One day, some of the girls in our neighborhood started acting a bit strangely towards me．They 36 talking to me．After a day or so of this，I finally 37 what was going on．I'd said something to a(n) 38　 girl the night before that she didn't like．I'd had a few　 39 that night．and like everyone I sometimes say things that 40 severer than I mean them to．

Anyway, it seemed that the girl had told many of her friends，and now they were all 41 at me．They found a great 42 to think of all the other supposed“crimes”I'd committed over the past year． 43　 they'd all really liked me before．suddenly they 44 I was a really bad guy．

This was a difficult problem．I 45 to get along well with these people and I liked them all．I didn't want them to 46 me because of something stupid I'd said when I was drunk．It didn't 47 much whether they or I was wrong．All I wanted was things to be 48 to normal again．

So I wrote the popular girl a note 49 saying：“I'm sorry if I hurt your feelings．I didn't mean to”．And that was it．The problem was solved． 50 ．the girls who were angry with me now liked me 51　 than ever．They felt I'd done something 52 in admitting I was wrong and apologizing．

Learn how and when to 53 ．Often, the pride and stubbornness you hold onto by refusing to back down isn't worth the 54 of a lasting argument．An apology can 55 for healing a difficult situation．And often．people will think better of you for it．

36．A．began　 　　　 B．continued　 　　　　 C．avoided 　　　　　　　　 D．regretted

37．A．found out 　　 B．picked out　 　　　 C．gave out 　　　　　　　 D．spoke out

38．A．special　 　　 B．popular　 　　　　　 C．familiar 　　　　　　　　 D．ordinary

39．A．quarrels　 　 B．comments　 　　　 C．problems 　　　　　　　 D．drinks

40．A．look　 　　　　 B．sound　 　　　　　　 C．feel 　　　　　　　　　　　 D．appear

41．A．surprised　 B．angry　 　　　　　　　 C．excited 　　　　　　　　 D．amazed

42．A．right　 　　　　 B．opportunity　 　　 C．space 　　　　　　　　　 D．need

43．A．As　 　　　　　 B．Since　 　　　　　　　 C．As if 　　　　　　　　　　 D．While

44．A．convinced　 B．admitted　 　　　　　 C．decided 　　　　　　　　 D．promised

45．A．happened　 B．used　 　　　　　　　 C．prepared 　　　　　　　 D．agreed

46．A．forget　 　　　 B．forgive　 　　　　　　 C．hate 　　　　　　　　　　 D．respect

47．A．matter　 　　 B．change　 　　　　　　 C．care 　　　　　　　　　　 D．explain

48．A．around　 　　 B．up　 　　　　　　　　　 C．about 　　　　　　　　　 D．back

49．A．simply　 　　 B．generally　 　　　　 C．regularly　 　　　　 D．gently

50．A．At first　 　　 B．In fact　 　　　　　　 C．At least　 　　　　　 D．As usual

51．A．rather　 　　　 B．worse 　　　　　　　 C．less　 　　　　　　　　 D．better

52．A．doubtful　 　 B．interesting　 　　　 C．brave　 　　　　　　　 D．shameful

53．A．cheer　 　　　 B．forgive　 　　　　　　 C．worry　 　　　　　　 D．apologize

54．A．effort　 　　　　　　 B．price　 　　　　　　　 C．result 　　　　　　　　　 D．cause

55．A．permit　 　　 B．fail　 　　　　　　　　 C．work 　　　　　　　　　 D．last