1 . I was on the first lap of the dangerous course. I was going 25 mph, and it was the first time I had ________ to ski without the beginner’s protective suit.

On the “S” turn, a rock got stuck in my wheel and sent me flying. I slid for about 20 feet before coming to ________ in the bushes. I remember the ________ all too well — like a hard blow on the face. Blood was coming out of the wounds. I cried ________ , but it didn’t help.

Knowing I had no other ________ , I got up and started skiing again. Every time, I planted my pole and extended my legs, I could feel the unbearable pain. Nevertheless, I finished the race with ________ and torn clothes.

When my mother cleaned the wounds, I experienced pain which is ________ to describe. It was like an acupuncturist (针灸师) went wild, ________ my body. She poured something cold on my hot, bloody ________. I cried like a crazy man, which ________ our neighbor to come over. Those were the ________ hours of my life.

To this day, over two months later, I still haven’t fully ________. Whenever I look at my wrapped knees, I am ________ of what happened that day. It was my first skiing crash, but instead of ________, I was inspired to keep going. I now know what true ________ feels like, and I’m not afraid of it anymore.