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 . 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.