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.
go
take
make
have
Getting into open water where I live – at a _____ lake – means getting cold.
close
nearby
near
next
Had the _______ been going for a quick swim, I might have been tempted.
overcome
object
outcome
challenge
I’m not into inter-schools sports events, and not being competitive either, there was _____ to make me sign up.
some
few
a lot
little
My classmates started training, and over the following week, they ____ me to have a go, too.
urged
shouted
demotivated
said
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.
support
help
give
take
I wasn’t in the best physical condition compared ___ some of those who raced regularly.
for
to
at
by
The instructor was patient and encouraging, though, _____ us to swim a little further each day.
closing
opening
pulling
pushing
He _____ techniques for keeping going should tiredness set in during the race.
asked
suggested
requested
recommending
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.
dawned
opened
started
morning
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
while
although
however
What immediately ______ obvious was how tricky it was to see ahead in the water.
is
got
became
grew
Half an hour into the race, I was feeling tired and ______ for some water from volunteers in support boats.
lifted
reached
got
jumped
