A
My friend Erin and I decided to hike Newfoundland’s East Coast Trail. Neither of us had backpacked longer than three days and now we were in for 13, but we were excited: Nature! Strength! Character! Our hike gave me all of those things in cruel abundance but there was also something unexpected.
In the city, I was a girl who didn’t chat with my seatmate on the subway or in a grocery line, and I certainly didn’t ask for help unless I was desperate. But on this hike I had to learn new ways to deal with.
Over our first two days we covered less than 30 km, most of it in the rain. On our second day, as we appeared looking like cats left in the rain, a woman called Jenny and her parents caught sight of us and took pity. “Would you like to come in for a cup of tea?” said one of them.
A brief escape from the rain, a warm drink, chairs to sit on — it was too good to pass up. We hurried to their house. The offer of tea turned into an offer of a shower. The hot shower turned into an offer of a brunch. After brunch （早午餐）, we lay on couches, listening to the CBC, and making casual conversation. When the rain stopped, we said goodbye to them.
Back in civilization, we sent Jenny a text message telling her we’d made it — and that maybe we’d made it because of her. If we hadn’t had a chance to rest, to dry out, to refuel with real food, we wouldn’t have made it.
I knew that the trip would change me: I’d get stronger, tougher and more confident, but I didn’t expect this hike taught me about trust and kindness. It helped me break down that hard city-bred barrier of distrust toward strangers and reminded me of the beauty of human connection.
21. Before the hike, the author _____.
A. never asked for help
B. refused to open up to people she didn’t know
C. had predicted the bad weather
D. had known Jenny for a long time
22. Which word can be used to describe Jenny and her parents?
A. Generous. B. Honest.
C. Modest. D. Brave.
23. What can be the best title for the text?
A. Kindness is the best choice.
B. My attitude towards hikes changed.
C. I changed my attitude towards strangers.
D. The kindness of strangers kept me going on.
