阅读理解。

     Mrs. Allen's husband died ten years ago when her son and daughter were still in high school. Mr.

Allen had left some money, and since Mrs. Allen had managed a bookstore before she was married,

she took the money and bought a shop in town. Later she moved the shop out to the shopping center.

    She was a pleasant woman; she worked hard and was well-informed about books, and so the

bookstore prospered(生意兴隆) and she was able to hire a friend to help her.

    Laura Barnes, Mrs. Allen's friend and assistant, was also a widow. She had some free time and

the need for a little extra-money, and so she took the job in the bookstore. She was too clever and

friendly, and the two women were well-known in the neighborhood as "Mrs. A" and "Mrs. B"

1.  How many people in all were there in the two women's families? ______.

A. At least 8      

B. At least 7      

C. At least 6      

D. At least 4

2. The bookstore prospered ______.

A. after Mrs. Allen lost control of it

B. before Mrs. A got to know Mrs. B

C. because the two women had little housework to do

D. because Mrs. A became expert at management and threw herself into it

3.  Why did Mrs. A hire Mrs. B? ______. 

A. Mrs. B asked for very little pay

B. She believed that Mrs. B was the very person to help her to improve management

C. Mrs. B was a friend of hers

D. She was also that kind of woman like her

4. Which of the following is true? ______.

A. Mrs. A set up her bookshop in the shopping center

B. Mr. Allen was dead but Mr. Barnes alive

C. Mrs. A managed to set another bookstore with Mrs. B

D. The two children of Mrs. A were of the same age