ItwasaSaturdaymorning，adayIbelievedwouldendinvictory．Forweeks，Ihadbeenpreparingforthematchatthecountyfairgrounds，sponsored(赞助)byourlocalridingclub．Myhorse，TonkaandIcouldrunfasterthananykidinthecountyandIhopedtobringhomeablueribbon．

Mymotherusuallydrovemetotheridingeventsbutonthisdaymyfatherplannedtodropusoffatthefairgroundswiththehorsetrailer(马车)．

Althoughweneverdiscusseditmyfather’sstrugglewithalcoholismhadbecomethesilentcenterofourfamilylife．Mymotherwasparalyzedwithfearandindecision．Hersalaryasapart-timenursecouldn’tpossiblysupportfourchildren．Noonetalkedaboutalcoholisminthosedays，anditwasmyfamilysecret．

Weclimbedonthetrailerandmyfatherpulledoutofourdrivewayandheadedtowardthefairgrounds，pickingupspeedoncewehitthemainroad．Itwasn’tuntilwefeltabigbumpthatIrealizedthetrailerwasoutofcontrol．Thedreamofmyridingwinnerdisappeared．Tonkalayonthefloorcompletelystill．Nowordswerepossible．Iknewhewasdead．

Suddenlyamanappeared．“Areyouallright?”heasked．“Yes．”Ianswered，althoughIknewthatnothingwasallright．“Sithereonthegrass，”hesaid．Hebentdowntolookintothetrailer．Tonkaremainedstill．HetouchedTonkaandthenturnedtofaceme．“HeisgoingtobeOK．Hehasjustbeenknockedunconscious．”HerubbedTonka’scheeksandgentlypullinghisears．Tonkarosetohisfeet．

Ourfatherwastalkingtoapoliceofficer．Hewasupsetandinpainandtooklittlenoticeofme．Ilookedback；themanwasgone．

Ineverforgothim．Hegavemestrengthandasenseofhopeinadarkandfrighteningmoment．

1.Thewriterwenttothefairgroundsbecausehewantedto___________．

A．takepartinahorseracing

B．buyMumablueribbon

C．jointhelocalridingclub

D．trainhishorsethere

2.Wecanlearnfromthethirdparagraphthat___________．

A．thefamilykeptsilentathome

B．thefamilylivedasecretlife

C．Fatherwasaddictedtoalcohol

D．Mumwasphysicallydisabled

3.Whatdoes“he’’inthefourthparagraphreferto?

A．FatherB．Thestranger

C．ThehorseD．Thewinner