When I got to the top of the stairs，I turned around and saw a light on，but I didn't remember leaving one on. I walked downstairs again，and that's when I saw fire. I immediately shouted to my wife to wake up and get our three kids. I grabbed a knife and cut out the plastic that covered the window to the porch roof. I then forced open the window and kicked out the screen. I got everybody out on the roof and threw a blanket out there so we wouldn't slip off. It was cold，January cold. Then I started screaming for help. But help never came.

　　I was scared of heights，but I couldn't let my family burn up. So I just jumped off the roof and got the wind knocked out of me when I landed.

　　I found our ladder，placed it against the house，and climbed back up to the roof. I wrapped my arms around my daughter and carried my nine­month­old with my teeth，by his little sleeper. Then I climbed down the ladder. Once on the ground，I had my little girl hold her brother，and I went back up to the roof to get my other daughter. Then I went back up again and got my wife. I tried to get my dog，but he just disappeared in the black smoke. I never saw Rock alive again.

语篇解读　本文主要叙述了凌晨两点半，作者家的狗把他从睡梦中惊醒，以此告诉他，家里着火了，作者忙于帮助家人在大火中逃生而忽略了狗，等到要去解救他的狗时，狗已在火中丧生。

18.What happened to the author one early January morning?

A.His dog was injured.

B.A robbery took place.

C.His house was on fire.

D.His wife disappeared.

答案　C

解析　细节理解题。根据第二段中的"I walked downstairs again，and that's when I saw fire."可知那天早上作者家着火了。

19.The passage is mainly developed by__________.

A.analyzing causes

B.making comparisons

C.giving examples

D.following the time order

答案　D

解析　文章结构题。根据故事的叙述过程可知作者按照起火前，抢救中，以及抢救后的顺序写的，是按时间顺序。

20.What is the passage mainly talking about?