12．The snow was falling and the roads had become dangerous.The schools were dismissed early，but much to my surprise，my appointment wasn't canceled.So I went，feeling especially heroic.As far as I could see，I was risking my life to keep my word.Snow or no snow，I would be on time for my scheduled donation at the local blood center.
When I got there，I discovered I wasn't alone.Four more "hero-types" were already lying back in donor chairs with lines attached to their veins （靜脈），and machines quietly pumping away to collect their life-saving gifts.
Seeing my fellow donors honoring their own commitments，I realized why I was there.I lay back in my donor chair，ready to make a difference to the life of someone I would never meet.
To be honest，I'd never really thought about why I donate.I just did it.But a few months ago，during one of my regular donations I learned that my blood was specifically for a cancer patient and for a newborn baby -both patients needed what I would give in order to live.I've viewed my visits to the blood center differently ever since.
My wife Karen is a donor，too.And more importantly，she has been on the bone marrow list for fifteen years，ever since she signed up to provide bone marrow （骨髓）to a kindergartner with leukemia （白血?。?That little girl died before Karen's bone marrow could help her，but Karen was called again recently.Her test results were still on file，and it turned out she was a potential match for someone else.The caller asked Karen if she would still be willing to become a bone marrow donor. "Yes，" she said and then immediately began answering questions on the pages of paperwork for further testing.It was to race against time.
I wish I could say that this race was won.Unluckily，it wasn't.The caller later thanked Karen for her participation and asked a few more questions - including whether or not she'd remain on the donor list. "Of course，" Karen answered.
We still keep making appointments.I don't know whose life my donation may affect.Most likely it will be a stranger，but on someday the person needing blood could be you or me or maybe a loved one.It is worthwhile to take our time to donate.I like the sense of giving.
（1）Why was the man going out on such a snowy day？
A．He was going to risk his life for fun.
B．He was going to do a heroic deed to show off to others.
C．He was going to give a donation to help others in need.
D．He was going to have an important appointment with his wife.
（2）Who or what caused the man to view his visits to the blood center differently？
A．A cancer patient and a newborn baby who needed what he gave to live.
B．The fact that his wife would remain on the donor list after several failures.
C．The fact that his wife signed up to provide bone marrow to a girl with leukemia.
D．Four more "hero-types" lying back in donor chairs with lines attached to their veins.
（3）What does the author think of his wife Karen's action？
A．He objects to what she does.
B．He thinks highly of what she does.
C．He is indifferent to what she does.
D．He doesn't show any apparent attitude.
（4）Which of the following may the man agree with？
A．Practice makes perfect.
B．Where there is a will，there is a way.
C．Constant dripping wears away a stone.
D．The rose's in her hand，the flavor in mine.
