A
I never thought I would have a lifechanging experience at WalMart.
Although my thoughts were only on speed,the checkout line I was standing in wasn't moving as quickly as I wanted,and I glanced toward the cashier.There stood a man in his seventies,wearing glasses and a nice smile.I thought,well,he's an old guy!For the next few minutes I watched him.He greeted every customer before scanning the items.Sure,his words were the usual,“How's it going?” But he did something different—he actually listened to people.Then he would respond to what they had said and engage them in a brief conversation.
I thought it was odd.I had grown accustomed to people asking me how I was doing simply out of robotic conversational habit.After a while,you don't give any thought to the question and just mumble something back.I could say,“I just found out I have six months to live,” and someone would reply,“Have a great day!” But that wasn't the end.
He gave them the change,walked around the counter,and extended his right hand in an act of friendship.He looked the customers in the eyes.“I surely want to thank you for shopping here today,” he told them.“You have a great day.Byebye.”
The looks on the faces of the customers were priceless.There were smiles and some sheepish grins.All had been touched by his simple gesture—and in a place they never expected.They would gather their things and walk out,smiling.
Of course,he did the same to me and I got to know his name,Marty.
Who was that guy?It was as if Sam Walton had come back from the dead and invaded this old guy's body.I had never walked away from that shop feeling like that.
【语篇解读】 一个人一个小小的积极的行动会对别人产生大的意义。
1.The checkout line the writer was standing in moved slower than expected because ________.
A.the cashier couldn't work as fast as others
B.there were some big purchases
C.the cashier did more than scanning the items
D.the writer was not patient enough
C [细节理解题。根据第二段可知,这个收银员不仅扫描货物,还和顾客进行交流,这才使得作者这一排进行得很慢。]
2.According to the writer,when common people ask you “How's it going?”________.
A.they don't really care what you may answer
B.they are just practicing their conversation ability
C.they are inquiring about your private information
D.they don't expect to hear any negative answers
A [推理判断题。根据第二段倒数第二句可知,他的话是惯例,但是他做了不同的事情——他实际上在听别人说话。由此可推断出,平常说这话的人并不在意你的回答是什么。]
3.What was most customers' reaction to Marty's behaviors?
A.They thought it priceless.
B.They were in some way moved.
C.They thought it awful and odd.
D.They felt somewhat offended.
B [细节理解题。根据倒数第三段中的There were smiles and some sheepish grins.All had been touched by his simple gesture...可知选B。]
4.What does the writer intend to express through the text?
A.Our everyday life is always full of surprises.
B.Most customers enjoy being treated this way.
C.Being different is a good way of doing business.
D.A little positive action can make a big difference.
D [主旨大意题。根据倒数第三段可知,所有人都被老人简单的举动打动了,可知D项(一个小小的积极的行动会产生大的意义)正确。]