chocolates. We compromised, and he ___3___ her a smaller but respectably-sized heart. On his small ___4___, ＄4.99 was a huge investment, and I was touched by his ___5___.

Sam has not always loved teachers. He doesn't yet admit that he ___6___ school, but he does like to hang out in his classroom after three o' clock, and he is ___7___ about some class projects.

Last year, Sam's most memorable achievement was having the longest "missing assignment" list in the ___8___ fifth grade. He ___9___ all year to keep his head above the academic sea. Many nights Sam sank into tears of ___10___ while working his way through another pile of homework.

I must admit I was ___11___ when I first met Mrs. Hogan. She was a ___12___ teacher. She seemed so young and sweet and inexperienced. How was this new teacher going to ___13___ a boy who had feared school?

As I observed this teacher's ___14___ with my son at the end of each day, I realized that Sam's inattentiveness and disorganization were not the ___15___ things that Mrs. Hogan noticed. She recognized Sam as a knowledgeable, capable student who loved to read. He managed to meet her ___16___.

Sam began to do his homework without numerous reminders ___17___ a major search through his crowded backpack. He brought home less and less class work. He ___18___ six A's on his second-quarter report card.

I ___19___ don't know how much of this miracle is due to the magic of Mrs. Hogan. I do know that my son loves his sixth grade teacher, and I think there is a ___20___ in relationships that can inspire children when nothing else can.

1. A. improve B. encourage

C. push D. drive

2. A. advised B. promised

C. allowed D. begged