I met Mrs. Neidl in the ninth grade on a stage-design team for a play and she was one of the directors. Almost instantly I loved her. She had an Unpleasant voice and a direct way of speaking, 41 she was encouraging and inspiring. For some reason, she was impressed with my work and me.
Mrs. Neidl would ask me for my 42 . She wanted to know how I thought we should 43 things. At first I had no idea how to answer because I knew 44 about stage design! But I slowly began to respond to her 45 . It was cause and effect: She believed I had opinions, so I began to 46 them. She trusted me to complete things, so I completed them perfectly. She loved how 47 I was, so I began to show up to paint more and more. She believed in me, so I began to believe in myself.
Mrs. Neidl's 48 that year was, "Try it. We can always paint over it 49 !"I began to take 50 . I had been so afraid of failing but suddenly there was no failing--only things to be 51 upon. I learned to dip my brush into the paint and 52 create something.
The shy, quiet freshman achieved success that year. I was 53 in the programs "Student Art Assistant" because of the time and effort I'd put in. It was that year that I 54 I wanted to spend the rest of my life doing stage design.
Being on that stage-design team 55 Mrs. Neidl changed me completely. Not only was I stronger and more competent than I had thought, but I also 51 a strong interest and a world I hadn't known existed. She taught me not to 57 what people think I should do: She taught me to take chances and not be 58 . Mrs. Neidl was my comforter when I was upset. Her 59 in me has inspired me to do things that I never imagined 60 .
41. A. and B. yet C. so D. for
42. A. opinion B. impression C. information D. intention
43. A. make B. keep C. handle D. change
44. A. anything B. something C. everything D. nothing
45. A. questions B. comments C. explanations D. remarks
46. A. hold B. follow C. evaluate D. form
47. A. happy B. lively C. reliable D. punctual
48. A. message B. motto C. saying D. suggestion
49. A. again B. more C. instead D. later
50. A. steps B. control C. charge D. risks
51. A. improved B. acted C. looked D. reflected
52. A. easily B. carefully C. confidently D. proudly
53. A. introduced B. recognized C. identified D. considered
54. A. confirmed B. decided C. realized D. acknowledged
55. A. with B. below C. of D. by
56. A. developed B. discovered C. took D. fostered
57. A. accept B. care C. judge D. wonder
58. A. bored B. lazy C. sad D. afraid
59. A. trust B. patience C. curiosity D. interest
60. A. accessible B. enjoyable C. possible D. favorable
41-45BACDA 46-50DCBDD 51-55 ACBCA 56-60BBDAC