Question

John Blanchard was studying the crowd making their way through the station. He was looking for the girl with a rose whose heart he knew, but whose face he didn’t.

When reading a book in a Florida library a year before, John became interested not in the contents of the book, but in the notes penciled in the margin. The handwriting reflected a thoughtful soul and beautiful mind. He discovered the former owner's name in the front of the book: Miss Hollis Maynell.

He located her address and wrote a letter introducing himself. The next day he was shipped overseas to serve in the army. During the next year, they grew to know each other through the mail and their friendship developed. John requested a photograph, but she refused, saying if he really cared, it wouldn't matter what she looked like. When the day finally came for him to return home, their first meeting was suggested — 7:00 p.m. at the Grand Central Station in New York.

She wrote, “You’ll recognize me by the red rose I wear on my coat.” So now John was in the station to meet the girl with a rose.                                        

As a pretty and slim girl in green came over, John noticed her blue eyes like flowers in spring. He walked directly towards her, entirely forgetting she was not wearing a rose. As John came closer to her, he saw another woman with a red rose stood nearby. Well past 40, this woman had graying hair done under a worn hat. Seeing the girl in green walk quickly away, John felt as if he were split in two. He desired to follow that girl, but longed for the woman whose spirit had truly companioned and supported him. 

The woman looked gentle and sensible. John went to her, saying, “I’m Captain John Blanchard. You must be Miss Maynell. I am glad to meet you here. May I take you to dinner?”

She replied with a smile, “I don’t know what this is about. But the lady in green who just went by, begged me to wear this rose on my coat. She said if you asked me out to dinner, I’d tell you she is waiting for you in the big restaurant across the street. She said it was some kind of test!”

41. John was eager to know the former owner of the book because he______.

A. was very interested in the contents of the book

B. was impressed by the notes written by its owner

C. wanted to improve his handwriting

D. wanted to discuss the book with her

42. What happened to John after getting in touch with Miss Hollis Maynell?

   A. He served in the army abroad.

   B. He went overseas for vacation.

   C. He went on a business trip in New York.

   D. He visited Miss Maynell.

43. What do we know about the woman with a rose?

   A. She was Miss Maynell’s close friend.

   B. She was a waitress in the big restaurant.

   C. She was probably a passerby.

   D. She was paid to meet John at the Station.

44. Which would be the best title of the text? 

A. An Interesting Book                  B. A Woman With a Rose

C. A Brave Soldier                            D. A Love Test

Answer 1

41-44 BACD