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THE GIFT OF LIFE
Most couples demonstrate their love on February 14 with flowers or chocolates. But these four men and women have offered the ultimate loving gesture—the gift of life. Each sacrifice has enabled their loved ones to live full and active lives again after serious illness.
I’D DO THE SAME FOR HER
Michele Johnson, 53, has been married to Gay, 57, for 26 years.
With her husband suffering from a congenital(先天性的)kidney condition, in 2013 Michele gave him one of hers. Gay said, “I needed to be hooked up to a dialysis(透析)machine. I had no quality of life at all. However, I felt great as soon as I woke up after the operation. I told her I’d do the same for her. ”
I LOVE BRENDA TO BITS
Brenda Green, 62, met her husband Keith, 63, when she was 24 and they married five years later. When Brenda was told five years ago she needed a kidney transplant, she cried. “I’ll give you mine. ”Keith said without hesitation. “Brenda is my wife and I love her to bits. ”
MY WIFE’S MY HERO
Stephen Heavyside, 61, and his wife Patricia, 62, have been married for 40 years. Stephen said, “I was diagnosed with adult polycystic kidney disease five years ago. Patricia took good care of me and donated a kidney. This has brought us even closer. ”
He said, “Patricia’s gift changed my life. She is my hero. ”
DECISION WAS EASY
Anna Stevens, 48, and her husband Gary, 53, of Watford, Herts, have been wed for 23 years. Anna donated a kidney to her husband. She said of the transplant, “It was the easiest decision I’ve ever made. ”Gary said, “There’s only two words that I can use to describe her: My angel. ”
【文章大意】这是一篇说明文。讲述四对结婚超过20年的夫妻, 双方互相照顾, 甚至不惜捐赠自己的身体器官来挽救配偶的故事。
21. How was Michele Johnson’s husband before the operation?
A. He suddenly suffered from kidney disease.
B. He had to be on dialysis a long time.
C. He didn’t want to live any longer.
D. He felt great in spite of the sickness.
【解析】选B。细节理解题。根据第三段可知Michele Johnson的丈夫在手术前很长一段时间必须做透析。
22. Why did Stephen Heavyside say his wife was his hero?
A. They had been married for a long time.
B. They had got along well with each other.
C. She took good care of him after he got ill.
D. He recovered because of his wife’s gift.
【解析】选D。 细节理解题。根据第五段中的“Stephen said, “I was diagnosed with adult polycystic kidney disease five years ago. Patricia took good care of me and donated a kidney. This has brought us even closer. ”可知Stephen Heavyside的妻子照顾他并捐赠了一个肾给他, 因此他说妻子是他的英雄。
23. What can we know about the four couples?
A. Four wives donated their kidneys to their husbands.
B. They had all been married more than 20 years.
C. The patients suffered from congenital kidney disease.
D. They demonstrate their love with flowers or chocolates.
【解析】选B。推理判断题。四对夫妻的共同点是他们的结婚时间都超过了20年, 因此B选项正确。
