1. (2019·泰州模拟) 阅读短文，从每题所给选项中选出可以填入空白处的最佳选项。

    I took the bus to work for many years. No one 1 each other; the passengers all sat there sleepily in the morning. The bus was cheerless and silent.

    One of the 2 was a small old man with grey hair. He took the bus to the center for senior citizens (老年人) every morning. Nobody ever paid much attention to him.

    One July morning he said good morning to the driver and 3. The driver nodded guardedly (带着戒心地). The rest of us were 4.

    The next day, the old man boarded with a big smile again and said in a 5 voice: "And a very good morning to you all!" Some of us 6, amazed, and murmured (小声嘀咕) "Good morning, " in reply. We gradually began to nod and talk to each other.

    One morning he was 7 a nice suit and tie. He even had a bunch of 8 in his hand. The driver turned around smilingly and asked: "Have you got yourself a girlfriend, Charlie?" We never got to know if that was his name, 9 he nodded his head shyly and said yes. The other passengers clapped (拍手叫好) at him. Every morning after that Charlie 10 flowers. Some passengers also brought flowers for him. The bus became a happy place.

    Then, one morning, as autumn was closing in, Charlie wasn't 11 at the stop. When we came 12 to the center for senior citizens, one of the passengers asked the driver to wait. He went in to 13 "Charlie".

    The old gentleman was 14, but one of his close friends had died at the weekend. The next Monday Charlie was at the stop as usual. His hair had turned greyer. We were silent as he walked onto the bus. No one 15 his friend, but we each handed him a bunch of flowers. We wanted to be there for this man who brought us together that summer.