Section A
Some years ago I was offered a writingassignment that would require three months oftravel through Europe. I had been abroad a couple oftimes, but I could hardly _47_ to know my wayaround the continent. Moreover, my knowledge offoreign languages was _48_ to a little college French.
I hesitated. How would I, unable to speak thelanguage, _49_ unfamiliar with local geography or transportation systems, set up _50_ anddo research? It seemed impossible, and with considerable _51_ I sat down to write a letterbegging off. Halfway through, a thought can through my mind: you can learn if you don't try. So I accepted the assignment.
There were some bad _52_. But by the time I had finished the trip I was an experiencedtraveler. And ever since, I have never hesitated to head for even the most remote of places, without guiders or even _53_ bookings, confident that somehow I will manage.
The point is that the new, the different, is almost by definition _54_. But each time youtry something, you learn, and as the learning piles up, the world opens to you.
I've learned to ski at 40, and flown up the Rhine River in a _55_. And I know I'll go ondoing such things. It's not because I'm braver or more daring than others. I'm not. But I'llaccept anxiety as another name for challenge and I believe I can _56_ wonders.
A) accomplish B) advanced C) balloon D) claim
E) constantly F) declare G) interviews H)limited
I) manufacture J) moments K) news L) reduced
M) regret N) scary O) totally
