People say teenagers are no good. They make too much noise in shopping malls; they drive recklessly up and down America’s main streets; they carry chips on their shoulders as big as the Sears Tower. And at least some of the time those things are true. But we shouldn’t forget that there are hard moments in the life of a teenager too.
I watched such a moment not long ago at a woman’s funeral. I didn’t expect the event to affect me. Through much of the ceremony, in fact, I remained unmoved.
The teenage grandson stepped forward. With his very first deep breath, every heart in that church was achingly reminded of something we had all forgotten. Softly he began: “I want to share a few values that Nana taught me. She never failed to see light in any situation. When our family dog would truly attack her, what would Nana say? ‘oh, what beautiful barking that dog has!’ That was Nana. ”
“She was a strong woman who often lived in the shadow of my grandpa, who was a successful businessman in this city. But she was the one behind the scenes who provided the strength and support for my grandpa’s career,” he said, with a voice now trembling, “That was Nana’s way.”
Through a low sob, he continued, “Whenever she did anything worth recognition, you’d have to hear about it from a different source, because she was never one to show off.”
Finally, in a voice breaking free of sorrow, he looked up and said, “Nana taught me courage. She put up an incredible fight to the end, when she died peacefully, which is how she lived her life. That was Nana’s way, and I hope I can carry on in the same manner.”
There are no hearts as sensitive as those of teenagers, because everything is happening to them for the first time. The trouble with teenagers is that they haven’t learned to be controlled.
When that boy rose to speak about the woman who surely had been his truest and closest friend, his honest voice dragged each of us out into the open where we could no longer hide in the calm ceremony. He exposed us to the truth about this very real woman who believed in a boy who probably tried the patience of many adults. He reminded us that his grandmother was more than another dot on the chart of life and death.
All over again we felt those powerful losses crossing our own hearts, and we knew that when you say good-bye to something happy, something young in yourself. And that something never really returns, and the pain never really goes away.
小題1:In the first paragraph, the writer gave some examples to________ .
| A．support his idea that young people are no good |
| B．introduce his point of view about young people |
| C．tell people every coin has its two sides |
| D．show young people often make mistakes |
小題2:From the boy’s speech, we know _______ .
| A．his grandmother had great influence on him |
| B．they had a dog which often attacked people |
| C．people had forgotten her until the boy appeared |
| D．his grandmother was so weak that she is always living in the shadow of his grandpa |
小題3:Which of the following statements is true?
| A．The boy ’s speech moved no one present at the funeral except the writer |
| B．The boy’s being good at expressing himself enabled him to draw everyone’s attention |
| C．The boy was too grieved to accept the fact that his grandmother had passed away |
| D．The writer didn’t expect the event would affect him |
小題4:What words can best describe grandmother’s quality?
| A．Weak, mild and modest |
| B．Easygoing, cautious and considerate |
| C．Sensitive and hard on others |
| D．Patient, optimistic, strong and helpful. |
小題5:The passage tells the readers_______ .
| A．facing certain bitter facts help young people to grow |
| B．young people have to control themselves |
| C．the adults should learn from the young |
| D．the adults should teach the young how to be brave |
