My daddy worked hard to support our family in the 1940s.The year I was eight , we barely had two dimes ( 十分硬币 ) for the coming Christmas. Our neighbor suggested that we hang lights in our yard to lift the Christmas spirit along our street.However , we had just enough money for things to decorate our living room. There was a hardware store ( 五金店 ) down the street.I wanted to see how much the lights cost.On the way I spotted a dime on the sidewalk.Joy ! How lucky I was to have found 10 cents! In the store , I stared longingly at the strings of outdoor lights.I knew I could not buy even the smallest set.Then I saw the single lights , and my hope rose.I got excited when discovering a single bulb cost only 20 cents. Walking home , I was thinking how I might get another dime.Maybe if I helped my grandma gather evergreens , she would give me a few cents.As expected , Grandma asked for my help on the weekend.But I didn’t get a cent when we finished. Several days later , Uncle Charlie dropped in , and gave each child a dime.We jumped with delight.Just as soon as I could , I went back to the hardware store and bought a single colored bulb.Back home , I climbed the ladder and replaced the clear light with the colored one.After the sunset , I switched on the light and , unobserved , went outside to see the lovely colored light in the darkness. When Daddy came home , he asked , “Who put the light on the front door ? ” “I did , Daddy ! ” I smiled up at him.“Doesn’t it look Christmassy ? ” He bent down and , with tears in his eyes , took me gently in his arms. Our house was wearing some holiday spirit , and it looked beautiful. 1 . The neighbor suggested that the author’s family________. A . buy outdoor lights B . decorate the yard C . beautify the living room D . lighten the street 2 . Why did the author feel excited when he found the single bulbs in the store? A . Because he was attracted by their lovely colors. B . Because he believed he could get the money for one. C . Because they were more beautiful than strings of lights. D . Because they were so cheap that he could buy one immediately. 3 . How did the author get another dime? A . His grandma gave it to him as a reward. B . He found it on the way home. C . His uncle gave it to him as pocket money. D . He earned it by taking a part­time job. 4 . Why did the author’s father take him in his arms? A . His father was moved by his caring behavior. B . His father was affected by his merry feelings. C . His father was touched that he had helped his grandma. D . His father was proud that he had replaced the bulb by himself.