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