A

I was a birthday-party clown. I struggled a lot with my identity because, though I viewed myself as a filmmaker, everyone in my life viewed me as this ridiculous day job. Being a clown is itself an identity masking job. You wear makeup to cover your features.

One night, I was asked to be Batman, but at the time I had a giant mustache. However, I hadn’t wanted to alter my physical appearance for that job, because that would have been me subconsciously admitting I was more of a clown than an artist. So, I opted not to shave.

The next day, sure enough, once I got close, the entire party broke out in laughter. I were so embarrassed that I wanted to run back to my Batmobile. But then the laughter changed into cheering and applause. That’s a strange. But then his dad took me over to this huge birthday cake with a Batman which has a mustache. That’s why everyone was laughing so hard when I first arrived, because when they initially brought the cake out, all the kids scoffed and said, “Batman doesn’t have a mustache.” And instead of just admitting that the cake was messed up, the parents tried to save face and said, “No, Batman always has a mustache. He just shaves it for his movies.” Naturally, the children were doubtful. Until, my mustache became the detail that confirmed what the parents had said and convinced the kids that I was actually Batman.

That year, I struggled a lot with my identity. But that day, at least, there was no doubt in my mind what I was due to this amazing coincidence. I may not have been the hero that they ordered or even the hero they expected. But that day, I was the hero that they needed.

21. What had led to the author struggling with his identity?

A. Working as a birthday-party clown passively

B. Being looked down upon by others unpleasantly

C. Not being regarded as a successful filmmaker

D. Being demanded to wear makeup intentionally

22. Why was the author unwilling to change his physical appearance for that job?

A. He didn’t want to shave his giant mustache.

B. He didn’t want to be treated as a clown.

C. He didn’t want to admit he looked ugly.

D. He didn’t want to work for that job.

23. What does the underlined words “scoffed” mean?

A. said in a low voice                                   B. said in a loud voice 

C. said in an ironic tone                                D. said in a firm tone