I was a newcomer of Miss Burn’s seventh grade. Past“newcomer”experiences had been difficult, so I was
very anxious to fit in.
Lunchtime was a pleasant surprise when the girls all crowded around my table. Their chat was friendly, so
I began to relax. My new classmates filled me in on the school, the teachers and the other kids. it wasn’t long
before the class herd(书呆子)was pointed out to me: Mary Lou. Actually she called herself Mary Louise. A
formal, overmodest young girl with old-fashioned clothes, she wasn’t ugly—not even funny looking. Practical
shoes, long wool skirt and a blouse completed the image of a complete herd. The girls’ whispers got louder and
louder. Mary Lou didn’t notice this. After school, the girls invited me to join them in front of the school.
Arms wrapped around her backpack, Mary Lou came down the school steps. The taunting began—rude,
biting comments and disrespectful words from the girls. I paused, then joined right in. My force began to pick
up as I approached her, mean(卑劣)remarks falling from my lips. I even pulled the belt of her backpack and then
pushed her. The belt broke, Mary Lou fell. Everyone was laughing and patting me. I fit in. But I was not proud.
Something inside me hurt.
Mary Lou got up, gathered her books and—without a tear shed—off, she went. She held her head high as a
small trickle of blood ran down from her injured knee.
I turned to leave with my laughing friends and noticed a man standing beside his car. His skin, dark hair
and handsome features told me this was her father. Respectful of Mary Lou’s proud spirit, he remained still and
watched the lonely girl walk toward him. Only his eyes—shining with both grief and pride—followed. As I
passed, he looked at me in silence with burning tears that spoke to my shame and scolded my heart. He didn’t
speak a word.
No scolding from a teacher or a parent could linger(逗留)as much as that hurt in my heart from the day a
father’s eyes taught me kindness and strength and dignity. I never again joined the cruel herds. I never
again hurt someone for my own gain.
小题1: The writer felt she fit in when      .

A．she relaxed and talked with her new classmate	B．she became a leader of a school club
C．she picked a wing off a butterfly	D．others cheered for her after she treated Mary badly

小题2:What does the underlined word“taunting”mean in the article?

A．Playing a game	B．Joining a club
C．Criticizing a person	D．Watching a movie

小题3:Mary’s father     after he saw what happened to her daughter.

A．felt shameful and angry for his daughter	B．felt sad and proud for his daughter’s bravery
C．felt it necessary to teach the writer a lesson	D．felt it a pity that she didn’t fight back

小题4:The writer would never hurt someone for her own gain because she    .

A．was impressed by Mary’s calmness

B．was afraid to be scolded by Mary’s father

C．was sorry she hurt Mary’s knee

D．was aware that it was a shame to make fun of Mary

小题5:According to the article, the writer is probably     .

A．a rude girl who enjoys making fun of others

B．a clever girl who is good at making friends with others

C．a shy girl who isn’t good at communicating with others

D．a brave girl who is willing to correct her mistakes