学进去

“I don’t want to go, Miss White. I’m frightened (害怕的), very frightened,” Monica told her teacher.

Monica was a very ______ girl. She always sat at the back of the classroom, ______ or taking notes. Every Monday morning, there would be a special show in her class and one student would be _____ to make a speech about his or her dream. Miss White hoped that Monica could have a try the next week. But she refused.

“I know that it seems ______ for you, but it will help you build up your confidence,” said Miss White. Monica was lost in thought.

The next day, Monica came to Miss White’s office. Miss White was ____ that she would take the chance. Miss White red-penciled her manuscript (手稿) of speech, corrected her _____, and even helped with her body language. She advised Monica to practice, to ______ that she was speaking confidently in front of her class. ______ a whole week, Monica practiced speaking in font of her imaginary friends and teacher. Behind the locked door of her bedroom, she told them about her ______.

Finally, Monday arrived. ______ Monica was called upon to give her speech, she ______and walked to the front of the class without any notes, in a show of confidence. Monica’s successful performance brought everyone a great ______. The whole class clapped (鼓掌) for a full minute when she completed her speech. Miss White ______. She had known that Monica would make it when she ______ took her first step to overcome (克服) her fear of speaking in public.

From that day, Monica’s life changed for the better. At the age of 23, she became a news reader. People who see her on television now will find it hard to ______ that she was once a shy girl who refused to speak up in class.