B(2024 盐城期末)
The phone rings. The phone never rings in our house. I have a bad feeling. I open my bedroom door and listen.
Mum (on the phone): Hello?... Yes, speaking.... How are you?... Yes?... Oh, really?... No, I don't... I understand... Yes, of course... No, I don't understand... Problems at home?.... No... Yes... Tonight... Leave it with me... Thank you for telling me... Goodbye.
And then there's silence(寂静). I can see Mum downstairs. Now she's looking up at my bedroom door. Now she's thinking. And now she's walking into the kitchen.
Two minutes later the three of us are sitting at the table. Tonight we're having potatoes, a fried egg and a fried tomato. I don't like fried tomatoes but I don't tell Mum. She thinks I like them. Dad speaks first.
Dad: So... Eoin... How are things at school?
Me: Good, Dad.
Mum: Really? Mr Stirling doesn't agree.
Mr Stirling is our History teacher. Now I understand.
The phone call+Mr Stirling=▲
Dad: Do you know the result(结果) of your History test?
Me: Oh...
Dad: 2 out of 100!
Mum: Don't get angry, Dad.
Dad: I'm not angry!
I never understand why Mum calls Dad "Dad". He isn't her dad. Her dad lives in a flat in London. My dad's name is Martin. And Martin is angry.
Mum: You're usually good at History, Eoin.
Me: I'm sorry, Mum.
Dad: Mr Stirling says you're not doing well in any school subject.
Mum: Except(除了) sport.
Dad: You hate sport, Eoin. What's going on?
Me: I like sport now.
Dad: Do you know what I think?
Me: I can't read your mind(思想), Dad.
But this time I can read minds. I know clearly what Dad thinks.
Dad: I think your new friends—the twins next door are the problem. They are strange.
Me: They are special.
Mum: Maybe it's good if you don't see the twins for a while.
I can't believe she's saying this.
Mum: Only if things get better at school.
I look at Mum and shout: I hate fried tomatoes!
I walk out of the door and run upstairs. I'm foolish.
() 4. Who is calling Mum?
A. Dad. B. Mr Stirling. C. The twins' parent. D. The twins.
() 5. Which of the following can you put in "▲"?
A. Great fun. B. Great dream. C. Big smile. D. Big trouble.
() 6. Why are Dad and Mum angry with Eoin?
A. Because he hates sport very much. B. Because he knows what they think.
C. Because he hates eating fried tomatoes. D. Because he fails most of his subjects.
() 7. Why does Eoin run upstairs at last?
A. Because he is going to do sport outside.
B. Because he will call his grandfather in London.
C. Because his parents don't understand him at all.
D. Because he has problems with his favourite subject.
() 8. Which is the best title of the passage?
A. A bad history test B. The ability to read minds
C. A surprising phone call D. The strange twins next door

【语篇导读】本文描述了一位母亲接到学校老师的电话后,父母与孩子就孩子成绩下滑和新朋友的影响进行了紧张对话,最终以孩子愤怒地离开餐桌结束。
4. B 提示:细节理解题。根据文中“Mr Stirling doesn't agree.”和“The phone call + Mr Stirling”可知是斯特林老师打来的电话。
5. D 提示:推理判断题。根据“Mr Stirling doesn't agree.”和“Dad: 2 out of 100!”可知,作者考试成绩不佳,结合常识可知,老师打电话来不是一件好事,因此“电话+斯特林老师=大麻烦”。
6. D 提示:细节理解题。根据“Mr Stirling says you're not doing well in any school subject.”可知,作者在学校的每一门功课都不好,所以作者的父母非常生气。
7. C 提示:推理判断题。根据“Dad: I think your new friends—the twins next door are the problem. They are strange.”和“Mum: Maybe it's good if you don't see the twins for a while.”可以看出,约恩的父母对他的学习态度和交友选择持否定态度,甚至直接判定他结交的“奇怪的”朋友是他在学习上表现不佳的原因,由此推知,这种不被理解和认同的感觉最终导致约恩的愤怒和失望,所以他跑上楼去。
8. C 提示:最佳标题题。通读全文可知,文章以一通意外的电话开始,斯特林老师的电话带来了关于约恩学习问题的消息,进而引发了后续的家庭对话和冲突。因此文章以“一通意外的电话”作为标题最合适。