My mother used to ask me what the most important part of the body is. Through the years I would guess at what I thought was the correct answer. When I was younger, I thought sound was very important to us, so I said, “My ears, Mommy.” She said, “No. Many people are deaf. Keep thinking and I will ask you again.”
Several years passed before she asked me again. Since making my first attempt, I was careful about the correct answer. So I told her, “Mommy, sight is very important to everybody, so it must be our eyes.” She looked at me and said, “You are learning fast, but it is not correct because there are many people who are blind.”
Over the years, Mother asked me a couple more times and always her answer was, “No, but you are getting smarter every year, my son.”
Then last year, my Grandpa died. My family sank in sadness and cried. When it was our turn to say our final good-bye to Grandpa, she asked me, “Do you know the most important body part yet, my dear?”
I was shocked when she asked me this now. I always thought this was a game between her and me. She saw the confusion on my face and told me, “This question is very important. It shows that you have really lived your life.” I saw her eyes well up with tears. She said, “My dear, the most important body part is our shoulder.”
I asked, “Is it because it holds up our head?” She replied, “No, it is because it can hold the head of a friend or loved one when they cry. Everybody needs a shoulder to cry on sometimes in life, my dear. I only hope that you have enough love and friends so that you will have a shoulder to cry on when you need it.”
Then and there I knew the most important body part is not a selfish one. It is sensitive to the suffering of others and caring for those in pain.
26. Mother didn’t think ears and eyes are the most important because _________.
A. sounds are not useful to people
B. many people in the world are disabled
C. sight is of little importance to people
D. nobody likes to be blind or deaf
27. When did mother finally tell the author the correct answer?
A. In his childhood. B. Several years ago.
C. While playing a game. D. At his grandpa’s funeral.
28. According to the fifth paragraph, why was the author shocked?
A. Because he didn’t want to play the game any more.
B. Because his mother would never tell him the answer.
C. Because this question made him always confused.
D. Because he thought it was unfit to talk this at that moment.
29. What can the author learn from his mother’s answer?
A. Only by sharing love and care can we be loved by others.
B. We should show our love and respect for the old people.
C. Shoulders are important because they hold up their heads.
D. Everyone should be selfish to the suffering of others.
30. Mother asked this question from time to time in order to _________.
A. check if he has got smarter over the years
B. prove only she has the correct answer
C. guide him to have a better understanding of life
D. remind him of the importance of our body