1 . This was the big game. The boys were _________ and excited. It was a clear night, and my son, Andy’s baseball team, which had _________ all year, had shocked the better teams by making it to this championship game. The atmosphere was _________: the other team’s slugger (强击手), a big kid, was like a snake, dangerous and ready to _________.

Nervously, I looked out Andy’s way. I was _________ to see Andy looking straight up at the night sky! Obviously he wasn’t _________ on the game. I was horrified that he wouldn’t even know the ball was coming.

“Come on, Andy. _________ out there,” I said to myself.

Thank goodness, a big kid in the other team made a mistake. Andy and I had been _________ and our team still led by one run.

Andy ran up to me at the _________. I was about to ____________ him when he said loudly, “Did you see that shooting star?”

Andy’s eyes were glowing (发光) with ____________. I paused.

“Yes,” I said. “Well, one inning (局) to go. Hit a home run (全垒打)!”

“Okay!” said Andy, and he ran back to his ____________.

I suddenly realized it was nice that my son would take time out to ____________ the wonder and beauty in life. You might be surprised by the beauty you can find when you least ____________ it. Andy hit a triple (三垒打) in that last inning. But I still wish I had ____________ that shooting star, too.

2 . In late 2021, I began to have a little bit of a midlife crisis. When my father was 48 years old, he had a heart attack that nearly ended his life. As I _________ my mid-forties, I knew that I needed to make a change in my life. I wanted to do something _________ to prove to myself and everyone else around me that I wasn’t going to have the same fate.

As I was trying to determine what kind of _________ that I wanted to set, I found a _________ called The Rut. The Rut is a series of races that are _________ in Big Sky, Montana every September. There’s multiple distances, but the 28 Kilometer _________ is the most popular, as well as the most _________ of the entire series. This race is regularly listed in the top ten most difficult races in the world. It involves almost 8,000 feet of elevation (海拔)_________ . This was the type of race I was _________ .

I also did a detailed training __________ . Even if I was traveling for business, I would stick to it and never __________ a workout (训练). And then came race day.

That day, Big Sky Montana, was unseasonably __________ , almost 100 degrees Fahrenheit. The race is going almost entirely above tree line, which means that you just are __________ to the elements (恶劣天气) nearly the entire time. Many people __________ out of the race halfway. But I finished it. When I reached the finish line, I was greeted by my wife and children, also friends that had traveled with us to Big Sky that day. This was the biggest challenge I had made for myself, but I __________ it.

3 . Courtney Rich is a mother of two, whose journey through the Big Cottonwood Marathon was a familiar marathoner’s battle. Her _____ was tested with each pace towards the uphill finish. The 1.7-mile race was a hard dance of patience and will, a dance Courtney knew well. Her legs, heavy with effort, threatened to betray (背叛) her ______.

Then, from the sidelines ______ the 10-year-old “dynamo” (发电机), Avery. Her sudden appearance put a burst of energy and emotion into the scene. Full of determination, her thin figure ran ______ towards her mother, who was visibly ______ from the marathon. The crowd watched in awe as this young dynamo took charge.

As Avery ______ Courtney, their hands held tightly and the marathon’s final act was suddenly rewritten. Avery, a burst of energy personified, became her mother’s anchor (精神支柱), and her small act of support was ______ in its impact. With a determined look, Avery grasped her mother’s hand. She didn’t say a word, but her actions ______ a lot. They started running together towards the finish line, their hands firmly held together.

The onlookers ______ them, inspired by the ______ of love and support between mother and daughter. It was a heartwarming moment, making everyone ______ that sometimes, unexpected ______ from the ones we love can ______ the strength to overcome even the most discouraging challenges.

As they approached the finish line, the crowd’s applause grew louder, and Avery’s mother’s tiredness began to ______, replaced by a renewed sense of determination. Together, they crossed the finish line hand in hand, sharing a ______ moment that they would remember forever.

4 . In the world of badminton, Chen Yufei stands out as a legendary figure. Her journey to the top of the sport has been ___________ by resilience, strong determination, and a lasting passion for the game.

Yufei’s formative years were filled with ___________ practice sessions aimed at honing her skills and refining her techniques. As she matured, her ___________ became increasingly apparent. She began to ascend the ranks, squaring off against some of the finest players in her age bracket. However, her journey was not without its challenges. She ___________ numerous obstacles and injuries, but her resolve remained unshaken.

The defining moment in Chen’s illustrious career occurred at the Sudirman Cup, a highly esteemed badminton team ___________. Representing China, she took to the court burdened with immense expectations. ___________ the weight of this pressure, she excelled, exhibiting an extraordinary blend of strength and precision in her play.

Leading her team to triumph, Chen ___________ her status as a world-class player. Her outstanding performance at the Sudirman Cup was a clear reflection of her tireless ___________ and devotion, yet it merely marked the commencement of her illustrious career.

Since that fateful tournament, Chen has continued to ___________ in the world of badminton, winning many titles and championships. Her beautiful and skillful style on the court captures the attention of audiences as she easily combines powerful play with delicate touches, making it hard for her opponents to ___________. Off the court, she is well-known for her humility and good ___________, qualities that have made her popular with both fans and her ___________.

Today, Chen Yufei stands as a shining beacon of ___________ for budding athletes the world over. Her incredible journey serves ___________ a powerful reminder that success is not solely determined by natural talent but is ___________ through relentless hard work, perseverance, and an unwavering dedication to one’s chosen path. As she continues to scale new heights in the realm of badminton, there is no doubt that Chen Yufei’s legacy will inspire countless generations to come.

5 . I was first going into this final day, the Junior Sled Dog Championship. We’d trained two years and wanted to beat Blake. I knelt down to pat Kenai and my hands ______ from nerves and excitement. Kenai tipped up his face to lick my chin. “You are ______, aren’t you?”

Just before the count down started, Blake shot me a _____ grin, hands trembling too. Then I heard, “Go!”______ I could yell   “Hike!”, Kenai leaped forward. The rest of the dogs _____ after. We started last. We flew down the long hill. Then we ______ a corner. I leaned to keep the sled steady. Kenai saw Blake’s team before I did. His tail flew up, and he ______ . Seeing his tongue still flopping forward, I let him go all out. We closed the ______. A bridge later, we inched closer. On the next hill, Kenai drew even with Blake’s sled and then we passed it.

____ our sled hit a branch. The runners caught. I lost my ______ and fell off the sled. Witnessing the sled come to a stop, I struggled through the deep snow to Kenai. I ____. His shoulder was bleeding.

“Kenai! No!” My voice came out a howl. Kenai ______ to stand. He looked at me, his blue eyes______ to keep on. He would do it, too. For one frozen moment I saw myself on the winner’s stand with the trophy (奖杯). But no. I bent and gently ______ Kenai in a blanket.

The race vet examining Kenai, I watched Blake accept the trophy. Kenai squirming in my lap, I leaned over upon him. Just at that moment, I felt a warm tongue on my wet cheek. I smiled and realized that I had the ____ that really counted.

6 . China’s 17-year-old Liu Qingyi did so excellently that she won the champion in the Huangzhou 19^th Asian Games, 2023 and made it to the next summer Olympics. Now the young Liu Qingyi is one step closer to her ________ at Paris 2024 Summer Olympic Games as the street dancer won a ________ medal in the Breaking for Gold World Series in 2023, the first Olympic points event in break dancing (霹雳舞) this year.

Liu won the gold medal by ________ Japan’s home favorite and world champion Ami Yuasa in a tense final.

“During the past winter season, I have ________ some Chinese elements in my performance,” Liu told reporters after the win, noting she had spent nearly three months for the ________.

Speaking of her ________ of defeating the defending world champion, Liu ________ being proud. “It’s either win or lose when you enter a ________ . Nobody could win ________ ”, Liu said. “I am happy to win and I am also here to ________ and communicate.”

With break dancing becoming an ________ sport at the 2024 Paris Olympics, it is becoming more widely known and giving more dancers the chance to turn their hobby into a career.

It is through dancing that she overcame her ________ nature. “Before breaking, if I didn’t know someone, I couldn’t even talk to them.”

Now she believes that dancing will be her ________ career. “Dancing represents the ________ of art. I will never stop ________,” Liu said.

7 . A cheerleader amazed everyone at the Nebraska State High School Cheer & Dance Championship (锦标赛).

Just two weeks before the competition, something unexpected happened. Morrill High School cheer coach (教练) April Ott _________ the sad news to 17-year-old Katrina that she was the only one left on the cheer squad (拉拉队) after three girls _________ for personal reasons. The coach added the only choice for them was to watch other girls in action, but Katrina had other _________. She made up her mind to go at it _________.

And that was exactly _________ Katrina did. It was the first time that a cheerleader had competed on her own. Surprisingly, she had the _________ audience when she was _________. She was greeted by huge cheers. And despite not being able to be _________ the same as other competitors, her _________ ended up eighth out of the 12 squads.

“It was the last competition in my high school life. It was certainly out of my comfort zone,” said Katrina. “That was not something I would __________ do by any means, but I didn’t want to end my senior year on a(n) __________ note.”

Katrina’s story __________ her coach and many other people. “Katrina __________ herself,” Ott said, “I feel like this is a story for everyone. Never quit. Whatever the __________ are, just keep going.”

As for her advice to others, Katrina smiled, “Never back off. You’re __________ than you think you are.”

8 . Felicia Grimmenhag of Sweden doesn’t let anything get in her way — even a life-changing injury. After surviving a serious car accident, Felicia had to _________ getting around in a wheelchair. But it didn’t stop her from _________ her dream as a champion horseback rider and Paralympic (残奥会) hopeful.

Felicia was 17 when she was _________ by a car while riding her motorbike. Despite being legally dead for 15 minutes, she _________ pulled through. When she finally _________ three days later, she discovered her legs had disappeared. While this new reality would be a(n) _________ pill for anyone to take, Felicia focused all her energy on getting back on the horse! She’d _________ as a little girl and decided to try again. And shockingly, about 10 weeks after the _________, she was riding once again! “Horses have meant a lot to me, both _________ and also physically,” she told Great Big Story. “When I sit on a horse, I don’t feel like the __________ Felicia, but the horse-riding Felicia.”

Felicia has since taken part in competitions around the world, proving she doesn’t need __________ to win. In 2020, the 25-year-old won the silver at the Swedish Championships. Now she __________ to compete at the Paralympics! “What I have learned from all this is that you should dare to __________ yourself, and remember that it’s only you who sets your own __________,” she said.

It’s true that when you want something, all you need is the __________ and drive to achieve it.

9 . “I’m gonna play basketball, Daddy.” Lauren flew into my arms when I came in from work. “That’s ______ , honey.” I replied naturally. I thought she meant outside the house — on the driveway. Into the kitchen, my wife Helen’s silence indicated I had ______ something. After a while, she spoke slowly, “Lauren is joining the girls’ high-school basketball team.”

I ______ my girl’s sportsmanlike courage, but ______ was still in my stomach. Lauren was only just five feet one inch tall. ______ legs and a heavy body were surely a(n) ______ for her in playing basketball.

The game day arrived. Lauren and her teammates moved out. Their serious game-faces seemed ______ to win. At first, though not playing, Lauren followed the movement on the court and ______ every play. I could even _____ her shout “No way!” when a referee made an unfair call ______ a teammate. Sitting on the sidelines, Lauren still enjoyed the game very much.

Suddenly, the announcer’s voice boomed, “Number thirty-three, Lauren Wray, in.” My heart ______ wildly. What if she got injured or other girls on the team made fun of her? But what I saw was that Lauren made every effort to keep pace with the others. Just before the end of the game, they passed Lauren the ball. She caught it. She shot. ______ , she scored!

The audience began clapping and ______ . Lauren’s brown eyes shone as she wiped her sweaty forehead. Lauren’s uplifting spirits and impressive performance, wrapped with in a small ______ , struck everyone greatly. I felt enormously ______ to have Lauren as my daughter.

10 . I thought my life was over when I found I was in an airless hospital room and my spine (脊柱) was broken after a(n) ______.I couldn’t believe I wouldn’t become a famous ______ and took it out on those around me.

After four months, I learned how ______ it was to get around in a wheelchair but I was too ______ to ask for help. But I gradually realized it would keep me away from people and experiences I ______. So when my high school coach, Bob, asked me to coach the girls’ volleyball team, I ______. Also encouraged by him, I competed in wheelchair sports,______ nineteen international wheelchair marathons and ______ for Canada in the 1984 Olympics.

Shortly after the Olympics, I ______, dislocating my shoulders. That injury was a wake-up call, and I tried to ______ my life without being an athlete. I knew I wanted to travel and do something ______. So the Man in Motion Tour, aiming to raise awareness of the potential of people with ______ , was born. It was a big ______. We had hoped to raise $ l million. But the total was a(n)______$ 24 million, provided to spinal cord injury research and wheelchair sports programs. Looking back, I realize that accident began a journey to accomplishments beyond my dream. My life was ______ over...it had actually just begun.