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Note

intestinal：肠的　　malady：疾病　　acute：急性的，剧烈的　　appendicitis：阑尾炎
deteriorate：恶化　　alcoholic：酒鬼

As the [u]alcoholism[/u] progressed, Al began to lose everything he possessed - his home, his land, his art objects, everything. Eventually Al died alone in a San Francisco [u]motel[/u] room.

When I heard of Al's death, I reacted with the same [u]disdain[/u] the world shows for one who ends his life with nothing material to show for it. "What a complete failure!" I thought. "What a totally wasted life"

As time went by, I began to re-evaluate my earlier harsh judgment. You see, I knew Al's now adult son, Ernie. He is one of the kindest, most caring, most loving men I have ever known. I watched Ernie with his children and saw the free flow of love between them. I knew that kindness and caring had to come from somewhere.

Ernie sat quietly and reflected for a few moments. Then he said, "From my earliest memories as a child until I left home at 18, Al came into my room every night, gave me a kiss and said, 'I love you, son.'"

Tears came to my eyes as I realized what a fool I had been to judge Al as a failure. He had not left any material possessions behind. But he had been a kind loving father, and he left behind one of the finest, most giving men I have ever known.

　　　　　----Bobbie Gee

Questions:

1.How many children does Al have?

2.Where does Al die?

3.What does Al addict to?

4.What does this story tell us?

参考答案：

1.Two 2.In a San Francisco