Question

I never thought I would have a life­changing experience at Wal­Mart.

Although my thoughts were only on speed，the checkout line I was standing in wasn’t moving as quickly as I wanted，and I glanced toward the cashier.

There stood a man in his seventies，wearing glasses and a nice smile.I thought，well，he’s an old guy!

For the next few minutes I watched him.He greeted every customer before scanning the items.Sure，his words were the usual，“How’s it going？” But he did something different—he actually listened to people.Then he would respond to what they had said and engage them in brief conversation.

I thought it was odd.I had grown accustomed to people asking me how I was doing simply out of robotic conversational habit.After a while，you don’t give any thought to the question and just mumble something back.I could say，“I just found out I have six months to live，” and someone would reply，“Have a great day！”

But that wasn’t the end.

He gave them the change，walked around the counter，and extended his right hand in an act of friendship.He looked the customers in the eyes.“I sure want to thank you for shopping here today，” he told them.“You have a great day.Bye­bye.”

The looks on the faces of the customers were priceless.There were smiles and some sheepish grins.All had been touched by his simple gesture—and in a place they never expected.They would gather their things and walk out，smiling.

Of course，he did the same to me and I got to know his name，Marty.

Who was that guy？It was as if Sam Walton had come back from the dead and invaded this old guy’s body.

I had never walked away from that shop feeling like that.

1.The checkout line the writer was standing in moved slower than expected because ________.

A．the cashier couldn’t work as fast as others

B．there were some big purchases

C．the cashier did more than scanning the items

D．the writer was not patient enough

2.According to the writer，when common people ask you “How’s it going？” ________.

A．they don’t really care what you may answer

B．they are just practicing their conversation ability

C．they are inquiring about your private information

D．they don’t expect to hear any negative answers

3.What was most customers’ reaction to Marty’s behaviors?

A．They thought it priceless.

B．They were in some way moved.

C．They thought it awful and odd.

D．They felt somewhat offended.

4.What does the writer intend to express through the text?

A．Our everyday life is always full of surprises.

B．Most customers enjoy being treated this way.

C．Being different is a good way of doing business.

D．A little positive action can make a big difference.

Answer

1.C

2.A

3.B

4.D

【解析】

1.

解析 根据第四段最后两句“But he did something different—he actually listened to people.Then he would respond to what they had said and engage them in brief conversation.”可以看出他做了一些不同的事情，而不仅仅是扫描商品并结账。

2.2】 A

解析 根据第五段第二、三句“I had grown accustomed to people asking me how I was doing simply out of robotic conversational habit.After a while，you don’t give any thought to the question and just mumble something back.”及第四句谈话的内容知，人们问这句话只是处于机械的谈话习惯，并不在乎你怎么回答。

3.3】 B

解析 根据倒数第四段第三句“All had been touched by his simple gesture—and in a place they never expected.”知所有人都被他简单的动作感动了，故B项符合。

4.4】 D

解析 根据文章的开头及作者对Marty对待顾客的方式的描述，顾客及作者的感受可知，D项符合题意。