My teenage son Karl became withdrawn after his father died. As a single parent, I tried to do my best to talk to him. But the more I tried, the more he pulled away. When his report card arrived during his junior year, it said that he had been absent 95 times from classes and had six falling grades for the year. In this way he would never graduate. I sent him to the school adviser, and I even begged him. Nothing worked.

One night I felt so powerless that I got down on my knees and asked God for help. “Please God, I can’t do anything more for my son. I’m at the end of my rope. I’m giving the whole thing up to you.”

I was at work when I got a phone call. A man introduced himself as the headmaster. “I want to talk to you about Karl’s absences.” Before he could say another word, I choked up（哽咽）and all my disappointment and sadness over Karl came pouring out into the ears of this stranger. “I love my son, but I just don’t know what to do. I’ve tried everything to get Karl to go back to school and nothing has worked. It’s out of my hands. ” For a moment there was silence on the other and of the line. The headmaster seriously said, “Thank you for your time”, and hung up.

　　Karl’s next report card showed a marked improvement in his grades. Finally, he was even on the list of the best students at school. In his fourth year, I attended a parent –– teacher meeting with Karl. I noticed that his teachers were surprised at the way he had turned himself around. On our way home, he said, “Mum, remember that call from the headmaster last year?” I nodded. “That was me. I thought I’d play a joke but when I heard what you said, it really hit me how much I was hurting you. That’s when I knew I had to make you proud.”

1.Which of the following has the similar meaning as the underlined word “withdrawn” in the  first paragraph?

2.There was silence on the other end of the line because _ _________.

3.Who was it that telephoned Karl’s mother that day?

4.From the passage we can learn that _____________.

--Mum, it's late. Why are you still here?

--Dad hasn't come back yet. I          for him.

A. am waiting                          B. was waiting                  C. waited

 —Mum, I can't find my shoes.

—Hurry up! Your father ______   for us.

A. is waiting               B. waited                C. waits        D. will wait

When I was small, my mum used to give the family something special for meals — she would make breakfast food for dinner.

I still remember one night my mum some bread in front of my dad, something very burnt. I waited to see if anybody noticed. To my surprise, my dad just took his , smiled at my mum and then turned to ask me how my day at school had been. I’ve what I told him that night. I do remember watching him put some butter on that bread. He as usual, every single bit.

After dinner, my mum said to my dad for burning the bread. And I never forget what he said, “I burnt bread, dear. It doesn’t matter at all. ”

, I went to kiss Dad good night. I asked him if he really liked his bread burnt. He held me in arms and , “Your mum worked very hard all day. She's really . And you see — a bit of burnt food never hurt anyone!”

Now I know life is not perfect. is perfect, either. As for me, I often forget birthdays or some other special days. But I’ve learned something over these years. What we really need is the understanding of each other, whether between a husband and wife, a parent and or just between two friends. This is the key to a happy .

So don’t get angry if the bread gets burnt. Remember, bread never hurt anyone. Be kind to those around you and a happier life will surely come closer to you.

1.A. cooked B. put C. found D. bought

2.A. glass B. milk C. spoon D. bread

3.A. decided B. known C. forgotten D. imagined

4.A. But B. So C. Because D. And

5.A. threw it away B. ate it up C. put it away D. looked it up

6.A. hello B. goodbye C. no D. sorry

7.A. hate B. love C. make D. save

8.A. The next morning B. Before dinner C. Later that night D. After school

9.A. shouted B. said C. laughed D. continued

10.A. tired B. excited C. worried D. interested

11.A. Everybody B. Anybody C. Nobody D. Somebody

12.A. important B. difficult C. funny D. easy

13.A. student B. brother C. sister D. child

14.A. class B. party C. life D. story

15.A. burnt B. cheap C. fresh D. cold