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As I walk up the sidewalk to the small, wooden house surrounded by beautiful, colorful flowers, my grandparents are already waiting for my family and me on the front porch. “Hi, Huelo and Huela,” I say as I embrace my grandmother first, then my grandfather, giving each of them a peck on the cheek. “Hi, mija!” they respond. My grandmother, a pleasantly plump woman in her mid-sixties with short gray hair, gently pats my behind as she hurries me along inside the house.
The interior of the house is decorated with pictures of grandchildren everywhere. While sitting on the worn couch covered with crocheted furniture covers, I spot the large picture of myself in a quinceañero dress on the opposite wall. The picture brings back many pleasant memories of that special day when I turned fifteen. It represented the day that I entered maturity and womanhood. I remember the traditional mass and the beautiful Spanish music sung by the choir. Afterwards, my friends, my family, and I celebrated at a festively decorated hall. We danced to the Spanish music of a live band. It was such a memorable evening!
“Food’s ready!” My grandmother’s loud voice brings me back to the present. As I approach the kitchen, a pleasant aroma greets me. “Mmm,” I say, “what did you make for lunch, Huela?” “Arroz con pollo y trotillas,” she replies. “Oh I just love chicken and rice.” We all gather around the kitchen table with the vinyl table cover to say a customary prayer before we eat. My father recites a short prayer in Spanish that I do not completely understand. We then sit down to eat off the plastic plates that do not all match and drink tea from glasses of different sizes. The picture of “The Last Supper” adorns the main wall of the eating area. My parents and grandparents make casual conversation entirely in Spanish while we eat. My grandfather asks how I’m doing in school and I see his face beam with pride as I tell him I made the honor roll. He pulls a dollar bill out of his pocket and hands it to me as a small reward. I first refuse telling him, “No, really, I can’t accept it.” However, after enough persuasion, I gratefully accept it and give him an affectionate hug in return. Although a dollar may not seem like much, I know it comes from the heart.
My parents have returned to the living area where my grandfather has turned on the old radio to a Spanish station. My grandmother has put on her floral-print apron over her loose fitting dress and has begun to wash the dishes while I just stand and stare out the backdoor window. I giggle softly to myself as I see the striped boxer shorts hanging out on the clothesline. When I think about it, I realize if my mother hung our underwear and clothes outside, I’d be terribly embarrassed. I also realize we hardly ever listen to Spanish music at home and I would be thoroughly humiliated if my mother placed covers over our furniture. However, it doesn’t seem unusual to see it here at my grandparents’ house.
Although the traditional Hispanic customs are disappearing in today’s society, the values and the morals that my grandparents and parents have taught me will continue to live through my children. My parents, who are both successful, have raised me in a home where Spanish is seldom spoken, but it is always appreciated and respected. Both my parents were brought up in a home where not much more was offered than food to eat and a warm place to sleep, but there was always an abundance of love. It was a home in which religion and education were highly regarded. All of these Hispanic customs and morals that I value so much represent what being Hispanic means to me. These are the things that make me a truly unique individual.
“Honey, are you ready to leave?” I hear my mother ask. “Oh, yes, I am,” I respond as I drift back to reality. While standing in the front doorway ready to leave, I feel the love pour out of each of my grandparents when we embrace. Again I kiss each of them and say, “Adios! Teamo Huelo y Huela. I love you!” as I slowly head toward the car.
55. When the author was 15, what special memory did she have?
A. She was going to be an adult. B. She enjoyed music of a live band.
C. She received a birthday present. D. She said a Spanish prayer.
56. “plastic plates that do not all match” and “glasses of different sizes” indicate _______.
A. a poor family background B. different taste of the family
C. a very rich family condition D. a unique decoration
57. The author was given a small reward because______.
A. she behaved well at home B. she was polite to her grandparents
C. she did well in her subjects. D. she listened to their conversation attentively
58. What does the underlined word in paragraph 4 mean?
A. embarrassed B. shameful C. satisfied D. excited
59. Which of the following is NOT the thing that makes her a different character?
A. good food supply of her family B. abundance of love
C. a typical religious and educated family D. Spanish customs
60. The passage was written in an attitude of _____.
A. regret B. pride C. doubt D. encouragement
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