A
(2021·河南省南阳市一中月考)
A few years ago, my husband Charlie and I had marital problems. Growing family responsibilities and financial worries took a toll on us and we began arguing frequently, often late into the night.
However, neither of us could take the step that would end our elevenyear marriage and bring heartbreak to our three young children. Deep down we knew we still loved each other, so we determined to work it out. Through countless discussions, we began to close the gulf. The more honest we were, the closer we became.
When I felt we were reaching solid ground， I asked my husband to give me an “eternity (永恒) ring”. It was not so much the ring I wanted; it was the reassurance (保证) I thought it would bring.
We went shopping on a beautiful summer day. We walked hand in hand along a row of jeweler's shops. Finally I found a ring I liked. While waiting for it to be adjusted, the jeweler took my left hand and glanced at my engagement ring. “May I clean it for you？” he asked. “It really doesn't sparkle like it used to.” Charlie said as I slipped the ring off my finger. A few minutes later the jeweler was back. The ring shone like new!
On the drive home, I didn't take my eyes off it. I forgot all about the eternity ring. I just couldn't believe how this old ring suddenly sparkled the way it had the day Charlie gave it to me. I had taken it for granted these past years, but with a little polish it could still make my heart beat fast.
And that's the way it is with a marriage. You have to work at keeping it polished and new, or else the grime (污垢) of the passing years will hide the joy. I put my hand on the seat between us and spread my fingers. Charlie covered my hand with his. I felt I was lucky to be able to see the sparkle in something gold when I thought I needed something new.
文章大意：本文是一篇夹叙夹议文。作者和丈夫曾经有过婚姻问题，但双方均未想要离婚，而是努力解决双方之间的问题。当作者提出和丈夫一起去买永恒戒指的时候，由戒指除垢感悟到平凡的婚姻也应该像戒指一样经常除垢，让它重新生机勃勃。
1．Why did the author and her husband decide to solve the problems？ B
A．They were a famous couple.
B．They didn't want to divorce.
C．The problems were not serious.
D．They had experience in doing so.
解析：推理判断题。根据第二段第二句“Deep down we knew we still loved each other, so we determined to work it out.”，作者和丈夫仍然相互爱对方，都不想结束他们的婚姻，不想使孩子们伤心，所以他们决定要解决他们之间的问题。故B项正确。
2．What does the underlined part in paragraph 3 probably mean？ D
A．Free of trouble. B．Arriving at a square.
C．Wealthy and generous. D．In good relationship.
解析：词义猜测题。根据第二段最后两句“Through countless discussions, we began to close the gulf. The more honest we were, the closer we became.”可知，作者和丈夫解决了他们之间的问题，关系越来越融洽。再根据画线部分所在句子中的“I asked my husband to give me an‘eternity (永恒) ring’”可推知，作者感觉她和丈夫的关系已经很好了，他们已经和好如初了。故D项正确。
3．Why did the author forget all about the eternity ring on their way back home？ C
A．Her husband kept it for her.
B．They didn't actually pay for it.
C．The old ring's light attracted her attention.
D．The couple were talking all the way merrily.
解析：细节理解题。根据第五段第一句“On the drive home, I didn't take my eyes off it.”可知，作者在回家的路上眼睛一直盯着那枚结婚戒指，因为它经过擦拭后重新放出了光芒，犹如丈夫刚给她的那天一样。早已忘记他们是要去买“永恒戒指”。故C项正确。
4．What does the author mainly want to express in the last paragraph？ C
A．We tend to prefer new objects to old ones.
B．One should remain thankful for what he has got.
C．Marriage should be constantly polished.
D．We should try to rediscover the true value of old objects.
解析：推理判断题。根据最后一段前两句“And that's the way it is with a marriage. You have to work at keeping it polished and new, or else the grime (污垢) of the passing years will hide the joy.”可知，作者认为对待婚姻也应该像对待那枚戒指一样，经常除垢，经常发现婚姻生活中的闪光点，使婚姻保持新鲜。故C项正确。
