Paul and I were on our school basketball team, The Lions. We     1     (love) basketball and were both huge fans of the NBA. My favorite player was LeBron James. Paul’s favorite player was Tyrone Bogues, a guy     2     played for the Charlottee Hornets, although we     3     (actual) agree that they are both champions.

Bogues was only 1.6 metres tall, which made him the     4     (short) player ever in the NBA. Paul was only 1.6 metres tall, too! During all those hours of doing jump shots     5     his own, he used Bogues as his     6     (inspire). Paul once said. “If Bogues could make     7    , why not me?”

Our coach was not so sure. Paul had to try out many times just for     8     (make) the team. He was still usually on the bench,     9     was really tough on him. Everyone knew Paul had real skills, and was someone who worked really hard and had a strong desire to play for     10     team. However. Paul didn’t get a chance.

Lang Ping and Michael Jordan are athletes who are masters in their sports.

When the Chinese team was preparing for the 2015 World Cup, her determination     1     (test). The team that Lang Ping had built was falling     2    .Two players had to leave.     3     (lose) two important players was a big challenge, but Lang Ping did not lose heart. She knew that her young players could win    4     they worked together as a team. Two weeks later, they were world champions!

Michael Jordan    5     became known as “Air Jordan” changed basketball with his graceful moves and jumps. His skills were impressive, but the mental    6     (strong) that he showed made him unique. Jordan says that the secret to his success is    7     (learn) from his failures. Losing games taught him    8     (practise) harder and never give up. In life, Jordan has learnt to share his success with others. The Boys and Girls Club which he started in Chicago    9     (help) young people since 1996. They set good    10     (example) for us and we are proud of them.