I was nineteen years old the first time I saw my own
true character.
My trip to and from work each day included a
ten-minute walk through the heart of downtown, where the 36 often
gathered. Like most busy citizens, I learned to 37 those
nameless faces. When it came to homeless beggars, my 38 life
experience had led me to one 39 that they are on
the street because they choose to be, probably due to alcohol or drugs.
It was an extremely cold day. When I passed the groups
of beggars as usual, I heard a shaky voice target me.
“Spare some change?” he asked.
I didn’t even 40 looking
up at his nameless face. I briefly 41 him walking
into a liquor store and buying whiskey with the money we spared him. Like most
teenagers, it took me only moments to 42 him.
“I have no money on me,” I said quickly
Looking back now, I feel as if God had set out that
day to teach me a lesson. And God 43 . Just a few feet
past him, I managed to find the only ice patch on the sidewalk. I 44 and
landed heavily on my right knee. The 45 was
almost killing me as I tried to get up. Then I heard a shaky voice only inches
above me.
“Are you all right?” he asked.
I knew immediately this was the man I had just rushed
past. Even in pain, I 46 took a quick moment to
sniff for the smell of alcohol on his breath. There was none. He wasn’t 47 .
I saw the 48 in his eyes.
I 49 to get to my feet.
He held my arm as I walked difficultly to the nearby bus stop.
“My name is Mike,” he said. “That’s quite a fall you
took, and you really need to get it checked by a doctor,” he said with deep 50 .
“This bus goes past the hospital,” I said.
Mike paused, and a look of sudden 51 crossed
his face. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small cup. He took out
all the change and held it out toward me.
“I think there’s just enough here for you to take the
bus,” he said,
I was highly embarrassed as I remember my 52 .
I reached for my purse and took out my change. At least ten dollars. I offered
Mike all my change.
“Thank you and take care of yourself,” I said. Both of
us knew that few minutes earlier I couldn’t have 53 what
happened to him.
Mike held his cup tightly, 54 it
as if it were the first gift he had ever received.
A half cup of change seemed too small a gift for the
man who gave a 55 to every nameless face I’ve
ever seen.
1. A.doctors B.beggars C.citizens D.sellers
2. A.pity B.observe C.forgive D.ignore
3. A.limited B.painful C.meaningful D.rich
4. A.fact B.rule C.assumption D.suggestion
5. A.mind B.bother C.avoid D.bear
6. A.imagined B.followed C.noticed D.heard
7. A.judge B.stop C.tease D.blame
8. A.signed B.succeeded C.responded D.approached
9. A.skipped B.dashed C.slipped D.hesitated
10. A.regret B.scare C.cold D.pain
11. A.still B.ever C.yet D.also
12. A.honest B.reliable C.drunk D.shabby
13. A.greed B.surprise C.sorrow D.sympathy
14. A.failed B.struggled C.hurried D.chose
15. A.relief B.satisfaction C.understanding D.concern
16. A.confusion B.realization C.excitement D.sadness
17. A.lie B.injury C.promise D.experience
18. A.known B.predicted C.cared D.accepted
19. A.treasuring B.protecting C.making D.showing
20. A.lesson B.name C.chance D.fortune