阅读理解。
It was the afternoon of December 24, the day before Christmas, and as the newest doctor in our office,
I had to work. The only thing that brightened my day was the beautifully decorated Christmas tree in our
waiting room and a gift sent to me by a fellow I was dating (约会)-a dozen long-stemmed red roses.
As I was cleaning my office, I was told a lady urgently needed to speak with me. As I stepped out, I
noticed a young, tired-looking woman with a baby in her arms. Nervously, she explained that her husband-a
prisoner in a nearby prison-was my next patient. She told me she wasn't allowed to visit her husband in prison
and that he had never seen his son. Her request was for me to let the boy's father sit in the waiting room with
her as long as possible before I called him for his appointment (约见). Since my schedule wasn't full, I agreed.
After all, it was Christmas Eve.
A short time later, her husband arrived-with chains on his feet and hands, and two armed guards as
bodyguards. The woman's tired face lit up like our little Christmas tree when her husband took a seat beside
her. I kept glancing out to watch them laugh, cry and share their child. After almost an hour, I called the
prisoner back to my office. The patient seemed like a gentle and modest man. I wondered what he possibly
could have done to be held under such conditions. I tried to make him as comfortable as possible.
At the end of the appointment, I wished him a Merry Christmas-a difficult thing to say to a man headed
back to prison. He smiled and thanked me. He also said he felt saddened by the fact that he hadn't been able
to get his wife anything for Christmas. On hearing this, I was inspired with a wonderful idea.
I'll never forget the look on both their faces as the prisoner gave his wife the beautiful, long-stemmed
roses. I'm not sure who experienced the most joy-the husband in giving, the wife in receiving, or myself in
having the opportunity to share in this special moment.
1. What can be inferred from the first paragraph?
[ ]
A. The writer was a newcomer to her office.
B. A fellow sent her a dozen red roses as Christmas present.
C. She was in low spirits because she had to work before Christmas.
D. She was at work with a light heart.
2. The young woman came to the writer's office for the purpose of _____.
[ ]
A. having her baby examined
B. giving her husband a chance to make his escape
C. having her husband examined
D. getting a chance for her family to get together
3. The underlined part in Paragraph 3 most probably means "_____".
[ ]
A. to be sent to hospital
B. to be separated from his family
C. to be comfortable
D. to become a prisoner
4. What does the writer learn from the story?
[ ]
A. The wife experienced the most joy in receiving.
B. An act of kindness can mean a lot.
C. The prisoner was treated with mercy.
D. Whoever breaks the law should be punished.