A lot of us lose life’s tough battles by starting a frontal(正面的) attack — when a touch of humor might well enable us to win. Consider the case of a young friend of mine, who
36  a traffic jam on his way to work shortly   37  receiving an ultimatum(最后通牒) about being late for work. Although there was a good reason for Sam’s being late — serious illness at home — he decided that this by-now-familiar excuse wouldn’t   38  any longer. His supervisor(主管) was probably already pacing up and down preparing a dismissal
39  .
Yes, the boss was. When Sam entered the office at 9:35, it was as   40  as a locker room(更衣室)— everyone was hard at work. Sam’s supervisor   41  him. Suddenly, Sam forced a grin (露齿笑) and   42  out his hand. “How do you do!” he said. “I’m Sam Maynard. I’m    43  a job, which, I understand, became available just 35 minutes ago. Does the early bird get the worm?”
The room burst into   44  . The supervisor clamped off(忍住) a smile and walked back to his office. Sam Maynard had   45  his job — with the only tool that could win, a laugh.
Humor is a most effective, yet   46   ignored, means of handling the difficult situations in our lives. It can be used for patching up differences, apologizing, saying “no”, criticizing, getting the other fellow to do what you want   47  his losing face. For some jobs, it’s the only tool that can succeed. It is a way to discuss subjects so sensitive that serious dialogue may start a quarrel.
36. A. hit                         B. struck                           C. beat                              D. made
37. A. since                         B. when                            C. before                             D. after
38. A. benefit                     B. matter                                      C. work                                D. affect 
39. A. debate                     B. speech                                     C. excuse                             D. argument
40. A. noisy                         B. quiet                                C. clean                                D. messy
41. A. shouted at              B. put up with                    C. looked forward to        D. came up to
42. A. stretched                B. gave                                 C. handed                            D. expanded
43. A. searching for          B. preparing for                 C. applying for          D. answering for
44. A. laughing                   B. laugh                               C. laughters                        D. laughter
45. A. lost                            B. saved                               C. got                                   D. found
46. A. frequently               B. occasionally                   C. never                               D. regularly
47. A. despite                     B. with                                 C. without                           D. by