A few years ago，my husband Charlie and I had marriage problems．Growing family responsibilities and financial worries took a toll on us and we began arguing frequently，often late into the night．
   However，neither of us could take the step that would end our eleven-year marriage and bring heartbreak to our three young children．Deep down we knew we still loved each other，so we determined to work it out．Through countless discussions，we began to close the gulf．The more honest we were，the closer we became．
   When I felt we were reaching solid ground，I asked my husband to give me an "eternity （永恒） ring"．It was not so much the ring I wanted；it was the reassurance I thought it would bring．
   We went shopping on a beautiful summer day．We walked hand in hand along a row of jeweler's shops．Finally I found a ring I liked．While waiting for it to be adjusted，the jeweler took my left hand and glanced at my engagement ring． "May I clean it for you？" he asked． "It really doesn't sparkle like it used to．" Charlie said as I slipped the ring off my finger．A few minutes later the jeweler was back．The ring shone like new!
   On the drive home，I didn't take my eyes off it．I forgot all about the eternity ring．I just couldn't believe how this old ring suddenly sparkled the way it had the day Charlie gave it to me．I had taken it for granted these past years，but with a little polish it could still make my heart beat fast．
   And that's the way it is with a marriage．You have to work at keeping it polished and new，or else the grime （污垢） of the passing years will hide the joy．I put my hand on the seat between us and spread my fingers．Charlie covered my hand with his．I felt I was lucky to be able to see the sparkle in something old when I thought I needed something new．

（1）The author and her husband had marriage problems partly because

B

B

．
A．they frequently argued late into the night
B．they were lack of money
C．they had countless discussions
D．the author wanted to have an eternity ring
（2）What does the underlined part in paragraph 3 probably mean？

D

D

A．Free of trouble．
B．Arriving at a square．
C．Wealthy and generous．
D．In good relationship．
（3）Why did the author forget all about the eternity ring on their way back home？

C

C

A．Her husband kept it for her．
B．She was not satisfied with the eternity ring．
C．The old ring's light attracted her attention．
D．The couple were talking all the way merrily．
（4）What does the author mainly want to express in the last paragraph？

C

C

A．We tend to prefer new objects to old ones．
B．One should remain thankful for what he has got．
C．Marriage should be constantly polished．
D．We should try to rediscover the use of old objects．