When his wife died，the baby was two．They had six other children--three boys and three girls，ranging in age from 4 to 16．A few days later he became a widower, the man’s parents and his wife’s parents came to visit the family．“We’ve been talking，”they said，“about how to take care of all these children and work to make a living．So，we’ve arranged for each child to be placed with a different uncle and aunt．We’re making sure that al1of your children will be living right here in the neighborhood，so you can see them anytime…”
The man appreciated their thoughtfulness but refused their kindness. Over the next few weeks the man worked with his children，assigning them chores(杂务)and giving them responsibilities ．
But then another misfortune happened．The man developed arthritis (关节炎)．His hands swelled，and he was unable to hold the handles of his farm tools. He would not be able to continue the work on his farm. He sold his farming equipment, moved the family to a small town and opened a small business．
The family was welcomed into the new neighborhood．Word of his pleasant personality and excellent customer service began to spread in the town．People came from far and wide to do business with him．And the children helped both at home and at work．Their father’s pleasure in his work brought satisfaction to them，and he drew pleasure from their successes ．
The children grew up and got married. Five of the seven went to college and they were married. The children’s successes were a source of pride to the father．Then came grandchildren. No one enjoyed grandchildren more than this man. As they became older, he invited them to his workplace and his small home. They brought each other great joy. Finally, the youngest daughter, the baby, who had been two years old at her mother death, got married. Finally，the man，with his life’s work completed ，died．
This man’s work had been the lonely but joyful task of raising his family．This man was my father．
I was the 1 6-year—old，the oldest of seven．
71. How old was the writer when his mother died?
A. 4 B. 2 C. 16 D. not mentioned
72. Which of the following is TRUE?
A. There were six children in the family.
B. The father wanted to give his children to his relatives.
C. The father didn’t farm any longer because of his illness..
D. The father’s life work was lonely and sadly.
73. The underlined word “widower” means ________.
A. a worker B. a farmer C. a man with many children D. a man without wife
74. The main idea of the passage is ________.
A. The father’s life work: raising his family
B. Why the father wanted to raised his family
C. How the children grew up after their mother died
D. the father’s sadness and happiness in his life
75. what is the writer’s attitude to his father?.
A. unconcerned B. critical C. doubtful D. respectful
