The “Doorman”

On a trip to California, my family stopped for lunch. As we walked toward the entrance to the restaurant, a man, with a 36 ______ beard and dirty hair, jumped up from a bench and opened the door for us. Regardless of his 37 ______ ，he greeted us in a friendly way.

Once inside, my daughters whispered, “Mom ，he 38 ______ ” After we ordered our lunch, I explained, telling the kids to look 39 ______ the dirt. We then watched other customers approach the restaurant but many 40 ______ him. Seeing this rudeness truly upset me. The day I became a mother, I had resolved to set a good 41 ______ for my children. Yet sometimes when things didn’t ______When our meal arrived，I realized I had left the car-sick pills in the truck. With the windiest trip ahead, the kids needed them, so I 43 ______ myself from the meal and went to get them.

Just then, the “doorman” was opening the door for a couple. They rushed past him without even acknowledging his 44 ______ Letting them in first, I said a loud “thank you” to him as I 45 ______ .

When I returned, we talked a bit. He said he was not allowed inside 46 ______ he purchased ______Then I asked our waitress to add one soup and sandwich. The kids looked 48 ______as we had already eaten，but when I said the order was for the “doorman”，they smiled. When it was time to 49 ______ our trip, I noticed the “doorman” enjoying his meal. Upon seeing me, he stood up and thanked me heartily. He then 50 ______ his hand for a handshake and I gratefully accepted. I suddenly noticed the tears in his eyes—tears of What happened next drew great astonishment ： I gave the “ doorman” a 52 ______ ! He pulled away, with tears 53 ______ down his face.

Back in truck, I fell into deep thought. While we can’t choose many things in life, we can choose when to show gratitude. I said thanks to a man who had 54 ______ held open a door for me， and also said thanks for that 55 ______ to teach my children by example.

36. A. heavy B. long C. messy D. grey 37. A. service 38. A. smokes 39. A. beyond 40. A. hated 41. A. target 42. A. stressful 43. A. excused 44. A. company 45. A. quitted

B. appearance B. smiles B. over B. ignored B. rule B. accessible B. freed B. presence B. marched

C. C. C. C. C. C. C. C. C.

status sniffs around missed record awkward prevented effort exited

D. D. D. D. D. D. D. D. D.

attitude smells into refused example tough withdrew attempt approached