At one time I was unemployed and money was running short. I needed a job 36 but it seemed as if no one was hiring.
A very good friend of mine 37 me one day with an offer. "I'm going to have to let this job go and I was wondering if you would like to take it 38 ?"
"That would be great," I replied.
I went to speak with the 39 and he said he could use me, but never gave me a start date. Really needing the job, I made it a point to go and 40 with him every day. Finally he said, "You can start Monday morning."
I showed up for 41 extra early, ready to do my best. When I went inside I was 42 that I would be buffing(抛光) the floors. My friend was there to show me how to 43 the buffer.
"It's easy," he said, running the machine very 44 . He handed it over to me and said, "Here, you give it a try." I grabbed the handles with a "no problem" 45 . To my surprise, the buffer was rather 46 to operate.
Several times, I tried to run it again and 47 . I really had to fight that thing to make it go. "What am I going to do?" I 48 to myself. "I finally found a job and I can't do it. Am I going to have to tell them I have to quit?"
After several rough 49 of buffing, I finally made up my mind that I was going to do this. For about a week, I 50 with the buffer, putting all my weight and 51 into it. Eventually, I learned the 52 was not to struggle with it at all, just go 53 the flow of it, and by the second week, I was 54 and running it with one hand.
A few months later, I thought back and wondered what 55 have happened if I had given up that first week. I certainly would not have had the newfound confidence or a paycheck.
36. A. quickly B. badly C. lightly D. comfortably
37. A. approached B. encouraged C. instructed D. persuaded
38. A. away B. in C. over D. up
39. A. friend B. manager C. employee D. conductor
40. A. catch up B. put up C. check out D. check in
41. A. interview B. breakfast C. work D. practice
42. A. commanded B. warned C. informed D. recommended
43. A. repair B. operate C. tend D. treat
44. A. slowly B. gently C. thoroughly D. smoothly
45. A. attitude B. response C. phrase D. opinion
46. A. hard B. light C. convenient D. heavy
47. A. failed B. wounded C. succeeded D. won
48. A. turned B. came C. referred D. thought
49. A. weeks B. months C. days D. years
50. A. met B. struggled C. combined D. lived
51. A. courage B. spirit C. body D. strength
52. A. trick B. technology C. method D. message
53. A. among B. against C. under D. with
54. A. hanging about B. showing off C. calming down D. pulling through
55. A. must B. should C. would D. can