Reuben, a 12-year-old boy, saw something in a shop window. But the price ---five dollars--- was far beyond his means. He couldn't ask his parents' for the money. His father made a living through ____35____ in Bay Roberts. His mother, Dora, tried hard to feed and clothe their five children.
Hesitating(猶豫) for a few seconds, he opened the ____36____ and talked to the shopkeeper.“…I don't have the money right now. Can you please ____37____ it for me?" "I'll try," the shopkeeper smiled.
Reuben respectfully touched his worn cap and walked out. Hearing the sound of hammering from a side street, he suddenly had an idea. He ran towards the sound and stopped at a construction site (建筑工地). Reuben knew he could collect the discarded nails(被丟棄的釘子) and sell them to the factory for five cents ____38____ .
He looked for nails until sunset. Then he ran to the factory and sold them. Reuben tightly clutched(握緊)the five-cent pieces and ran home. He found a rusty iron can and dropped his ____39____inside. Then he rushed into the barn (谷倉) near his house and hid it. It was dinner time when Reuben got home. His father sat at the big kitchen table, working on a fishnet. Dorawas at the kitchen stove, ready to ____40____ dinner as Reuben took his place at the table. Looking at his mother, Reuben smiled.
Every day after school, Reuben searched the town, keeping to his ____41____ task. Finally, the time had come! He ran into the bam, uncovered the can, poured the coins out, began to count. .
He still needed 20 cents! He had to sell four nails ____42____ the day ended. Rushing to the town, Reuben searched every comer. The shadows were lengthening(影子拉長)when Reuben arrived at the factory. The man at the factory was about to ____43____ .
"Please, Mister. I have to sell these nails now - please."
'Why do you need this money so ____44____ ?"
"It's a secret."
The man took the nails, reached into his pocket and put four coins in Reuben's hand.
Clutching the can tightly, Reuben ____45____ for the shop.
"I have the money," he solemnly told the owner.
Back home, his mother was cleaning the kitchen. "Here, Mum! Here!" Reuben shouted as he ran to her. He placed a small box in her roughened hand. She unwrapped it carefully. A blue-velvet jewel box appeared. Dora ____46____ the lid(蓋子).Tears began to blur(模糊)her vision. In gold lettering on a small, almond-shaped brooch(胸針) was the word Mother.
It was Mother's Day, 1946.
35. A. farming B. driving C. fishing D. cleaning
36.A. door B. shop C. window D. box
37.A.wrap B. watch C. take D. hold
38. A. each B. any C. either D. all
39.A. nails B. cans C. coins D. dollars
40. A. have B. serve C. give D. help
41. A. basic B. secret C. exciting D. surprising
42. A. before B. after C. when D. while
43.A.call up B. look up C .clear up D. turn up
44. A. immediately B. hurriedly C. badly D. hardly
45. A. went B. looked C. paid D. headed
46.A. moved B. pulled C. broke D. lifted
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