When I was growing up in America, I was ashamed of my mother’s Chinese English. Because of her Chinese English, she was often treated unfairly. People in department stores, at banks, and at restaurants did not take her seriously, did not give her good service, pretended not to understand her, or even acted as if they did not hear her.

My mother has long realized that the limitations of her English as well. When I was fifteen, she used to have me call people on phone to pretend I was she. I was made to ask for information or even to shout at people who had been rude to her. One time I had to call her stockbroker (股票经纪人). I said in an adolescent voice that was not very convincing (令人相信的), “This is Mrs. Tan.”

And my mother was standing beside me, whispering loudly, “Why he doesn’t send me check already two weeks late.”

And then, in perfect English I said: “I’m getting rather worried. You agreed to send the check two weeks ago, but it hasn’t arrived.”

My mother then talked more loudly. “What he want? I come to New York to tell him in front of his boss.” And so I turned to the stockbroker again, “I can’t accept any more excuse. If I don’t receive the check immediately, I am going to have to speak to your manager when I am in New York next week.”

The next week we ended up in New York. While I was sitting there red-faced, my mother, the real Mrs. Tan, was shouting to his boss in her broken English.

When I was a teenager, my mother’s broken English embarrassed me. But now, I see it differently. To me, my mother’s English is perfectly clear, perfectly natural. It is my mother tongue. Her language, as I hear it, is vivid, direct, and full of observation and wisdom. It was the language that helped me see things, express ideas, and make sense of the world.

【小题1】Why was the writer’s mother poorly served?

A．She was unable to speak good English.	B．She was often treated unfairly.
C．She was not clearly heard.	D．She was not very polite.

【小题2】What happened after the author made the phone call?

A．They forgave the stockbroker.	B．They failed to get the check.
C．They went to New York immediately.	D．They spoke to the stockbroker’s boss at once.

【小题3】What does the author think of her mother’s English now?

A．It confuses her.	B．It embarrasses her.
C．It helps her understand the world.	D．It helps her tolerate rude people.