Question

To love even if you are already 90 years old, to still have a dream to catch the clouds in the sky. It seems impossible to imagine that these words came from a woman at the age of 101. Most of us generally believe that people at that age would do nothing every day but to wait for death to come nearer and nearer. However, that’ s not true for Grandma Toyo Shibata.

Have you ever thought of starting a new career writing poems at an age of 92? That’s just what Grandma Toyo did. More surprisingly, she even had her two collections of poems come out when she was nearly 100 years old. Her first collection, Don’t lose heart, has ranked into one of the top ten bestselling books in Japan at the year of 2010, which sells far more than 1.5 million copies.

Some say her poems are very like Tagore’s, though seem simple and relaxing, they sharply point out the nature of life. Grandma Toyo writes what she loves and prizes. And her works can easily catch the hearts of millions of readers.

You may think Grandma Toyo lived an easy and comfortable life. However, life didn’t treat her that well. She had to take several different jobs to support her family at a very young age. She was one of those who witnessed (目擊) the Second World War. It’s hard to imagine how many difficulties and how much hardness she has got over all her life.

But Grandma Toyo never complains what life does harm to her, yet often feels thankful for the kind people that have helped her. Though she’s in her 100s, she still has strong passion for life. Grandma Toyo still always brings mirrors and lipsticks with her---Keeping beautiful is also important. Every day is new for her!

1.According to the passage, most of us think that people at Grandma Toyo’s age_____.

A. can write beautiful poems

B. will start a new career

C. are so close to death that they can’t do anything meaningful

D. Often complain about their life

2.The word “passion” probably means “_____”.

A. love B. strength C. pride D. impression

3.Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage?

A. Grandma Toyo had her first collection of poems come out at the age of 92.

B. Both of Grandma Toyo and Tagore’s poems sharply point out the nature of life.

C. Grandma Toyo used to live an easy and comfortable life.

D. Grandma Toyo took several different jobs during the Second World War.

4.“Grandma Toyo still always brings mirrors and lipsticks with her” shows that _____.

A. She never complains what life does harm to her

B. She’s worried that she will lose them

C. She’s afraid that she can’t find them anymore

D. She never stops her steps towards beauty and happiness

5.Which would be the best title of the passage?

A. An Old Lady in Her 100s

B. Toyo Shibata--- “Tagore” in Japan

C. Make Every Day Thankful and Wonderful

D. Have Your Dream Come True

Answer 1