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Part B
Text 1
Dating with My Mother (Part One)
After 22 years of marriage, I have discovered the secret to keep love alive in my relationship with my wife, Peggy. I started dating with another woman.
It was Peggy's idea. One day she said to me, 'Life is too short, you need to spend time with the people you love. You probably won't believe me, but I know you love her and I think that if the two of you spend more time together, it will make us closer.'
The 'other' woman my wife was encouraging me to date is my mother, a 72-year-old widow who has lived alone since my father died 20 years ago. Right after his death, I moved 2,500 miles away to California and started my own life and career. When I moved back near my hometown six years ago, I promised myself that I would spend more time with mom. But with the demands of my job and three kids, I never got around to seeing her much beyond family get-togethers and holidays.
Mom was surprised and suspicious when I called and suggested the two of us go out to dinner and a movie.
'What's wrong?' she asked.
'I thought it would be nice to spend some time with you,' I said. 'Just the two of us.'
'I would like that a lot,' she said.
When I pulled into her driveway, she was waiting by the door with her coat on. Her hair was curled, and she was smiling. 'I told my lady friends I was going out with my son, and they were all impressed. They can't wait to hear about our evening,' Mother said.
Questions:
1. What would make the speaker closer to his wife, Peggy?
2. What do you know about the speaker's mother?
3. Which of the following adjectives best describes Peggy?
Text 2
Dating with My Mother (Part Two)
We didn't go anywhere fancy, just a neighborhood place where we could talk. Since her eyes now see only large shapes and shadows, I had to read the menu for both of us.
'I used to be the reader when you were little,' she said.
'Then it is time for you to relax and let me return the favor,' I said.
We had a nice talk over dinner, just catching up on each other's lives. We talked for so long that we missed the movie.
'I'll go out with you again,' my mother said as I dropped her off, 'but only if you let me buy dinner next time.'
I agreed.
'How was your date?' my wife asked when I got home that evening.
'Nice...nicer than I thought it would be,' I said.
Mom and I get out for dinner a couple of times a month. Sometimes we take in a movie, but mostly we talk. I tell her about my trails at work and brag about the kids and Peggy. Mom fills me in on family gossip and tells me about her past. Now I know what it was like for her to work in a factory during the Second World War. I know how she met my father there, and know how they went through the difficult times. I can't get enough of these stories. They are important to me, a part of my history. We also talk about the future. Because of health problems, my mother worries about the days ahead.
Spending time with my mom has taught me the importance of slowing down. Peggy was right. Dating another woman has helped my marriage.
Questions:
1. What does the story mainly tell us?
2. Which of the following is true?
3. What can you learn from the story?
Part C
Conversation 1:
W: You know, many American parents are now wondering why they can't keep their teenage children from drinking.
M: I'm aware of that. To my mind, it's the permissive attitude of the parents that is to blame.
Q: What can you learn from the man's response?
Conversation 2:
M: Don't you think it's good to give our children a monthly allowance?
W: I think so. It can teach them the value of money. With a monthly allowance they can learn to budget their expenses wisely.
Q: What are they talking about?
Conversation 3:
M: Mom, I've got a part-time job at a supermarket. Three hours a day weekdays and all day Saturday.
W: Congratulations, Tom. But are you sure you can handle it? What about your homework and your piano lessons?
Q: How does the mother feel about Tom's part-time job at the supermarket?
Conversation 4:
M: Hey, Mary. You look so upset. What happened?
W: My father had an accident the other day. He is now in hospital and will have an operation tomorrow. You see, his heart is rather weak. I really don't know whether he can survive it.
Q: What's the woman worried about?
Conversation 5:
W: Mother's Day is coming soon. Could you tell me what sons and daughters do in your country on that day?
M: Well, they send their mothers flowers and cards to celebrate the occasion. Besides, it is a common practice for them to wear pink carnations on that day.
Q: Which of the following is true of the customs of Mother's Day in the man's country?
Part D
My First Job
My parents ran a small restaurant. It was open twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. My first job was shining shoes for customers when I was six years old. My duties increased as I grew older. By age ten I was clearing tables and washing plates. My father made it clear that I had to meet certain standards. I had to be on time, hard-working and polite to the customers. I was never paid for any work I did. One day I made the mistake of telling Dad I thought he should give me ten pounds a week. He said, "OK, then how about you paying me for the three meals a day when you eat here and for the times you bring your friends here for free drinks?" He figured I owed him about 40 pounds a week. This taught me quite a lot.
adj. 确定的，必然的，特定的
pron.
