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