D．The strict rules.

　　答案与解析：C　考查代词指代。根据第一段中的"I'd bet that many of them will be silently praying - not on the first word. I knew it because I was there 17 years ago"可知，参加比赛的孩子都很紧张，所以默默祈祷，千万别在第一个单词就被淘汰；而"我"知道孩子们紧张是因为"我"在17年前有过这样的经历。据此可知，it指代孩子们的紧张，故C项正确。

　　2．The author failed probably because ________.

　　A．she was unable to relax

　　B．the announcer had an accent

　　C．her competitors disturbed her

　　D．she didn't practise hard enough

　　答案与解析：A　考查推理判断。根据第七段前三句"It seemed that my competitors were secretly complaining about the relative ease of my word. Would they laugh at me if I couldn't spell it? Would my mother be disappointed in me"可以判断，"我"无法放松，心里想得很多，所以影响发挥而被淘汰，故A项正确。

　　3．What did the author do in the Comfort Room?

　　A．She met her mother.

　　B．She comforted new arrivals.

　　C．She talked with other losers.

　　D．She watched the competition.

答案与解析：C　考查细节理解。根据第九段"We casually