Making personal connections lets you understand the piece your reading in a more personal and close way, meaning you understand it at a higher thinking level. Making personal connections allows you to feel the way that the character feels, meaning you can answer any questions about said protagonist more easily.
The focus change is in the point of view; first, she thought that she did her first sale and was ready to do it, as nobody opened, she thought there was nobody at home. Then, she changed her point of view because she thought to return and that she wasn't a good salesperson, however, she knocked on the door again with a smile on her face.
The answer would be werethe highlight for me at the zoo