Early this morning, I got up to make a batch of Rice Krispie treats for my neighbor across the hall. She barely greeted me when we saw each other, and her little boy, who was 4, wouldn’t talk to me either.
Last Monday, she called the firefighters when a pan I’d forgotten on the stove caused my flat to smoke up. I had gone for a walk, but when I came home the street in front of our apartment was blocked by a police car, a fire truck and an ambulance! The instant I saw them, I remembered the pan!
I felt safe knowing that even though we don’t get along, my neighbor had done the right thing and didn’t blame me. Hence, the Rice Krispie treats.
Last Christmas, my neighbor revealed that she had been holding a grudge toward me because of an incident four years ago. I had apologized and asked if there was anything I could do to improve our relationship, but she would not accept my apology.
Her flat-out refusal to make amendments really saddened me. After that, I decided I’d just leave her be — a relationship takes two to work.
So, you see, I was really scared she was going to refuse my offer again, leaving me standing on her doorstep holding my plate of treats. Then, I reminded myself of how good I had felt the day before when I’d done some random acts of kindness and told myself: “Feel the fear, and do it anyway!”
I put the squares of Rice Krispie treats on a beautiful plate, opened my apartment door — and there she was, standing in the hallway.
I said: “I just wanted to tell you how grateful I am that you were paying attention on Monday.” I held the plate towards her, explaining that these were very sweet American treats and that she could try to see whether she and her family liked them. She took the plate and we talked a bit about how she’d become aware of the smoke in my flat before parting ways.
Back at home I did a “happy dance”, because I had been kind even though I wasn’t sure it would be appreciated. I want to be able to be kind without expecting people to respond in a certain way.
56. Why did the author make Rice Krispie Treats for her neighbor?
A. She wanted to show her gratitude for her neighbor.
B. She needed her neighbor to help look after the house.
C. She felt guilty of the trouble she caused her neighbor.
D. She wanted to prove she is an easy-going person.
57. What does the underlined words “grudge” mean in Paragraph 4?
A. Feeling of fear. B. Feeling of envy.
C. Feeling of anger. D. Feeling of anxiety.
58. What was the author’s reaction after her apology was not accepted?
A. She planned to please the neighbor’s son first.
B. She was hurt and decided she wouldn’t go further.
C. Though sad, she kept trying to change the neighbor’s attitude.
D. She decided to wait for a right occasion to improve their relationship.
59. What can we learn from the last three paragraphs?
A. The author and her neighbor made peace with each other.
B. The author’s neighbor took the food but didn’t appreciate it.
C. The neighbor’s reaction was within the author’s expectation.
D. The author was happy even if her neighbor didn’t forgive her.