B

　　As a young man, Al was a skilled artist, a painter with a wife and two sons. One night, his older son developed a severe stomachache. Thinking it was only some common discomfort, neither Al nor his wife took it seriously, but the boy died suddenly that night.

Knowing the death could have been avoided if he had only realized the seriousness of the situation, he always felt guilty. To make matters worse, his wife left him a short time later, leaving him alone with his six-year-old younger son. The hurt and pain of the two situations were more than Al could stand, and he turned to alcohol(酒精) for help. In time Al became an alcoholic.

As the alcoholism progressed, AL began to lose everything he had -- his land, house, etc. Finally Al died alone in a small bar. Hearing of his death, I thought, "What a totally wasted life! What a complete failure! "

As time went by, I began to revalue my earlier rough judgment. I knew Al's now adult son, Ernie. He is one of the kindest, most caring, most loving men I have ever known. I saw the love between Ernie and his children, thinking that kindness and caring had to come from somewhere.

I hadn't heard Ernie talk much about his father. One day, I worked up my courage to ask him what on earth his father had done so that he became such a special person. Ernie said quietly, "As a child until I left home at 18, he came into my room every night, gave me a kiss and said, "love you, son."

　 Tears came to my eyes as I realized what a fool I had been to judge Al as a failure. He had not left any material possessions behind. But he had been a kind loving father, and left behind his best love.

24. Why did Al feel guilty?

A. Because his wife left him.

B. Because his carelessness caused his son's death.

C. Because he lost all his possessions.

D. Because he turned to alcohol.

25. What caused Al's death in view of Al's whole life?

A. Drinking too much wine.

B. His job as a painter.

C. Losing his son and wife.

D. Living alone.

26. What do we know about Ernie according to the passage?

A. He shows great kindness to his children.

B. His father had had a bad effect on him.

C. He left his father at 6.

D. He didn't talk much to his father.

27. Why did the writer think he was wrong to say Al was a failure?

A. Because Al left much money to his son.

B. Because Al was ever a skilled artist.

C. Because as a father, Al gave his son his deep love.

D. Because his wife left him and he lost his land and house.