It was a rainy，damp December day.I was headed to the store to pick up another week's worth of food.I had
put off shopping for Christmas presents until later in the month but wasn't looking forward to the crowd of Christmas shoppers while I grabbed my groceries.I kept the CD player on while I drove to avoid the radio news.It only spoke of the world's huge problems and how divided we all still were.And it usually just left me feeling helpless.
   Still，I gave my son a dollar to put in the bell-ringer's pot at the door to the store.We went in and soon filled our cart with food.Then we walked towards the self-checkout machines.I hated using them.I much preferred to chat with the friendly cashiers，but the line at them was five deep and I just didn't have the time.As I pulled my cart up，I heard an old man at the machine next to mine grumbling （嘟囔） under his breath，trying his hardest not to curse （詛咒）.He only had a few items but every time he put his wrinkled，well-worn，twenty-dollar bill into the machine，the money was returned.I quickly grabbed a newer twenty out of my purse and gave it to him.He thanked me with a warm smile and paid for his goods.I told him to keep his money but he insisted that I take his old，torn twenty.I nodded，put it in my coat pocket，and wished him a Merry Christmas.
   After checking out，I remembered something Mother Teresa had once said about how we all can change the world. "Help one person at a time，" she said， "and always start with the person nearest you." I reached into my pocket，smiled，and went outside.Then I dropped that torn twenty into the bell-ringer's pot and walked to my car with my son happily.

（1）Why did the author feel helpless？

C

C

A．Radio provided unreliable news.
B．There was always a Christmas rush.
C．People were disconnected from each other.
D．Christmas was ruined by the terrible weather.
（2）How did the author help the old man？

B

B

A．By paying for his shopping items.
B．By exchanging a newer note with him.
C．By teaching him how to use the machine.
D．By calling out the friendly cashier in time.
（3）Why did the author give twenty dollars to the bell-ringer？

A

A

A．She wanted to pursue Mother Teresa's ideas.
B．She desired to spread Mother Teresa's words.
C．She expected to set a good example to her son.
D．She hoped to have a meaningful day with her son.
（4）What's the best title for the text？

B

B

A．A Better World.
B．The Person Nearest You.
C．The Christmas Spirit.
D．A Twenty-Dollar Bill.