A
At the age of 83, I’m reading more and dusting less. I’m sitting in the yard and admiring the view without caring about the weeds in the garden. I’m spending more time with my family and friends and less time working.
Whenever possible, life should be a pattern of experiences to savor, not to suffer. I’m trying to recognize these moments now and cherish them.
I’m not “saving” anything; we use our good china and crystal for every special event such as losing a pound, or the first Amaryllis blossom. I wear my good clothes to the market. I’m not saving my good perfume for special parties, but wearing it for clerks in the hardware store and tellers at the bank.
“Someday” and “one of these days” are losing their positions in my vocabulary. If it’s worth seeing or hearing or doing, I want to see and do it now.
I’m not sure what others would have done had they known they wouldn’t be here for the tomorrow that we all take for granted. I think they would have called family members and a few close friends. They might have called a few former friends to apologize and mend fences for past quarrels. I like to think they would have gone out for a Chinese dinner or for whatever their favorite food was.
It’s those little things left undone that would make me angry if I knew my hours were limited. Angry because I hadn’t written certain letters that I intended to write one of these days. Angry and sorry that I didn’t tell my husband and parents often enough how much I truly love them. I’m trying very hard not to put off, hold back, or save anything that would add laughter and luster to our lives. And every morning when I open my eyes, I tell myself that it is special. Every day, every minute, every breath truly is a gift.
1. Why is the author not “saving” anything?
A. She has already saved enough. B. She wants to seize the day.
C. She finds the chance to spend. D. She attends many special occasions.
2. The author would feel angry if ________.
A. there were few things she could do B. she could not live long
C. her efforts were in vain D. her last days were full of regret
3. What is the author’s purpose in writing the text?
A. To share what she has learned from her life.
B. To blame people who left many things undone.
C. To show her regret for what she missed in life.
D. To persuade people to think more of themselves.
【答案】1. B 2. D 3. A
【解析】
本文是一篇议论文。作者已经83岁了，她对生活的理解是要享受现在的生活，而不是为未来或者怀念过去。
【1题详解】
推理判断题。根据第四段“Someday” and “one of these days” are losing their positions in my vocabulary. If it’s worth seeing or hearing or doing, I want to see and do it now.可知“有朝一日”和“某一天”在我的常用词汇中正逐渐失去它们的地位。如果值得去看、去听、去做，我就立刻去做。由此可推知，作者想要抓住的是今天，而不是将来和过去，所以才不会节省某些东西，而是享受一切。故选B。
【2题详解】
细节理解题。根据最后一段中It's those little things left undone that would make me angry if I knew my hours were limited. Angry because I hadn't written certain letters that I intended to write one of these days. Angry and sorry that I didn't tell my husband and parents often enough how much I truly love them.可知如果我知道我的时间是有限的，那些遗留下来的没做的小事情会使我感到生气。生气是因为我没有在那些天中的一天写一些应该写的信件。生气并且抱歉我没有足够经常告诉我的丈夫和父母我实际上有多爱他们。由此可知，如果作者最后的日子充满遗憾，她会感到生气的。故选D。
【3题详解】
推理判断题。根据第二段Whenever possible, life should be a pattern of experiences to savor, not to suffer. I’m trying to recognize these moments now and cherish them.可知只要有可能，生活应该是一种享受，而不是受苦的体验模式。我试着去认识并珍惜这些时刻。结合文章主要说明了作者虽然已经83岁了，但是对生活的理解是要享受现在的生活而不是为未来或者怀念过去。由此可推知，作者写这篇文章的目的是分享她从生活中学到的东西。故选A。
