B
In another corner of the room were a gas burner (煤气灶) and a fridge. Mrs Jones got up and walked there. She did not watch the boy to see if he was going to run now, nor did she watch her handbag, which she left behind her on the sofa. But the boy was careful to sit on the far side of the room, away from the bag, where he thought she could easily see him out of the corner of her eye if she wanted to. He did not trust the woman not to trust him. And he did not want anyone to doubt him now.
“Do you need anyone to go to the store,” asked the boy, “maybe to get some milk or other things?”
“Don’t believe I do,” said the woman, “unless (除非) you just want sweet milk yourself. I’m going to make chocolate milk.”
“That will be fine,” said the boy.
Mrs Jones heated some cooked food she had in the fridge and set the table. She didn’t ask the boy anything about where he lived, or his parents, or anything else that would embarrass (使……尴尬) him. Instead, as they ate, she told him about her job in a hotel beauty shop that stayed open late, what the work was like, and how all kinds of women came in and out. Then she cut him half of her cake. “Eat some more, son,” she said.
When they finished eating, Mrs Jones got up and said, “Now, here, take this ten dollars and buy yourself some blue suede (软皮的) shoes. And, next time, do not make the mistake of stealing (偷) my bag nor nobody else’s — because shoes got in this way will
burn your feet. I’ve got to get my rest now. But, son, I hope you will behave yourself from now on.”
The woman led the way down the hall to the front door and opened it. “Good night! Behave yourself, boy!” she said, looking into the street as he went down the steps.
The boy wanted to say something other than “Thank you, ma’am” to Mrs Jones. His mouth moved, but he couldn’t even say that. He turned at the front of the steps and looked up at the large woman in the door. Then Mrs Jones shut the door. And the boy never saw her again.
(
D
) 4. What can you learn from the first paragraph?
A. Mrs Jones knew the boy was going to run.
B. In fact, Mrs Jones trusted the boy.
C. Mrs Jones hid her handbag behind her on the sofa.
D. Mrs Jones left her handbag on the sofa on purpose to test the boy.
(
C
) 5. Why was the boy careful to sit on the far side of the room, away from the bag?
A. Because he was too afraid.
B. Because Mrs Jones asked him to.
C. Because he didn’t want anyone to doubt him.
D. Because he didn’t want Mrs Jones to see him.
(
D
) 6. Which of the following statements is TRUE according to the fifth paragraph?
A. The boy ate all the cake.
B. Mrs Jones complained about her job.
C. Mrs Jones asked the boy too many questions.
D. Mrs Jones tried to make the boy feel comfortable.
(
C
) 7. What do the underlined words “burn your feet” mean in the passage?
A. Hurt his feet. B. Not be suitable for his feet.
C. Cause trouble. D. Catch fire easily.
(
D
) 8. Which word can be used to describe the woman?
A. Strict. B. Curious. C. Serious. D. Warm-hearted.
