Twelve-year-old Kitty O’Neil asked her coach, “Let me try.” She was already on the swim team, but this was different. One
of the divers had not arrived, and Kitty needed much help. Her coach
looked 36 at her. She had been practicing dives, but
could she really stand up to the competition? Besides, 37 was
completely deaf. Many people thought a person who was deaf wouldn’t be able to dive well. However, Kitty 38 , and
she won first place at that swimming meet and went on to win the Junior
Olympics in the area.
Kitty began diving with Dr. Sammy
Lee, a famous coach and former Olympic diving champion. The teenager went to
school in the morning and then spent most afternoons diving. It was 39
work, and Kitty often hit the water the wrong way. However, she was
able to 40 practicing. While she was diving , Kitty won many
gold medals, but she wanted 41 . Perhaps she learned something
from her 42 . Kitty lost her hearing at the age of four months.
Because she wanted Kitty to lead a normal life, Kitty’s
mother went to college to 43 about teaching people who are
deaf. Kitty’s mother finally started a school
for those who are deaf.
Kitty’s
life was 44 but normal, and as an athlete, Kitty was much bettter
than others. When she gave up diving, she wanted danger and adventure. She
raced cars, boats, and motorcycles. Many of these 45 usually
require at least some hearing. For example many racers judge their speed by the
sound of the engine. Kitty did it by 46 .
In 1972 she began to learn doing
dangerous action for movies and television. Soon she became one of the 47
women in Hollywood. In 1976 Kitty O’Neil
also became the fastest woman in the world in a rocket-powered car that went
more than 512 miles per hour.
1.A. up B.
down C.
carefully D. closely
2.A. she B.
he C.
I D. it
3.A. worked B.
did C. practiced D. came
4.A. easy B.
usual C. pleasant D. hard
5.A. like
B. finish C. keep D. begin
6.A.
fewer B. more
C.some D. many
7.A. father B.
mother C. coach D. teacher
8.A. learn B.
read C. write
D.listen
9.A. something B.
anything C. nothing D. everything
10.A. classes B.
meetings C. activities D. parties
11.A. listening B.
learning C. speaking D. feeling
12.A.
latest B.
fastest C. prettiest D. busiest