4 . A young Los Angeles actor in need of a second job to pay his bills has come up with a brilliant way to add his income — people walking.
Chuck McCarthy originally considered becoming a dog walker to earn some extra cash, but soon realized that the job required more than walking dogs on a leash (皮带). “I didn’t want to pick up dog poop (粪便), and that’s kind of what you are really being paid for, for dog walking,” he said. But people don’t usually poop when they take a walk, so Chuck realized there was money to be made walking people around Los Angeles instead.
It might sound like a joke, but the People Walker, as he calls himself, is very serious about his new job. For $7 per mile, he offers to walk with customers around L.A., listening to their problems or simply making conversation and offering them a sense of safety.
His services are aimed at people who need motivational help to go walking, those who don’t feel safe walking alone in some areas, and those who are afraid that people might see them walking by themselves and think that they have no friends.
“I wear my The People Walker shirt upon request and on the first walk with a new customer, so they can be 100% sure it’s me,” McCarthy says. However, he admits that some people don’t agree to this policy, as they don’t necessarily want everyone to know that they are being walked.
Believe it or not, McCarthy’s business has been very successful. He already has another five people walkers employed, covering various areas, like downtown L.A., Hollywood, Eagle Rock, Las Feliz or Fairefax. Once he posted signs around the city, his phone started ringing and customers began rolling in. And with all the free publicity he has been getting in the press lately, he has been overwhelmed (不堪重负的) with requests.
1. Why does Chuck McCarthy need a second job?
A.To kill his spare time. | B.To become more active. |
C.To get rid of his loneliness. | D.To increase his income. |
2. Chuck McCarthy gave up his original idea because ______.
A.he didn’t want to pick up dog poop |
B.he didn’t earn any extra cash |
C.people in L.A. didn’t believe in him |
D.there were few dogs in L.A. |
3. The fourth paragraph mainly talks about Chuck McCarthy’s ______.
A.lifestyle | B.hobbies | C.service targets | D.service areas |
4. It can be known from that passage that ______.
A.most people in Los Angeles live a lonely life |
B.the People Walker is quite popular with some people |
C.people living in Los Angeles lack a sense of security |
D.McCarthy’s business has almost spread to the whole country |