1 . I glanced to my left and right as I got ready at the starting line. The sight of other competitors who had confident and fierce-looking faces got me goose bumps and I was even more _______ than before.

“On your mark, get set... Go!” shouted the race official. I pushed myself forward with all my _______ and started running as though a pride of man-eating lions were coming after me. As I ran, I could see the other competitors catching up with me. All of a sudden, I fell down on my knees. A hundred pairs of eyes bored into me, watching me _______ to get up. But no matter how hard I tried, I just could not do it.

“No, it cannot end like this. I have to _______ this race.” I thought to myself. However, the pain from my injury was so unbearable that I felt totally _______. I really wanted to give up.

Out of despair, I gazed up at the finishing line. Just then, a kind competitor _______ her hand to me.

“Thank you...” I whispered _______ as I grabbed her hand and she pulled me up.

She lent me her shoulder for support, and I _______ forward. The crowd cheered at this brilliant display of _______. Together, both of us crossed the finishing line.

Even though I never got the chance to learn her name, I will always remember her as the one who stepped forward to help me when I was in __________.

2 . The Underdog

Paul was my friend. We both loved basketball and were ______ our school basketball team. He was only 1.6 meters tall and he used Bogues, who was ever the shortest player in the NBA, as his inspiration. Our coach was not so sure about his performance in the game. He had to try out many times for ______ the team. ______ Paul worked really hard, practised more and had a strong desire to play for the team, he was still usually on the bench, being just a replacement.

During this week’s basketball match against the Bears, I got hurt and couldn’t play any more, so Paul got the chance to play on the ______. He made shot after shot, and the Bears couldn’t keep up with his energy and speed. In the end, our team won by two point. From Paul all of us knew that every effort in doing anything would ______ one day.

3 . In a race, athletes compete not only with one another but against themselves. For Frank Schutt, his personal best turned out not to be about marking the fastest _____ but displaying the biggest heart.

At the beginning of an urban running race, Frank was confident that he would probably have the _____ to qualify for the upcoming state final race. Meanwhile, another runner, Jeffery White, aiming to beat his personal record, continued to _____ himself hard after a fast start.

Unexpectedly, with less than 200 meters to go. Jeffery's legs cramped up (抽筋) and failed him. But his will did not. _____ to finish, Jeffery rose from the ground and continued on. But he'd made it only 25 meters more before going down.

Jeffery didn't want to give up. With his effort, the young runner pulled himself up and with a(n) _____ gait (步法), moved forward for one final push. _____ , before reaching the finish line, he lay on the ground again. His legs had given out.

At that moment, Frank ran to him and offered a helping hand. Frank's first attempt to get Jeffery up failed, but he too refused to _____ . With a second pull, Jeffery was on his feet. Then with Jeffery holding Frank for _____ , the two completed the final 175 meters. Frank even _____ the injured runner crossing the finish line first.

Today, the emphasis in athletics is often put on breaking records, so it was inspiring to see for an athlete like Frank, the value of true ______ was still there.

4 . A Football Match

My father is a great football fan. In his young days he was the captain of his college Football Eleven. Now he often goes to see a football match. Sometimes he _______ a football match on TV. He never loses a _______ to see a good football match as far as possible.

Last Sunday my father _______ me to see a football match. It was played at King's Stadium at Lords Avenue. We _______ the Stadium on our bike. We parked the scooter and _______ two tickets and then entered the Stadium.

The match was between a Local team and a visiting Russian team. The Stadium was full to capacity. It was a cool and bright afternoon of October. The tall and strong players looked very smart in their team uniforms. The match soon _______ It proved to be an exciting match.

The Russians played fast and scored the first goal in the 15th minute. The Local team kicked hard. Before interval (中场休息) they scored an equalizer(扳平比分). The match continued after the interval. In the fifth _______ the Russians scored another goal. Their shooting and team-work were _______

In the second half the Russians showed their best. The Local team tried hard but could not match the _______ . It became a one-sided game. They proved far superior. The Russians __________ the match by 4 goals to 1.

It was an enjoyable experience. I shall never forget this experience.