(2019·重点中学领航卷三)I have always considered myself an optimist, trying to find the best in every situation. I've recently become __1__ of how two little words have had a tremendous impact on people.
My recently divorced daughter __2__ to tell me about a house she was __3__ in. I held the line and listened. I __4__ her for moving forward with her life, and I said, “Honey, I am glad you've found something you like, __5__ don't you think, with the gas prices, you might need to buy one __6__ to your work?” As she told me all __7__ the house, I could hear the __8__ and joy in her voice. The moment I spoke the word, BUT, it was __9__ I had stuck a needle into a balloon. I could hear her __10__ deflate (泄气). I wish I'd used the word AND. “Honey, I'm glad you found a house in your price __11__, AND I'm happy for you.” I __12__ that if I had held my tongue, her __13__ wouldn't have changed, and we'd have both __14__ feeling better.
Since then, I've been doing some __15__. And I am going to __16__ myself from using the BUT word. I think I can __17__ it, and I am going to give it my best shot. If I __18__, I will try again, and again to __19__ that naughty little word from my vocabulary. I intend to __20__ it with the word AND. This is a decision I plan to keep!