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For years I wanted a flower garden.I'd spend hours thinking of different things I could plant that would
look nice together.
But then we had Matthew.And Marvin.And the twins,Alisa and Alan.And then Helen.Five children.I
was too busy raising them to grow a garden.
Money was tight,as well as time.Often when my children were little,one of them would want something
that cost too much, and I'd have to say,"Do you see a money tree outside?Money doesn't grow on trees,
you know."
Finally, all five got through high school and college and were off on their own.I started thinking again
about having a garden.
I wasn't sure,though.I mean,gardens do cost money, and after all these years I was used to living on a
pretty lean,nofrills budget.
Then, one spring morning, on Mother's Day, I was working in my kitchen.Suddenly,I realized that cars were tooting their horns as they drove by.I looked out of the window and there was a new tree,planted
right in my yard.I thought it must be a weeping willow,because I saw things blowing around on all its
branches.Then I put my glasses on-and I couldn't believe what I saw.There was a money tree in my yard!
I went outside to look.It was true!There were dollar bills,one hundred of them,taped all over that tree.
Think of all the garden flowers I could buy with one hundred dollars! There was also a note attached:"IOU
eight hours of digging time.Love,Marvin."
Marvin kept his promise,too.He dug up a nice tenbyfifteen foot bed for me.And my other children
bought me tools, ornaments, a trellis(棚架),a sunflower stepping stone and gardening books.
That was three years ago.My garden's now very pretty, just like I wanted.When I go out and weed or
tend my flowers, I don't seem to miss my children as much as I once did. It feels like they are right there
with me.
I live up in Michigan's Upper Peninsula,where winters are long and cold, and summers are too short.
But every year now, when winter sets in, I look out of my window and think of the flowers. I'll see next
spring in my little garden.I think about what my children did for me, and I get tears in my eyes－every time.
I'm still not sure that money grows on trees.But I know love does!
1．By saying "Do you see a money tree outside…"the mother actually means "________"．
A. Observation is the best teacher
B. Seeing is believing
C. The outsider sees the most of the game
D. It is not easy to gain money
2．The best title for the passage would probably be________.
A. My flower garden
B. Marvin helps to realize my dream
C. Love in Michigan
D. Money grows on trees
3．The underlined word "nofrills"in the fifth paragraph is similar in meaning to________.
A. wasteful
B. tight
C. absurd
D. helpful
4．From the passage we can infer that the mother is________.
A. divorced when she was young
B. not caring for her kids any longer
C. alone but not at all lonely
D. prouder with her garden than with her kids