My mother, Marisol Torres, came with her family to Australia in the early 1960s. Then my parents' marriage ended and Mum began the study of precious stones. Her interest in opals took her to the New South Wales remote town of Lightning Ridge. There were no luxuries , but she was closer to nature and had a chance to find black opals and make some money. My mother was beautiful with dark hair and brown eyes, but she was also quiet and shy. Early in the Ridge years, she kept to herself, but later, she started going to the neighbourhood centre to make friends. It was her dream to mine, but her get-rich-quick thinking was unrealistic. She was cheated and she was never very successful. But she kept a sense of humour and a charming smile. Then, just as friendships began to blossom, she was diagnosed with cancer and had to return south for treatment. She had the intention of cooking Spanish food as special treat for her Ridge friends, but died too soon. In her honour, my aunt, Marisa, and I fulfilled her desire when we visited the Ridge in March last year. People who mine the Ridge come from a cross section of society, from lawyers to travels. Looks don't mean much: it can be hard to tell who is millionaire and who is poor. Opals attracted Sebastian and Hanna Deisenberger to Lightning Ridge. They planned a two-year stay, but became permanent residents. Then there's Neil Schellnegger, 45, who moved to the area with his parents when he was a child. He lives with his son, Luke. Luke is a shy 19-year-old boy who enjoys helping his dad. They haven't had much luck over the past couple of years, but their passion for opals conquers disappointment. They love the peaceful lifestyle. Danny Hatcher, 38, is a second-generation miner and president of the Lightning Ridge Miners' Association. He is an optimistic man, driven by the desire to find the perfect opal. "It's magic," he explains. "Once you start opal mining you don't want to do anything else... There is always the potential for finding a million dollars. Nothing beats it." It's a place where dreams --- spiritual or material --- can be fulfilled; a place, for one last bet in life. QUESTIONS:

Q1:
1. What is the name of the author's mother?
2. Who is the narrator's female parent?
3. 
Q2:
1. What did the narrator's mom study?
2. What did Marisol Torres study?
3. 
Q3:
1. Where did Marisol Torres study precious stones?
2. In what town did Marisol Torres look into precious stones?
3. 
Q4:
1. What gem was Marisol Torres looking for in Lightning Ridge?
2. What stone was Marison Torres on the hunt for in Lightning Ridge?
3. 
Q5:
1. Are opals valuable?
2. Are opals worth a lot of money?
3. 
Q6:
1. Was Marisol Torres successful in her search for opals?
2. Did Marisol Torres successfully locate opals?
3. 
Q7:
1. What illness did Marisol Torres end up getting?
2. What did Marisol Torres eventually fall sick with?
3. 
Q8:
1. Did Marisol Torres remain in Lightning Ridge?
2. Did Marisol Torres live out the end of her days in Lightning Ridge?
3. 
Q9:
1. What was Marisol Torres planning to cook?
2. What dish did Marisol Torres intend to whip up?
3. 
Q10:
1. Did Marisol Torres get to cook Spanish food?
2. Was Marisol Torres ever able to make her Spanish feast?
3. 
Q11:
1. Who made Spanish food?
2. Who was able to cook a Spanish meal?
3. 
