A
A little boy always thought of himself as the most unfortunate child in the world because polio (小儿麻痹症) made his leg lame and his teeth uneven. He seldom played with his classmates; when the teacher asked him to answer questions, he always lowered his head without a word.
One spring, the boy’s father asked for some seeds from the neighbor. He wanted to plant them in front of the house. He told his children to plant a seed each. The father said to them, “Whose seed grows best, I will buy him or her a gift.” The boy also wanted to get his father’s gift, but seeing his brothers and sisters watering the trees joyfully, anyhow, he hit upon an idea: he hoped the tree he planted would die soon. So watering it once or twice, he never attended to it.
A few days later, when the little boy went to see his tree again, he was surprised to find it not only didn’t become weak, but also grew some fresh leaves, and compared with the trees of his brothers and sisters, his tree appeared greener and more vital. His father kept his promise, bought the little boy his favorite gift and said to him, “From the tree you planted, you would become an outstanding botanist (植物学家) when you grew up.”
Since then, the little boy gradually became optimistic. One day, the little boy lay on the bed but couldn’t sleep. Looking at the bright moonlight outside the window, he suddenly recalled what the biology teacher once said, plants generally grow at night. Why not go to see the tree? When he came to the courtyard on tiptoe, he found his father was splashing something under his tree with a large spoon. All of a sudden, he understood: his father had been secretly fertilizing his small tree! He returned to his room, tears running down his face. Even if it is just a spoon of clear water, it can make the tree of life thrive.
1. It can be learned from paragraphs 1-2 that the little boy ______ .
A. was ambitious in spite of his disability
B. was disabled and therefore less confident
C. showed no interest in plants and quit watering the tree
D. felt lonely and unlucky due to the prejudice against him
2. Why did father help the little boy in the competition?
A. He intended to offer him a gift.
B. He believed that he is gifted in botany.
C. He attempted to give him more encouragement.
D. He wanted to help him adapt to his disability.
3. Which of the following might be the best title for the text?
A. The Best Nutrition of Life
B. A Precious Gift from Father
C. An Unforgettable Competition in Life
D. The Most Powerful Support for the Disabled
【答案】1. B 2. C 3. A
【解析】
【分析】
这是一篇记叙文。文章讲述了一个认为自己天生不幸的小男孩，经过一次种树的经历，受到父亲的鼓励，而得到自信的故事。
【1题详解】
推理判断题。根据第一段第一句“A little boy always thought of himself as the most unfortunate child in the world because polio (小儿麻痹症) made his leg lame and his teeth uneven.(一个小男孩总是认为自己是世界上最不幸的人，因为小儿麻痹症让他的一条腿瘸了，牙齿参差不齐)”及最后一句“when the teacher asked him to answer questions, he always lowered his head without a word(老师让他回答问题时，他总是低着头不说话)”，并结合第二段小男孩虽然想得到礼物，但是希望小树快点死掉可推知，小男孩是残疾人，因此而不自信。故选B项。
【2题详解】
推理判断题。根据文章内容可知，父亲偷偷为小男孩种的树施肥，结合第三段最后一句父亲说的话“From the tree you planted, you would become an outstanding botanist (植物学家) when you grew up.(从你种的树看，你长大后会变成一个杰出的植物学家)”可知，父亲在比赛中帮助小男孩是想要给他鼓励。故选C项。
【3题详解】
主旨大意题。通读全文，并结合文章最后一句“Even if it is just a spoon of clear water, it can make the tree of life thrive.(即使只是一勺清水，也可以使生活之树茁壮成长)”可知，文章讲述了一个认为自己天生不幸的小男孩，经过一次种树的经历，受到父亲的鼓励而得到自信的故事，故A项“生活最好的营养”适合作文章标题，故选A项。
【点睛】
