A. claim B. advanced C. challenge D. but E. constantlyF. declare G. piles up H. limited I. significance J. hesitatedK. and L. reduced M. regret N. scary O. totally Some years ago I was offered a writing assignment that would require three months of travel through Europe. I had been abroad a couple of times, but I could hardly 1 to know my way around the continent. Moreover, my knowledge of foreign languages was 2to a little college French. I hesitated. How would I, unable to speak the language, 3unfamiliar with local geography or transportation systems, set up interviews and do research? It seemed impossible, and with considerable 4I sat down to write a letter begging off. Halfway through, a thought ran through my mind: you can't learn if you don't try. So I accepted the assignment. There were some bad moments, 5by the time I had finished the trip I was an experienced traveler. And ever since, I have never 6to head for even the most remote of places, without guides or even 7bookings, confident that somehow I will manage.The point is that the new, the different, is almost by definition 8. But each time you try something, you learn, and as the learning 9, the world opens to you. I've learned to ski at 40, and flown up the Rhine River in a balloon. And I know I'll go on doing such things. It's not because I'm braver or more daring than others. I'm not But I'll accept anxiety as another name for 10and I believe I can accomplish wonders.