I used to hate being called upon in class mainly because I didn’t like attention drawn to myself. And 51 otherwise assigned（指定）a seat by the teacher, I always 52 to sit at the back of the classroom.
All this 53 after I joined a sports team. It began when a teacher suggested I try out for the basketball team. At first I thought it was a crazy 54 because I didn’t have a good sense of balance, nor did I have the 55 to keep pace with the others on the team and they would tease me. But for the teacher who kept insisting on my “ 56 for it”, I wouldn’t have decided to give a try.
Getting up the courage to go to the tryouts was only the 57 of it! When I first
started 58 the practice sessions, I didn’t even know the rules of the game, much 59 what I was doing. Sometimes I’d get 60 and take a shot at the wrong direction—which made me feel really stupid. 61 , I wasn’t the only one “new” at the game, so I decided to 62 on learning the game, do my best at each practice session, and not be too hard on myself for the things I
didn’t 63 “just yet”.
I practiced and practiced. Soon I knew the 64 and the “moves”. Being part of a team was fun and motivating. Very soon the competitive 65 in me was winning over my lack of confidence. With time, I learned how to play and made friends in the 66 — friends who respected my efforts to work hard and be a team player. I never had so much fun!
With my 67 self-confidence comes more praise from teachers and classmates. I have gone from 68 in the back of the classroom and not wanting to call attention to myself, 69 raising my hand— even when I sometimes wasn’t and not 100 percent 70 I had the right answer. Now I have more self-confidence in myself.
1. A. as B. until C. though D. unless
2. A. hoped B. chose C. meant D. agreed
3. A. changed B. continued C. settled D. started
4. A. plan B. idea C. belief D. saying
5. A. right B. ability C. chance D. patience
6. A. cheering B. looking C. going D. applying
7. A. point B. rest C. half D. basis
8. A. enjoying B. preparing C. watching D. attending
9. A. worse B. later C. less D. further
10. A. confused B. motivated C. embarrassed D. committed
11. A. Fortunately B. Interestingly C. Obviously D. hopefully
12. A. try B. act C. rely D. focus
13. A. want B. know C. support D. do
14. A. steps B. rules C. orders D. games
15. A. roles B. mind C. part D. value
16. A. situation B. operation C. movement D. process
17. A. improved B. expressed C. preserved D. recognized
18. A. dreaming B. hiding C. relaxing D. playing
19. A. by B. for C. to D. with
20. A. lucky B. happy C. satisfied D. sure
---- Frank, I’ve learned your plan. Could I make some suggestions?
---- _______.
A. Just say. B. Go right ahead C. With pleasure D. Take it easy
Standing among the students ________ together with their English teacher.
A. is the headmaster B. are the headmaster C. the headmaster is D. the headmaster are
Shanghai has _______ the pace of becoming a world-class tourist destination. For example, Shanghai Disneyland, Disney’s first theme park on Chinese mainland, is under construction.
A. accelerated B. accused C. accumulated D. assessed
It is said that ________ to classic music may be helpful in improving teenagers’ taste.
A. exposed B. exposing C. being exposed D. having exposed
It was so noisy outside that I couldn’t _______ to read.
A. get down B. put down C. settle down D. tear down
