I had been playing hockey（冰球）for about 10 years. I was always the one sitting at the end of the bench, and 26 got into a game. I went to all the 27 and showed up even when it was so 28 that your ‘breath froze’ and when the other players had decided to stay home. I felt I had 29 enough and thought of quitting.
I finally decided to 30 the news to my mom that I was leaving the team. My mom may have looked like a tiny and quiet lady but on 31 my words, she said, “Remember
, ‘A quitter never wins and a winner never quits.’ Your mother didn’t raise 32 , so think about yourself in a 33 way and s
ee yourself as a winner!” So I worked harder than ever at getting in better shape, 34 my shot accuracy and changing my 35 .
Once in a match, we 36 our first game badly. What’s worse, one of our best players got hurt. I was sitting at my 37 place, at the end of the bench, when the coach came over and told me I was going 38 . I was nervous, excited and terrified all at the same time.
The opposing team was fast and I had to admit I was a little 39 . But my mom’s words 40 out in my head like a church bell. Instead of being afraid, I was “pumped” and I very quickly found that all my 41 work was paying off. I was as fast a skater as anyone else on the ice, and I seemed to get the 42 to score. The crowd went quiet. All the time I spent on the ice when everyone had gone home had 43 me for this moment.
Won! I won!
The lesson I learned from my mom’s 44 has stayed with me over the years. I hear them whenever I am faced with a challenge, or whenever I 45 myself.
26. A. once B. seldom C. usually D. even
27. A. meetings B. shows C. matches D. practices
28. A. cloudy B. wet C. cold D. windy
29. A. suffered B. explained C. planned D. escaped
30. A. write B. break C. read D. report
31. A. noticing B. gathering C. hearing D. analyzing
32. A. talkers B. dreamers C. attackers D. losers
33. A. positive B. familiar C. brief D. convenient
34. A. testing B. improving C. questioning D. affecting
35. A. aim B. taste C. habit D. attitude
36. A. lost B. controlled C. practiced D. continued
37. A. usual B. safe C. secret D. private
38. A. off B. in C. by D. up
39. A. annoyed B. awkward C. scared D. bitter
40. A. ran B. gave C. stood D. rang
41. A. delicate B. extra C. creative D. casual
42. A. chance B. message C. order D. note
43. A. spared B. requested C. prepared D. sent
44. A. actions B. reasons C. words D. promises
45. A. judge B. express C. comfort D. doubt