Passage 13

天津卷

The journey my daughter Cathy has had with her swimming is as long as it is beautiful.

Cathy suffered some terrible　 1 　in her early childhood. After years of regular treatment, she　 2 　became healthy.

Two years ago, while Cathy was watching the Olympics, a dream came into her sweet little head—to be a swimmer. Last summer, she wanted to　 3 　our local swim team. She practiced hard and finally　 4 　it. The team practice,　 5 　, was a rough start. She coughed and choked and could hardly　 6 　her first few weeks. Hearing her coughing bitterly one night, I decided to　 7 　her from it all. But Cathy woke me up early next morning, wearing her swimsuit　 8 　to go!I told her she shouldn’t swim after a whole night’s coughing, but she refused to　 9 　and insisted she go.

From that day on, Cathy kept swimming and didn’t　 10 　a single practice. She had a　 11 　inten-tion within herself to be the best she could be. My ten-year-old was growing and changing right before my eyes, into this　 12 　human being with a passion and a mission. There were moments of　 13 　of course:often she would be the last swimmer in the race. It was difficult for Cathy to accept that she wasn’t a　 14 　—ever. But that didn’t stop her from trying.

Then came the final awards ceremony at the end of the year. Cathy didn’t expect any award but was still there to　 15 　her friends and praise their accomplishments. As the ceremony was nearing the end, I suddenly heard the head coach　 16 　, “The highest honor goes to Cathy!” Looking around, he continued, “Cathy has inspired us with her　 17 　and enthusiasm.　 18 　skills and talents bring great success, the most valuable asset（财富）one can hold is the heart.”

It was the greatest　 19 　of my daughter’s life. With all she had been　 20 　in her ten years, this was the hour of true triumph（成功）.

1. A. failure　B. pressure　C. loss　D. illness

2. A. usually　B. finally　C. firstly　D. frequently

3. A. improve　B. train　C. join　D. contact

4. A. increased　B. found　C. created　D. made

5. A. however　B. therefore　C. otherwise　D. instead

6. A. use　B. survive　C. save　D. waste

7. A. pull　B. tell　C. hide　D. fire

8. A. afraid　B. nervous　C. ready　D. free

9. A. take off　B. set off　C. give up　D. show up

10. A. attend　B. miss　C. ban　D. start

11. A. rich　B. weak　C. firm　D. kind

12. A. trusted　B. determined　C. experienced　D. embarrassed

13. A. frustration　B. delight　C. excitement　D. surprise

14. A. beginner　B. learner　C. partner　D. winner

15. A. cheer on　B. compete with　C. respond to　D. run after

16. A. admitting　B. explaining　C. announcing　D. whispering

17. A. humor　B. will　C. honesty　D. wisdom

18. A Although　B. Since　C. Once　D. Because

19. A. discovery　B. choice　C. influence　D. moment

20. A. through　B. under　C. across　D. around