I grew up in New Hampshire, a small town in South Canada, where in my father's words for the
seasons were "Spring, Summer, Fairtime and Winter!" At that time, a week-long fair was held in the
town every autumn. Thousands of people from other towns came to sell and buy things. It was the
busiest time of the year.
When "Fairtime" came, my grandma became the most "useful" and busiest person of the family.
Grandma was a kind, well-educated old lady. She was good at cooking. All her rrelatives liked the
foodshe cooked. During "fairtime", they would come to live in her house and have meals there.
Grandma was always happy to look after them.
Year after year, many people moved to big cities. There was no loner "Fairtime". Grandma became
very old and was gradually going blind. My parents and I moved to live with Granma in her house. We
did our best to make her day-to-day life as comfortable as possible. I was at high school
then. What I
often did at home was to help Grandma with the daily newspaper's crossword puzzle. However, she
didn't look happy. She often sat in her room for hours, without saying a word.
To attract people to move back, the Town Hall decided to reopen the Fair. One day, when I came
back room school, I saw Grandma wearing her glasses, washing the dishes in the kitchen. With a big
smile on her face, she looked a lot much younger. She told me that her two nieces would come. "They
said the food I cooked was very delicious and they want to stay in my house again." Grandma said
happily. "They will stay here for one week and we can have a big party. That must be the busiest week
I've had in years!"
I suddenly realized that Grandma didn't want to be looked after. She wanted to be "useful",
appreciated and helpful.
1. Thousands of people came to the town to __________ at the Fair.
A. enjoy Grandma's food
B. sell and buy things
C. learn to cook
D. have a big party
2. Why was Grandma unhappy?
A. She was too busy.
B. No one lived with her.
C. She was not "useful".
D. She couldn't see anything
3. Which of the following is NOT TRUE according to the passage?
A. Grandma was good at cooking.
B. Many people moved to big cities.
C. Grandma didn't like "Fairtime".
D. Grandma was a kind old lady.
4. What's the best title for the passage?
A. Fairtime
B. My "Old" Grandma
C. A Small Town
D. Grandma's Family
