I used to hate being called upon in class mainly because I didn’t like others to notice me. And if I was not told to have a seat by the teacher, I always _____ to sit at the back of the classroom.
All this changed after I joined a sports team. It began when a teacher suggested I join the basketball team. At first I thought it was a crazy idea because I didn’t have a good sense of balance, and I didn’t have the ______ to keep up with the others in the team and they would laugh at me. But because the teacher kept insisting on（堅(jiān)持） my “______ for it”, I decided to give a try.
Getting up the ______ to try was only the half of it! When I first started ______the practice courses, I didn’t even know the rules of the game. Sometimes I’d get confused (迷惑的) and take a shot at the wrong direction — which made me feel really silly. ______, I wasn’t the only one “new” at the game, so I decided to learn the game, do my best at each practice course, and not be too hard on myself for the things I didn’t know.
I practiced and practiced. Soon I knew the ______ and the “moves”. Being part of a team was not so difficult. Very soon the exciting part for me was WINNING ______ I didn’t have enough confidence. With time, I learned how to play and made friends. I never had so much fun!
With more self-confidence comes more praise from teachers and classmates. I have gone from “_______” in the back of the classroom and not wanting to call attention to myself, _______raising my hand — even when I sometimes wasn’t and not 100 percent sure I had the right answer. Now I have more self-confidence in myself.
1.A. hoped B. agreed C. chose D. meant
2.A. duty B. patience C. chance D. ability
3.A. asking B. looking C. cheering D. going
4.A. strength B. courage C. stress D. knowledge
5.A. enjoying B. preparing C. attending D. watching
6.A. Interestingly B. Hopefully C. Exactly D. Luckily
7.A. steps B. orders C. rules D. games
8.A. so B. because C. though D. when
9.A. hiding B. playing C. relaxing D. dreaming
10.A. by B. to C. with D. for
