She looked older to us though her age was about the same as our mother’s. She was not pretty. But she was kind and good. Then she gave us a good meal. After our mother became ill, we never ate such a good one. My brothers and I liked her before we finished the meal.

Our family moved to Australia not long ago. It was difficult for us to live a good life in the new place. Soon our mother became ill and she was in bed.

Every morning father went out to the forest, and worked all day hard as he could. Of course, we tried to help our parents. I cleaned the house and cooked our meals. My older brother learned to grow vegetables.

My two younger brothers were too young to work. Sometimes we went to school. When father came home on that day, he was surprised. Our mother was sleeping peacefully in the bed cleaned by Jane, and there were some beautiful flowers on the table. He said to Jane, “I have no money. I’m sorry I can’t pay you.” Jane said, “Don’t mind, I’m glad to help you. I don’t take money from people who are not happy.”

1. Why was mother ill?　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　 

A. Life was hard.

B. The weather was bad for a long time.

C. There were too many children in the family.

D. She was always ill.

2. From the passage, we can know that there are　　    children in the family. 

A. 2　　    B. 3　　   C. 4　　　　 D. 5

3. Where did they live?　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　   

A. In Australia.　　　　   B. In a city in Australia.

C. They just left Australia.  D. The writer didn’t tell us.

4. Why did Jane come to the family?　　　　　　　　　　　　　　 

A. To make money because she was poor.   

B. To help them.

C. She knew their mother very well.

D. To cook meals for the children.

5. We can learn the following from the passage except　　    .　　   

A. Jane was much younger than the writer’s mother

B. the writer’s family was not rich

C. Jane came to the family with some beautiful flowers

D. Jane helped the family for nothing

　　Mr. Jackson worked in a hospital. A lot of patients went to see him and he was very busy and had little time to rest in the daytime. One night, when he looked over the last patient, it was five to one. He was too tired to say a word and lay down at once. As soon as he fell asleep, a farmer began to knock at the door and got him up.

　　“My wife is ill,” shouted the farmer, “Please go and look her over.” Mr. Jackson had to go with the farmer. It was the coldest night of the year and the road was covered with snow and ice. The farmer lived far away from the town and they went through a forest, crossed two rivers and a mountain. It took them three hours to get to the small house. And they were both tired, cold and hungry.

　　The woman stayed in bed. She looked fine. Mr. Jackson looked her over carefully and found there was nothing serious with her. He became angry. He called the farmer out and said, “Your wife is strong and healthy, you know. Why did you ask me to come here late at night?” “I'm sorry, sir,” said the farmer, “My wife never does anything at home. I thought she was ill. We're poor. In the day, when you are busy, I can't go for you. If you come to look her over at night when you are free, we'll pay you nothing.”

(1) ________, so he fell asleep soon.

[　　]

A．It was time to go to bed for Mr. Jackson

B．Mr. Jackson was very tired that night

C．Mr. Jackson didn't feel well that night

D．Mr. Jackson was afraid to be woken soon

(2) When Mr. Jackson and the farmer reached the house, it was ________.

[　　]

(3) The woman did nothing at home because ________.

[　　]

A．something was wrong with her

B．her husband was strong enough to do all

C．she was very lazy

D．she hoped to be looked over

(4) Mr. Jackson was very angry with ________.

[　　]

(5) The farmer went for Mr. Jackson very late at night because ________.

[　　]

A．he wanted to play a joke on him

B．he was afraid his wife was going to die

C．his wife had really been ill before he went for him

D．he wanted to save money