勇敢的人:第一次上讲台-Speaking on the Platform

第一次上讲台
【内容提示】
在一次示范课上，老师提出让你们到讲台进行演讲、讲故事或讲解某个问题。你觉得这是锻炼自己的好机会，但又怕出了错被同学、老师笑话。经过短暂考虑之后你还是自告奋勇登上讲台，按老师要求的做了。你做得很好，得到同学和老师的称赞。
【作文示范】
Speaking on the Platform
The bell was ringing. Miss Wu, who teaches us English, came into the classroom, a big smile on her face. Several other teachers of our school had come to visit her class. I knew it was a demonstration① class, and I was a little excited.
Everything was going on well. All of us were listening to our teacher attentively and, when we answered questions, our answers were correct and clear. The smile on her face suggested that she was satisfied with our performance. Towards the end of the class, she asked,“Who would like to come up to the platform② and repeat the story?”While saying these words, she looked at all the students with an expression of hope in her eyes.
How I wanted to jump onto the platform and give an excellent performance before the whole class! This would be a good opportunity to practise spoken English. But I hesitated③ for one or two minutes.“If I go to the platform and speak there, but forget the story or make mistakes, what can I do?”I asked myself.“Will my classmates and the teachers laugh at me?”
I looked up and saw Miss Wu smiling at me.“Be brave!”she said to the class.
I stepped onto the platform quickly and began to repeat the story with confidence. I said one sentence after another, thinking of nothing but the story. After I finished, I returned to my seat, my heart beating faster than ever. The girl sitting beside me said,“Good work!”and I smiled.
（选自《英语画刊》高中版1996年第6期）
【词语解释】
①demonstration [dem+ns＇treiM+n] n．示范；演示
②platform [＇pl$tf&:m] n．讲台
③hesitate [＇heziteit] v．踌躇；犹豫
【写法指要】
这篇文章叙述作者的一次勇敢尝试：站在讲台上向全班同学和听讲的老师用英语复述故事。事情讲得很清楚，语言也通顺、生动。文章第一、二段是全文的前奏，从第三段开始写作者由犹豫害怕到勇敢应战的过程。勇敢战胜了胆怯，作者获得了成功！