Bullied(霸凌), bothered and mad, I became a troublemaker in school. In the tenth grade year, it came to a head. I __1__ friends with a rough kid who well could have _2_ the end of my future. A big fight was planned for that Friday night. My friend said, "Rudy, we're tough. Let's go." I _3_agreed. I had a big head. It was a _4_ to show off. I would_5_those who had made me so mad.
I waited until the family was _6_asleep. Quietly, I _7_ out of bed, pulled on my clothes, and tiptoed(踮着脚走) to the back door. I was careful not to make a sound. However, Dad knew something was up. He _8_ me off at the door.
With his hand on my shoulder, he _9_ that we talk. I admitted where I _10_. The kids we would fight against had _11_ us.
It was our _12_to teach them a lesson. That's when Dad _13_ my future, and maybe my life. He replied, "You are no man when a _14_fight is your way. You become a man by knowing when to walk away. Learn it now and remember."
I'm _15_ that Dad stayed up to catch me that night. Bad _16_ came the next day. Several were badly hurt in the fight. With a _17_to the head, my friend was now dead.
It could have been me, or I might have been _18_ and taken away. Either _19_, that would have caused my end: Dad, you were the best: You taught me to stop the foolish _20_and to know when to walk away:
1. A. found B. made C. met D. knew
2. A. caused B. prevented C. kept D. observed
3. A. disgustingly B. gradually C. foolishly D. sincerely
4. A. trick B. request C. habit D. chance
5. A. call in B. beat up C. fight for D. rely on
6. A. forever B. still C. sound D. half
7. A. jumped B. dropped C. rushed D. slipped
8. A. cut B. saw C. paid D. sent
9. A. insisted B. agreed C. declared D. promised
10. A. caught B. deserted C. headed D. lost
11. A. educated B. teased C. inspired D. rejected
12. A. duty B. pleasure C. task D. turn
13. A. ignored B. predicted C. ruined D. rescued
14. A. midnight B. meaningless C. successful D. deadly
15. A. astonished B. blessed C. defeated D. relaxed
16. A. kids B. ideas C. news D. decisions
17. A. blow B. disease C. flash D. shelter
18. A. arrested B. blamed C. killed D. robbed
19. A. crime B. man C. suggestion D. way
20. A. act B. dream C. friend D. theory
