LESSON 10 – GAP FILL TEXT – A Day in the Life of a SWAT Officer

Read the text and fill the gaps with the correct words:

I’ve been a SWAT ______ (1) for almost ten years now, and every day still feels different. When people imagine our job, they usually think of dramatic movie scenes, but the reality is often much ______ (2) than what you see on screen.
Last month, my team responded to a high-risk ______ (3) involving an armed suspect who had barricaded himself inside an apartment. We needed to ______ (4) quickly and calmly, because hesitation can put civilians and officers in danger. As the team ______ (5), it was my responsibility to coordinate the plan.
Before entering, we used a ballistic ______ (6) for protection, and our sniper provided better ______ (7) from the rooftop. I always tell new members that you must stay extremely ______ (8) during operations—you can’t let adrenaline take over.
Even though the job can be stressful, I really enjoy ______ (9) with my team. We train together almost every day, trying to get faster and ______ (10) with each session. I also hope to ______ (11) more advanced negotiation training soon, because communicating effectively can prevent violence.
In the end, the suspect surrendered without injuries. Moments like that remind me why I joined: not for action, but to make situations far ______ (12) for everyone involved.