七、阅读短文，回答问题
My grandmother, Mary, is so into gardening. After retiring (退休) from the hospital, she spends most of her time in the yard. In spring, she plants seeds and enjoys the beautiful flowers. When autumn comes, she gets busy harvesting fruits and collecting fallen leaves.
However, gardening is not always easy, and my grandma once had a big problem. For years, a big apple tree in the middle of the yard never had any fruit. My grandma tried almost everything: she read gardening books, searched online, and even talked and sang to the tree. But nothing worked. Finally, Grandma asked her friend Jamie, an agricultural expert (农业专家), for help.
“Maybe you should hit the bottom of the tree to stimulate (刺激) its roots,” Jamie said. “What? Are you sure?” Grandma thought it was strange because she had never heard of it before. But she decided to give it a try. Some neighbours came out to watch and thought she was crazy. However, Grandma didn’t give up and did it every day.
To her surprise, something amazing happened the next spring. Flowers began to grow on the apple tree, and by autumn, its branches were heavy with fruit. My grandma was so excited that she invited all of us to enjoy the apples.
Now, whenever we go through a hard time, Grandma shares the story of her apple tree. She says that we should always face challenges with wisdom and a positive mind.
1. Where does the writer’s grandma spend most of her time after retiring?
In the/her yard.
2. What big problem did Grandma once have?
A big apple tree in the middle of the yard never had any fruit.
3. What did Jamie advise Grandma to do to solve the problem?
To hit the bottom of the tree every day to stimulate its roots.
4. What happened to the apple tree by the next autumn?
Its branches were heavy with fruit.
5. What should we do when going through a hard time according to the story?
We should face challenges with wisdom and a positive mind.（答案合理即可）
