In the very early 1800’ s, a young boy about 14 years old named John lived in an orphanage (孤儿院) in Old England along with several other children. Orphan meant unwanted and unloved.
Christmas was the one day of the year when the children didn’t work and received a gift, an orange. Usually they tried to taste and preserve it for so long that it often rotted before they ever peeled(剥开)it to enjoy the sweet juice. Many thought were expressed as Christmas time approached. The children would say, “I will keep mine the longest.” John usually slept with his next to his pillow. This year John was overjoyed by the Christmas season. He was becoming a man and stronger and soon he would be old enough to leave. He would save his orange until his birthday in July.
Christmas day finally came. The children were so excited as they entered the big dining hall. Immediately the master shouted, “John, leave the hall and there will be no orange for you this year.” John’s heart broke violently wide open. He turned and went swiftly back to the cold room. Then he heard the door open and each of the children entered. Little Elizabeth with her hair falling over her shoulders, a smile on her face, and tears in her eyes held out a piece of rag to John. “Here John,” she said, “this is for you.” As he lifted back the edges of the rag he saw a big juicy orange all peeled and quartered and then he realized what they had done.
John never forgot the sharing, love and personal sacrifice his friends had shown him that Christmas day. In memory of that day every year he would send oranges all over the world to children everywhere.
1. The first paragraph is mainly to tell us that ______.
A. John lived in the early 1800’ s B. John’s parents had died
C. John lived a hard life in an orphanage D. John lived with several other children
2. These children would be happiest when ______.
A. they got the special gift B. they preserved it very long
C. they finally enjoyed the sweet juice D. they entered the dining hall
3. What would overjoy John most the next year according to the second paragraph?
A. He placed his orange next to his pillow.
B. He would eat his orange on his birthday.
C. He wouldn’t get his special gift.
D. He would stay in the orphanage for another year
4. According to the text, where did John’s orange come from this year?
A. It was made up of what these children donated.
B. His master gave him a whole one again.
C. These children bought him one.
D. Little Elizabeth donated hers to John.
5. What can be inferred from the text?
A. John had expected he wouldn’t get the gift this year.
B. John knew why he didn’t get the gift this year.
C. John felt ashamed for not getting the special gift.
D. The story teaches us to learn to share with others.
