loadingwho kept insisting on my “ __6__ for it”， I wouldn't have decided to give a try.
Getting up the courage to go to the tryouts was only the __7__ of it! When I first started __8__ the practice sessions, I didn't even know the rules of the game, much __9__ what I was doing. Sometimes I'd get __10__ and take a shot at the wrong direction—which made me feel really stupid. __11__， I wasn't the only one “new” at the game, so I decided to __12__ on learning the game, do my best at each practice session, and not be too hard on myself for the things I didn't __13__ “just yet”．
I practiced and practiced. Soon I knew the __14__ and the “moves”. Being part of a team was fun and motivating. Very soon the competitive __15__ in me was winning over my lack of confidence. With time, I learned how to play and made friends in the __16__—friends who respected my efforts to work hard and be a team player. I never had so much fun!
With my __17__ self-confidence comes more praise from teachers and classmates. I have gone from “__18__” in the back of the classroom and not wanting to call attention to myself, __19__ raising my hand—even when I sometimes wasn't 100 percent __20__ I had the right answer. Now I have more self-confidence in myself.
本文讲述了“我”由不自信到自信的转变。我原先是一个很不自信的学生，不愿意受到别人的关注，经常选择坐在教室的后面。但是，在老师的鼓励下，我参加了篮球队。在学习打篮球的过程中，我学会了与别人合作，交到了朋友，提高了自信。
1. A. as C. unless
B. until D. though
答案：C as“当……的时候”；until“直到”；unless“除非”；though“尽管”。此处表示“除非老师另行指定座位”，unless otherwise“除非另……”。
2. A. hoped C. meant
B. agreed D. chose
答案：D 否则我总是选择坐在教室的后面。hope to do“希望做某事”；agree to do“同意做某事”；mean to do“意欲做某事”；choose to do “选择做某事”。
3. A. continued C. settled
B. changed D. started
答案：B 由后文可知，这一切在我加入运动队之后都改变了。 4. A. idea
B. plan
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