It was Friday―the most tiring day of a teacher's week. As I was going to dismiss the class, Jan, who sat behind Bill suddenly shouted, “Teacher, Bill took my dime ( = 10 cents ). It was 36 here by my ink bottle when I went to sharpen my pencil and now it is 37 .”
Bill only dropped his head 38.
The dime had 39 been there. I had seen it. And Bill was the only one who had been 40 Jan's desk.
By now the children were quiet, obviously waiting for me to 41 action. Perhaps I hadn't slept well the night before; or perhaps it was the expectation in the children's eye. 42 , I lost my control. I scolded Bill for being 43 .
"Give Jan her dime," I ordered. Bill didn't say a word in 44 .
"Stand up!" he stood beside his seat. "Now turn all your 45 inside out and take off your shoes!" He did so, 46 to cover one foot with the other to 47 the holes in his socks. But there was no dime.
“ 48 your desk! " I ordered. Patiently he did so. The dime wasn't there either. He returned the books and papers to his desk without a word. Then he 49 his face in his arms. Immediately I 50 my mistakes. I, the person who could defend him, had failed him.
It was very late that afternoon 51 one of the boys went to the front of the room to sharpen his pencil. "Hey! " he cried, "Here's Jan's dime on the board ledge. She must have put it here when she sharpened her pencil."
I felt heartsick. I went to Bill, and 52 him into my arms. "I'm so sorry. Bill. I had no 53 to scold you. Will you pardon me?"
Slowly he raised his eyes to 54 . There were no tears but the 55 in his eyes branded (印在) my heart forever.
36. A. only | B. very | C. straight | D. right |
37. A. settled | B. missed | C. disappeared | D. gone |
38. A. low | B. down | C. off | D. away |
39. A. certainly | B. directly | C. never | D. already |
40. A. behind | B. near | C. under | D. before |
41.A. say | B. get | C. take | D. make |
42. A. However | B. Anyway | C. Even | D. Still |
43. A. silent | B. dishonest | C. pride | D. careless |
44. A. self-satisfaction | B. self-defence | C. self-respect | D. self-service |
45. A. clothes | B. books | C. pockets | D. hands |
46. A. trying | B. getting | C. insisting | D. thinking |
47. A. hide | B. fill | C. prevent | D. stop |
48. A. Move | B. Lift | C. Push | D. Empty |
49. A. covered | B. touched | C. burned | D. buried |
50. A. recognized | B. realized | C. thought | D. explained |
51. A. which | B. when | C. that | D. where |
52. A. drew | B. placed | C. sent | D. led |
53. A. way | B. chance | C. excuse | D. right |
54. A. my | B. myself | C. mine | D. him |
55. A. apology | B. regret | C. hurt | D. fear |