BALTIMORE. MARYLAND—An old postcard changed
the lives of an eleven-year-old boy and a very sick woman. The postcard had a
picture of the steamship Titanic. The Titanic was the largest ocean ship in the
world. It hit an iceberg（冰山）and sank on April 14. 1912. More than 1,500 of the 2,200 people on
the ship were killed.
The postcard was passed from one
person to another for more than 80 years. Then it appeared at a card show for
people who liked to collect postcards. An eleven-year-old boy, Joey Russell,
came to the show with his grandfather. His grandfather knew everything about
the Titanic and its trip from England to New York. “Let’s buy that postcard.” he
told Joey. “It will be important someday.”
Two years later, Joey’s grandfather
took him on a special trip. They went on a trip to the North Atlantic ocean to
watch as workers pulled the Titanic up from the bottom of the ocean. Joey put
his special postcard in his bag for the trip. On the ship, Joey met Edith
Haisman. This woman was on the Titanic when it sank. She was one of the people
who were rescued. Joey pulled the postcard out of his pocket.
“Please sign this, Mrs. Haisman.” he said. She was happy to write her name on
the back of the postcard.
When Joey got
home, he put the postcard away and forgot about it, Then Kate Shelley, one of
Joey’s friends, told him that her mother was very sick. She needed an operation,
but there was a problem. The operation was very expensive, and the family
needed $80, 000 to pay for it. Friends and relatives tried to help. But where
could they get so much money?
Then when Joey went to see the new
movie “Titanic”, he had an idea. “Millions of people are seeing this movie and
reading about the Titanic.” Joey thought. He remembered the old postcard with
Edith Haisman’s signature on it. “Maybe I can sell it for some money. Then I
can help Kate’s mom.”
Joey told his mother and father about
his idea to help Mrs. Shelley. His parents helped him try to sell the postcard
to the person who would pay the most money for it. Joey’s story was on
television and in newspapers. Joey and Kate even went to New York to be on a
national TV show. After the show, many people called in to offer money for the
Titanic card. Someone bought it for $60. 000.
Joey’s kind
heart and the old Titanic postcard worked together to save a woman’s life.
1.Which of the following is NOT true about
the old postcard?
A. The Titanic was the largest steamship in
the world in 1912.
B. The steamship Titanic hit an iceberg and
sank about a hundred years ago
C. Over two thousand passengers were killed
in the ocean accident.
D. More than eighty years had passed before
the postcard belonged to Joey.
2.Joey Russell _________.
A. decided to buy the postcard at a shop
B. showed great interest in collecting
postcards
C. took the postcard with him to see Mrs.
Shelley
D. asked Mrs. Haisman to sign her name on his
postcard
3.What does the underlined word “rescued”
mean in the sentence?
A. Be made safe from danger.
B. Be on an ocean trip.
C. Be working on board.
D. Be asked to sell the postcard.
4.When did Joey Russell have the idea of
selling his old postcard for money?
A. When Kate Shelley told him of her mother’s
sickness.
B. When he went to see the
new movie “Titanic”.
C. When he was reading the
new book of Titanic.
D. When he remembered Mrs.
Haisman’s signature on his card.
5.Which of the following is TRUE according to
the passage?
A. The Titanic arrived in New York at the end
of April, 1912.
B. At the age of 13, Joey Russell got Mrs.
Haisman’s signature.
C. Joey Russell sold out his postcards on a
national TV show.
D. The Titanic card was sold to many people
for $60, 000.
