A Teacher's Lesson
     When Mrs. Thompson stood in front of her 5th grade class on the very first day of school, she
told the children a lie. Like most teachers, she looked at her students and said that she loved them
all the same.
     But that was impossible, because there in the front row was a little boy named Teddy Stoddard.
Mrs. Thompson had watched Teddy the year before and noticed that he didn't play well with the
other children, that his clothes were messy and that he constantly needed a bath. And Teddy could
be unpleasant. It got to the point where Mrs. Thompson would actually take delight in marking his
papers with a broad red pen, making bold X's and then putting a big "F" at the top of his papers.
     One day Mrs. Thompson was reviewing each child's past records and she put Teddy's off until
last. However, when she reviewed his file, she was in for a surprise.
     Teddy's first grade teacher wrote, "Teddy is a bright child with a ready laugh...he is a joy to be
around."
     His second grade teacher wrote, "Teddy is an excellent student, well liked by his classmates, but
he is troubled because his mother has a serious illness and life at home must be a struggle."
     His third grade teacher wrote, "His mother's death has been hard on him. He tries to do his best
but his father doesn't show much interest and his home life will soon affect him if some steps aren't
taken."
     Teddy's fourth grade teacher wrote, "Teddy is withdrawn and doesn't show much interest in
school."
     By now, Mrs. Thompson realized the problem and she was ashamed of herself. She felt even
worse when her students brought her Christmas presents, wrapped in beautiful ribbons and bright
paper, except for Teddy's. His present was clumsily wrapped in the heavy, brown paper that he
got from a grocery bag.
     Mrs. Thompson took pains to open it in the middle of the other presents. Some of the children
started to laugh when she found a rhinestone(人造钻石) necklace with some of the stones missing.
But she stopped the children's laughter when she said aloud how pretty the necklace was and put it
on.
     Teddy Stoddard stayed after school that day just long enough to say, "Mrs. Thompson, today
you looked just like my Mom used to." After the children left she cried. From that very day,
Mrs. Thompson paid particular attention to Teddy. As she worked with him, his mind seemed to
come alive. The more she encouraged him, the faster he responded. By the end of the year, Teddy
had become one of the smartest children in the class and, despite her lie that she would love all the
children the same, Teddy became one her "teacher's pets."

1. When Mrs. Thompson started teaching her 5th grade class, she thought Teddy was _______.

A. bright and smart
B. dirty and unpleasant
C. quiet and shy
D. sensitive and pitiful

2. What did Mrs. Thompson learn from Teddy's past records from other teachers?

A. Teddy had difficulty in learning.
B. Teddy was not interested in school.
C. Teddy changed for a reason.
D. Teddy was born in a poor family.

3. The underlined word "clumsily" is closest in meaning to_______.

A. gracefully
B. carefully
C. especially
D. awkwardly

4. Which of the following can best explain the lesson Mrs. Thompson learned from Teddy?

A.Warmth is the vital element for the growing plant and for the soul of the child.
B.A life without love is like a sunless garden when the flowers are dead.
C.It is the art of the teacher to awaken joy in difficult situation.
D.The best teachers are those who don't stop teaching when the bell rings.