A watchmaker father's advice

陕西大荔中学 高倩宝

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海词积累

1.financial crisis经济危机

2.relievev.缓解

There were many ups and downs in the watchmaking business.Father loved his work,but he was not a moneymaker,and times were often hard.Once I remember we were faced with a realfinancial crisis.A large bill had to be 1._______,and there simply wasn't enough money.Then one day a well-dressed gentleman came into our shop and asked to see some very expensive 2._______.I stayed in the workshop listening to the conversation in the front room.

“This is a fine watch,” the customer said.“This is just what I've been looking for.”

I held my breath as I saw the customer 3._______into his inner pocket and pull out lots of cash!I saw myself paying the overdue bill and beingrelievedof the burden of anxiety I had been carrying for the past few weeks.

The 4._______looked at the watch admiringly and commented,“I had a good watchmaker here.His name was Van Houten.When Houten died and his son took over the business,I kept on doing business with the young man.However,I bought a watch from him that didn't run at all.I sent it back three times,but he couldn't seem to fix it.That's why I decided to find another watchmaker.”The man took out a large watch and gave it to father.

Father adjusted something and handed it back to the customer. “That was a very small mistake.It will be fine now.Sir,I trust the young watchmaker.Someday he will be just as good as his father.Now I shall give back your money and you 5._______my watch.”

I felt disappointed,but I knew father was right.

Reading Check

Fill in each blank with only one word according to the context.

Language Study

Complete the following sentences according to the text.

1.Once I remember we were______（face） with a real financial crisis.

2.I stayed in the workshop______（listen） to the conversation in the front room.

3.This is just what I've been looking______.

4.I held my______（breathe） as I saw the customer pull out lots of cash.

5.I sent it back three times,but he couldn’t seem______（fix） it.

6.Someday he will be just as good ______his father.