Taylore is a kid who passes by to ride sometimes and help us with chores. Barely 15, she’s never short of advice, and one of her favorite pastimes is teasing me about being afraid to go too fast on a horse.
Last summer four of us rode down the trail behind our woods: my wife Karen, Taylore, Taylore’s friend Kendall and me. I was riding my 13-year-old, Tawny.
We were two miles from home when, for some unexplainable reason, I pushed Tawny into a gallop（飞驰）. The other horses were anxious to catch up, and just like that, the race was on.
Taylore brushed past my left leg and, seconds later, Kendall went by on my right. I realized Tawny was covering ground faster than I’d ever seen her. She strained every muscle in her body to catch up with the girls. It was like a truck winding over a mountain road without brakes (闸). Part of me felt perfectly in control, while another part screamed that I wasn’t.
In half a mile I knew we’d be crossing the highway, so I prayed that the girls would be fine. I gave up calculating how long it might take before my horse would be tried enough to want to slow down.
I was just about out of answers when I saw the girls slowing in front of me. Their horses were relaxed and comfortable, not even breathing hard. Taylore’s face glowed. She gave me a high five. ＂Wow, you did well, ＂she said. ＂ I knew you’d go fast when you were ready.＂
No one in the group had even broken a sweat, except me. I was still nervous from the crazy pace. My heart pounded too, but not from exercise. Karen claims I was showing off for the girls that day, and maybe she’s right. But I think I had something to prove. Because despite my wrinkles (皱纹), glasses and gray hair, I was feeling young at heart. And, like a horse on a warm summer day, I’m always ready to kick up my heels.
1. How did the race between the girls and the author begin?
A. His horse’s gallop made the other horses want to catch up.
B. He wanted to show off his riding skills for the girls.
C. They wanted to know whose horse could run fastest.
D. They teased him about being afraid to go too fast on a horse.
2. During the race, ___________.
A. the author’s horse outran the girl’s horses the whole time
B. the author was confident that Tawny was in control
C. the girls were so anxious to win that they sweated a lot
D. the author’s good performance took Taylore by surprise
3. When the race ended, the author’s heart pounded because ________.
A. he was feeling thrilled and young
B. it was really tough exercise for him
C. he was worried that the girls might be in danger
D. he felt quite embarrassed that he had lost the race
4. The phrase ＂kick up my heels＂ at the end can be replaced by _________.
A. devote myself
B. enjoy myself
C. accept my challenge
D. take part in running competition
