It was the summer before my third grade. Our girls’ softball team was facing real pitcher(投球手) ______ the first time. Before that, we could just hit the ball on the tee(球座) .When the coach started pitching, hitting became ______ for me. I missed every single pitch. From the side, I heard my teammate Emily laughing at me. My face got hot and my throat felt like it had a softball stuck in. At that moment, I was starting to ______ playing softball.
The next afternoon, when Mum said it was time to play the game, I told her I was sick. She allowed me to lie down for a while. So I went to my room and ______ myself in bed. This was difficult for me because I was fine and just wanted not to play softball.
Soon Mum came in and said, “Time to go!” She didn’t even ask if I felt better. I imagined Emily laughing from the sideline, and ______ I really did feel sick to my stomach. I began crying loudly. Still, Mum pulled my team T-shirt over my head. She said, “You have to ______ for the rest of the season, and only after that we can talk about ______ you’ll continue next year.” She added that practice was what I needed, not ______. She promised to practice with me.
I got two hits that afternoon, and Emily didn’t make a sound. Every week after that, I practiced at home ______ I got to be one of the best hitters on the team.
That ______ taught me being afraid is part of life, and I can do whatever is expected of me if I keep working and practicing.
21. 22. A.noisy | B.natural | C.hard | D.possible |
23. A.remember | B.hate | C.enjoy | D.practice |
24. A.helped | B.dressed | C.threw | D.taught |
25. A.usually | B.probably | C.carefully | D.suddenly |
26. A.play | B.break | C.share | D.relax |
27. A.what | B.where | C.which | D.whether |
28. A.waking up | B.hurrying up | C.giving up | D.speaking up |
29. A.until | B.unless | C.after | D.though |
30. A.accident | B.business | C.relationship | D.experience |