John Blanchard was studying the crowd making their way through the station. He was looking for the girl
whose heart he knew, but whose face he didn't, the girl with the rose.
     When reading a book in a Florida library a year before, John became interested not in the contents of the
book, but in the notes penciled in the margin (空白處). The handwriting reflected a thoughtful soul and beautiful
mind. He discovered the former owner's name in the front of the book: Miss Hollis Maynell.
     He located her address and wrote a letter introducing himself. The next day he was shipped overseas to
serve in the army. During the next year, they grew to know each other through the mail and their friendship
developed. John requested a photograph, but she refused, saying if he really cared, it wouldn't matter what she
looked like. When the day finally came for him to return home, their first meeting was suggested-7:00 pm at
the Grand Central Station in New York.
     She wrote, "You'll recognize me by the red rose I wear on my coat." So now John was in the station to
meet the girl with a rose.
     As a pretty and slim girl in green came over, John noticed her blue eyes like flowers in spring. He walked
directly towards her, entirely forgetting she was not wearing a rose. As John came closer to her, he saw another
woman with a red rose stood nearby. Well past 40, this woman had graying hair done under a worn hat. Seeing
the girl in green walk quickly away, John felt as if he were split (劈開) in two. He desired to follow that girl,
but longed for the woman whose spirit had truly companioned and supported him.
     The woman looked gentle and sensible. John went to her, saying, "I'm Captain John Blanchard. You must
be Miss Maynell. I am glad to meet you here. May I take you to dinner?"
     She replied with a smile, "I don't know what this is about. But the lady in green who just went by, begged
me to wear this rose on my coat. She said if you asked me out to dinner, I'd tell you she is waiting for you in
the big restaurant across the street. She said it was some kind of test!"

1. John was eager to know the former owner of the book because ____.

A. he was very interested in the contents of the book
B. he was impressed by the notes written by the owner
C. the book offered him practical and valuable advice
D. there was address of the former owner in the book

2. What happened to John after trying to get in touch with Miss Hollis Maynell?

A. He began to serve the army abroad.
B. He was seriously wounded in the war.
C. He went on a business tour in Europe.
D. He asked Miss Maynell for a photo.

3. What do we know about the woman with a rose?

A. She was Miss Maynell's close companion.
B. She was a conductor working in the station.
C. She knew nothing about John's appointment.
D. She was paid to carry out a love test on John.

4. Which would be the best title of the text?

A. The Meeting in the Station
B. A Meeting by Accident
C. A Soldier and a Girl
D. Love Test

     I was in a rush as always, but this time it was for an important date I just couldn't be late for! I found
myself at a checkout counter behind an elderly woman seemingly in no hurry as she paid for her groceries.
A PhD student with not a lot of money, I had hurried into the store to pick up some flowers. I was in a huge
rush, thinking of my upcoming evening. I did not want to be late for this date.
     We were in Boston, a place not always known for small conversation between strangers. The woman
stopped unloading her basket and looked up at me. She smiled. It was a nice smile-warm and reassuring-and
I retuned her gift by smiling back.
     "Must be a special lady, whoever it is that will be getting those beautiful flowers," she said.
     "Yes, she's special," I said, and then to my embarrassment, the words kept coming out. "It's only our
second date, but somehow I am just having the feeling she's 'the one,' " jokingly, I added, "The only problem
is that I can't figure out why she'd want to date a guy like me."
     "Well, I think she's very lucky to have a boyfriend who brings her such lovely flowers and who is obviously
in love with her," the woman said. "My husband used to bring me flowers every week-even when tines were
tough and we didn't have much money. Those were incredible days; be was very romantic and-of course- I
miss him since he's passed away."
     I paid for my flowers as she was gathering up her groceries. There was no doubt in my mind as I walked
up to her. I touched her on the shoulder and said "You were right, you know. These flowers are indeed for a
very special lady." I handed the flowers and thanked her for such a nice conversation.
     It took her a moment to realize that I was giving her the flowers I had just purchased. "You have a
wonderful evening," I said. I left with a big smile and my heart warmed as I saw her smelling the beautiful
flowers.
     I remember being slightly late for my date that night and telling my girlfriend the above story. A couple of
years later, when I finally worked up the courage to ask her to marry me, she told me that this story had helped
to seal it for her-that was the night than I won her heart.

1. Why was the writer in a hurry that day?

A. He was to meet his girlfriend.
B. He had to go back to school soon.
C. He was delayed by an elderly lady.
D. He had to pick up some groceries.

2. What does the underlined phrase "her gift" (Paragraph 2 ) refer to?

A. Her words.
B. Her smile.
C. Her flowers.
D. Her politeness.

3. Why did the writer give his flowers to the elderly lady?

A. She told him a nice story.
B. She allowed him to pay first.
C. She gave him encouragement.
D. She liked flowers very much.

4. What is the message conveyed in the story?

A. Flowers are important for a date.
B. Small talk is helpful.
C. Love and kindness are rewarding.
D. Elderly people deserve respecting.

     I was in a terrible mood. Two of my friends had gone to the movies the night before and hadn't invited me.
I was in my room thinking of ways to make them sorry when my father came in. "Want to go for a ride, today,
Beck? It's a beautiful day."
     "No! Leave me alone!" Those were the last words I said to him that morning.
     My friends called and invited me to go to the mall with them a few hours later. I forgot to be mad at them
and when I came home to find a note on the table. My mother put it where I would be sure to see it. "Dad has
had an accident. Please meet us at Highland Park Hospital".
     When I reached the hospital, my mother came out and told me my father's injuries were extensive. "Your
father told the driver to leave him alone and just call 911, thank God! If he had moved Daddy, there's no telling
what might have happened. A broken rib (肋骨) might have pierced (穿透) a lung .... "
     My mother may have said more, but I didn't hear. I didn't hear anything except those terrible words: Leave
me alone. My dad said them to save himself from being hurt more. How much had I hurt him when I hurled
those words at him earlier in the day?
     It was several days later that he was finally able to have a conversation. I held his hand gently, afraid of
hurting him.
     "Daddy... I am so sorry .... "
     "It's okay, sweetheart. I'll be okay."
     "No," I said, "I mean about what I said to you that day. You know, that morning?"
     My father could no more tell a lie than he could fly. He looked at me and said. "Sweetheart, I don't remember
anything about that day, not before, during or after the accident. I remember kissing you goodnight the night
before, though." He managed a weak smile.
     My English teacher once told me that words have immeasurable power. They can hurt or they can heal. And
we all have the power to choose our words. I intend to do that very carefully from now on.

1. The author was in bad mood that morning because _____.

A. his father had a terrible accident
B. he couldn't drive to the mall with his friends
C. his friends hadn't invited him to the cinema
D. his father didn't allow him to go out with his friends

2. Why did the author say sorry to his father in the hospital?

A. Because he didn't go along with his father.
B. Because he was rude to his father that morning.
C. Because he failed to come earlier after the accident.
D. Because he couldn't look after his father in the hospital

3. The reason why the author's father said he forgot everything about that day is that _____.

A. he had a poor memory
B. he didn't want to comfort his son
C. he just wanted to comfort his son
D. he lost his memory after the accident

4. What lesson did Beck learn from the matter?

A. Don't treat your parents badly.
B. Don't hurt others with rude words.
C. Don't move the injured in an accident.
D. Don't be angry with friends at small things.

     During my elementary school years, I used to compare my mom with my best friend Tiffany's mom.
     Tiffany's mom always gave her lots of money to buy the most fashionable clothes and favorite food. Her
morn allowed her to do anything she liked. I really admired Tiffany. My mom didn't give me much pocket
money and she always told me that I should behave my self. I was annoyed with her.
     Whenever I didn't get what I wanted, I would complain to my mom, Tiffany's mom would give her that! 
I wish she were my mom. Every time, my mom would calmly say "Poor Tiffany".
     I couldn't understand her. "She shouldn't be feeling sorry for Tiffany!" I thought. "She should be feeling
sorry for me."
     One day, I couldn't help saying to Mom, "Poor Tiffany? Lucky Tiffany! She gets everything she wants!
Why do you feel sorry for her?" I burst into tears.
     My mom sat down next to me and said softly, "Yes, I do feel sorry for her. I have been teaching you a
lesson that she will never be taught."
     I looked up at her. "What are you talking about?"
     Mom said with care, "One day she will really want something. Maybe she'll find out that she can't have it.
Her mother won't always be around to give her money, and what's more, money can't buy everything."
     She continued, "I have taught you valuable lessons by not giving you everything you want. You'll know
how to look for bargains and save money, but she won't. You'll understand that you need to work hard to get
the things that you want but she won't. When Tiffany is a grown woman, she'll wake up one day and she will
be wishing that she had a mom like the one you've got. Life lessons are more important than modern clothes
and delicious food." 
     It took some time, but I eventually understood my mom's words. Now I am a happy and successful woman.

1. During the author's elementary school years, she _____.

A. wished that her mom were as good as Tiffany's
B. went to school with Tiffany every day
C. usually compared her lesson with Tiffany's
D. sometimes gave lots of money to Tiffany

2. Why did the author's mom always say "Poor Tiffany"?

A. She felt sorry for Tiffany because Tiffany was poor.
B. She wanted to tell a lie to comfort the author.
C. She thought that Tiffany was spoiled by her mother.
D. She told the author this and wanted her to help Tiffany.

3. What do we learn about the author's mother?

A. She was strict and taught the author to be independent.
B. She cared for other people's children more than her own.
C. She thought that life lessons were as important as money.
D. She was so poor that she couldn't give the author much money.

4. What can we infer from the passage?

A. The author was quite annoyed with her mother in the past.
B. The author's mother felt sorry for Tiffany.
C. Tiffany's mother took the author's mother's advice.
D. The author is thankful to her mother now.