Stockings: Multiple Choice Vocabulary Test

When a young lady arrived at the large department store, she sat in front of an empty counter. She was trying to (1) _________ strength and courage to push through a mass of busy shoppers. She (2) _________ her hand upon the counter. She wore no gloves. She slowly grew aware that her hand had felt something very pleasant to touch. She looked down to see that her hand lay upon a (3) _________ of silk stockings. A sign nearby announced that they had been (4) _________ in price. A young girl who stood behind the counter asked her if she wished to examine the silky leg coverings.

She smiled as if she had been asked to inspect diamond jewelry with the aim of (6) _________ it. But she went on (5) _________ the soft, costly items. Now she used both hands, holding the stockings up to see the light shine (7) _________ them.

Two red marks suddenly showed on her pale face. She looked up at the shop girl.

"Do you think there are any size eights-and-a-half among these?"

There were a great number of stockings in her size. Missus Sommers chose a black pair and looked at them (8) _________.

"A dollar and ninety-eight cents," she said aloud. "Well, I will buy this pair."

She handed the girl a five dollar (9) _________ and waited for her change and the (10) _________ box with the stockings. What a very small box it was! It seemed lost in her worn old shopping bag.