四、阅读理解
Golden apples hanging on the backyard tree finally made me understand my father's silent love. But three years ago, when I was a 13-year-old boy, I thought adults knew nothing about life.
That warm spring day, Dad came home holding a small apple sapling (树苗). "Let's plant it together," he said. I shook my head. "Why do we waste time? The store sells apples ready to eat!" But he just smiled.
For weeks, I complained(抱怨) as we watered the weak tree. "It'll never grow!" I said angrily when the heavy summer storms nearly made it fall over. Father simply saved it with bamboo sticks, saying, "Good things take time, just like building a strong house." At that time, I didn't get what he meant.
Our final exams were at the end of the term. Since I failed Maths, I tore (撕) my test paper angrily, saying, "
I'm done!" Father found me sitting next to our knee-high tree. Instead of giving long speeches, he pointed at its new leaves. "Do you remember when it almost didn't make it through the storm? Now it's standing tall, because it refused to give up!"
I realized it all of a sudden. I began to study just as the tree grew, slowly but surely. My father quietly cheered me on. During late-night studying, he'd put some water beside my books. Even without saying anything, his strong hand on my shoulder said it all.
This morning, I found the first red apple shining among the leaves. Dad gently handed it to me after picking it. "Hard work makes it sweet," he smiled. The apple tasted like someone had poured patience and love into it.
(
C
) 1. Why did the boy complain about planting the tree?
A. Because he disliked apples.
B. Because he didn't trust his father.
C. Because he thought it wasted time.
D. Because he believed the tree would die.
(
A
) 2. What does the underlined sentence "I'm done!" mean in the story?
A. I want to give up!
B. I plan to try again!
C. I have to study hard!
D. I need to take breaks!
(
B
) 3. What is the correct order of the following events?
① The writer started to study hard.
② The writer failed his Maths exam.
③ An apple sapling was brought home.
④ The apple tree went through the storm.
A. ①③②④
B. ③④②①
C. ③②④①
D. ④②③①
(
A
) 4. Which words best describe the father's character?
A. Patient and wise.
B. Quiet and polite.
C. Serious and strict.
D. Kind and humorous.
(
B
) 5. Which of the following statements is NOT true?
A. What makes the apple sweet is hard work.
B. Father felt down after I failed the Maths exam.
C. Father used the new leaves to inspire me.
D. I tore my test paper angrily because I did badly in Maths.
