If you and I met at a party, you would probably ask me what I do for a living, what town I live in — the kind of questions that would help you to build a picture of who I am. I might ask the same of you, but I probably wouldn't be listening. It's more likely I'd be looking at the label on your jeans, glancing at your shoes, and eyeing up your mobile phone. These are the things that really tell me who you are. In fact, I sincerely hope you would notice the same things about me. Well, that's the way it was a year ago.
I began to behave like this at a very early age. I remember the first day of junior school, standing alone in the playground, desperately wanting to make friends. I headed straight for what seemed to be the most promising group of boys. They were talking to girls, trading football cards, eating green sweets — all the things I wanted to do. As I attempted to talk with them, one boy asked me, “Do you support Manchester United Football Club?” Another asked, “Are you into Michael Jackson?” I answered yes to them all, even though the truthful answer was no.
Things seemed to be going well until one of the boys caught sight of my trainers. I'd never thought too much about them before. They were just plain blue sports shoes that Mum had bought, for playing in the back garden. At once, the group laughed very loudly, “Where did you get those from? A charitable organization?”
Looking at the boys in bewilderment (疑惑), I noticed for the first time that they all had similar shapes on the sides of their trainers, like the ones on footballers' boots on television. It wasn't just their shoes: crocodiles, eagles and tigers sat on the breasts of their T-shirts, and every single boy seemed to have the same school bag, a blue plastic bag with a leaping puma in silver on the side. I walked away quietly, depressed. From that day on, I was determined to be like them, if not more so.
28. What was the author like one year ago?
A. He was very interested in figure paintings.
B. He used to judge others by their appearances.
C. He was crazy about holding different parties.
D. He had some difficulty communicating with others.
29. How did the author react when asked about his favorite football team?
A. He replied proudly. B. He kept silent.
C. He told a lie. D. He refused to answer.
30. Why did the group suddenly burst out laughing?
A. Because they looked down upon the author.
B. Because they were attracted by the author.
C. Because they welcomed the author warmly.
D. Because they played a joke on the author.
31. After the first day of junior school, the author began to _____.
A. be addicted to television B. concern himself with animals
C. follow famous football players D. spend more money on branded goods