Peter (stop) when he felt somebody’s hand in his pocket. 18. we overslept and when at last we arrived at the station, our train (leave) already. 19. she (read) a book for 3 hours yesterday. 20. he (not come) to us yesterday, but we hope he will come today. 21. i (wait) at the theatre for an hour before ann finally showed up.

1. Have you got _ milk? - Any.
Explanation: In this sentence, "any" is used because the speaker is asking if there is any milk available. It is used when the speaker is not sure if there is milk or not.

2. It’s boring. Let’s put _ music on. - Some.
Explanation: In this sentence, "some" is used because the speaker wants to put some music on. It is used when the speaker wants a certain amount or quantity of something.

3. I added _ new magazines. Do you want to take _? - Some, any.
Explanation: In the first blank, "some" is used because it implies that the speaker added a certain amount or quantity of new magazines. In the second blank, "any" is used because it is an open question if the person wants to take any of the new magazines.

4. Do you have _ free rooms on the weekend? - Any.
Explanation: In this sentence, "any" is used because the speaker is asking if there are any free rooms available. It is used when the speaker is not sure if there are rooms or not.

5. _ steps were taken to prevent this disaster. I know there are _ people to blame. - Some, some.
Explanation: In the first blank, "some" is used because it implies that a certain number of steps were taken to prevent the disaster. In the second blank, "some" is used because it implies that there are a certain number of people to blame.

6. They could find _ confirmation that he was guilty of the crime. - No.
Explanation: In this sentence, "no" is used because it implies that they were unable to find any confirmation that he was guilty of the crime.

7. How stupid it was! _ sane person was able to do it. - No.
Explanation: In this sentence, "no" is used because it implies that no sane person was able to do it.

8. _ cars could find a place to park. Have you seen _ free spots? - No, any.
Explanation: In the first blank, "no" is used because it implies that no cars were able to find a place to park. In the second blank, "any" is used because it is an open question if the person has seen any free spots.

9. Jenny, _ of your friends has come. Do you need _ help to prepare? - None, any.
Explanation: In the first blank, "none" is used because it implies that none of the friends have come. In the second blank, "any" is used because it is an open question if Jenny needs any help to prepare.

10. _ thoughts what we should do about this situation? - Any.
Explanation: In this sentence, "any" is used because the person is asking if anyone has any thoughts or ideas about what to do in the situation. It is used when the person is open to any suggestions. The second blank can be left empty as it indicates silence or a lack of response.

1) Richards took little trouble to do his job properly because his ambition was to please others and make a good impression, rather than actually focusing on improving his knowledge and skills. He was more concerned with being liked and seen as useful by influential people, such as Mr. Prosset. This can be seen from his statement, "I like to please... If a man like Prosset wants to know something, who am I to hold out on him?" Richards valued the perception of being competent and knowledgeable, even if it meant bluffing or providing inaccurate information. Personally, I do not approve of his behavior. While it is important to build professional relationships and make a good impression, it should not come at the expense of competence and honesty. It is crucial to prioritize the quality of one's work and strive for continuous improvement.

2) In my opinion, it is more important to have good knowledge in the field you work in. Having a strong foundation of knowledge and skills allows individuals to perform their tasks effectively and make informed decisions. While the ability to be adaptable and handle unexpected situations is valuable, it is ultimately dependent on having a solid understanding of the subject matter. Without sufficient knowledge, one may not be equipped to handle various situations competently. Therefore, I believe that obtaining a good knowledge base should be a priority, as it forms the basis for being able to handle different situations effectively.

3) It would be incorrect to say that Richards was a good "phsycologist", as the correct spelling should be "psychologist". However, in the context of the text, Richards displayed a certain level of psychological understanding in his actions. He knew how to manipulate perceptions and make a positive impression on influential individuals like Mr. Prosset. By confidently providing information and showing interest in Mr. Prosset's inquiries, Richards was able to create a favorable image of himself. This psychological understanding helped him in gaining recognition and advancing in his career. However, it is important to note that his actions were more related to manipulation and portraying a false image rather than genuine psychological expertise.

4) In the competition for the top job, Richards had more advantages over his friend. Richards was able to create a positive impression on Mr. Prosset and showed initiative and interest in his work. On the other hand, his friend was described as someone who took no interest in his work, couldn't answer simple questions, and was not motivated to improve. While hard work and knowledge are important factors in achieving success, Richards' ability to manipulate perceptions and make a good impression gave him an edge in this specific scenario. However, it is not always true that hard work plus knowledge always leads to success. Other factors such as opportunities, luck, and personal connections also play a significant role in career advancement.

5)
a) Richards can be described as a short, sharp-faced, and likable individual. He is ambitious and focuses on creating a positive image of himself, even if it means bluffing or providing inaccurate information. He values being liked and making a good impression on influential people.
b) The other young man is not described in detail in the text. However, it is mentioned that he took no interest in his work, couldn't answer simple questions, and seemed unambitious in his career.
c) Mr. Prosset is one of the directors of the United Sugar Company. He asks questions and expects knowledgeable responses. He is portrayed as someone who appreciates Richards' ability to provide answers and is impressed by his confidence.

6) The author's sympathies are with Richards. This can be seen from the positive characterization of Richards and his eventual promotion to a vice-president and director position. The author portrays Richards' ability to manipulate perceptions as a means of career advancement and success. Additionally, the author highlights Richards' initiative and interest in his work, unlike his friend who is portrayed negatively. The author seems to value the qualities displayed by Richards, such as making a good impression and being adaptable to situations, even if it involves bluffing or providing inaccurate information.