warmly shook Mrs. Higgins’s hand.

Back home, without even looking at Alfred, the mother said, “You are a bad luck. It is one thing after another, always has been. Why do you stand there so stupidly? Go to bed. “In his bedroom, Alfred just took pride in his mother’s strength. He felt he must tell her how great she was. As he got to the kitchen, he was shocked by what he saw. His mother was lifting the tea cup, her hand shook, and her face became a frightened, broken one. It was no longer cool, bright as he saw earlier in the store. With her lips moving nervously, she looked so old.

Alfred watched his mother and he wanted to cry. He realized all the troubles he brought to his mother. It seemed that this was the first time he had ever really seen his mother, especially shaking hands and the deep lines of worry in her gray face. He knew his youth coming to an end.

1.Mr. Carr felt guilty because ________.

A.he mistook Alfred as the real thief

B.he thought he was over-excited

C.he had called the police before Alfred could explain Higgins probably said to Mr. Carr

D.Alfred’s mother appeared polite and gentle

2.Mrs. Higgins probably said “________” to Mr. Carr.

A.As you know, he is just a kid.

B.You know, it takes time for a youth to truly grow.

C.How can you treat my son like that!

D.If he is in jail, it won’t do you any good, either.

3.The phrase “his mother’s strength” refers to Mrs. Higgins’s ________.

A.trust to her son Alfred B.attitude (态度) towards laws

C.calmness and communicating skills D.greatness as a woman

4.Which of the following is TRUE ?

A.Alfred’s mother cared for his future but never made him know of it.

B.Alfred would never recognize his mistakes.

C.Alfred’s mother felt nervous about getting old.

D.Alfred was unlucky to be caught by the police.

5.After the incident, young Alfred would probably ________.

A.learn to protect his mother B.be more proud of his mother

C.learn to live an independent life D.change his attitudes to future

Answer 1