As a child, I was afraid of everything. At the age of 8, I even became 1 of getting Halloween candy. 2 , on October 31, my twin brother and I went out and 3 to every house in the neighborhood. Most of the houses only had a few steps to the door. It was easy. However, when we 4 one of the bigger houses with 10 tall steps 5 to the front door, which were known to have the best candy, my fear 6 me. My brother was already up the stairs, while I stood 7 at the bottom.
It was 8 that I’d be able to climb all that way. I was afraid that I might fall over in the dark and 9 my bag of candy. I might 10 my clothes on something, and not be able to get away. I wanted the candy, but there was no 11 I would go up those stairs to get it. I failed. I lost more than just candy. I lost my 12 .
Fear of the unknown 13 me for a long time. After six years in nursing, I was 14 with the career I had chosen. I faced a 15 : step out into the unknown or 16 the rest of my life at the bottom of those steps, never 17 the best candy.
Finally, with only $100 in my savings account, I started my own business. Whenever I would lose a client, the old fears 18 . However, I’d tasted the candy, and now I don’t 19 when I face difficulties. I believe that, though 20 things can happen when we step out, worse things happen when we don’t.
1. A. afraid B. envious C. fond D. tired
2. A. naturally B. approximately C. certainly D. normally
3. A. pointed B. rushed C. moved D. traveled
4. A. surrounded B. measured C. approached D. entered
5. A. pointing B. belonging C. opening D. Leading
6. A. encouraged B. spread C. prevented D. attracted
7. A. slightly B. frozen C. calmly D. Happily
8. A. unlikely B. unlucky C. possible D. pitiful
9. A. fall B. drop C. forget D. lose
10. A. bury B. break C. tear D. catch
11. A. way B. need C. doubt D. Wonder
12. A. bag B. life C. way D. confidence
13. A. amused B. controlled C. involved D. Ruined
14. A. excited B. concerned C. impressive D. Unsatisfied
15. A. difficulty B. cause C. fear D. choice
16. A. preserve B. spend C. change D. escape
17. A. presenting B. buying C. making D. tasting
18. A. disappeared B. warned C. returned D. reminded
19. A. panic B. cry C. fail D. complain
20. A. various B. fortunate C. bad D. unique
