touch.Suddenly a strong 21 struck deep roots in his mind that he would go to 22 the shores for the pebble,and so he did.

　　From dawn to dusk he would pick up pebbles and 23 them.To ensure he did not pick the same pebble twice,he would throw every picked pebble far out into the sea.

　　Searches 24 days,weeks and then months.A year passed and then another, 25 every pebble he picked up was as cold as ice and he cast them away as 26 as he picked them.Now he had become so 27 at it that he could pick up a pebble and cast it with one 28 action.

　　At last he was bored with such 29 searches and nearly disappointed,doubting whether there was really such a pebble.

　　One evening as he was 30 his worn-out legs,leaving the beach after a whole day's aimless search,he saw a 31 pebble in front of him."This will be the last one!"said the man hopelessly.With a sigh he 32 and picked it up with his spent hand.Not until he gathered all his

33 and threw it farther into the sea did he 34 that it was warm and even a little 35 ,but it was too late.

　　16.A.damp B.rotten C.soft D.hard

　　17.A.quickly B.clearly C.unwillingly D.carefully

　　18.A.magic B.travel C.science D.pebbles

　　19.A.talking B.speaking C.stating D.declaring

　　20.A.lines B.pages C.books D.chapters

　　21.A.hunger B.desire C.demand D.request

　　22.A.look B.seek C.find D.hunt

　　23.A.weigh B.watch C.feel D.study

24.A.spent B.killed C.cost D.lasted