Today I was at the mall waiting for friends, when a lady wearing a knit hat and

Today I was at the mall waiting for friends,when a lady wearing a knit hat and a sweater came up to me and, shivering,said, “I’m homeless. Would you mind buying me some food?”

In that split second, everything I’d learnedsince kindergarten flashed through my mind. Don’t talk to strangers… Be a goodcitizen… People will take advantage of you… Treat others as you wish to betreated…I guess love won the debate. “Sure,” I said. “What would you like?”

She thought and then said, “I’d like to getChinese food.” We headed upstairs. She ordered soup, an egg roll, white rice,and pepper chicken. I would normally think that was a lot, but she had probablybarely eaten in the last few days. I got my usual – lo mein and General Tso’schicken.

Meanwhile I was eating my lo mein, pickingaround the cabbage and the other vegetables. Joyce said, “If you don’t like ityou can take it back.” I told her that I liked it, but was not fond of thevegetables. She broke into a big grin. “You don’t like vegetables, huh? Neitherdid I. But now I do.” I immediately felt guilty. How could I be picking at myfood across from someone who barely gets to eat at all?

I tried my best to finish, but she seemed tosense my guilt and said, “You don’t have to eat it if you don’t want it.” Howcould she know what I was feeling? I told her the dish was my favorite, but Ijust eat slowly.

She got up to get a to-go box. “Would youlike one?” she asked, but I refused. I realized that this food would probablylast her for a few days, and I was glad she had ordered a lot.

“Would you like these?” I asked, gesturingat the food I had left untouched. “Oh, no, thank you,” she said. “This isenough.” I got up to throw my tray away, feeling guilty again.

“I need to meet my friends now,” Iexplained. “It was so nice to meet you, Joyce.”

“You too, Claire,” she replied with a smile.“Thank you.”

I headed to the theater, and she went backdownstairs. I kept puzzling, Why is Joyce homeless?  She shouldn’t needpeople to buy her dinner. She was a nurse. She got good grades. She tookpictures for her yearbook. She was the person I hope to be in the future. Howcould such a good life be rewarded with horrible luck?

Anyway, I wish her the best, and hope thatthe force that brought us together will help her find what she deserves inlife.

1. From the second paragraph we know that the writer ___________.

   A. debated with the girl overmoral issues 

B. hated having to make a quick decision

   C. hesitated before she decidedto reach out    

D. fell in love with the girl at first sight

2.The writer felt guilty for a moment because _________.

   A. she was particular aboutfood and also wasted so much

   B. she was a strict vegetarianwho ate very little

   C. she didn’t order enough foodfor the girl

   D. she urged the girl to takeher share of food

3. Why did Joyce end up unemployed and homeless?

   A. She was a victim of higheducation. 

B. She actually had some kind of mentaldisorder.

   C. She graduated with averagegrades. 

D. The reason is not yet given.

4. The passage is intended to _________.

   A. arouse readers'curiosity       

B. explore social problems

   C. teach readers alesson         

D. share a personal story

试题答案

【答案】

CADD

【解析】略