B
Vincent Van Gogh was not always an artist. In fact, he wanted to be a church minister but was sent to the Belgian mining community of Borinage in 1879. He discovered that the miners there lived with terrible working conditions and received poverty-level wages. Their families were not well fed and struggled simply to survive. He felt concerned that the small salary he received from the church allowed him to live a normal life, which, in contrast to the poor, seemed unfair.
A rich family in the community offered him free room and board. But Van Gogh turned down the offer, stating that it was the final temptation he must reject if he was to faithfully serve his community of poor miners. He believed that if he wanted them to trust him, he must become one of them. And if they were to learn of the love of God through him, he must love them enough to share with them.
He was fully aware of a wide chasm which can separate words and actions. He knew that people’s lives often speak louder and clearer than their words. Maybe it was that same knowledge that led Francis of Assisi to frequently remind his monks(修士，僧侣), “Wherever you go, preach. Use words if necessary.”
There are a million ways to say, “I love you,” without even saying a word!
5. Among the following statements of Vincent Van Gogh, which is Not true?
A. He was an artist. B. He wasn’t satisfied with his salary
C. He thought the wages of the minors too low. D. He once worked as a minister.
6. From the second paragraph, we know _____________.
A. Van Gogh was crazy B. Van Gogh especially loved to teach children arts
C. Van Gogh was rich D. Van Gogh deeply sympathized with the lower-class
7. Vincent Van Gogh rejected the offer because _____.
A. it was illegal for a minister B. he wanted to be a minor
C. he was devoted to his job D. he was dishonest
8. The sentence “There are a million ways to say, ‘I love you, without even saying a word.” (the last paragraph) implies that ______.
A. actions speak louder than words B. silence can also show love
C. there are numerous ways to express love D. saying “I love you” is useless
9. We can infer from the passage ____________.
A. our lives always speak louder and clearer than our words
B. the miners there worked under excellent working conditions
C. the ministers lived a much better and easier life than the miners at the time
D. Van Gogh himself offered to work in the Belgian mining community of Borinage in 1879.
