I grew up poor — living with six brothers, three sisters and my mother. We had little money, but plenty of love and 36 . I was happy and energetic. I understood that no matter how poor a person was, he could still 37   a dream. My dream was 38 . By the time I was sixteen, I could throw a ninety-mile-per-hour baseball and 39 anything that moved on the field. I was also 40 : my high school coach was John, who not only 41 me, but also taught me how to believe in myself. He 42 me the difference between having a dream and showing conviction (信念). One particular incident with coach John changed my life forever. A friend 43 me for a summer job. This meant a chance for money in my pocket — money for a new bike, new clothes and the 44 of savings for a house for my mother. Then I realized I would have to 45 up summer baseball to handle the work schedule, and that meant I would have to tell John I wouldn’t be playing. When I told John, he was as 46 as I expected him to be. “You have your whole life to work,” he said, “Your 47 days are limited. You can’t afford to waste them.” I stood before him with my head 48 , trying to think of the words that would 49 to him why my dream of buying my mom a house and having money in my pocket was worth facing his 50   in me. “Well,” he asked, “is $3.5 an hour the 51 of a dream?” That simple question made 52 to me the difference between 53 something right now and having a goal. I devoted myself in sports that summer and 54 the year I was chosen by the Pittsburgh Pirates to play baseball, and 55   a $ 20,000 contract （合同）. Later, I bought my mother the house of my dream! 小题1: A．attention B．time C．patience D．fashion 小题2: A．bring B．continue C．make D．afford 小题3: A．athletics B．music C．business D．money 小题4: A．kick B．play C．hit D．pass 小题5: A．right B．popular C．lucky D．confident 小题6: A．believed in B．relied on C．called on D．dealt with 小题7: A．gave B．taught C．brought D．asked 小题8: A．called B．advised C．applied D．recommended 小题9: A．aim B．idea C．start D．purpose 小题10: A．keep B．end C．give D．pick 小题11: A．happy B．mad C．frightened D．excited 小题12: A．living B．working C．playing D．dreaming 小题13: A．moving B．hanging C．shaking D．nodding 小题14: A．express B．announce C．apologise D．explain 小题15: A．belief B．pride C．fear D．disappointment 小题16: A．length B．price C．power D．spirit 小题17: A．clear B．direct C．straight D．attractive 小题18: A．wanting B．changing C．dreaming D．enjoying 小题19: A．by B．for C．beyond D．within 小题20: A．paid B．found C．offered D．presented