I returned to Abuja, the capital of Nigeria, after graduation. I had been there before my mother became a minister. Two weeks later, I told my mother I was bored. She said, “Here’re the car keys. Go and buy some fruit.” ____ 1____, I jumped into the car and speeded off.
Seeing me or rather my ___ 2____, a boy sprang up（跳起来）， 3__ to sell his bananas and peanuts. “Banana 50 naira. Peanut 200 naira!” Looking at his black-striped bananas, I 4__ to 200 total for the fruit and nuts. He 5__ . I handed him a 500 naira note. He didn’t have 6__ , so I told him not to worry. He was 7__ and smiled a row of perfect teeth.
When, two weeks later, I 8__ this same boy, I was more aware of my position in Nigerian society. I should 9__ this country as the son of a 10___. But it was hare to find pleasure in a place where it was so 11___ to see a little boy who should have been in school selling fruit.
“What’s up?” I asked. He answered in 12___ English, “I … I no get money o buy book.” I took out two 500 naira notes. He looked around 13___ before sticking his hand into the car 14___ the bills. One thousand naira means a lot to a family that 15___ only 50,000 each year.
The next morning, security officers told me, “In this place, when you give a little, people think you’re a fountain of opportunity（机会）.” 16__ it’s right, but this happens everywhere in the world. I wondered if my little friend had actually used the money for 17___. After six months’ work in northern Nigeria, I returned and saw him again standing on the road. “Are you in school now?” He nodded. A silence fell as we looked at each other, then I 18___ what he wanted. I held out a 500 naira note. “Take this.” He shook his head fiercely and stepped back 19__ hurt. “It’s a gift.” I said. Shaking his head again, he handed me a basket of bananas and peanuts. “I’ve been waiting to 20___ these to you.”
A. Encouraged B. Disappointed C. Delighted D. confused
A. car B. mother C. driver D. keys
A. willing B. afraid C. eager D. ashamed
A. got down B. bargained down C. put down D. took down
A. explained B. promised C. agreed D. admitted
A. change B. notes C. checks D. bills
A. troubled B. regretful C. comfortable D. grateful
A. ran after B. ran into C. ran over D. ran to
A. protect B. enjoy C. help D. support
A. minister B. headmaster C. manager D. president
A. lucky B. amazing C. funny D. common
A. old B. broken C. traditional D. modern
A. proudly B. madly C. curiously D. nervously
A. for B. with C. at D. upon
A. spends B. pays C. makes D. affords
A. possibly B. actually C. certainly D. fortunately
A. joys B. nuts C. books D. bananas
A. asked B. imagined C. reminded D. realized
A. when B. as if C. even if D. after
A. send B. provide C. sell D. give
