The Swimming Lesson

I grew up near the coast, but for most of my childhood I was terrified of the water. While my older brother swam confidently in the sea every summer, I stayed on the sand building castles and watching from a safe distance. — choose for gap 1 —1. When I was twelve, my mother finally insisted that I take swimming lessons2. Beth often held my hand so I felt safe, and she never rushed me3. My brother had learned to swim when he was only four years old4. I walked in slowly until the water reached my chest, and then I swam5. The pool was closed for repairs during most of the summer6. She spoke to me calmly and asked me what I was most afraid of7. Beth was amazed at how much progress I had made8. I decided that swimming was not for me and stopped going to lessons She said it was important for safety, especially living so close to the sea. My first lesson was at the local pool on a Tuesday evening. The instructor, a tall woman called Beth, could see straight away that I was nervous. — choose for gap 2 —1. When I was twelve, my mother finally insisted that I take swimming lessons2. Beth often held my hand so I felt safe, and she never rushed me3. My brother had learned to swim when he was only four years old4. I walked in slowly until the water reached my chest, and then I swam5. The pool was closed for repairs during most of the summer6. She spoke to me calmly and asked me what I was most afraid of7. Beth was amazed at how much progress I had made8. I decided that swimming was not for me and stopped going to lessons She told me we would take things very slowly and that there was no pressure to put my head under water. For the first three weeks, I stayed in the shallow end, just getting used to the feeling of being in the water. — choose for gap 3 —1. When I was twelve, my mother finally insisted that I take swimming lessons2. Beth often held my hand so I felt safe, and she never rushed me3. My brother had learned to swim when he was only four years old4. I walked in slowly until the water reached my chest, and then I swam5. The pool was closed for repairs during most of the summer6. She spoke to me calmly and asked me what I was most afraid of7. Beth was amazed at how much progress I had made8. I decided that swimming was not for me and stopped going to lessons Gradually, I began to relax. I started to enjoy the way the water held me up, and I stopped gripping the side of the pool so tightly. By the sixth lesson, I could swim a full length of the pool without stopping. — choose for gap 4 —1. When I was twelve, my mother finally insisted that I take swimming lessons2. Beth often held my hand so I felt safe, and she never rushed me3. My brother had learned to swim when he was only four years old4. I walked in slowly until the water reached my chest, and then I swam5. The pool was closed for repairs during most of the summer6. She spoke to me calmly and asked me what I was most afraid of7. Beth was amazed at how much progress I had made8. I decided that swimming was not for me and stopped going to lessons She said she had never seen anyone improve so quickly, and I felt incredibly proud of myself. That summer, for the first time ever, I went into the sea with my brother. The waves were small, and the water was warm. — choose for gap 5 —1. When I was twelve, my mother finally insisted that I take swimming lessons2. Beth often held my hand so I felt safe, and she never rushed me3. My brother had learned to swim when he was only four years old4. I walked in slowly until the water reached my chest, and then I swam5. The pool was closed for repairs during most of the summer6. She spoke to me calmly and asked me what I was most afraid of7. Beth was amazed at how much progress I had made8. I decided that swimming was not for me and stopped going to lessons My brother couldn't believe it. He said it was about time, and we spent the whole afternoon swimming together.