Reading comprehension. I used to know nothing about fairy tales. To improve my reading skills, my mother gave me books that are a little difficult for me to understand. I didn't even know that fairy tales existed until I attended public school at the age of eight. Of course once I found out about books of this type, I would read them as quickly as I could. Again and again, I begged my mother to take me to the library and let me choose a few. Finally, my request was granted (允许). After our return from the library, I started reading them eagerly and energetically, one after another. And I tried to put myself in the female character's shoe. I found she had to suffer before the handsome prince came to her rescue, and then they would live happily ever after. I asked my mother why she never let me know about fairy tales. Looking straight in my eyes, she told me that life is not like fairy tale. There are good and bad things that will happen through life. At the end, though, there is not a man that will come and 'save' us. We do not need savings; we instead want someone in our lives to share those good moments and bad ones; we want someone we can rely on and also they can rely on us. Life is not about 'happy ever after'. What then is life about, mom? Life is the finding things. He holds your hands and says 'come with me' and you live, laugh and love together. But things are not going to be perfect. You still have to face difficulties together, working hard for your relationship. 1. Before the age of eight, the author _____. A. received no formal education B. took no interest in reading books C. didn't read any books of fairy tales D. was forced to improve her reading skills 2. What happened to the author after she attended public school? A. She started to like reading. B. She was crazy about fairy tales. C. Her mother always took her to the library. D. Her mother didn't allow her to read books of fairy tales. 3. What's the author's understanding of fairy tales at first? A. They reflect part of the real world. B. They are unreal but worth reading. C. The major characters always have a happy ending. D. The major characters will be rewarded for their kindness. 4. How does the author' mother like fairy tales? A. A must for her kid. B. Unnecessary for her kid. C. Easy for her kid to understand. D. Helpful in building her kid's character. 5. The author's mother intends to explain that _____. A. life is not perfect B. no pains, no gains C. life is about sharing D. one needs to live on his/her own