We live in a fast-paced and anxiety-filled world that oftentimes seems to shift beneath our feet. Thus we are sometimes affected by fears or anxiety impacting our life. For as long as I could remember I had struggled with anxiety. After I left university, I made friends with a Moroccan woman at work. One day she invited me to 21 her and her family back home. I wanted to, but I would have to travel there 22 and I knew we would be in a very rural area. How would I cope with my 23 ?
Then one day it 24 to me that I had a life to live. I could choose to let anxiety 25 me or I could go to Morocco and 26 something different. I was 23 years old and had never been out of the UK alone. The journey to Morocco 27 something inside me. I managed to cope with my anxiety. The sense of 28 was overwhelming and still to this day when I get afraid of going somewhere alone, I remember how 29 it felt when I arrived in Morocco.
Upon arrival I was so 30 for the generous welcome I received. My friend’s family had arranged a welcome party. The people were so loving toward me. As a moment of 31 felt in a faraway village, this reminded me that I was “good enough”, which helped to 32 my anxiety.
Waking up the next day, in the morning light, I saw the area where we were. I was 33 by how rural it was – and the realization that these people had very few 34 .
In the days afterwards, I traveled around Morocco. We went to Marrakesh and 35 the Atlas mountains. We had the most amazing food – lots of fresh fruits and vegetables.
At the end of my 36 something inside me had changed. I realized I had not felt anxious for nearly two weeks.
Experiencing a different culture far away from home helped me to realize what is important in life, what really 37 , and with that my anxiety 38 . When I returned home I was much more active in 39 my anxiety. Working with people, helping them 40 their anxiety, is how I can share the love I found in Morocco.
21. A. send B. consult C. call D. visit
22. A. alone B. soon C. free D. safe
23. A. work B. curiosity C. homesickness D. worries
24. A. appeared B. hit C. struck D. occurred
25. A. impress B. control C. reach D. persuade
26. A. enjoy B. experience C. take D. experiment
27. A. changed B. moved C. supported D. impressed
28. A. achievement B. fear C. disappointment D. embarrassment
29. A. good B. ashamed C. afraid D. proud
30. A. sorry B. confused C. confident D. thankful
31. A. doubt B. luck C. love D. surprise
32. A. improve B. hold C. protect D. reduce
33. A. inspired B. moved C. pleased D. shocked
34. A. lands B. difficulties C. resources D. friends
35. A. discovered B. explored C. examined D. recognized
36. A. opportunity B. rush C. stay D. life
37. A. rules B. exists C. matters D. hurts
38. A. disappeared B. expanded C. remained D. removed
39. A. expressing B. challenging C. forgetting D. remembering
40. A. drop B. notice C. pass D. overcome