Most people like to talk, but few like to listen; thus listening well is a rare talent that everyone should treasure. Because they hear more, good listeners tend to know more and to be more sensitive to what is going on around them than most people. Moreover, good listeners ＿＿（16）＿＿ tolerate rather than to criticize. ＿＿（17）＿＿ , they have fewer enemies than most people. Actually, they are probably the most loved of people. However, there are exceptions to that ＿＿（18）＿＿ . For example, John Steinbeck is said to have been an excellent listener, ＿＿（19）＿＿ he was hated by some of the people he wrote about. ＿＿（20）＿＿ his ability to listen contributed to his capacity to write. Nevertheless, the consequences of his listening did not make him popular. Thus, depending on what a good listener does with what he hears, he may pay a price for his talent or go unappreciated in his lifetime.