a welfare kid. I began to work at 8. But I didn't 37 . I felt safer working than being at home.

　　At 12, I came across Macy of Charm School. She said, "My, you are 38 for your age. Come to my school and I will train you." 39 Mama didn't approve. When Miss Macy told her I could come to her school 40 , Mama let me go. Miss Macy would teach me how to 41 like a lady. She encouraged me to enter every beauty competition that came to Alabama.

　　One day, I got an opportunity to go to a modeling 42 in New York City! The trip was 43 , but I had a year, so I started working three jobs. With the help of the town - money, a miniskirt, boots, a new 44 - we got to New York.

　　But when the competition started, I thought I didn't 45 there, with my strange hair and boots. And I didn't see one girl walk the way Miss Macy had taught me. I pretended to be 46 , but I was really scared. Finally I didn't 47 anything.

　　To my surprise, the next day Miss Macy told the governor of Alabama on the phone I had been signed with the world's most famous model agency and that we were putting Alabama on the 48 .

　　"Miss Macy, that isn't 49 ." I said. But Miss Macy just 50 my disagreement, because she had a better 51 of how poor my life was in Alabama.

　　Afterwards we found Wilhelmina, the top model agent, in her office. Miss Macy just told her I was becoming a model with her agency. I didn't know whether Wilhelmina would burst out laughing or, 52 Miss Macy. Unexpectedly, Wilhelmina simply asked, "So tell me, what's so 53 about you?"

　　I didn't know the right thing to say, but one word popped into my head. " 54 , madam." "Well, I'd like to see what you can do with that determination," she said and handed me a 55 , "But first, we have to do something about your hair."

36. A. though B. unless C. because D. once

37. A. compromise B. mind C. struggle D. adapt

38. A. tall B. mature C. smart D. thin

39. A. Therefore B. Unfortunately C. Instead D. Thankfully