All the runners stood nervously at the starting line.All of them had prepared

（1） 　 　（they） for this important race.

The race meant more to a boy named Bill，because most of the other runners had greater speed.Could Bill realize his dream of being （2） 　 　"all﹣school"runner？He would have to finish in the top 5 to win that honor.

Bill's life （3） 　 　（fill）with disappointment.Primary school had been a long nightmare（噩梦） for him.Of all the reading skills，he even couldn't pick up（4） 　     　（basic） one，although he had tried many times.Bill did not complain（报怨）.He simply tried hard.But in the following years he was till unable to catch up with his classmates.

Then one day his teacher called us in （5） 　 　a conversation.She said， "I'm sorry to have to tell you this，but Bill isn't trying anymore.He has given it up（6） 　 　（complete）. "I became very sad and afraid.I was afraid Bill might have forever lost heart.

I had a talk with Bill.I told him about my own experiences.I said， "（7） 　I was the slowest one in my class in primary school，my parents and teachers were loving and understanding.Because of that，I made it through those years and finally went on to a music school.Now，you know，I'm a（8）     　（piano）.We think achievements come easily to others.Life usually isn't like that.The person who（9） 　    　（success）is usually only a few percent. "Bill said， "Dad，I guess that not doing so well isn't all that bad if someone loves you and stands by you.

In the （10） 　    　 （nine） grade，Bill went out for the race again.