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cause I didn’t have a good sense of balance, nor did I have the 40 to keep pace with the others on the team and they would tease me. But for the teacher who kept insisting on my “ 41 for it”, I wouldn’t have decided to give a try. Getting up t he courage to go to the tryouts was only the 42 of it! When I first started 43 the practice sessions, I didn’t even know the rules of the game, much 44 what I was doing. Sometimes I’d get 45 and take a shot at the wrong direction—which made me feel really stupid. 46 , I wasn’t the only one “new” at the game, so I decided to 47 on learning the game, do my best at each practice session, and not be too hard on myself for the things I didn’t 48 “just yet”. I practiced and practiced. Soon I knew the 49 and the “moves”. Being part of a team was fun and motivating. Very soon the petitive 50 in me was winning over my lack of confidence. With time, I learned how to play and made friends in the 51 — friends who respect my efforts to work hard and be a team player. I never had so much fun! With my 52 selfconfidence es more praise from teachers and classmates. I have gone from “53” in the back of the classroom and not wanting to call attention to myself, 54 raising my hand — even when I sometimes wasn’t and not 100 percent 55 I had the right answer. Now I have more selfconfidence in myself. 36. A. as B. until C. unless D. though 37. A. hoped B. agreed C. meant D. chose 38. A. continued B. changed C