The annual marathon in my town usually took place in summer. My job was to 31 behind the runners in an ambulance 32 any of them needed medical attention. The driver and I were in an air-conditioned ambulance behind nearly one hundred athletes 33 to hear the sharp crack of the starting gun.
“We’re supposed to stay behind the 34 runner, so take it slowly ,” I said to the driver , Doug , as we began to creep forward .
“Let’s just hope all the runners are fast!” he laughed.
As they began to pace themselves, the front runners started to 35 . It was then that my 36 were drawn to the woman in blue silk running shorts and a baggy white T-shirt.
“Doug, look!”
We knew we were already watching our “last runner”. Her feet were turned in, but her left knee was turned out. Her legs were so crippled and bent that it seemed impossible for her to be able to walk , let alone run a marathon .
Doug and I watched in 37 as she slowly moved forward. We didn’t say a thing. We would move forward a little bit, then stop and wait for her to gain some distance. Then we’d slowly move forward a little bit more.
Finally, she was the 38 runner left in sight. Tears streamed down my face as I sat on the edge of my seat and watched with amazement and even respect as she 39 forward with strong determination through the last miles.
When the 40 line came into sight, rubbishes lay everywhere and the cheering crowds had already gone home. 41 , a man waited proudly there. He was 42 one end of a ribbon (带子) tied to a post. 43 slowly crossed through, leaving both ends of the ribbon fluttering behind her.
I do not know this woman’s name, but that day she became a part of my life –a part I often depend on. For her, it wasn’t about 44 the other runners or winning a competition, it was about finishing what she had set out to do, no matter 45 . When I think things are too difficult or too time-consuming, I think of the last runner. Then I realize how easy the task before me really is.
31．A．interview B．watch C．follow D．fall
32．A．when B．since C．because D．in case
33．A．searching B．sitting C．wishing D．waiting
34．A．slow B．last C．wounded D．helpless
35．A．run B．miss C．disappear D．lose
36．A．attention B．mind C．eyes D．sight
37．A．happiness B．silence C．disappointment D．hope
38．A．single B．only C．last D．careful
39．A．pushed B．fought C．pulled D．jumped
40．A．close B．end C．match D．finish
41．A．Yet B．But C．Thus D．Therefore
42．A．catching B．handing C．holding D．bringing
43．A．He B．She C．I D．They
44．A．winning B．competing C．beating D．fighting
45．A．what B．where C．when D．why