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