1 . In 2016, 60-year-old Marshall Reeves got onto his bike in California. He________the Race Across America, a 3000-mile_________that runs from coast to coast.

The________was to cross the finish line in Maryland in two weeks. It had________him twice. But he didn’t give up. For his third________, Reeves had a new source of_________: He was racing with 3000 Miles to a Cure, which raises money for brain cancer research.

The race is one of the most ________in the world. Only about half the competitors are able to finish it.________other long-distance bike races, it is continuous—once the clock starts in California, it doesn’t stop until Maryland. Therefore, racers have to meet the________time cutoffs (截止点), otherwise it is impossible for them to________it.

Racers are typically________by a small crew in cars, whose job is to keep the racers not only physically fit, but also mentally ________.In the early days of the race, when Reeves had time to stop at a hotel, he would be_________to a full-body massage(按摩) and a good night’s sleep. But after three days, rest was a luxury(奢侈品) as he needed to_______for over 20 hours a day to achieve his goal.

After crossing the two points where his previous attempts had________, Reeves entered an unknown area. With just 25 miles left, Reeves_________to stay awake, just catching quick naps. _________, he successfully crossed the finish line in 12 days, 13 hours and 52 minutes.

This year, Reeves will________across America again. But this time it’s a little_________—as a road director, he returned the________for his crew’s hard work.

2 . His palms were sweating. He needed a towel to dry his palms. The sun was as hot as the _______ he faced today at the National Junior Olympics. The bar (横竿) was set at 17 feet. That was three inches higher than his personal best. Michael Stone faced the most _______ day of his pole-vaulting (撑竿跳高) career.

You couldn’t tell whether Michael Stone was surprised, excited or vain about clearing the bar at 17 feet. As soon as he _______ on the inflated (充了气的) landing mat, Michael immediately began _______ for his next attempt at flight. He seemed _______ the fact that he had just beaten his personal best _______ three inches and that he was one of the first two competitors in the pole-vaulting _______ at the National Junior Olympics.

When Michael _______ the bar at 17 feet 2 inches and 17 feet 4 inches, again he showed no _______. At the same time, he ________ the people sigh (叹气), he knew the other vaulter had missed his final jump. He knew it was time for his ________ jump. Since the other vaulter had fewer misses, Michael needed to clear this vault to win. A ________ would get him second place. It was nothing to be ashamed of, ________ Michael would not ________ himself to have the thought of not winning first place.

He rolled over and found his pole, stood and stepped on the runway that ________ the most challenging event of his 17-year-old life.

As he sprinted (冲刺) down the runway, something felt wonderfully different, yet familiar. When he took a deep breath, it happened. He began to ________ like an eagle.

He later went on that day to clear 17 feet 6 inches: a new National and International Junior Olympics record.

With all the media attention and sponsorship possibilities, Michael’s life would never be ________ again. It wasn’t just because he won the National Junior Olympics and ________ a new world record. And it wasn’t because he had just increased his personal best by 9 inches. It was simply because Michael Stone is blind.

A challenge can sometimes make a ________ to the life, and bring ________ the best in us.