B
KEY→P16
范畴:人与社会 主题:人际关系 体裁:记叙文 难度:★★★★ 建议用时:7分钟 评价:___________/4
On a Friday evening in December, two weeks before New Year's Day, I lost my job. I was excited about the weekend when my daughter, Kristin, then 12, and I planned to get our New Year gifts. Then I listened to my voicemail, “We’re sorry but you have to give up your gymnastics class.” My heart sank.
I wasn’t just a single parent. I was the only parent. I had to make money to support the family. On Monday morning, I dropped Kristin at school and set off on my moneymaking activities. I headed to the pawnshop(当铺) with a gold ring that my mother had given me ten years earlier. In the end, I sold the ring for 150.Over the next week, I actively asked for jobs as my bank account grew smaller. On a weekend afternoon, I dropped Kristin in a wealthy community for a birthday party. I watched as she went in, surrounded by all the nice things we couldn’t afford. I drove home with a heavy heart.Back at home, I looked out of the window. It had been snowing on and off all morning. I noticed a little woman with short white hair trying to open her car door against the wind. As she got out, I realized it was my old teacher, Ms Esther. Even after I graduated, Ms Esther kept in touch with me. I had grown to love her like a family member.I rushed to the front of my building. “What are you doing out in this weather?” I asked as we hugged.“Well, I tried to call last week but couldn’t get through. Then I called your office and was told that you hadn’t worked there any more, so I thought I would come by,” Ms Esther said. “I have gifts for you and Kristin.”I made her a cup of tea, and we talked. Ms Esther’s presence gave me hope that things would be all right. As she got up to leave, she handed me a New Year card. “This is for you,” she said as she kissed me on the cheek. I walked her to her car and waved as she pulled away.When I opened her card, I gasped in shock. Hundred-dollar bills fell onto the table. Tears of thankfulness ran down my face as I counted. Ms Esther gave me 1,000. On the morning of New Year’s Day, Kristin and I stayed at home, and I happily watched as she opened her gifts. I silently thanked Ms Esther in my heart.
It has been 14 years since that New Year’s Day, but I’ve never forgotten what Ms Esther did for us. In 2020, at age 91, Ms Esther died, but the love she gave during her life lives on in the hearts of many. I am lucky to be one of them.
( )1. Why did the writer have to give up her gymnastics class?
A. Because she didn’t have enough money.
B. Because she had to do much housework.
C. Because she didn’t have enough time on it.
D. Because she was busy buying New Year cards.
( )2. Why did Ms Esther come to see the writer?
A. To have lunch with the writer.
B. To give the writer some help.
C. To ask the writer some questions.
D. To spend the day with the writer.
( )3. What is the CORRECT order of the writer’s experience after losing her job?
① She sold her mother’s gold ring.
② She drove home with a heavy heart.
③ She met her old teacher Ms Esther.
④ She received 1,000 from Ms Esther.
A. ①②③④
B. ②①③④
C. ②③①④
D. ③②①④
( )4. What is the best title for the passage?
A. A teacher’s going away
B. An old teacher’s help
C. A bank account got smaller
D. An unforgettable birthday party

元旦前两周，作者失业了。就在作者的生活陷入窘境之时，她多年前的老师 Esther 女士登门造访。听说作者失业，她特意前来帮助她渡过难关。
1. A 推理判断题。由第一段中“... I lost my job.”与“My heart sank.”可知，作者不得不放弃体操课是因为她没有足够的钱付学费。
2. B 推理判断题。由第六段中“I have gifts for you and Kristin.”与第八段中“Ms Esther gave me 1,000.”可知，Esther 女士来看望作者是为了提供帮助。
3. A 信息排序题。按照文章叙述顺序，失业后作者首先去当铺卖掉了母亲留下的金戒指(①)，随后送女儿参加生日聚会，心情沉重地开车回家(②)，回到家后偶遇了曾经的老师 Esther 女士(③)，老师赠予了她一千美元(④)。因此正确顺序为①②③④。
4. B 标题概括题。本文讲述作者失业，她多年前的老师 Esther 女士特意前来提供帮助的故事，故最佳标题为 An old teacher's help。