I was not a lucky child. When I was 3 years old, my parents found I was deaf*.
They talked with many doctors but it didn't help. They wanted me to live like other kids. From the third grade, they put me in a school far from home where all of my classmates had normal* hearing. So I was the only deaf child there. From the first day, the other kids often laughed at me and called me names because of my hearing aid*. I didn't like my new school. My problem was not only from classmates. I also had trouble with most of my schoolwork.
One morning, in her math class, Mrs. Jordan asked us a question. She was. a strict woman with a voice that went through the walls of her little classroom, and you could even hear it out of the classroom.
I read her lips* hard and got an answer. Maybe that was the right one! I raised up my hand and heard Mrs. Jordan call out my name. I stood up, but became afraid again. I could even hear the laugh from some of my classmates. Nervously I answered her question, I would never forget what happened next.
Mrs. Jordan smiled at me and said, "THAT'S RIGHT, STEPHEN!"
For the first time, I became a star. I was so excited! The three words changed my life. From that day I told myself that I would make a place in this world. It would be difficult and hard, but I knew I could make it, just like answering the question in class.
a. I was afraid after I stood up.
b. Mrs. Jordan said three words to me.
c. Mrs. Jordan asked a question in class.
d. I moved to a new school in the third grade.
