“I don’t want to go, Miss White. I’m frightened, very frightened,” Monica told her teacher.

Monica was a very _________ girl. She always sat at the back of the classroom, reading or taking notes. Every Monday morning, there would be a special show in her class and one student would be _________ to make a speech about his or her dream. Miss White hoped that Monica could have a try the next week. But she refused.

“I know that it seems difficult for you, but it will help you _________ your confidence,” said Miss White. Monica was lost in thought.

The next day, Monica came to Miss White’s officc. Miss White was _________ that she would take the chance. Miss White red-penciled her manuscript（手稿）of speech, corrected her _________ and even helped with her body language. She advised Monica to practice, to _________ that she was speaking confidently in front of her class. _________ a whole week, Monica practiced speaking in front of her imaginary friends and teacher. Behind the locked door of her bedroom, she told them about her dream.

Monday _________ at last. _________ Monica was called upon to give her speech, she stood up and walked to the front of the class without any notes, in a __________ of confidence. Monica’s successful performance brought everyone a great surprise. The whole class clapped（鼓掌）for a full minute when she completed her speech. Miss White smiled. She had known that Monica would __________ it when she __________ took her first step to overcome（克服）her fear of speaking in public. From that day, Monica’s life changed for the better. Later she became a news reader. People who see her on television now will find it hard to believe that she was once a shy girl who refused to speak up in class.