根据下列内容，回答216-220题。

Bum rate is the speed at which a startup business consumes money. My rate would be $50,000 amonth when my new media company started. So, I began looking around for individuals who wouldbe my first investors."Angel money" it was called. But when I reviewed my list of acquaintances tofind those who might be able to help, I found the number got small.

With no other choices, I began meeting with the venture-capital companies. But I was warnedthey took a huge share of your company for the money they put in. And if you struggled, theycould drop you cold.

As I was searching for "angel money", I started to build a team who trusted me even though Ididn't have money for paychecks yet.

Bill Becker was an expert in computer programming and image processing at a very famousMedia Lab at M.I.T. With his arrival, my company suddenly had a major technology "guy" in-huse.

Katherine Henderson, a filmmaker and a former real-estate dealer, joined us as our directorof market research. Steve White came on as operating office. He had worked for the developer of ahome-finance software, Quicken. We grabbed him.

We had some really good people, but we still didn't have enough money. One night, myneighbor, Louise Johnson, came for a visit. She and I were only nodding acquaintances, but herboys and ours were constant companions. She ran a very good business at the time.

Louise was brillant and missed nothing. She had been watching my progress closely. She knewI was dying for money and I had prospects but could offer no guarantees of success.

She told me that her attorney had talked to mine and the terms had been agreed upon. Shehanded me an envelope. Inside was a check for $500,000.

I almost fell down. I heard her voice as if from heaven.

"I have confidence in your plan," she said. "You'll do well. You're going to work for it, butit's satisfying when you build your own company."

Who could have thought I'd find an angel so close to home?There were no words sufficientfor the moment. We just said good night. She left and I just stood there, completely humbled andcompletely committed.

For a newly-established business, bum rate refers to__________.

• A.the salary it pays to its staff
• B.the interest it pays to the bank
• C.the way in which it raises captial
• D.the speed at which it spends money