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Tom Whittaker, born in England in 1949, is an amazing example of a Can Do person. The young man
came to the United States in 1975, where he studied for a Master's in Arts. Although studying took up
much of his time, he traveled throughout the US and Canada climbing many different types of rock walls.
Thus, he made friends with many people with the same interest.
However, on Thanksgiving Day in 1979, a car driven by a drunk driver lost control and suddenly
turned into his lane(车道), striking the head of his vehicle. The injuries to both of his legs and feet resulted
in the removal of one of his kneecaps(膝盖骨), and the amputation(截去)of his right foot.
It wasn't easy, but after some time, with great effort and strong will, Tom rebuilt his hope for life. The
report of his story moved the whole nation of America. Eventually he earned another master's degree and
founded the Cooperative Wilderness Handicapped Outdoor Group. This program's success sent Tom
around the world to spread his message that "it is not the falling down, but the getting back up that matters". He became a professor in Adventure Education at Prescott College in Arizona, where he taught the
top outdoor leadership program in the nation.
After 25 years of experience as a mountaineer, on May 27, 1998, Tom achieved his greatest
accomplishment so far:reaching the peak of Mt. Everest. Tom was actually the first person with a disability to ever climb and stand on the peak of Mt. Everest. He realized that reaching the peak of Mt. Everest
could do nothing to change his disability, but it could do a lot to change attitudes. Tom Whittaker wanted
people to realize that disability is as much an attitude as it is a condition.
1. For what did Tom Whittaker go to the US?
A. To improve his climbing skills.
B. To take his master's degree.
C. To become a professional mountaineer.
D. To meet other mountaineers in the US.
2. What led to the accident that caused Tom Whittaker's disability?
A. That his car was out of control.
B. That he was driving on a wrong lane.
C. That a drunk driver ran his car into Tom's.
D. That he got drunk on Thanksgiving Day.
3. When did Tom become a mountaineer?
A. Shortly before he reached the peak of Mt. Everest.
B. Two years before he went to the US.
C. Shortly after he arrived in the US.
D. After he recovered from the car accident.
4. Which of the following events made Tom first widely noticed by the American public?
A. Teaching outdoor leadership program at college.
B. Climbing Mt. Everest in spite of his disability.
C. Founding the Cooperative Wilderness Handicapped Outdoor Group.
D. His determination to fight against his disability.
