Reading comprehension.
One evening after dinner, Mr and Mrs. Tisich called a family meeting. "We've had to make a difficult
decision," Mr. Tisich announced. "You see, your mother has been offered a post as co-director of a television
station in Chicago Unfortunately, the station is not here. After thinking long and hard about it,we've concluded
that the right decision is to move to Chicago."
Marc looked shocked,while his sister Rachel breathlessly started asking when they'd be moving. "It's
surprising,but exciting!" She said. Marc simply said, "We can't go-I can't leave all my friends.I'd rather stay
here and live with Tommy Lyons!"
The Tisichs hoped that by the time they moved in August, Marc would grow more accustomed to the idea
of leaving. However, he showed no signs of accepting the news, refusing to pack his belongings.
When the morning of the move arrived, Marc was nowhere to be found. His parents called Tommy Lyons's
house, but Mrs. Lyons said she hadn't seen Marc. Mrs. Tisich became increasingly concerned, while her
husband felt angry with their son for behaving so irresponsibly.
What they didn't know was that Marc had started walking over to Tommy's house,with a faint idea of
hiding in the Lyons's attic (阁楼) for a few days. But something happened on the way as Marc walked past all
the familiar landscape of the neighborhood: the fence that he and his mother painted, the tree that he and his
sister used to climb, the park where he and his father often took evening walks together. How much would
these mean without his family, who make them special in the first place? Marc didn't take the time to answer
that question but instead hurried back to his house, wondering if there were any moving cartons (纸板箱) the
right size to hold his record collection.
1. The conflict in this story was caused by _____.
A. Marc and Rachel's different tempers
B. a quarrel between Tommy Lyons and Marc
C. Marc's disagreement with his parents about their move
D. Mr.and Mrs. Tisich's remark of Marc's irresponsibility
2. Marc and Rachel's reactions to the move were similar in the way that both were _____.
A. surprised
B. angry and upset
C. anxious for more details
D. worried about packing
3. The reason for Marc's going home was that _____.
A. he did not want to be left behind
B. he realized his family was essential to him
C. he hoped to reach an agreement with his parents
D. he wished to be a more responsible person
4. What would most likely happen next?
A. Marc would bring his records over to the Lyons's house.
B. Mr. and Mrs. Tisich would call the police.
C. Marc would join his family for house moving.
D. Mr.and Mrs. Tisich would start searching for Marc.
