A
Rain beat against the window, matching my mood. I should have known that my new job at the hospital was too good to be true. Throughout the day, rumors (传言) warned that the newest employee from each department would be laid off. I was the newest one in the training department.
My boss appeared. “You probably know we’re cutting back,” he said. “Administration wants us to offer outplacement classes to help those employees find other jobs, showing them how to act in an interview, for example.” “Fine,” I answered unwillingly, not knowing what else to say.
I decided to go home early that day. In the hall, I met the lady who brought us cookies every Friday. She was a little woman with gray hair. Only her head and the top of her green apron were visible over the cart (小车) loaded with cleaning supplies. At least she had a job!
At the final meeting, laid-off workers formed a line at the door. A colleague whispered, “I can’t believe our Cookie Lady is being laid off. We’ll miss her as much as we’ll miss her cookies.” When the colleague spoke to her in Spanish, I knew my classes would be useless for her and I realized how much better off was than this poor woman.
I decided to do something for her. I wrote to a newspaper expressing how I felt about the unselfishness of the Cookie Lady who needed a job. A few days later, my article appeared in the newspaper and the Cookie Lady was allowed to stay in her position. On the same day, I received a letter, which seemed so unlikely that I read it twice. “An editor of a local magazine likes your piece and wants you to call her next time you’re looking for work …”
21. How did the author feel on that rainy day?
A. Nervous. B. Excited. C. Awkward. D. Proud.
22. What was the author asked to do?
A. Take care of patients. B. Leave earlier that day.
C. Resign from the hospital. D. Help the laid-off workers.
23. How did the author help the Cookie Lady?
A. He offered her a high-paid job.
B. He gave her advice on job hunting.
C. He made her story known to others.
D. He taught her how to pass an interview.
24. What does the story tell us?
A. Good deeds have their rewards.
B. A friend in need is a friend indeed.
C. Little people can make a big difference.
D. Love brings more joy to people than work does.
