1. (2023八下·宁波期中) 完形填空

Many years ago, an old man had a large store on Fifth Street in New York. He wanted a boy to work for him, so he put a(n) 1 in the newspaper. The next morning, lots of2came to his office to ask for the job.

There was a post (柱子)in front of his office, 3there was a nail (钉子)in it. He took a walking stick (拐杖)and said, ""Everyone has three4. If anyone can hit the nail into the post completely with this stick in three times, I will offer him the5.

The boys thought it was very easy. Each of them tried three times, but6could make it. So the old man said, "I'm7I can't take any of you. " And they left.

The old man kept the advertisement in the8. The next morning more boys came, and among them the old man9a thin boy who had been here the day before. The boy hit the nail into the post10in three times. The old man felt11and asked how he did that.

"Sir, " said the boy, "I12yesterday. I thought that if I kept on trying, I would make it finally. So I went home and practiced hitting a nail with a stick13I could do it. Then I got up very early this morning, and tried14. " The old man said, "You are the boy for me."

15the boy did, he always tried his best. Soon he became the best worker in the store.