阅读理解
There were smiling children all the way.Clearly they knew at what time the train passed their homes
and they made it their business to stand along the railway, wave to complete strangers and cheer them up
as they rushed towards Penang.Often whole families stood outside their homes and waved and smiled as
if those on the trains were their favorite relatives.This is the simple village people of Malaysia.I was moved.
I had always travele
d to Malaysia by plane or car,so this was the first time I was on a train.I did not
particularly relish the long train journey and had brought along a dozen magazines to read and reread.I
looked about the train.There was not one familiar face.I sighed and sat down to read my Economics.
It was not long before the train was across the Causeway and in Malaysia.Johore Baru was just
another city like Singapore,so I was tired of looking at the crowds of people as they hurried past.As we
went beyond the city, I watched the straight row
s of rubber trees and miles and miles of green.Then the
first village came into sight.Immediately I came alive；I decided to wave back.
From then on my journey became interesting.I threw my magazines into the waste basket and
decided to join in Malaysian life.Then everything came alive.The mountains seemed to speak to me.Even
the trees were smiling.I stared at everything as if I was looking at it for the first time.
The day passed fast and I even forgot to have my lunch until I felt hungry.I looked at my watch and
was surprised that it was 3:00 pm.Soon the train pulled up at Butterworth.I looked at the people all
around me.They all looked beautiful.When my uncle arrived with a smile, I threw my arms around him to
give him a warm hug.I had never done this before.He seemed surprised and then his weatherbeaten face
warmed up with a huge smile.We walked arm in arm to his car.
I looked forward to the return journey.
1. The author expected the train trip to be________.
A. adventurous
B. pleasant
C. exciting
D. dull
2. What did the author remember most fondly of her train trip?
A. The friendly country people.
B. The mountains along the way.
C. The crowds of people in the streets.
D. The simple lunch served on the train.
3. Which of the following words can best take the place of the word "relish" in the second paragraph?
A. choose
B. enjoy
C. prepare for
D. carry on
4. Where was the writer going?
A. Johore Baru.
B. The Causeway.
C. Butterworth.
D. Singapore.
