Reading Comprehension of "Return to Whom"

《Give it to Whom》

In the summer of 1971, I went to college in country A. I don’t know how many long days it has been since I arrived here. I walked back to my residence from a job recruitment place. At that time, I only had a little living expenses left, residence was a big problem, and I had no idea about finding a job. The confusion about my future made me walk very slowly. I walked through the campus with my head lowered.

A young man with blond hair was lying on the edge of the lawn far away, seeming to be staring at me very attentively. He looked at me, and I knew it, without looking up. He stood up, still looking at me. He knelt down again and picked up something on the lawn, and then this man came over to me.

He took such long strides and whistled softly, a tune that was both in tune and pleasant.

I didn’t recognize the person walking over, so I didn’t stop.

A shadow blocked my way. The young man whistling raised his right hand high, holding a piece of green grass in his hand, and was smiling at me.

"Here! Here you go!" He handed the grass over as if it were a treasure.

I caught it, looked at him in surprise, and then couldn't help laughing.

"Yes, smile, just like this. Hmm! Be happy..." he said softly.

After saying that, he patted my cheek, messed up my hair affectionately, looked at me with a hint of gentle encouragement, and smiled at me again.

Then he put his hands in his pockets and walked away leisurely.

That was the first gift I received after arriving in country A.

I have kept the grass for many years, but I can’t find it anymore. I don't even know that person's name, and his face is blurred in my memory, but until now, I haven't been able to forget him.

Many years have passed, and I often feel that I owe this stranger a debt. I want to pass on my happiness and confidence to others, and turn this grateful heart into a thank you, a slight compliment, a smile, an encouraging look... to those faces that seem familiar to me, those who are in my life. People you pass by.

I love life, I love it very much. As long as some small things in life make me happy, my belief in living will be even more fervent. Even if it is an ordinary day, living is always wonderful. This ability comes from the extension of that small piece of grass. Paying back this debt continuously is the joy of survival.

(1) Find the synonyms of the following words in the article.

Gaze ( ) Inspire ( )

(2) Why did the author feel depressed after arriving in country A?

(3) Which of the following sentences is suitable to be placed in the article? Where do you draw a horizontal line (put a “√” in the brackets)?

A. A debt that cannot be repaid. ( )

B. A debt without a creditor. ( )

C. A debt that can be repaid. ( )

(4) "Many years have passed, and I often feel that I owe this stranger a debt." What does "a debt" here refer to?

Reference answer :

(1) Gaze (gazing) encourage (encourage)

(2) The living expenses are not enough, there is no place to find a job, and residence has become a problem.

　(3) A.(√)

　(4) The happiness, confidence and encouragement given to "me" by strangers.