A
Throughout my childhood,I constantly dreamed of being an only child—having no one around to fight with,to share with,to grab the remote control away from me in the middle of a “big game”. But I have an elder sister,whom I have always called “Kicki,” instead of her real name Christie,because I used to have trouble pronouncing the “r” and “s”.
I started playing basketball in primary school.My dad was the coach of my team,and my mom kept scoring.So my sister,not old enough to stay home alone,was forced to come to all my games.I remember looking toward the stands for my mother’s approval and seeing my sister’s face,confused.It was obvious that she wasn’t excited,but she cheered along with the crowd anyway.
On the car ride home,my parents and I would relive the game.My sister sat in the back seat with me in silence,not knowing how or when to enter the conversation.Often,she would say,“Good game,Brad.” I would smile and thank her but never took it seriously.She couldn’t possibly know whether I had played well or not.
It wasn’t until I reached high school that I realized how popular she was,and I was referred to as “Christie’s little brother”.I played basketball in high school,and although Christie wasn’t forced to attend my games anymore,she still came to cheer me every week.In the last game of the last season,she came with a large group of friends.Printed on her shirt,in big bright red letters,were the words “BRAD’S SISTER.” Suddenly I was embarrassed,not for her presence,but for my previous attitude to her praise.
Kicki left for college after that game.I finally have the remote control all to myself.However,watching TV alone has turned out to be boring.I went to visit her at college during a weekend,and as I stood outside her dorm,waiting for her to come out,a friend of hers whom I didn’t know walked past me and asked,“Hey,aren’t you Christie’s brother?” I smiled broadly and said proudly,“Yeah,I am.I’m Christie’s brother.”
1.How did Brad feel about being an only child when he was young?
A.Boring. B.Awesome.
C.Tough. D.Awful.
2.Why did Christie go to Brad’s games when he was in primary school?
A.She hoped to know more about Brad.
B.She was interested in basketball games.
C.She was too young to be left alone at home.
D.She wanted to spend more time with her family.
3.Why did Brad feel embarrassed according to the last but one paragraph?
A.He treated Christie’s praise lightly before.
B.He forgot Christie’s presence at his last game.
C.He saw the big bright red letters on Christie’s shirt.
D.He received unwanted attention from Christie’s friends.
4.What can be inferred about Christie?
A.She was proud of Brad.
B.She didn’t like watching TV.
C.She enjoyed Brad’s calling her Kicki.
D.She seldom went home during college.
