Use of English PRO

When I was about twelve, I (0) GOT the chance to go to western China, looking for rare plants in an extraordinary area of mountains and forests. I wasn't all that (1) ............ in plants, but my dad's a botanist by (2) ............ and he was going as assistant to Professor Beall, who was leading the expedition. It was an important international expedition and my name was (3) ............ not on the list of participants. But at the (4) ............ moment, one of the experts broke his ankle and so had to (5) ............ out. It was impossible to get anyone else to go at such (6) ............ notice, so my dad suggested taking me, for the experience. I think the professor was so surprised that he agreed without thinking, but he obviously began to (7) ............ doubts as soon as the plane was in the air. I remember him (8) ............ that he hoped I wasn't going to run around and tread on rare specimens! As if I was a little kid. My dad didn't say anything as bad as that, but he did say that he hoped he wasn't going to regret bringing me. I tried to be really quiet so they would forget I was there. They didn't realise it at the time, but my ambition was to get a photo of a wild panda. And, of course, in the end that's exactly what I did.