"Bill, you never miss!" Joe said admiringly. "Unless I'm in a real game," Bill complained. "Then I miss all the time." Joe knew that Bill was right. Bill performed much better when he was having fun with Joe in the school yard than he did when he was playing for the school team in front of a large crowd. "Maybe you just need to practice more," Joe suggested. "But I practice all the time with you!" Bill objected. He shook his head. "I just can't play well when people are watching me." "You play well when I'm watching," Joe pointed out. "That's because I've known you since we were five years old," Bill said with a smile. "I'm just not comfortable playing when other people are around." Joe nodded and understood, but he also had an idea.
The next day Joe and Bill met in the school yard again to practice. After a few minutes, Joe excused himself. "Practice without me," Joe said to his friend. "I'll be back in a minute."
Joe hurried through the school building, gathering together whomever he could find—two students, a math teacher, two secretaries, and a janitor. When Joe explained why he needed them, everyone was happy to help. Joe reminded the group to stay quiet as they all went toward the school's basketball court. As Joe had hoped, Bill was still practicing basketball. He made five baskets in a row without noticing the silent people standing behind him.
"Hey, Bill!" Joe called out finally. Bill turned. A look of surprise came over his face. "I just wanted to show you that you could play well with people watching you," Joe said. "Now you'll have nothing to worry about for the next game!"
21. What would be the best title for the story?
A. Joe Joins the Team
B. Practice Makes Perfect
C. Bill Wins the Big Game
D. Bill's Basketball Problem
22. Which of the following has caused Bill to feel upset?
A. That he plays better in practice than he does during games.
B. That the school yard is not a good place to practice.
C. That Joe watches him too closely when he plays.
D. That his team loses too many games.
23. Why does Joe decide to gather a group of people?
A. Because he wants more players for his team
B. Because he wants to help Bill feel less nervous
C. Because he wants to show them his talent
D. Because he wants more people to see the next game
24. What can we infer from the passage?
A. The group have to be quiet because they do not want Bill to know they were there.
B. Bill plays well in front of Joe because he wants to prove to Joe he is a good player.
C. Six people including his basketball coach were watching Bill playing in the end.
D. Bill made five baskets in a row after he saw the group of people behind him.