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Dr Ray
Simply Speaking

James races the clock


For the exercises below, select the words to complete the sentences.
James was 1 to the nearest bus stop when he saw the bus 2 . If he didn’t catch that bus, he would be late for work.  His boss was very 3 , so he couldn’t be late—not even one minute. He had 4 – he had to 5 that bus. So James ran after the bus as fast as he could.
As he ran, he saw the bus ahead, stopped at a traffic light. He ran even faster, but just as he 6 for the door, the light turned green, and the bus 7 , leaving James behind.
Answer
James was on his way to the nearest bus stop when saw the bus pulling away. If he didn’t catch that bus or he would be late for work.  His boss was very strict, so he couldn’t be late—not even one minute. He had no time to waste – he had to catch that bus. So James ran after the bus as fast as he could.
As he ran, he saw the bus ahead, stopped at a traffic light. He ran even faster, but just as he reached for the door, the light turned green, and the bus drove off, leaving James behind.
Feeling 1 , James watched the bus disappear. He was running out of time and he didn't have a lot of 2 . He could 3 a taxi or 4 an Uber, but 5 would take too long. James wasn’t going to 6 – he wasn’t going to let a 7 bus 8 his day.
AnswerFeeling frustrated, James watched the bus disappear. He was running out of time and he didn't have a lot of options. He could hail a taxi or order an Uber, but either way would take too long. James wasn’t going to give up – he wasn’t going to let a missed bus ruin his day.
Wondering what to do, James 1 for other ways to get to work. That's when he saw a bike rental station nearby. He hurried there and held his credit card to the 2 . In just a few seconds, James was riding a bike down the street. He was 3 as fast as a bike racer. It wasn't easy, but he knew it was his 4 to get to work 5 .
AnswerWondering what to do, James looked around for other ways to get to work. That's when he saw a bike rental station nearby. He hurried there and held his credit card to the card reader. In just a few seconds, James was riding a bike down the street. He was pedaling as fast as a bike racer. It wasn't easy, but he knew it was his best chance to get to work on time.
When he saw his 1 in the 2 , James felt hopeful. He 3 himself to pedal even faster. He looked ahead and saw that he only had to 4 one more traffic light to get to his workplace.
AnswerWhen he saw his workplace in the distance, James felt hopeful. he pushed himself to pedal even faster. He looked ahead and saw that he only had to clear one more traffic light to get to his workplace.
Suddenly, the light 1 yellow, James knew he could 2 . But just as he got to the 3 , the light turned red. An old woman stepped out into the crosswalk area. James 4 to the right to 5 her, he hit the 6 and went 7 into a 8 .
AnswerSuddenly, the light turned yellow, James knew he could make it. But just as he got to the crosswalk, the light turned red. An old woman stepped out into the crosswalk area. James swerved to the right to avoid her, he hit the curb and went headfirst into a coffee stand.
No one was hurt in the 1 , 2 the bike 3 . James sat on the sidewalk trying to 4 and pull himself together. As he looked up, he saw a man holding a coffee cup. He was 5 James and looking down---it was his boss.
"6 morning, James?" asked his boss.
"You have no idea," James replied.
“Coffee?” his boss offered, pointing at the coffee stand. “It’s 7 .”
Better make it a double espresso. Thanks,” James 8 .
Answer
No one was hurt in the accident, nor the bike damaged. James sat on the sidewalk trying to catch his breath and pull himself together. As he looked up, he saw a man holding a coffee cup. He was standing over James and looking down---it was his boss.
"Rough morning, James?" asked his boss.
"You have no idea," James replied.
“Coffee?” his boss offered, pointing at the coffee stand. “It’s on me.”
Better make it a double espresso. Thanks,” James retorted.

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