C

Sixteen years ago, Eileen boyle’s husband, an engineer, took his four children up for an early morning cup of tea, packed a small case and was never seen or heard from again. Eileen was astonished and in a state of despair. They had been a happy family and, as far as she knew, there had been nothing wrong with their marriage.

Every day of the year a small group of men and women quietly pack a few belongings and, without so much as a note or a good-bye, close the front door for the last time, leaving their debts, their worries and their confused families behind them. Last year, more than 1,200 men and nearly as many women were reported missing from home --- the highest in 15 years. Many did return home within a year, but others rejected the past completely and are now living a new life somewhere under a different identity.

To those left behind this form of desertion is a terrible blow to their pride and self- confidence. Even the finality of death might be preferable. At least it does not imply rejection or failure. Worse than that, people can be left with an unfinished marriage, not knowing whether they will have to wait seven years before they are free to start a fresh life.

Clinical psychologist Paul Brown believes most departures of this kind to be well planned rather than impulsive(冲动). “It’s typical of the kind of personality which seems able to ignore other people’s pain and difficulties. Running away, like killing yourself, is a highly aggressive act. By creating an absence the people left behind feel guilty, upset and empty.”

28. When her husband left home, Eileen Doyle ______________.

A. could not forgive him for taking the children    B. had been expecting it to happen for some time

C. could not understand why                   D. blamed herself for what had happened

29. Most people who leave their families behind them ______________.

A. do so without warning                     B. do so because of their debts

C. come back immediately                    D. change their names

30. Some people would even prefer the death to the running away of their spouse because ______________.

A. their spouse would feel no pain during the death

B. their spouse death would not be a bit terrible

C. a desertion would not bring a feeling of rejection or failure

D. their spouse’s death would make them feel less painful

31. Usually the man or woman left behind with an unfinished marriage ______________.

A. admits responsibility for the situation    B. wishes the person who has left were dead

C. will come back within a year           D. will have no legal marriage life for seven years

D

“So?”he said.“Er…so what?”“So what do you really want to do?”he asked.

My father was a lawyer，and I had always assumed he wanted me to go to law school，and follow his path through life.“I want to travel，and I want to be a writer.”I replied.

This was not the answer he would expect.“Interesting idea，”he said.“I kind of wish I'd done that when I was your age.”I wailed.

“You have plenty of time.You need to find out what you really enjoy now.Look，it's late. Let's take the boat out tomorrow morning，just you and me. Maybe we can catch some crabs for dinner，and we can talk more.”

Early next morning we set off along the coast. We didn't talk much，but enjoyed the sound of the seagulls and the sight of the coastline and the sea beyond.

There was no surf on the coastal waters at that time.“Let's see if we get lucky，”he said，picked up a mesh basket with a rope attached and threw it into the sea. We waited a while，then my father stood up and said，“Give me a hand with this，”and we pulled up the crab cage onto the deck.

The cage was filled with dozens of soft shell crabs.“Why don't they try to escape?”

“just watch them for a moment. Look at that one，there!He's trying to climb out，but every time the

other crabs pull him back in，”said my father.

After several times，not only did the crab give up its struggle to escape，but it actually began to help stop other crabs trying to escape.He'd finally chosen an easy way of life.

Suddenly I understood why my father had suggested catching crabs that morning. He looked at me.“Don't get pulled back by the others，”he said.“Spend some time figuring out who you are and what you want in life.Think about what's really important to you，what really interests you，what skills you have.If you can't answer these questions now，then take some time to find out. Because if you don't，you'll never be happy.”

My father started the motor and we set off back home.

32.Which of the following was TRUE about the son?

A .He had no idea of what he wanted to do in life.

B .He was expecting some resistance to his job option.

C .He had always wanted to follow his father's path.

D .He started worrying about his future.

33.Why did the father and son go to catch crabs?

A .He wanted to tell his son something about life.

B .He wanted to teach his son how to catch crabs.

C .He wanted his son to enjoy the coastline and the sea.

D .He wanted his son to try something new for dinner.

34.What did the father advise the son to do?

A .To get to understand himself better.

B .To watch what others do more carefully.

C .To realize one cannot always get what one wants.

D .To always follow his father.

35 .What is the best title for the story?

A .Father and Son B.A Father's Wish

C. Catching Crabs D. Tips for Job Hunting