A
From a young age, Michael Platt loved two things: the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. and cupcakes. He imagined ways he too could fight for justice. He memorized figures about income inequality and childhood hunger. But he also spent afternoons at his home computer, amazed by YouTube bakers who made perfect cupcakes.
When his parents gave him a pair of Toms shoes for Christmas three years ago, Michael saw a way to connect his twin passions. At age 11, he founded a bakery that operates on the Toms one-for-one model: For every cupcake, cake or cookie that Michael sells, he donates another to the homeless and hungry. Twice a month, he heads to locations to pass out goodies. Michael, now 13, said he especially enjoys handing out cupcakes to kids.
“I know I like cupcakes, but also cupcakes are part of a child’s childhood so they should get them,” said Michael, noting that he always eats one with whippedicing (打发的糖霜) on his birthday.
Michael calls his baking business Michaels Desserts. He left out the apostrophe (撇号) as a reminder that he is baking for others, not himself. “I always wanted to have a purpose for what I do.” he said. “It’s all about helping people--- not just having a purpose for yourself, but thinking about, ‘How does this touch other things? ”
When he started the bakery, he knew that he wanted his business to do more than make money. That’s why the intention of Michaels Desserts is fighting hunger and giving back, which Michael accomplishes through his giveaways. Michael hopes his cupcakes inspire others to work for social equality.
Sometimes, Michael admits, he grows tired of being in the kitchen. Then he remembers the homeless boy he met once while handing out cupcakes. A couple of days afterward, the boy’s father messaged Michael on Facebook to say that his son, encouraged by Michael’s example, now desired to become a baker.
“That inspired me,” Michael said. He smiled and looked down.
1. What inspired Michael’s method of helping the poor?
A. His admiration for Martin Luther King.
B. A Christmas gift his parents gave him.
C. A bakery that runs on a one-for-one model.
D. A baking program he watched on YouTube.
2. Why did Michael name his business Michaels Desserts instead of “Michael’s Desserts”?
A. To attract more consumers.
B. To show its connection with Toms shoes.
C. To remind himself to always think about others.
D. To remind himself to have a life purpose.
3. What does Michaels Desserts intend to do?
A. Provide children with perfect cupcakes.
B. Inspire more people to love baking.
C. Help homeless people.
D. Feed hungry people.
4. Which of the following best describes Michael?
A. Sympathetic and selfless. B. Honest and outgoing.
C. Talented and modest. D. Ambitious and diligent.
【答案】1. B 2. C 3. D 4. A
【解析】
这是一篇记叙文。文章主要讲了迈克尔受到父母送的圣诞节礼物的启发，开创了自己的Michaels Desserts蛋糕店。迈克尔开创蛋糕店的目的并不仅仅是为了赚钱，也是为了帮助那些饥饿和无家可归的人。
【1题详解】
细节理解题。根据第二段When his parents gave him a pair of Toms shoes for Christmas three years ago, Michael saw a way to connect his twin passions. At age 11, he founded a bakery that operates on the Toms one-for-one model: For every cupcake, cake or cookie that Michael sells, he donates another to the homeless and hungry.（三年前，当他的父母送他一双Toms鞋作为圣诞礼物时，迈克尔看到了一种将他的孪生的爱好联系起来的方法。11岁时，他创办了一家以Toms one-for-one模式经营的面包店:迈克尔每卖出一个纸杯蛋糕、蛋糕或饼干，他就会向无家可归和饥饿的人捐赠另一个。）由此可知，他父母送给他的圣诞礼物激发了迈克尔帮助穷人的方法。故选B。
【2题详解】
细节理解题。根据第四段Michael calls his baking business Michaels Desserts. He left out the apostrophe (撇号) as a reminder that he is baking for others, not himself.（Michael称他的烘焙公司为Michaels甜点。他省略了撇号，以提醒自己，他是在为别人烘焙，而不是自己。）由此可知，迈克尔把他的公司命名为Michaels Desserts，而不是Michael’s Desserts是为了提醒自己要时刻为他人着想。故选C。
【3题详解】
细节理解题。根据第五段That’s why the intention of Michaels Desserts is fighting hunger and giving back, which Michael accomplishes through his giveaways.（这就是为什么迈克尔甜点的目的是对抗饥饿和回馈，迈克尔通过他的赠品实现了这一点。）由此可知，迈克尔甜点打算馈送饥饿的人们。故选D。
【4题详解】
推理判断题。根据第四段he said， “It’s all about helping people--- not just having a purpose for yourself”（他说：“这一切都是为了帮助别人——而不仅仅是为自己。”）和倒数第二段When he started the bakery, he knew that he wanted his business to do more than make money.（当他开始经营面包店的时候，他知道他想要的不仅仅是赚钱。）可推知迈克尔很无私；根据第五段That’s why the intention of Michaels Desserts is fighting hunger and giving back, which Michael accomplishes through his giveaways.（这就是为什么迈克尔甜点的目的是对抗饥饿和回馈，迈克尔通过他的赠品实现了这一点。）最后一段Sometimes, Michael admits, he grows tired of being in the kitchen. Then he remembers the homeless boy he met once while handing out cupcakes.（迈克尔承认，有时他会厌倦在厨房里工作。然后他想起了他曾经在分发纸杯蛋糕时遇到的一个无家可归的男孩。）由此推知迈克尔很有同情心。故选A。
