The house itself had been sold that morning. Now it was the list of the contains in it. The crowd of dealers, collectors, and bargain-hunters moved around__31__ this and that and generally having a last look round before the excitement of the chase. Every piece was numbered and listed, and everyone had a copy of the list.

The ___32___ was to take place in the sitting room.

The salesman was trained to notice the lightest movement of a hand, eyes or even eyebrows

(眉毛), any of which might signal a bid(叫价).

The salesman came in and climbed to his stand. His staff ___33___ him in and took their places.

“Ladies and gentlemen,” the salesman said, “I have been introduced to tell you that everything must be sold this afternoon. No price is too low or too high for everything, but a price I must ___34___ for everything. We are now ready to begin, and we do so ___35___ Lot (Article) Number one…” At this point two men ___36___onto the central table a large wooden chest.

“Now what am I bidding for this fine old chest? Do I hear ￡20? No? ￡10 then. Come along. The wood alone is worth ￡40, so make me an ___37___.” His eyes swung round the room.

“One pound.” A woman’s voice called.

“One pound I’m bidding” said the salesman ___38___, “ for this chest. Any ___39___on? ￡1 now? One pound I’m bidding. Do I hear two? ___40___ at 1 then.” He brought his wooden hammer down sharply onto his desk.

30. It took her ten years to ______ her publishing business.

A. take up　 　　　B. put up　 　C. build up　 　　　D. bring up

29. She _______ go away when her old friend came to see her.

A. was going to　 　B. would　 　C. was about to　 　D. was to

28.______ ice on the road, I told the driver to slow down.

A. There was　　 　B. There to be　 C. There being　 D. Being

27. With more forests being destroyed, huge quantities of good earth ______ each year.　

A. is being washing away　　 　　　　B. is being washed away

C. are washing away　　　　 　　　D. are being washed away

26. The information you give in the application form is too ________. You should focus on something special about yourself.

A. common　　 　　B. original　 　C. ordinary　　 D. general

25. That was so serious a matter that I had no choice but _______the police.

A. called in　　 　　B. calling in　 C. call in　　 　D. to call in

24. ---The boy said he could lift the heavy stone.

--- ______ is no doubt about that.

A. There　　 　　　B. It　　 　　　C. This　　 　　D. What