About two years ago while working downtown at our company’s headquarters I met a man I’ll call him “Martin”. Martin was a short, middle-aged man with a glandular(内分泌) problem. He was fat, using a walking stick to help, and was painfully shy. Almost every morning I saw Martin on the elevator. We were usually the only people there, so I made __36 conversation as we __37_ to the 15th floor. I chatted with him about sometimes weather and sometimes about each other’s weekend.
About six months __38 our daily elevator chats, Martin came to my office and asked if I had a minute to chat. Though we worked on the same floor, I’m sure he had to __39 to find me. I invited him to sit down. He said, “I wanted to come and say __40 . The company has let me go. Today will be my last day.”
I didn’t know what to say. __41 I was too familiar with saying goodbye to co-workers, it was never __42 . Honestly, I usually __43 the event because I felt awkward and at a loss for words. I told him I was __44 and asked if there was anything I could do. He said, “No, I’ll be fine, I just wanted to take the time to thank you.” I was now __45 . He explained that our daily talks had __46 a lot to him.
He thanked me not only for __47 with him in the mornings, but for speaking directly to him and others on the elevator, and for telling him a quick joke in the crowded cafeteria. It seemed that __48 had ever been his friend before—or if so they were __49 to him in public.
He said he didn’t want to __50 much of my time, as he knew I was busy and he needed to __51 his personal things. He had tears in his eyes as he shook my hand and left.
I’ve never seen him since, but I imagine he’s doing well. Meeting him __52 my life. Now when I’m in a hurry, or have a bad day, I try extra hard to speak __53 to those around me. I remind myself that it’s just as easy to say something nice as to say something __54 , and I’m awed (敬畏) at how __55 our daily actions are.
36. A. formal B. polite C. special D. usual
37. A. climbed B. ran C. rode D. moved
38. A. during B. before C. until D. after
39. A. search B. walk C. drive D. intend
40. A. thanks B. goodbye C. hello D. apologies
41. A. But B. Because C. When D. Though
42. A. difficult B. easy C. convenient D. comfortable
43. A. ignored B. remembered C. valued D. treasured
44. A. calm B. nervous C. disappointed D. sorry.
45. A. confused B. worried C. moved D. proud
46. A. meant B. done C. caused D. brought
47. A. working B. traveling C. chatting D. staying
48. A. someone B. everyone C. anyone D. no one
49. A. cold B. friendly C. warm D. generous
50. A. use up B. take up C. break up D. pick up
51. A. sell B. decorate C. pack D. sort
52. A. changed B. colored C. satisfied D. control
53. A. directly B. loudly C. kindly D. softly
54. A. different B. rude C. serious D. interesting
55. A. surprising B. strange C. impressive D. powerful
36-40 B C D A B 41-45 D B A D A 46-50 A C D A B 51-55 C A C B D