Still in shock! I moved around the house without any purpose trying to decide what to put into the suitcases (行李箱). Earlier that evening, I’d received a call telling me that my brother was killed in a car crash. “Come as soon as you can.” cried my mother.
   I wanted to hurry to her at once. But my husband, Larry, and I were packing to move from New York to Seattle. Our house was in total mess. Supper dishes sat on the kitchen table. Toys lay everywhere. I purposelessly picked things up and put them down. Mother’s crying went through my head again and again.
   Larry called some friends to tell them what had happened. Someone asked to speak to me. “If there’s anything I can do, let me know.” But I didn’t know what to ask for. Suddenly, the doorbell rang. It was Emerson. He and his wife Donna lived in the block nearby.
   “I’ve come to clean your shoes,” he said.
    I asked him to repeat.
    “Donna had to stay with the baby,” he said, “but we want to help you. I remember when my father died, it took me hours to clean our shoes for the funeral (葬礼). Give me all your shoes.”
    I gathered all our dirty shoes to the kitchen. Emerson got to work right away. Watching him devoting himself to one task helped me pull my own thoughts into order. I told myself to wash clothes first. Then, Larry and I bathed the children and put them to bed. One job after another.
    When we returned to clear the dishes, Emerson had left. All our shoes stood in a line against the wall, clean, shining. I couldn’t help crying. Early next morning, we left for the airport with all the jobs done.
    Now whenever I hear of a friend who’s lost a loved one, I no longer call with the polite offer, “If there’s anything I can do …” Instead I try to think of one specific(明确的) task that suits that man’s need, like taking the dog to the boarding kennel(寄宿犬舍), or house-sitting during the funeral. If the person asks,” How did you know I needed that one?” I reply, “Because a man once cleaned my shoes.”

(1) The writer didn’t know what to put into the suitcases because _____.

A. she couldn’t do it on her own

B. she was too sad to do anything

C. she wanted to take everything to Seattle

D. she was not good at housework

(2) Here’s a time line of what happened in the story.

Which of the events should go in the empty box above?

A. Emerson came to clean the shoes.

B. The couple bathed the children.

C. They cleared the supper dishes.

D. The writer found the shoes cleaned.

(3) If one of her friends has lost a loved one, what will the writer probablyNOTdo?

A. Call her friend to ask what she can do.

B. Look after her friend’s young children.

C. Take her friend’s dog to the boarding kennel.

D. Offer her friend house-sitting during the funeral.

(4) Which sentences best expresses the theme of this story?

A. One person’s loss is another’s gain.

B. An act of kindness is often praised.

C. A near neighbour is better than a brother far off.

D. Do something specific to help those in need.