My teenage son Karl became withdrawn after his father died.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 he didn't talk anything with me and even with others. When his report card arrived during his junior year, it said that
he had been absent 95 times from classes and had six failing grades for the year. At this rate 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 prayed. "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
end of the line. The headmaster seriously said, "Thank you for your time", and hung up.
     Karl's next report card showed a surprising improvement in his grades. Finally, he even made the honor roll. That year,
I attended a parent-teacher meeting with Karl. I noticed that his teachers were surprised at his great progress. 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. By saying "Karl became withdrawn", the author means that the boy changed completely and __________.

A. preferred to stay alone at home
B. became sad all day
C. refused to talk to others
D. began to dislike his mother

2. The underlined sentence "I'm at the end of my rope" means __________.

A. I have no more methods to deal with my son’s problem.
B. My rope has been used up.
C. I have no more strength to do anything more.
D. I'm in danger of falling down.

3. After Karl heard what his mother said on the phone, he may feel __________ inside.

A. annoyed
B. happy
C. sorry
D. scared

4. The sentence"...he even made the honor roll" means "__________."

A. he was on the list of students who were asked to speak before the others
B. he was on the list of students who got punishment
C. he was on the list of students who had turned themselves around
D. he was on the list of the best students in grades at school

5. Karl made great progress because __________

A.God helped him.
B.The school adviser talked with him many times.
C.His mother begged him.
D.He realized that he had to make his mother proud of him.