It has been difficult to sit on the bench to spend the majority of my high school basketball career. To watch my team from the sideline and 21 why I am not good enough to be on the floor. 22
endless hours of work and devotion, pushing myself through drill after drill, the 23 thing I want is to be a cheerleader. The feeling of being 24 is sometimes too much and drives me to
25 on the spot. I often feel as though my efforts are wasted and my time is eaten away, devoted to 26 .
It is heartbreaking to be a spectator(旁观者) for the game I love, knowing that no one has enough 27 to give me the chance to 28 on the floor. Tears will up, but I hold them back. I shouldn’t be so 29 over something so silly.
Away from the game, it’s easier to put my thoughts together, 30 letting my emotions drive my reasoning. I consider 31 I am where I am. I have played basketball my whole life. I have a passion for the 32 and always have. There is nothing like the excitement of 33 : the swish of the net, the sweat rolling off my cheeks, even the bruises(青肿) are battle wounds worn 34 after every game.
Even if I don’t play much, I participate in every 35 . I am part of a team of girls who
36 together like a family. I am there for them, 37 they are for me.
Should I move on? Or should I stay with my team and pursue my passion just a little longer?
The decision isn’t difficult when I consider the 38 that being a part of a team brings me— and not just any team, 39 my team. I love basketball and my teammates. When I think about that, my view from the bench really isn’t so bad 40 .
21. A.consider B. wonder C. think D. hesitate
22. A. Since B. During C. After D. Before
23. A. other B. next C. first D. last
24. A. worthless B. hopeless C. helpless D. careless
25. A. fight B. quit C. transform D. retire
26. A. something B. nothing C. anything D. everything
27. A. sympathy B. encouragement C. permission D. faith
28. A. respond B. perform C. promote D. practice
29. A. scared B. nervous C. upset D. amazed
30. A. less than B. more than C. other than D. rather than
31. A. why B. how C. whether D. what
32. A. bench B. sport C. drill D. battle
33. A. waiting B. watching C. learning D. playing
34. A. proudly B. bravely C. unfortunately D. painfully
35. A. decision B. plan C. game D. project
36. A. compete B. stick C. live D. represent
37. A. because B. if C. as D. though
38. A. joy B. patience C. challenge D. position
39. A. so B. as C. but D. like
40. A. above all B. after all C. at all D. all in all