I practiced and practiced. Soon I knew the __14__ and the "moves". Being part of a team was fun and motivating. Very soon the competitive __15__ in me was winning over my lack of confidence. With time, I learned how to play and made friends in the __16__ - friends who respected my efforts to work hard and be a team player. I never had so much fun!

　　With my __17__ self­confidence comes more praise from teachers and classmates. I have gone from "__18__" in the back of the classroom and not wanting to call attention to myself, __19__ raising my hand - even when I sometimes wasn't 100 percent __20__ I had the right answer. Now I have more self­confidence in myself.

　　语篇解读：本文讲述了一个男孩由不自信到自信，经历了质的飞跃的故事。

　　1．A.as　　　　　　　　　　 B．until

　　C．unless D．though

　　解析：选C　由后一句"我经常......坐在教室的后面"可知前面想说"除非教师指定了座位"，所以C项正确。

　　2．A.hoped B．agreed

　　C．meant D．chose

　　解析：选D　根据第一句提到的"I used to hate being called upon in class"以及后面的"to sit at the back of the classroom"可知，"我"只想坐在教室后面，所以D项正确。

　　3．A.continued B．changed

　　C．settled D．started

　　解析：选B　根据最后一段中的"in the back of the classroom and not wanting to call attention to myself"以及"raising my hand - even when I sometimes wasn't 100 percent"可知，作者后来改变了。所以B项正确。

　　4．A.idea B．plan

　　C．belief D．saying

　　解析：选A　根据前面"when a teacher suggested I try out for the basketball team"可知，作者认为老师建议他去参加篮球队的想法是疯狂的。因为老师给的是建议而不是计划，只有A项的idea正确。

　　5．A.right B．chance

　　C．ability D．patience

　　解析：选C　根据后面"to keep pace with the others on the team"可知，在队里能够跟上他人，应该是指一种能力，所以C项正确。

　　6．A.going B．looking

　　C．cheering D．applying

解析：选A　根据前面"I try out for the basketball team"以及本空后面的for it；