一千便士的温暖

罗明玉

Ever since I was a boy， I have been a penny picker. I would find them on sidewalks， on playgrounds， and even in swimming pools. Back then， a penny was still worth a penny. If you managed to find two， then you could buy a big piece of bubble gum and once you had collected a handful， you could get a small bag of chips. Each penny back then was a little treasure. It was only later that I heard the saying that pennies are also blessings and that you are always watched over with them.

I never thought much about this growing up， though， until the winter when I turned 25. That was the year when my mom died from cancer at only 55 years old. After watching her take her last breath， my sorrow weighed on me like a stone. The darkness of the days matched the darkness in my heart. How I longed for just one more hug and one more “I love you” from my mom！ It was then on the coldest day of the year that I stopped at a gas station to fill my cars tank. As the wind cut through me， I lowered my eyes and saw it on top of some dirty snow—a bright， shiny， new penny. I remembered the old saying. I smiled， bent down， and picked it up. Suddenly， I felt a wave of love enter my heart. Warmth surrounded me. My eyes filled with tears. I knew then that Mom was joyfully watching over me with all of her love.

Since that day 30 years ago， I have found at least a thousand pennies. They come to me everywhere and at all times. Sometimes they lift my spirits on a down day. Sometimes they encourage me that I am on the right path. But above all， they always remind me that I am loved.

[Check]

1. Why does the author say “Back then， a penny was still worth a penny.”？

A. It could be easily found.

B. It could buy things he loved.

C. It reminded him of love from his mom.

D. It could be stored for later use.

2. What happened to the author after his mother died？

A. He needed more financial support.

B. He was relieved that he got much love.

C. He wanted to get comfort from his mom.

D. He lived an independent life of his own.

3. Which word can best describe the author when he found the penny on snow？

A. Shocked. B. Ignorant.

C. Concerned. D. Grateful.

4. What can be inferred from the last paragraph？

A. The pennies become a reminder. B. The author becomes wealthy.

C. Collecting pennies is a hobby. D. A penny isnt as valuable as before.

[Language][Study]

Difficult sentence in the text

It was only later that I heard the saying that pennies are also blessings and that you are always watched over with them. 直到后來，我才听说，这些便士也是祝福，带上它们，你就会被保护着。

【信息提取】“It be+被强调部分+that...”结构是一个强调句，当被强调的部分是人时，that可以换成who或whom。

【句式仿写】正是在那一刻，我意识到我被重点大学录取了。