Question

“Blue skies,” I sang, “smiling at me…” But no one was smiling. My classmates looked bored as they waited to rehearse (排練). It was just hours before the talent show, and my voice wasn’t sounding good. I sadly sat down on the floor. My act was too bad.

My parents were on their way. My mother had been my age when she started painting seriously, and had shown and sold work into her thirties. But her hands were now too busy washing, cleaning and making salad. Still, I kept hoping she’d start again. I gave her sketchbook (寫生簿) every Mother’s Day and Christmas.

“Maybe I should read poems.” I found the show’s host and let her know.

“Next up, Sandra Beasley,” came the introduction.

No one had warned me about the spotlight (聚光燈). I squinted (瞇著眼看), looking for my parents, but I couldn’t pick out either of their faces. My first poem was one to blueberries. Then I read a poem about chemistry class and found a rhythm, “This last one,” I said, “is for my mom.”

The poem described our laundry (洗衣) room, which had once been her studio. She was the artist. Where was her art?

“How can I learn,’ the poem finished, “if you do not teach?”

“Thank you,” I said. The audience (觀眾) gave a big hand. A friend took my arm as I left the stage.

“Wonderful” she said. “Jeez. Is your mom here?” My heart dropped. My mother had expected to hear me sing Blue Skies. Instead , she had been chastised (譴責(zé)) in front of all the audience.

When the house lights came up, I noticed my dad waving me over. “Well, hey,’’ he said. “That was something else.” She was standing on his other side．She could have said, “That’s not your story to tell.”

Instead she pulled me toward her. I laid my face to her shoulder so quickly that I’d never know for sure if her eyes were wet. There are some tears that a mother is not willing to show, there are some tears a daughter is not ready to see.

1.After the writer finished her rehearsal, ____________.

A. she was satisfied with her performance

B. she couldn’t wait to see her classmates’ acts

C. she was too nervous to perform in the show

D. she decided to read poems instead of singing

2.The writer’s friends would probably say that her poem for her mother was _________.

A. terrible B. touching C. boring D. tiring

3.Which of the following is the correct order according to the article?

a.She (the writer) sang Blue Skies. b.She read a poem for her mom.

c.Her mom gave up her career. d.Her parents got to the talent show.

A. a.b.c.d B. c.a.d.b C. a.d.b.c D. c.d.a.b

4.What can we conclude from the article?

A. The writer was chastised by her mother for not singing Blue Skies as planned.

B. The writer had a poor relationship with her parents.

C. The writer wanted her mother to pick up her art again.

D. The writer felt sorry for chastising her father on stage.

Answer 1