At 23, I was fresh out of graduate school and working in a nursing home, trying to decide my next path in life. My job involved wheeling residents(居民) to the community hall for activities. Elizabeth would wave from her darkened room but refuse to join the gatherings. Nearly blind, and requiring oxygen, she never left her bedside. I soon learned, though, that she loved books, and every day after work I would read to her.
In dim light we made our way through “King Lear,” “Henry IV,” “Jane Eyre,” the poems of Rupert Brooke.
Two golden hours might pass before I’d pack up to return to my apartment. Before I could leave she’d press my hand, saying, “Child — my literary child. You bring me such joy.” Elizabeth’s husband had died ten years earlier, and their only child, a daughter, was estranged(疏远) for what heartbreaking reason I never knew.
One day an old friend of hers visited and brought her some soup. Smiling broadly, Elizabeth squeezed my arm. “Tomorrow, child, we shall feast.”
The next evening I found Elizabeth’s bed empty. “I’m sorry,” the nurse whispered. She handed me a box and nodded. “She left everything to you.” At home, I unpacked it, finding two white sweaters, the dozen leather-bound books and, at the bottom, the can of soup.
That summer I decided my path. I returned to school to study literature(文学).
And for 26 years the soup has stayed in my kitchen. It’s remained unopened, but the memories are preserved.
28. Why did Elizabeth refuse to join the gatherings?
A. She had many books to read.
B. She was not a very social person.
C. She was limited in her movement.
D. She had no interest in those activities.
29. What do we know about Elizabeth?
A. She loved writing poems.
B. She often visited her friends.
C. She got divorced ten years ago.
D. She had little communication with her daughter.
30. What can we know about the author?
A. She used to be doctor.
B. She was inspired by Elizabeth.
C. She taught literature for 26 years.
D. She didn’t like the taste of the soup.
31. What would be the best title for the text?
A. A book-loving friend
B. An unforgettable literary journey
C. An interesting nursing experience
D. A short-term job and its lifelong influence
CDBD
A. Profits enlarging B. Technology developing C. Education investing D. Benefits transferring E. Dominance disappearing F. A nation rising |
The following is an imaginary diary entry written by US president. This diary is part of Global Trends 2025, which was written by the US National Intelligence Council
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The
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The
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Global wealth and economic power will shift from West to East.
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The transition from old fuels to new will be slow, as will the development of new technologies that present feasible alternatives to fossil fuels or help eliminate food and water problems. All current technologies are inadequate, and new ones will probably not be commercially possible by 2025