“Helen! Are you coming?”

“Yes! Where are we going, Dad?” Helen asked. She didn’t often get to spend time with her father these days. He was always working, trying hard to make enough money to support Helen, her mother, and her brothers and sister.

“We’ll be getting the rent (租金),” Mr. Resnick answered.

The rent was the only way they were surviving. Before the Great Depression (经济大萧条), Mr. Resnick had bought a house and rented it to three families. Where the Resnicks would be without that rent money now, Helen really couldn’t imagine.

Mrs. Miller gave them the money in dollar bills. Mr. Schmidt managed with a bag of coins. But the third family never had enough money. It had become harder and harder to accept their rent. But as Helen’s mother said, the money in Mr. Resnick’s hand by the end of today must be enough to last for the whole month.

Mrs. Katz opened the door. Mr. Katz and the two children were sitting at a table, waiting for Mr. Resnick. They all have such thin faces! Helen thought.

Mr. Katz gave Helen’s father the money he was holding. Mr. Resnick thanked him and turned to go.

“Mr. Resnick?” Mrs. Katz said before they could leave. “We haven’t eaten in two days.”

The two little kids began to cry. Without a word, Helen’s father put all of their rent money back on the table. Then he took out the rest of the money he’d collected that day and counted out two dollars.

“Helen,” he said, “Use this to buy food and bring it right back here.”

Helen ran all the way to the store. She chose cheap and good foods, like her mom would do. Two dollars bought such a lot! Helen carried the heavy bags back to the house. The kids cried with joy when they saw each favorite food. Mr. and Mrs. Katz laughed at that, and Helen thought it was their first laugh in a long, long time.

1.1. Why does the author mention the Great Depression?

A To present Helen’s wild imagination.

B To describe Helen’s unhappy childhood.

C To suggest a better way to make a living.

D To stress the importance of getting the rent.

解析：选D。1.答案：D 题型：推理判断题 解析：文中提到大萧条背景，说明租金是雷斯尼克一家生存依靠，以此强调收租金这件事至关重要。A、B、C 均和原文内容无关。

2.2. What did Mrs. Katz mean by saying “We haven’t eaten in two days.”?

A She was too weak to cook.

B She would stop renting the house.

C She invited Mr. Resnick for dinner.

D She needed help to feed her family.

解析：选D。2.答案：D 题型：推理判断题 解析：卡茨太太说全家两天没吃饭，是想告诉雷斯尼克先生家里极度贫困，需要食物方面的救助。A（虚弱不能做饭）、B（不再租房）、C（邀请吃饭）均不符合语境。

3.3. What can we learn about Mr. Resnick?

A He did not get any rent that day.

B He spent much time with his family.

C He would have a harder time that month.

D He was not satisfied with Helen’s shopping.

解析：选C。3.答案：C 题型：细节理解 + 推理判断题 解析：雷斯尼克把卡茨家的租金归还，还拿出自己收的钱买食物救助对方，原本要用来支撑整月的收入变少，所以这个月他的生活会更加艰难。 A：当天收到了另外两户的租金，不是一分没收；B：原文提到爸爸总在工作，很少陪伴家人；D：文中没有体现他对海伦采购不满意。

4.4. What does the story mainly tell us?

A Hard work brings good luck.

B Kindness shines even in difficult times.

C Silence speaks louder than actions.

D Kids should learn to use money properly.

解析：选B。4.答案：B 题型：主旨大意题 解析：故事讲述经济艰难的大萧条时代，男主在自身家庭也需要租金维持生活的情况下，仍然伸出援手帮助贫困租客，体现困境中善良的光芒。 A（努力就有好运）、C（沉默胜于行动）、D（孩子要学会合理用钱）均不是文章中心。