A Funny Family

林锋

Mr Brown was born in a poor family. He couldnt go to school when he was young. Now hes a porter① and works at a station. He doesnt think its necessary② to know some knowledge③ of science. His son， Bill， began to go to school last year. The boy likes nothing except playing. He doesnt listen to the teachers in class and cant do his homework after class. Its the hardest thing for him to do maths exercises. And he wants to drop it.

Last evening， Mrs Brown heard Bill crying in the next room while she and her husband were watching TV. She came up to him and asked，“Whats the matter， Bill？”

“I cant do my maths homework，”said the boy， “I wont go to school tomorrow！”

“No， no， dont do that！”said the woman.“Maybe your father can help you.”

Then she asked her husband to help their son with his maths. Mr Brown said，“But I dont know maths， either.”

“It doesnt matter，”said his wife， “Youll only coax him out of crying.”

Mr Brown had to do as his wife said. The next afternoon Bill came back and showed his exercise book to his father. The man had a look at it and shouted to his wife，“Come here quickly， dear！ I got an A in maths！”

Notes：①porter n.搬運工 ②necessary adj.必要的 ③knowledge n.知识

Exercises：根据短文内容，选择正确答案。

1.Which of the following is true？

A. Mr Brown was going to be a porter when he was young.

B. Mr Browns parents were too poor to send him to school.

C. Mr Brown was interested in science when he was young.

D. There was no school in Mr Browns hometown.

2.Bill cant do his homework because_____.

A. his father wouldnt help him

B. he doesnt listen to his teachers

C. he doesnt like studying

D. he wants to drop maths

3. Bill cried to_____.

A. get his parents help

B. go to bed earlier

C. get something to eat

D. watch TV with his parents

4. The phrase “coax sb. out of crying” in the story means_____.

A.制止某人哭泣

B.惹得某人哭泣

C.阻止某人叫喊

D.哄某人停止哭泣

5._____ is good at maths in their family.

A. Bill

B. Mr Brown

C. Mrs Brown

D. None

答案：1.B 2.C 3.A 4.D 5.D