阅读理解。
John Blanchard was studying the crowd making their way through the station. He was looking for the girl
whose heart he knew, but whose face he didn't, the girl with the rose.
When reading a book in a Florida library a year before, John became interested not in the contents of the
book, but in the notes penciled in the margin (空白处). The handwriting reflected a thoughtful soul and beautiful
mind. He discovered the former owner's name in the front of the book: Miss Hollis Maynell.
He located her address and wrote a letter introducing himself. The next day he was shipped overseas to
serve in the army. During the next year, they grew to know each other through the mail and their friendship
developed. John requested a photograph, but she refused, saying if he really cared, it wouldn't matter what she
looked like. When the day finally came for him to return home, their first meeting was suggested-7:00 pm at
the Grand Central Station in New York.
She wrote, "You'll recognize me by the red rose I wear on my coat." So now John was in the station to
meet the girl with a rose.
As a pretty and slim girl in green came over, John noticed her blue eyes like flowers in spring. He walked
directly towards her, entirely forgetting she was not wearing a rose. As John came closer to her, he saw another
woman with a red rose stood nearby. Well past 40, this woman had graying hair done under a worn hat. Seeing
the girl in green walk quickly away, John felt as if he were split (劈开) in two. He desired to follow that girl,
but longed for the woman whose spirit had truly companioned and supported him.
The woman looked gentle and sensible. John went to her, saying, "I'm Captain John Blanchard. You must
be Miss Maynell. I am glad to meet you here. May I take you to dinner?"
She replied with a smile, "I don't know what this is about. But the lady in green who just went by, begged
me to wear this rose on my coat. She said if you asked me out to dinner, I'd tell you she is waiting for you in
the big restaurant across the street. She said it was some kind of test!"
1. John was eager to know the former owner of the book because ____.
A. he was very interested in the contents of the book
B. he was impressed by the notes written by the owner
C. the book offered him practical and valuable advice
D. there was address of the former owner in the book
2. What happened to John after trying to get in touch with Miss Hollis Maynell?
A. He began to serve the army abroad.
B. He was seriously wounded in the war.
C. He went on a business tour in Europe.
D. He asked Miss Maynell for a photo.
3. What do we know about the woman with a rose?
A. She was Miss Maynell's close companion.
B. She was a conductor working in the station.
C. She knew nothing about John's appointment.
D. She was paid to carry out a love test on John.
4. Which would be the best title of the text?
A. The Meeting in the Station
B. A Meeting by Accident
C. A Soldier and a Girl
D. Love Test
