Never Too Late: Learning to Cycle as an Adult

Last year, my sister Anna decided to learn how to ride a bicycle. She was thirty-two years old. She (1) …1. A — sounded1. B — seemed1. C — felt1. D — looked very nervous about trying something new, but nobody could tell because she smiled the whole time. Her friend Tom offered to help her. Every Saturday morning, they (2) …2. A — reached2. B — went2. C — entered2. D — arrived to the park together. Tom held the back of the bike while Anna tried to keep her balance. "Don't look (3) …3. A — to3. B — at3. C — on3. D — in your feet," he told her. "Look straight ahead." Although she never practised for long, she could handle the bike much (4) …4. A — better4. B — further4. C — faster4. D — longer than before. One sunny afternoon, she decided to cycle all the (5) …5. A — distance5. B — road5. C — path5. D — way to the river, which was five kilometres away. It was hard work, but she was so proud when she arrived. "I'm going to (6) …6. A — go6. B — get6. C — have6. D — do on a longer bike ride next month," she said, smiling. Now Anna cycles to work twice a week (7) …7. A — apart7. B — instead7. C — because7. D — rather of taking the bus. She says it's cheaper, healthier, and much more fun (8) …8. A — then8. B — that8. C — than8. D — as sitting in traffic.