Gillian Kingsley

杰瑪下了校車，感到很痛苦。今天是她一生中最糟糕的日子之一……

Gemma jumped off the school bus feeling miserable. Today had been one of the worst days of her life. How could she show her face at school ever again? It was total shame. She would not face her classmates at all next Monday morning.

Gemma walked slowly up the treelined hill towards the park. She needed time alone to think and cry. Reading out loud in class today had been terrifying, annoying, embarrassing and she hated every moment of it. She was sweating; her voice shook; her face flushed red, and her heart pounded uncontrollably. Breathing normally was simply impossible in the fear and panic she felt. She stood before the class feeling like a fool. She had heard the whispered comments between her classmates, and had seen the look on her English teacher's face as she went back to her seat.

Gemma headed for the bench in the walled rose garden that she often visited,as far away from people as possible. She took off her heavy backpack and put it down heavily on the hard seat. She sighed deeply, buried her face in her hands, and began to cry.“Hello, are you all right,dear?”Startled (驚訝的), Gemma pulled her hands away from her face and looked up in the direction of the voice, feeling embarrassed that someone had seen her crying.

Unexpectedly, her English teacher came up and watched her with kindness and concern. Sitting down on the bench,next to Gemma, the teacher patted her shoulder gently, saying,“I know you were just too nervous, but it's okay. With more practice, you're sure to make it next time,aren't you?”

Realizing her lack of practice, Gemma felt a sudden sense of relief. She was aware of what to do then. When they walked out of the rose park hand in hand,Gemma felt like a wholly different figure.

Reading Check

How did Gemma feel after hearing her English teacher's words?

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