“I’ve been writing a book, John. Do you think anyone would be interested in 1 it?” said the old lady.
John took over the papers from her shaking hand and seated her in chair. He remembered her rich 2 in the early days of the Old West. He looked through the papers. “It’s good, Grandma,” he said gently. Then realizing that she 3 hear him, he shouted into her ears, “I think it’s very good. I’ll 4 it to a publisher (出版商).”
Ten days later, he reported that the publisher had had time to read only a few 5 . But he was so impressed (给...留下深刻的好印象) that he had sent $ 100 for an option（版权）. More money would be given as an advance (预付款). Every month John 6 $100 for her with a letter from the publisher telling about the progress of the book.
One morning, three months after her 100th birthday, Grandma didn’t get up. The doctor told her that she couldn’t 7 more than a few days. She was ready to go, but she first wanted her book to be in print. John promised that she could get it very soon.
Grandma held on until the day the book came into her hands with the title and her name on the cover. Though she couldn’t see it, she could touch it. She proudly traced（找到）her name with her fingers(手指), tears(眼泪) in her eyes. Two hours later, she died peacefully, 8 holding her book.
Her granddaughter took up the book and opened it. “Why, it’s just blank pages!” she cried in 9 . John’s face turned 10 . Then the girl understood. There never was a book. Grandma couldn’t hear the little bell when the typewriter came to the middle of the line. She would keep on working, not knowing the whole sentences and sometimes the paragraphs were missing. John did not tell her, for he couldn’t take away her only hope. It was John himself who had written the letters and sold his car to pay the advance.
( ) 1. A. buying B. publishing C. reading D. lending
( ) 2. A. sufferings B. experiences C. thoughts D. family
( ) 3. A. couldn’t B. needn’t C. mustn’t D. doesn’t
( ) 4. A. throw B. put C. send D. lift
( ) 5. A. words B. sentences C. pages D. books
( ) 6. A. brought B. took C. gave D. carried
( ) 7. A. die B. stay C. last D. sleep
( ) 8. A. still B. yet C. always D. then
( ) 9. A. anger B. joy C. surprise D. tears
( ) 10. A. white B. red C. gray D. pale
