The worst is yet to come. We had to be in bed by 9:00 each night and up at 7:45 the next morning. So while my friends slept, my mother actually had the courage to break Child Labor Law. She made us work. I believed she lay awake all night thinking up mean things to do to us. Through the years, our friends’ report cards had beautiful colors on them, black for passing, red for failing. My mother, however, would merely be content with black marks. None of us was allowed the pleasure of being a dropout.

She forced us to grow up into educated and honest adults. Using this as a background, I’m now trying to bring up my three children. I’m filled with pride when my children think I am mean because now I thank God every day for giving me the meanest mother in the world.

1. From the passage we can learn that the writer’s mother was __________.

A. not generous at all                               B. very strict with her children

C. very mean with money matters                D. very cruel to her children

2. Which of the following things did the writer hate to do most?

A. Eating differently from other kids.         B. Wearing clean clothes made by mother

C. Going to bed early and getting up early     D. Letting mother know where they were