I love swimming, but when my school sports teacher suggested our class _____ part in an open water swimming challenge, I didn’t immediately jump at the chance.
make
take
have
go
Getting into open water where I live – at a _____ lake – means getting cold.
next
close
near
nearby
Had the _______ been going for a quick swim, I might have been tempted.
object
challenge
overcome
outcome
I’m not into inter-schools sports events, and not being competitive either, there was _____ to make me sign up.
a lot
few
little
some
My classmates started training, and over the following week, they ____ me to have a go, too.
demotivated
said
urged
shouted
They _____ sessions at the local pool sound like the best laugh they’d had in ages.
did
planned
had
made
I couldn’t ____ feeling my friends had overestimated how enjoyable the training was.
help
give
take
support
I wasn’t in the best physical condition compared ___ some of those who raced regularly.
at
to
by
for
The instructor was patient and encouraging, though, _____ us to swim a little further each day.
pushing
opening
closing
pulling
He _____ techniques for keeping going should tiredness set in during the race.
suggested
recommending
requested
asked
As the day of the race ____ near, we spent time at the lake, getting used to the water temperature.
drew
closed
approached
come
Eventually, the race day _____ and, together with my class, I took my position at the start.
morning
dawned
opened
started
I should ____ been thinking about the race, but there was just so much to look at.
have
had
has
having
Once we were in the water everyone would do their own thing, _____ it wasn’t an individual competition.
despite
although
however
while
What immediately ______ obvious was how tricky it was to see ahead in the water.
got
grew
became
is
Half an hour into the race, I was feeling tired and ______ for some water from volunteers in support boats.
lifted
reached
got
jumped
