We walked in so quietly that the nurse at the desk didn’t even lift her eyes from the book. Mum pointed at a big chair by the door and I knew she wanted me to sit down. While I watched mouth open in surprise, Mum took off her hat and coat and gave them to me to hold. She pushed the mop past the desk and as the nurse looked up; Mum nodded and said, “Very dirty floors.”
“Yes, I’m glad they’ve finally decided to clean them,” the nurse answered. She looked at Mum strangely and said, “But aren’t you working late?”
Mum just pushed harder each sweep of the mop taking her farther and farther down the hall. I watched until she was out of sight and the nurse had turned back to write in the big book.
After a long time Mum came back. Her eyes were shining. She quickly put the mop back and took my hand. As we turned to go out of the door, Mum bowed politely to the nurse and said, “Thank you.”
Outside, Mum told me: “Dagmar is fine. No fever.”
“You saw her, Mum?”
“Of course. I told her about the hospital rules, and she will not expect us until tomorrow. Dad will stop worrying as well. It’s a fine hospital. But such floors!” A mop is no good. You need a brush.”
1. When she took a mop from the small room what Mum really wanted to do was _____.
A. to clean the floor B. to please the nurse
C. to see a patient D. to surprise the story-teller
2. When the nurse talked to Mum she thought Mum was a _____.
A. nurse B. visitor C. patient D. cleaner
3. After reading the story what can we infer about the hospital?
A. It is a children’s hospital.
B. It has strict rules about visiting hours.
C. The conditions there aren’t very good.
D. The nurses and doctors there don’t work hard.
4. From the text we know that Dagmar is most likely _____.
A. the story-teller’s sister B. the story-teller’s classmate
C. Mum’s friend D. Dad’s boss
5. Which of the following words best describes Mum?
A. strange B. warm-hearted .. C. clever D. hard-working