中級閱讀模擬測驗　第十二回

Ask people what they admire most in a friend, and few will mention money or good looks. Most of them name qualities such as (11), the willingness to give without expecting anything in return, or the (12) to wait calmly when a plan falls apart. Employers say much the same. They look for staff who are (13) enough to finish a job without being watched, and (14) enough to admit a mistake instead of hiding it. Skills can be taught in a month, one manager says, but a good (15) takes years to build.

Every morning an old man sweeps the lane in front of our building. He starts at six, rain or shine, and greets each neighbor with the same warm (16). Last winter a young rider knocked over his bucket and sped away without stopping. We expected anger, but the old man simply picked the bucket up and said the boy was probably late for work. Such (17) is rare today. His quiet (18) has changed the whole lane, and three families now sweep with him. He takes no (19) in it, though the neighbors often praise him, and perhaps that (20) is why we all trust him.