D

Dear Malia and Sasha, 

I know that you've both had a lot of fun these last two years on the campaign trail, going to picnics and parades and state fairs, eating all sorts of junk food your mother and I probably shouldn't have let you have. But I also know that it hasn't always been easy for you and Mom, and that as excited as you both are about that new puppy, it doesn't make up for all the time we've been apart. I know how much I've missed these past two years, and today I want to tell you a little more about why I decided to take our family on this journey. 

When I was a young man, I thought life was all about me—about how I'd make my way in the world, become successful, and get the things I want. But then the two of you came into my world with all your curiosity and mischief and those smiles that never fail to fill my heart and light up my day. And suddenly, all my big plans for myself didn't seem so important anymore. I soon found that the greatest joy in my life was the joy I saw in yours. And I realized that my own life wouldn't count for much unless I was able to ensure that you had every opportunity for happiness and fulfillment in yours. In the end, girls, that's why I ran for President: because of what I want for you and for every child in this nation. 

I want all our children to go to schools worthy of their potential—schools that challenge them, inspire them, and instill in them a sense of wonder about the world around them. I want them to have the chance to go to college—even if their parents aren't rich. And I want them to get good jobs: jobs that pay well and give them benefits like health care, jobs that let them spend time with their own kids and retire with dignity. 

I want us to push the boundaries of discovery so that you'll live to see new technologies and inventions that improve our lives and make our planet cleaner and safer. And I want us to push our own human boundaries to reach beyond the divides of race and region, gender and religion that keep us from seeing the best in each other. 

Sometimes we have to send our young men and women into war and other dangerous situations to protect our country—but when we do, I want to make sure that it is only for a very good reason, that we try our best to settle our differences with others peacefully, and that we do everything possible to keep our servicemen and women safe. And I want every child to understand that the blessings these brave Americans fight for are not free—that with the great privilege of being a citizen of this nation comes great responsibility. 

That was the lesson your grandmother tried to teach me when I was your age, reading me the opening lines of the Declaration of Independence and telling me about the men and women who marched for equality because they believed those words put to paper two centuries ago should mean something. 

She helped me understand that America is great not because it is perfect but because it can always be made better—and that the unfinished work of perfecting our union falls to each of us. It's a charge we pass on to our children, coming closer with each new generation to what we know America should be. 

I hope both of you will take up that work, righting the wrongs that you see and working to give others the chances you've had. Not just because you have an obligation to give something back to this country that has given our family so much—although you do have that obligation. But because you have an obligation to yourself. Because it is only when you hitch your wagon to something larger than yourself that you will realize your true potential. 

These are the things I want for you—to grow up in a world with no limits on your dreams and no achievements beyond your reach, and to grow into compassionate, committed women who will help build that world. And I want every child to have the same chances to learn and dream and grow and thrive that you girls have. That's why I've taken our family on this great adventure. 

I am so proud of both of you. I love you more than you can ever know. And I am grateful every day for your patience, poise, grace, and humor as we prepare to start our new life together in the White House. 

Love, Dad

55. Who was most probably the writer?

A. A headmaster managing a primary school.

B. A candidate to run for President of U.S.A.

C. A manager running international business.

D. A commander experiencing a war in a foreign country.

56. What does the underlined word “journey” (Paragraph 1) really mean?

    A. a trip to a place of interest

B. a process to bring up their children

C. a campaign to run for the president

    D. a visit to their hometown to meet their grandmother

57. What do we know about Malia and Sasha’s grandmother?

    A. She had a perfect way to educate children. 

    B. She encouraged the writer to join the army. 

C. She bought a lovely puppy for her grandchildren.

    D. She often read the Declaration of Independence to her grandchildren.

58. From the letter we can learn that the writer was ________.

    A. kind and hesitant                B. ambitious and considerate 

C. selfish but merciful                  D. successful but stubborn

59. According to the letter, which of the following is NOT true?

A. The writer and his two daughters had been apart for a long time.

B. The writer hoped that his daughters would live up to his great expectations.

C. The only way to settle the differences in the world is through violence. 

D. There still exist some divides of race and region, gender and religion somewhere in the world.

60. What is the writer’s purpose of writing the letter?

  A. Encouraging his daughters to run for President in the future.

B. Explaining the whole international situation to his daughters.

C. Educating his daughters how to defend their country. 

D. Apologizing to his daughters for his not being able to stay together with them for such a long time.
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