I Want This (Comic Story)
Story
Noah is in a sports store.
Noah: "I really want this skateboard. But I don't have $70."
Noah goes back home and counts his money.
Noah: "I only have $28. How can I save up another $42 for the skateboard?"
Mom walks into Noah's bedroom.
Noah: "Mom, I want a new skateboard, but I need more money."
Mom: "Clean the garage. Then you can have $20."
Noah goes next door to his neighbor's house.
Noah: "Mrs. Brown, can I cut your grass for $18?"
Mrs. Brown: "Of course! You can water my plants for another $5."
Noah: "Thank you, Mrs. Brown!"
A week later, Noah counts all his money again.
Noah: "69, 70, 71! Hooray! I can buy the skateboard now!"
Noah goes into the sports store.
Noah: "Oh, no! The skateboard is gone!" (A sign says "SOLD OUT")
Noah walks back home. Mom is waiting for him at the front door.
Mom: "Surprise! This is for you!" (Holding the skateboard)
Noah: "Wow! Thank you, Mom! What a great surprise!"
Language Tip
1. "But I don't have $70."
句尾的 $70 唸作 seventy dollars，要用複數的 dollars。但「一個七十元的滑板」就是 a seventy-dollar skateboard，此時 seventy-dollar 做形容詞用，沒有單複數之分所以不加s。
• Did you get this hotdog for ten dollars? (你這熱狗是用十塊錢買的嗎?)
• Can I try your ten-dollar hotdog? (我可以嚐嚐你那個十塊錢的熱狗嗎?)
2. "The skateboard is gone!"
句尾 gone 源自於動詞 go。句中的 gone 為過去分詞做形容詞用，表「消失、不見的」。
• When John came back, the cake was gone. (John 回來時，蛋糕已經不見了。)
• I checked my bag, and my wallet was gone! (我檢查了我的包，結果錢包不見了!)
Key Words
- count (v) 數,計算。 The teacher is counting the children.
- save up (phr v) 存(錢)。 I have to save up more money.
- clean (v) 打掃;清潔。 Clean your room before dinner.
- grass (n) 草;草地。 The dogs are playing in the grass.
- front (adj) 前面的。 Dad is in the front yard.
- skateboard (n) 滑板。
Quiz (請在此區完成所有作答)
( ) 1. How much is the skateboard?