Onlyafterthemanwhomendedmydrierhandedmethebillandwavedgoodbye－forthethirdtimeinsixmonths－didIfinallyadmitthepainfultruth:Our20-year-oldclothesdryer’slifecametoanend.                         

Iturnedtomyhusband.“Therepairmansayswe'rethrowinggoodmoneyafterbad”Isighed.“Ithinkhe'sright”saidmyhusband.“Whendoyouwanttogoshoppingfora 36  one?”“Letmethinkaboutit.”Iglancedoutthewindow   37  thesunlightinourbackyard.WhatPerfectdryingweather!  38 Irecalledmymotherhanginglaundry(洗的衣物)ontheclotheslineduringmychildhood.MyjoyfulsisterandIplayedhide-and-seekamongthesweet-smellingsheets. Ihadaplan.“Youknowwehavealltheelementsofa39rightinthebackyard:plentyofwarmthfreshair;andlotsofbranchestohangclotheson”Isaid.Andsoitbegan:Afterthewashcyclewedecoratedthebrancheswithdampbluejeansandshirts.           

Thereisasecret  40inhanginglaundryoutdoors.Itistheperfect  41  togetupfromthecomputer.While  42 thelaundryinthebackyardIcouldcommunicatewithmycatssittingindeckchairs(帆布折椅).Icouldobserveafamilyofwildturkeysbytheroad.I'dreturntomydesk  43_. Thedryingmethodturnedouttobeacomplete  44_.ButasautumndrewnearIwouldevaluatetheday'sdryingpotential.OnemorningIsawraincloudsreadytoburst.Ihadaloadof  45  clothesinmyarmsandnoplacetoputthem.Icalledmyhusband.Togetherwehunglaundryinsidethehouse.Thenmyhusbandgavemea  46andasmile.“Ithinkit'stimeto  47  adryer”hesaid.“Goodidea”Isaid. Oursun-driedlaundryriskypracticewasclosedfortheseason.

 36. A.normal         B.new        C.small      D.big

 37. A.appreciating     B.considering  C.blocking   D.avoiding

 38. A.Suddenly       B.Gradually    C.Finally    D.Quietly

 39. A.family         B.dryer        C.childhood  D.window

 40. A.honor          B.chance      C.pleasure    D.choice

 41 A.result           B.excuse      C.idea       D.situation

 42. A..thinkingof    B.comingacross  C.checkingon D.worryingabout

 43. A.tired           B.safe         C.refreshed  D.proud