四、阅读理解
“Please, Mum, can we get a piano?” Ella asked.
Kathy felt worried. She knew it would be a perfect birthday gift—Ella wanted to be a songwriter. But she was working three jobs just to make ends meet. She wanted her teenage daughter to have what she herself had missed. As a child, Kathy loved the piano, but had to give up the lessons when her parents' business failed.
Luckily, a couple in their neighbourhood were giving away an old piano. Kathy had it moved to their home.
To Kathy's joy, Ella played every day. But as months passed, the practice grew shorter. Then one day, Ella stopped. “It's harder than I thought,” she said. “Now, I want to be a fashion model.”
The piano was sold to pay for modeling classes in London. Kathy was sorry to see it go. “It's just a piano, Mum,” Ella said.
It found its way to Delia. She played every morning for a local dance school. The piano gave her a new life after her retirement (退休). When she had to move to New Zealand, she found it a new home with a community project that placed instruments in public spaces for everyone to play.
Years passed. Ella became a successful model and would no longer need Kathy's support.
One evening, Kathy walked past an underground station. There stood her old piano! A child was playing happily. Then an old man took his turn, playing lively music. Even hurried passers-by stopped to listen. Kathy stood still, watching.
“The piano holds a key—not to a door, but to happiness,” a gentleman beside her said. “It's magical how music brings people together.”
“Yes,” Kathy agreed. “Music makes the world a better place.”
“Do you play an instrument?” he asked.
Kathy looked at the piano. For years, she had worked for others, having little time and money for herself. “I used to,” she said and added with a smile, “
and I will again.”
Kathy finally got her own key to happiness.
( ) 1. What made Kathy worried at the beginning of the story?
A. Her parents' business failed.
B. Her daughter missed a lesson.
C. She didn't have enough money.
D. She was too busy to buy a gift.
(
A
) 2. How did Kathy probably feel when she sold the piano?
A. Sad.
B. Angry.
C. Relaxed.
D. Hopeful.
(
D
) 3. Where did Kathy see the piano again?
A. At Delia's place.
B. In New Zealand.
C. In a local dance school.
D. At an underground station.
(
C
) 4. Why did Kathy say “and I will again”?
A. Because she would get the piano back.
B. Because she didn't need to work any more.
C. Because she could now care about herself.
D. Because she hoped to make the world better.
(
D
) 5. What would be the best title for the passage?
A. A Gift from Mum
B. A Beautiful Piano
C. The Magic of Music
D. The Key to Happiness
