Some people prefer to make friends with people who are very much like them while others prefer friends who are very different. There are advantages of both types of {#blank#}1{#/blank#} (friend). If a man {#blank#}2{#/blank#} (choose) a friend similar to himself, there is no problem that they will share many common interests. They may have similar goals in life. This means that they will be able {#blank#}3{#/blank#} (help) each other in achieving their goals. Two people who are very similar will feel {#blank#}4{#/blank#} (comfort) with each other and may understand each other's feelings better. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} (they) friendship may be deeper and last longer.

    There are also many advantages of {#blank#}6{#/blank#} (make) friends with someone of opposite interests and even character. In this type of friendship, the two people complement(补充) each other. If one is weak in some ways, {#blank#}7{#/blank#} other is strong. Two people {#blank#}8{#/blank#} similar goals may find themselves in competition, {#blank#}9{#/blank#} those who want different things can always support each other. Those who have different interests can {#blank#}10{#/blank#} (introduction) each other to new experience and so enrich(丰富) their knowledge.

    A friend who is unlike me may be challenging, but a similar friend is familiar and safe.

    I was feeling a little sad because my mother had lost her job, One day, while I {#blank#}1{#/blank#} (walk) on the street, I heard that a beautiful piece of piano music {#blank#}2{#/blank#} (play) above the noise of the people. I walked more slowly {#blank#}3{#/blank#} (find) out where it was coming from. Then I saw a young lady sitting at a piano.

    She was singing songs about love, believing in yourself and keeping on {#blank#}4{#/blank#} (try). The way she was singing made me {#blank#}5{#/blank#} (relax). I stood there quietly, watching her playing in such a crowded square in New York. I thought that she must be brave enough to perform in front of so many people?

    She noticed me. I walked over and {#blank#}6{#/blank#} (tell) her how good her music sounded. "Thank you," she said. "I have been going through a hard time recently, but you've made me hopeful again," I said to her.

    "I'm glad that I could help," she replied. "Why are you so sad?"

    "Well, my mom {#blank#}7{#/blank#} (lose) her job, and I'm not so sure what to do..."

    "Did you notice the way you were walking? Your head was down," she said."{#blank#}8{#/blank#} (not be) upset, because opportunity comes in different ways and if your head is down, you might not see it. You should {#blank#}9{#/blank#} (smile) more and lift your head up."

    I looked at her, amazed at how she was encouraging me." Why are you {#blank#}10{#/blank#} (play) the piano here now?" I asked her with a smile.

    She explained that she saw a lot of unhappy people in the world and that she tried to cheer them up by playing music.

    I smiled a little wider, realizing that no difficulties could stop me from going on.