“Mum, can I invite my classmate Brett over to stay tomorrow night, please? It’s Friday, and we don’t have any 21 .Can I, please?” Mum was sitting at the kitchen table. Dad was 22 next to her, resting his head on his arms. Mum could 23 that James wanted so badly to have his friend over.
“I’m so sorry, James,” she said.
“I’m never allowed to have friends come to the house? Why, Mum?” James asked sadly, almost in 24 .
“I know it’s 25 for you,” Mum said softly. “But I’m just worried other people might think we’re a little… strange. And then they would make fun of you.”
“No, they wouldn’t, Mum,” James protested. “We’re not 26 at all. We’re just ordinary people.”
Mum sighed heavily. “To tell you the truth, James, my neck has been so painful that it’s given me a heavy 27 . And your poor father –he doesn’t feel 28 . He really needs a rest.”
“I can help, Mum!” James said. “29 I can make you and Dad feel better, can Brett come over? Please?”
“Well…”Mum began.
“Great! Thanks, Mum!” James almost shouted. “Just sit there, don’t move.” He rushed over to the kitchen drawer and 30 what he needed –two spanners（扳手）.
“Hang on, Mum,” he said. “This won’t take a second.” After some 31 , James was finished. With a smile of 32 on his face he said, “There! How does that feel?” “Oh, James,” Mum said. “That’s much better! How did you do it?”
“Easy,” James said 33 .” Dad had tightened your neck bolts (螺栓) too much! I just 34 them slightly! I learned that in robotic science at school.”
“What about you father? Can you 35 him?” asked Mum.
“I’ll try,” James replied. He 36 up Dad’s hair at the back of his neck and plugged the electric wire into Dad’s head. Then he turned the 37 on. Dad opened his eyes and 38 immediately. “He just let his 39 run too low, that’s all,” James said, “Shall I tell Brett to come over straight after school tomorrow?”
“I guess so,” replied Mum. “Your friends will just have to 40 that we are a very unusual family. Thanks, son!”
21. A. chance B. message C. homework D. difficulty
22. A. asleep B. reading C. alone D. standing[Z-X-X-K]
23. A. explain B. see C. agree D. doubt
24. A. terror B. tears C. surprise D. silence
25. A. fair B. easy C. good D. hard
26. A. strange B. normal C. popular D. anxious
27. A. headache B. loss C. task D. day
28. A. ill B. funny C. sorry D. well
29. A. As B. If C. Since D. Before
30. A. kept B. controlled C. found D. returned
31. A. requests B. thoughts C. repairs D. instructions
32. A. sympathy B. satisfaction C. bitterness D. politeness
33. A. embarrassedly B. gratefully C. impatiently D. proudly
34. A. adjusted B. collected C. produced D. covered
35. A. greet B. accompany C. help D. ask
36. A. lifted B. caught C. gave D. filled
37. A. television B. power C. light D. gas
38. A. grew up B. lay down C. broke down D. sat up
39. A. food B. temperature C. battery D. blood
40. A. prove B. expect C. suspect D. accept