The event that stands out in my memory happened one morning in 1983 when I was 14 years old.I was at home with my mother，getting ready for the afternoon session of school.
   I was doing my homework when I heard raised voice.At first I thought nothing of it---customers in the motorcycle shop directly below us often became unruly and loud，but I soon realized this was different.
   "Quick!Remove the motorcycle from the shop." someone yelled.
   Then a thick burning smell filled the air.When I opened the front door of our flat to investigate，a thick cloud of smoke，billowing up from the ground floor，greeted me.The motorcycle shop had caught fire.
   My mum，who had been working in the kitchen，hurried to the living room.We rushed out of the door and along the corridor through the smoke.
   We were heading towards the stairway at the far end of the corridor when Mum stopped in her tracks.She turned around and headed back the way we came.I had no idea what she was doing，but I followed suit.
   Mum had suddenly remembered the Korean lady in her 70s who lived next door to us，who we called Makcik.Mum began banging on her door，but to no avail.As the smoke thickened around us，I could see many of our neighbors---some still in their pajamas----running for safety.
   "She would have run for safety like everyone else!" I cried.
   Mum refused to give up. "I know she is still inside，" she said as she pounded the door. "Go downstairs，Shaji.Go now!"
   However，frozen with fear，I stood rooted to the spot.By then，both of us were coughing and our eyes were stinging.Time seemed to stand still，though we were probably there for only two or three minutes.
   Just as I was beginning to choke，the door opened.Makcik stood there，totally confused.Mum was right---she had been unaware of what was happening.Grabbing her hand，Mum led Makcik downstairs and outside to a safe spot where people had gathered to witness the fire.
   The firemen had just arrived and set about fighting the blaze，which was reaching up to the second floor above the motorcycle shop.
   Comprehending the gravity of the situation，Makcik broke down.Holding my mother's hands tightly，and with tears flowing down her cheeks，she spoke to Mum.I could not hear what she said，but there was no mistaking her gratitude.I learned later that Makcik was sleeping when the fire broke out.
   I dread to think what would have happened if Mum had not turned back for her.
   Soon the firemen put out the billowing flames.There were no deaths and injuries，though the motorcycle shop was completely destroyed.
   Although the fire had damaged our corridor badly，it was put out before it could spread into our flat.Our home had been saved，though everything was covered in soot and an awful smell hung in the air.And，sadly，my pet lovebirds were dead.
   I felt terrible for not saving them in my haste.However，the thought of Mum's courageous act in saving a human life brought great relief.
   Years later，I asked Mum about this incident.She said that she was familiar with Makcik's daily routine and was certain she would still be sleeping.When I asked if she was scared，Mum replied，"When a loved one is in danger，the thought of fear never crosses the mind."
   During my school days，whenever I wrote an essay about courageous deeds，I always focused on soldiers risking their lives to save others.It never occurred to me to write my mum who had，in her determined way，saved our elderly neighbor.Today I know better.Maria Thomas，a timid and modest lady，someone who would not be mistaken for a superhero，had turned out to be my real hero.

（1）It can be inferred from the passage that

D

D

.
A．the author knew nothing about the Korean lady living next door
B．no damage was caused because the fire was put out immediately
C．firemen made no attempt to rescue those trapped in the building
D．Makcik survived the big fire owing to my mum's timely rescue
（2）Receiving no response from Makcik，Mum refused to leave because

B

B

.
A．she was sure that the fire wouldn't threaten her life
B．she knew for sure Makcik was indoors，sleeping
C．she was informed that Makcik was in desperate need of help
D．she was convinced that Makcik was too scared to move
（3）What does the underlined part "to no avail" most probably mean？

C

C

A．to one's disappointment
B．worse still
C．without success
D．in one's absence
（4）Which of the following can be the best title for the passage？

A

A

A．My mother：a superhero
B．The fire：an unforgettable experience
C．The firefighting：a thrilling story
D．My neighbor：a narrow escape