My first job was at a local diner, where I worked for seven years and learned so many lessons, especially from a fellow 1 .
Helen was in her 60s and had extraordinary self-respect, something I was really lacking. I looked up to Helen 2 she was doing what she loved－ 3 people－and nobody did it 4 . She always made everyone, customers and co-workers, 5 and feel good.
Being a waitress changed my life. One of my 6 customers was Fred Hasbrook. He always ate an omelet, and when I saw him 7 , I tried to have it on his table as soon as he sat down.
Thanks to the newfound confidence I 8 from Helen, I dreamed of having my own 9 . But when I called my parents to ask for a loan （贷款）, they said, "We just don't have the 10 ."
The next day, Fred saw me and asked, "What's up? You're not smiling today." I 11 my dream with him and said, "Fred, I know I can do more if somebody would just have faith in me."
Before long he handed me checks totaling $50,000 -- along with a 12 that read, "The only collateral （抵押品） on this loan is my trust in your 13 as a person. Good people with a dream should have the 14 to realize that dream."
I took the checks to Merrill Lynch, where the money was provided for me. I 15 working at the diner, making 16 for the restaurant I would open. My plans failed, 17 , and I lost the money.
Later I decided to apply for a job at Merrill Lynch. Even though I had no experience, I was 18 and ended up becoming a pretty good agent. 19 I paid back Fred the $50,000, plus 14－percent annual interest. Five years later, I was able to 20 my own firm.
1．A．member B．waitress C．citizen D．student
2．A．because B．though C．while D．unless
1,3,5
3．A．helping B．respecting C．serving D．praising
4．A．faster B．better C．harder D．later
5．A．drink B．digest C．smile D．sing
6．A．regular B．favorite C．tough D．fresh
7．A．eating B．greeting C．ordering D．coming
8．A．found out B．picked up C．got back D．took away
9．A．restaurant B．confidence C．house D．work
10．A．choice B．way C．idea D．money
11．A．exchanged B．discussed C．shared D．analyzed
12．A．letter B．sign C．notice D．note
13．A．honesty B．responsibility C．devotion D．motivation
14．A．patience B．luck C．time D．chance
15．A．loved B．practiced C．continued D．enjoyed
16．A．adjustments B．plans C．decisions D．suggestions
17．A．instead B．therefore C．though D．meanwhile
18．A．hired B．rejected C．encouraged D．determined
19．A．Fortunately B．Excitedly C．Personally D．Eventually
20．A．design B．open C．manage D．expand