A
Shana, Robyn, and I stood on the high platform near the tops of the rainforest trees. We were wearing heavy helmets on our heads and had thick leather straps around our waists, which made seats that hung from a thick wire overhead. The wire was hung between the platform we stood on and another platform far in the distance.
This was the zip line, an adventure I had sworn I would not do on our family trip to Costa Rica. I was afraid of heights, afraid of falling, and afraid of zipping through the air above the rainforest at 30 miles per hour. Yet here I was, fastened in and ready to go.
“Who goes first?” our guide asked. My sisters exchanged a glance—neither of them stepped forward. I’d been teased for being a “scary cat” ever since I was four when I tripped (绊倒) and fell on an escalator. Even my parents, while relieved by my cautious ways, were worried that l’d miss out on enjoyable activities. No longer willing to let life pass me by, I stepped to the edge of the platform, sat back in the leather seat, and pushed off. Absolute terror filled me as I screamed and zoomed through the trees with my eyes squeezed shut. Before I could totally process what was happening, I landed safely on the second platform.
As my sisters flew in behind me, the guide attached me to the next wire, and I was off again. This time, fear was replaced with excitement, and I was able to look around me as I zipped. There—a toucan(犀鸟)! And was that a sloth(树懒) right at eye level?
By the time we had finished all the zip line journeys, I was shouting not with terror but with joy. And to think how close I’d come to missing it all!
21. Why had the writer sworn not to go on the zip lines?
A. She thought she would not see anything.
B. She had a fear of heights.
C. She was afraid of the rainforest animals.
D. She hated wearing the helmet and straps.
22. What made the writer decide to go on the zip lines?
A. The support of his parents. B. The tease of his sisters.
C. The encouragement of his own. D. The order of his guide.
23. How did the writer find the zip line journey in the end?
A. Risky but rewarding. B. Nothing but frightening.
C. Tiresome and unhappy. D. Joyful but fruitless.
