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Tess, eight, always heard her parents talking about her brother, Andrew. He was very sick and they were
completely out of money. Only a very costly surgery could save him but no one would lend them money. She
heard Daddy said with desperation, "Only a miracle can save him."
Counting all her coins in her bedroom and carefully bringing the coins, Tess slipped out the door and made
her way six blocks to Drug Store. She waited patiently for the pharmacist (药剂师) to give her some attention
but he was too busy at this moment. Tess twisted her feet to make a noise. Nothing. She cleared her throat
with the most disgusting sound she could produce. No good. Finally she took a coin and banged (发出砰声)
it on the counter. That did it! "And what do you want?" the pharmacist asked. "I'm talking to my brother from
Chicago whom I haven't seen for ages," he said without waiting for a reply to his question. "Well, let's talk
about my brother," Tess answered. "He's really, really sick and I want to buy a miracle."
''Pardon?" said the pharmacist, "Andrew has something bad growing inside his head and my Daddy says
only a miracle can save him now. So how much does a miracle cost?" "No miracle here." the pharmacist said.
"Please, just tell me how much it costs." Tess pleaded. The pharmacist's brother bent down and asked, "What
kind of a miracle does your brother need?". "I don't know," Tess replied. "Ijust know he's really'sick and
Mommy says he needs an operation." "How much do you have?" asked the man from Chicago. "One dollar and
eleven cents." Tess answered shyly. "Well, what a coincidence (巧合)!" smiled the man, "That's the exact price.
Take me to where you live. Let's see if I have the kind of miracle you need."
That man was Mr. Carlton. The operation was completed without charge and soon Andrew was home again
"That surgery," her Mom whispered, "was a real miracle. I wonder how much it would have cost?" Tess
smiled. She knew exactly how much a miracle cost.
1. According to the passage, which of the following statements is TRUE? [ ]
A. A miracle costs one point eleven dollars plus the faith of a little child.
B. Tess tried once to get the attention from the pharmacist but failed.
C. Tess's brother, Andrew, didn't survive the operation.
D. Tess is very brave to walk 5 blocks to the drug store to get help.
2. From the passage, you may see Mr. Carlton is _____. [ ]
A. a pharmacist
B. a policeman
C. a teacher
D. a surgeon
3. What was the pharmacist's attitude towards the girl when she tried to get his attention? [ ]
A. delighted
B. impatient
C. nervous
D. anxious
4. Which of the following proverbs best describes what happened in the story? [ ]
A. Nothing is impossible to a willing heart.
B. Two heads are better than one.
C. The early bird catches the worm.
D. Behind bad luck comes good luck.
