Erica McElrath calls herself “ The Happy Lady”. And by now, you may have caught her singing and dancing with her mp3 player on any of several city street corners. “ I don’t want money,” said McElrah, 40, of St. Louis. “ I come out here to make people smile.”

McElrah lost her full-time job in January. Since then, she has spent her days doing what she loves-dancing in the street. Her message to people in hard times: do something that you enjoy, no matter what your circumstances. “ Life isn’t that bad,” she said. “ If you’re working 40 hours a week, you shouldn’t be complaining.”

McElrah graduated from parkway Central High School and has spent the past 21 years working as a nursing assistant, She began singing and dancing publicly on her days off a few years ago to help her through the pain of her second divorce.

Her favorite spot is the northwest corner of Chouteau Avenue and South Grand Boulevard near St. Louis University. McElrah’s mp3 player is loaded with hundreds of classic rock hits and 80’s pop songs, including those by Joe Cocker, Tina Turner, Neil Diamond and Toto. But her favorite artist, by far, is Stevie Nicks.

Videos of McElrah have appeared on YouTube, a video-sharing website on which users can upload, share, and view videos. “People think I’m crazy, but I don’t care,” She said. “ I can dance a little. I just go with the music.” Even a rude gesture from a passing motorist doesn’t bother her either. “ I just smile and wave,” she said.

McElrah’s show of bravery recently earned her a job opportunity with Liberty Tax Service, which temporarily offered her a job as a dancer Statute of Liberty to promote a new place near Grand Center starting in January.

“ Just be happy and do what you love,” she said. “The money will come.”

1.At first McElrah began singing and dancing in public in order to _____.

A. make a living

B. entertain the public

C. rise to fame

D. encourage herself

2.Erica McElrah’s actions are _______.

A. popular with others

B. stopped by her family

C. supported by passers-by

D. laughed at sometimes

3.Erica McElrah was offered a job because of _____.

A. her beautiful voice

B. her positive behavior

C. her lively dancing

D. her competitive spirit

4.Which of the following about Erica McElrah is TRUE？

A. She doesn’t care others’ comments on her.

B. Her favorite artist is Joe Cocker.

C. She once worked as a doctor.

D. She has been divorced once.

5.What would be the best title for the passage?

A. Ways To Be Happy

B. Learn To Do What You Love

C. Happy Lady’s Singing and Dancing Life

D. What Made The Happy Lady Famous?

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