Tina Makes the Team

Tina was a gymnast(体操运动员）and she could do the gymnastic moves very ________. The trouble was that she knew it. When she tried out for the gymnastics team, she put on a perfect performance. The other girls ________ her she was amazing. “See if you can do that!” Tina said. The coach said ________, and thought hard.

The next week, when the list of the team members was ________, Tina’s name wasn’t on it. She turned to the girls standing around her. “I’m better than all of you!” she shouted ________. “It’s unfair!”

She went to see the coach. He explained, “You’re ________, but your attitude(态度) is terrible.”

“What do you mean?” Tina asked. “I know I am the best, and I ________ it every time.”

“Making the gymnastics team isn’t just about gymnastics,” the coach said. “It’s also about being on a team. You can’t make the team if you don’t realize how much everyone has to contribute, and ________ each other to do it.”

Tina did not think about what the coach said. ________, she expected the team to lose that year, and it would be the coach’s fault, for not picking her.

But Tina still practiced at the gym every day, carefully staying out of the team’s way. At first she felt very happy to see the girls on the team struggling. But then it started to ________ her. One day, after watching Kim ________ the parallel bars (双杠) again and again, Tina came to her, and told her what she should do. Kim accepted Tina’s ________, and did much better. Tina felt very ________. She didn’t notice the coach looking on from across the room.

Over the next few weeks, Tina tried to help the other girls. The team ________ each time they competed, and they even won once!

The following year, Tina tried out for the gymnastics team a ________ time. This time, her name was on the list. She knew that it was her effort of becoming a better team player that was responsible for her success.