ItwasacoldnightinWashington,D.C.,andIwasheadingbacktoth...

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问题详情：

It was a cold night in Washington, D. C., and I was heading back to the hotel when a man approached me. He asked me for some money so he could get something to eat. I had read the sign: "Don't give money to beggars." So I shook my head and kept walking.

I wasn't prepared for a reply, But he said, "I am really homeless and I am really hungry! You can come with me and watch me eat!" But I kept on walking.

The incident bothered me for the rest of the week. I had money in my pocket and it wouldn't have killed me to hand over a dollar or two even if he had been lying. On a freezing cold night, I still assumed the worst of a human being.

Flying back to Anchorage, I couldn't help thinking of him. I tried to rationalize (找借口) my failure to help by assuming government agencies, churches and charities were there to feed him. Besides, you're not supposed to give money to beggars.

Somewhere over Seattle, I started to write my weekly garden column for The Anchorage Daily News. Out of the blue, I came up with an idea. Bean's Cafe, the soup kitchen in Anchorage, feeds hundreds of hungry Alaskans every day. Why not try to get all my readers to plant one row in their gardens devoted to Bean's Café?

Before long my idea took off. People would fax me or call when they took something in. Those who only grew flowers donated them. Food for the spirit. And relief for my conscience.

As more and more people started working with the “Plant a Row” concept, Many companies gave free seed to customers and displayed the logo, which also arose in national gardening public actions. Row markers with the “Plant a Row” logo were distributed to gardeners to set apart their "Row for the Hungry."

It is unexpected that millions of Americans are threatened by hunger. If every gardener in America---and we're seventy million strong---plants one row for the hungry, we can make quite a decrease in the number of neighbors who don't have enough to eat. Maybe then I will stop feeling guilty about abandoning a hungry man I could have helped.

5. Why did the author turn down the beggar’s request?

A. He was previously reminded not to do so. B. He was eager to walk back to the hotel.

C. He thought that it was beyond his duty. D. He was short of money at that moment.

6. Which of the following is the closest to the underlined phrase “took off” (Para 6) ?

A. We eventually took off at 11 o’clock.

B. To take off pounds, you have to cut down the number of calories.

C. On hearing the news, he took off at once and headed back to the hotel.

D. His business has really taken off owing to his advanced management.

7. What is the best title for the passage?

A. Plant a Row for the Hungry B. Lend a Hand to Beggars

C. Never hesitate to Help Others D. Plan a Gardening Project

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