James’s New Bicycle

James shook his money box again. Nothing! He carefully __36__ the coins that lay on the bed.

$24.52 was all that he had. The bicycle he wanted was at least $90! __37__ on earth was he going to get the __38__ of the money?

He knew that his friends all had bicycles. It was __39__ to hang around with people when you were the only one without wheels. He thought about what he could do. There was no __40__ asking his parents, for he knew they had no money to __41__.

There was only one way to get the money, and that was to __42__ it. He would have to find a job. __43__ who would hire him and what could he do? He decided to ask Mr. Clay for advice, who usually had __44__ on most things.

“Well, you can start right here,” said Mr. Clay. “My windows need cleaning and my car needs washing.”

That was the __45__ of James’s odd-job business. For three months he worked every day after finishing his homework. He was amazed by the __46__ of jobs that people found for him to do. He took dogs and babies for walks, cleared out cupboards, and mended books. He lost count of the __47__ of cars he washed and windows he cleaned, but the __48__ increased and he knew that he would soon have __49__ for the bicycle he longed for.

The day __50__ came when James counted his money and found $94.32. He __51__ no time and went down to the shop to pick up the bicycle he wanted. He rode __52__ home, looking forward to showing his new bicycle to his friends. It had been hard __53__ for the money, but James knew that he valued his bicycle far more __54__ he had bought it with his own money. He had __55__ what he thought was impossible, and that was worth even than the bicycle.

35. ---Well, it’s been fun talking with you. Thank you for your time.

　 ---______.

　 A. With pleasure.　 B. It depends.　　 C. That’s right.　　 D. You’re welcome.

34. He put a finger in his mouth, ______ it and smiled, ______ rather pleased.

　 A. tasting; looking　 B. tasted; looking　 C. tasted; looked　 D. tasting; looked

33. We are bent on reforming our teaching, because what we have done is far from ______.

　 A. satisfaction　　 B. satisfied　　 C. satisfy　　 D. satisfactory

32. ---Did you have a good time in the amusement park?

　 ---Sure, but we were really ______ after a 3-hour ride in the bus.

　 A. choked off　　 B. well received　　 C. worn out　　 D. given out