(a) people living on
Pemberton Street were conscious that they should make their block clean
(b) people liked to
have some one like Mable Howard as their block captain
(c) Mable was a respected
block captain who made Pemberton Street a nice neighborhood
(d)
people
had fun sweeping the streets under the influence of Mable Howard
B.
Comprehending the text.
Choose
the best answer.
1.
The author and his wife chose a row house on Pemberton street because________.( B
)
(a)
the place was safe, and there was less crime than they had been exposed
to in the past
(b) this was the house that they could afford
(c)
the house was in good condition
(d)
they hated the noise in Philadelphia's Center City
2.
Immediately after they moved in, Mable Howard came to their house to
________.( D
)
(a)
find out who they were
(b)
warn them against throwing litter carelessly
(c)
ask them to have her door lock repaired
(d)
greet them and tell them the trash day
3.
Mable desired to have the broken slats of the Alley Gate replaced because
________.( C
)
(a)
she was fussy about everything
(b)
it was her duty to keep everything clean and tidy
(c)
she believed that people should take good care of the public property
(d)
she didn't want to live in a house without a safe lock
4.
The author went outside, gathering the litter scattered on the streets because
________.( D
)
(a)
he wanted to help Mable who was too ill to sweep the streets
(b)
it was the only way to get rid of the unpleasant image of the dirty streets
in his mind
(c)
he wanted to please Mable
(d)
he became environmentally conscious under the influence of Mable
5.
Mable was ________.( A
)
(a)
a warm-hearted woman though sometimes she was tough with careless litter-throwers
(b)
a bright-eyed fierce woman who treated others like a boss
(c)
skinny, frail and became ill easily
(d)
so enthusiastic about environmental problems that she was called
"captain"
6.
Which of the following is not true? ( B
)
(a)
Mable urged her neighbors to move their cars off the block on Saturdays.
(b)
Mable kept on sweeping the street regardless of the dreadful weather when
age had caught up to her.
(c)
Mable didn't want others to work for nothing.
(d) Recently Mable gave up sweeping the sidewalk.
C.
Understanding vocabulary.
Choose
the correct definition according to the context.
1.
Some buildings were dilapidated. ( D
)
(a) slanted
(b)
empty
(c)
shabby
(d)
collapsing
2.
"Hello?"
a reedy voice called. ( C
)
(a)
sweet
(b)
shrill
(c)
happy
(d)
honest
3.
She drew out the last word as if responding to the sight of a luscious
cake. ( B
)
(a)
delicious
(b)
lustrous
(c)
attractive
(d)
soft
4. She
seemed to genuinely admire it. ( D
)
(a)
generously
(b)
gently
(c)
truly
(d)
seriously
5. Mable
commenced sweeping up the sawdust while I packed up my tools.
( B
)
(a)
commented
(b) started
(c)
completed
(d)
supported
6. Two
weeks before, Mable affixed placards to utility poles, admonishing
us to move our cars on the Saturday specified. ( C
)
(a)
warning
(b)
compelling
(c)
advising
(d)
guiding
7. That
incongruous sight was soon eclipsed by one of a gushing fire
hydrant and phalanxes of neighbors pushing brooms to wok the water and dirt
down the street. ( C
)
(a) glorious
(b)
adventurous
(c)
inharmonious
(d)
sharp
8. The
cleaning was infectious. ( D
)
(a)
tiresome
(b)
monotonous
(c)
continuous
(d) contagious
9. As
the sun brightened, the atmosphere became festive. ( C
)
(a)
cold
(b)
still
(c)
joyful
(d)
depressing
10.
She was not merely thin but skeletal. ( D
)
(a)
short
(b)
unhealthy
(c)
nervous
(d)
skinny
11. There
was a certain combativeness in her voice. ( C
)
(a)
coarseness
(b)
sweetness
(c)
aggressiveness
(d)
happiness
12. I
did not want to be responsible for Mable's insomnia, so I kept
the three dollars. ( B
)
(a)
unhappiness
(b)
sleeplessness
(c)
mania
(d)
misery
D.
Discussing the following topics.
1.
What kind of person was Mable Howard?
答案
Mable Howard was serious about her job as block captain. She cared for the wellfare of the
neighborhood and was considerate to others. She could not tolerate littering of
the street.
2.
Why did the author say that he was proud to call Mable Howard my
"captain"?
答案
The author was deeply moved by Mable, who had for decades
made great efforts in keeping the neighborhood neat and clean and
who was now becoming too old and frail to perform her duty. Greatly
inspired by Mable, the author gradually became self-conscious in
maintaining the block clean and felt proud to call Mable "my
captain".
3.
What can we do to protect the worsening environment today?
答案
Any threat to our shared environment is
a threat to us all.We should pay due attention to the environmental problems and take
proper measures to protect our “global village”. For example, to
tackle the Greenhouse effects, the city planning should be revised and dykes
and reservoirs should be built. To check the population growth the
one-child policy should be strictly obeyed.
