A year ago August,Dave Fuss lost his job driving a truck for a small company in west Michigan.His wife,Gerrie,was still working in the local school cafeteria,but work for Dave was scarce,and the price of everything was rising.The Fusses were at risk of joining the millions of Americans who had lost their homes in recent years.Then Dave and Gerrie received a timely gift—﹩7000,a legacy (遺產(chǎn)) from their neighbors Ish and Arlene Hatch,who died in an accident. "It really made a difference when we were
going under financially." says Dave.
But the Fusses weren't the only folks in Alto and the neighboring town of Lowell to receive unexpected legacy from the Hatches.Dozens of other families were touched by the Hatches' generosity.In some cases,it was a few thousand dollars;in other,it was more than ﹩100,000.
It surprised nearly everyone that the Hatches had so much money,more than ﹩3 million—they were an elderly couple who lived in an old house on what was left of the family farm.
Children of the Great Depression,Ish and Arlene were known for their habit of saving.They thrived on (喜歡) comparison shopping and would routinely go from store to store,checking prices before making a new purchase.
Through the years,the Hatches paid for local children to attend summer camp when their parents couldn't afford it. "Ish and Arlene never asked if you needed anything," says their friend Sand Van Weelden, "They could see things they could do to make you happier,and they would do them.
Even more extraordinary was that the Hatches had their farmland distributed.It was the Hatches' wish that their legacy—a legacy of kindness as much as one of dollars and cents —should enrich the whole community and last for generations to come.Neighbors helping neighbors—that was Ish and Arlene Hatch's story .
(1)Why did the Fusses almost lose their home a year ago? (no more than 15 words)
Because Dave Fuss lost his job and the price of everything was rising.
Because Dave Fuss lost his job and the price of everything was rising.
(2)What does the underlined phrase "going under financially" mean? (no more than 10 words)
Having financial problems.
Having financial problems.
(3)Why were people surprised to know that the Hatches had more than ﹩3 million? (no more than 15 words)
Because they didn't seem rich at all./ Because they lived in an old house on what was left of the family farm.
Because they didn't seem rich at all./ Because they lived in an old house on what was left of the family farm.
(4)What was their purpose of doing so many things for other people? (no more than 10 words)
To make them happy.
To make them happy.
(5)What do you think of Ish and Arlene?Give your reasons. (no more than 25 words)
They were kind and generous because they help so many people while they themselves lived a simple life.
They were kind and generous because they help so many people while they themselves lived a simple life.