"I don't want to go, Miss White. I'm frightened (害怕的), very frightened," Monica told her teacher.
Monica was a very 1 girl. She always sat at the back of the classroom, 2 or taking notes. Every Monday morning, there would be a special show in her class and one student would be 3 to make a speech about his or her dream. Miss White hoped that Monica could have a try the next week. But she refused.
"I know that it seems 4 for you, but it will help you build up your confidence," said Miss White. Monica was lost in thought.
The next day, Monica came to Miss White's office. Miss White was 5 that she would take the chance. Miss White red-penciled her manuscript (手稿) of speech, corrected her 6, and even helped with her body language. She advised Monica to practice, to 7 that she was speaking confidently in font of her class. 8 a whole week, Monica practiced speaking in font of her imaginary friends and teacher. Behind the locked door of her bedroom, she told them about her 9.
Finally, Monday arrived. 10 Monica was called upon to give her speech, she 11and walked to the front of the class without any notes, in a show of confidence. Monica's successful performance brought everyone a great 12. The whole class clapped (鼓掌) for a full minute when she completed her speech. Miss White 13. She had known that Monica would make it when she 14 took her first step to overcome (克服) her fear of speaking in public.
From that day, Monica's life changed for the better. At the age of 23, she became a news reader. People who see her on television now will find it hard to 15 that she was once a shy girl who refused to speak up in class.
