What do you do if, after inviting 250 people to attend your wedding and paying tens of thousands of US dollars for the event, your fiancé dumps▼ you less than two months before the big day? Of course, you would be shocked; the person who you thought loved you and you loved back doesn't want to marry you. In Dana Olsen's case, she decided to do a charitable▼ act of kindness, which grabbed the headlines — she turned her wedding reception▼ into a lavish▼ party for 150 homeless women and their children in Seattle. Since her fiancé's cold feet arrived too late to get a refund▼, Olsen didn't want to waste the money and opportunity for a beautiful event to happen. Thus, she achieved her act of generosity by contacting Seattle's Mary's Place Shelter, a facility▼ that provides a place to stay for homeless women and children. Buses were then organized to take these families to the one-night-only party, where they were able to enjoy a great catered▼ dinner along with live entertainment from a band. On top of that, a hairdresser▼ named Lauren Grinnell, a strong supporter of Mary's Place, arranged hairstylists and makeup artists to give people a free makeover▼. Furthermore, dresses, suits and jewelry were donated to the families to help make the night an even more special experience for those who have fallen on hard times. A couple said of Olsen, "It takes a big heart to give away to other people everything your heart was in." Perhaps not surprisingly, Olsen did not attend the party, although her mother did. Before the event, Olsen said, "I'm going to have a bad day. Other people might as well have a good night." 1. Why did Dana Olsen throw a party for homeless people? (A) Her fiancé had second thoughts about marrying her. (B) She was once a homeless person herself. (C) Her mother suggested she do something charitable to ease▼ her pain. (D) A shelter for homeless people contacted her after hearing about her troubles. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 2. According to the reading, what did Dana Olsen's actions do? (A) Make her mother cry deeply. (B) Force the wedding venue▼ to give her a discount▼. (C) Attract attention from the media. (D) Encourage other people to do similar things. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 3. What is Mary's Place? (A) A wedding venue in Seattle. (B) A business owned by Olsen's mother. (C) Lauren Grinnell's hair salon. (D) A place that provides housing for the homeless. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 4. Which of the following did people attending Olsen's party NOT enjoy? (A) A cash gift. (B) A live band. (C) Service from hair stylists. (D) Clothing and jewelry. |