6．In October 1800，John Todd was born in Rutland，Vermont．Soon afterward，his parents moved to Killingworth，Connecticut．When John was six，both his parents died．A kind-hearted aunt in North Killingworth agreed to take John and give him a home．He was brought up by her and lived in her home until he left to study for the ministry．
His aunt took seriously ill and feared she was about to die．In great suffering she wrote John Todd a letter in which she asked him to tell her what death would be like．
Here is the letter he sent in reply：
It is now thirty-five years since I，as a little boy of six，was left quite alone in the world．You sent me word you would give me a home and be a kind mother to me．I have never forgotten the day when I made the long journey of ten miles to your house in North Killingworth．I can still remember my disappointment when，instead of coming for me yourself，you sent your servant James to fetch me．
I well remembered my tears and anxiety as，sitting high on your horse and sticking tight to James，I rode off to my new home．Night fell before we finished the journey，and as it grew dark I became lonely and afraid．"Do you think she'll go to bed before we get there？"I asked James anxiously．"Oh，no，"he said encouragingly．"She'll stay up for you．When we get out of these woods you'll see her candle shining in the window．"
Presently we did ride out into the clearing，and there，sure enough，was your candle．I remember you were waiting at the door，that you put your arms close about me and that you lifted me-a tired and confused little boy-down from the horse．You had a fire burning on the ground，a hot supper waiting on the stove．After supper you took me to my new room，heard me say my prayers，and then sat beside me until I fell asleep．
You probably realize why I am recalling all this to your memory．Some day soon God will send for you，to take you to a new home．Don't fear the callings，the strange journey，or the dark messenger of death who will fetch you．God can be trusted to do as much for you as you were kind enough to do for me so many years ago．At the end of the road you will find love and a welcome waiting，and you will be safe in God's care．I shall watch you and pray for you till you are out of sight，and then wait for the day when I shall make the same journey myself and find you waiting at the end of the road to greet me．
51．What do we know from the first two paragraphs？B
A．Todd was forty when he wrote this letter．
B．Todd's aunt was somewhat feared of death．
C．Todd was very excited when first met by the aunt．
D．Todd was kind to his aunt's concern．
52．According to the passage，we can infer thatC．
A．Todd dislikes his aunt very much
B．Todd will wait for his aunt at the end of the road
C．Todd will one day make the same road himself
D．Todd will write this letter for God's benefit
53．The underlined sentence in the last paragraph probably meansD．
A．God can be trusted many years ago
B．you did as much as God many years ago
C．you were kind enough to me many years ago
D．God will treat you as well as you did many years ago
54．What is the best title of the passage？B
A．An unforgettable childhood
B．A Timeless Letter of Comfort
C．A letter of giving thanks
D．A full-of-love burning candle．
分析 本文属于记叙文阅读，主要向我们讲述了托德写给他的姑妈的一封充满感情的安慰信，告诉他的姑妈终有一天上帝会把我们带到一个"新的家"，不要害怕这种召唤，因为这段是必经的旅程．因为路的尽头是爱的等待，一如当年姑妈对他的无私的爱．
解答 51．B 细节理解题，从第二自然段His aunt took seriously ill and feared she was about to die…可知托德的姑妈有点害怕死亡，故选B．
52．C 细节理解题，从最后一自然段when I shall make the same journey myself and find you waiting at the end of the road to greet me．当我自己走同样的旅程的时候，我发现你在路的尽头等着我，可以推断出托德总有一天会自己走同样的路，故选C．
53．D 细节理解题，根据God can be trusted to do as much for you as you were kind enough to do for me so many years ago．At the end of the road you will find love and a welcome waiting，and you will be safe in God's care．可知此句的意思是上帝将会认真引导你走完人生最后的旅程，正如多年前你对我所做的一样．故选D．
54．B 主旨大意题，这是封充满感情的安慰信，告诉自己的姑妈终有一天上帝会把我们带到一个"新的家"，不要害怕这种召唤，这段必经的旅程．因为路的尽头是爱的等待，一如当年你对我的无私的爱．故选B．
点评 做阅读理解时要快速的浏览全文，把握文章主旨大意，带着问题回到原文，寻找细节或概括相应的答案，最后要理清作者写作思路．
