妈妈为儿子的客订鞋发愁 退役NBA球星伸出援手

Jor’el Bolden, standing at an impressive 1.95 meters and weighing 172 kg, had been trying to find shoes that fit him due to his unusual size. Custom-made shoes were the only way, but the cost, more than a thousand dollars per pair, presented a challenge for Bolden’s mother, Tamika Neal, a single mom supporting her son.

On the Internet, Neal shared the difficulties of affording custom shoes for her son, saying, “I have spoken to some people who are able to make a shoe for him. They are asking $1500 for one pair. Seeing that he is continuing to grow, I think I should get two pairs. As I am a single mom, and it’s just Jor’el and I. I do work, but supporting the family and buying those shoes are going to be tough.”

The Kansas City community responded with kindness, pouring in more than $12,000 in donations (捐赠) after the story became known to the public. The story also caught the attention of national media, with “Entertainment Tonight” reaching out to the family.

What surprised them even more, retired (退休) NBA star Shaquille O’Neal made a Facetime call to Bolden. And less than a week later, three large boxes arrived at Bolden’s doorstep. The boxes had not only new clothes and things from Shaquille’s personal collection but, most importantly, nearly 20 pairs of shoes to fit Bolden’s unusual size.

“I am just thankful for everything right now, all the help and support that we are getting,” said a grateful Neal.

1.How many people are there in Bolden’s family?

A There are 2 people.

B There are 3 people.

C There are 4 people.

D There are 5 people.

解析：选A。A细节理解题。根据第一段最后一句“a single mom supporting her son.”和第二段倒数第二句“it’s just Jor’el and I”可知，他们家一共两个人：他和他妈妈。故选A。

2.What does the underlined word “tough” mean?

A Interesting.

B Easy.

C Difficult.

D Boring.

解析：选C。C词义猜测题。根据前面提到的“but the cost, more than a thousand dollars per pair, presented a challenge for Bolden’s mother”和“Neal shared the difficulties of affording custom shoes for her son”可知，定制鞋是唯一的解决方案，但每双鞋的花费超过1000美元，这对博尔登的母亲塔米卡·尼尔来说是一个挑战。因此，维持家庭生活和买那些鞋会很困难。故选C。

3.What can we know from the third paragraph?

A Bolden’s community donated $12,00 to him.

B Bolden borrowed $12,000 from the community.

C Bolden’s community made him many shoes.

D Bolden’s story was widely spread online.

解析：选D。D细节理解题。根据第三段最后一句“The story also caught the attention of national media”可知，这个故事也引起了全国媒体的关注。故选D。

4.Which word can best describe Shaquille O’Neal?

A Hard-working.

B Easy-going.

C Strong-willed.

D Kind-hearted.

解析：选D。D推理判断题。根据第四段的“What surprised them even more, retired NBA star Shaquille O’Neal made a Facetime call to Bolden. And less than a week later, three large boxes arrived at Bolden’s doorstep.”可知，NBA退役球星沙奎尔·奥尼尔给博尔登打了视频电话，不到一周后寄来三个大盒子，盒子里不仅装着他的个人收藏的新衣服和物品，最重要的是，还有适合博尔登穿的近20双鞋，这无疑帮助了博尔登很大的忙。由此可知，沙奎尔·奥尼尔是善良的。故选D。

5.Where can you read the passage?

A In a cookbook.

B In a newspaper.

C In a notice.

D In a geography book.

解析：选B。B推理判断题。本文讲述了来自堪萨斯城社区和NBA退役球星沙奎尔·奥尼尔的爱帮助了16岁少年乔尔·博尔登，是一则新闻报道，我们可以在报纸上读到该文。故选B。