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In 1982 Steven Callahan was crossing the Atlantic alone in his sailboat when it struck something and
sank. He was out of the shipping lanes and floating in a life raft, alone. His supplies were few. His chances were small. Yet when three fishermen found him seventy-six days later, he was alive.
His account of how he survived is fascinating. But the thing that caught my eye was how he managed
to keep himself going when all hope seemed lost. Giving up would have seemed the only wise option.
When people survive these kinds of circumstances, they do something with their minds that gives them
the courage to keep going. Many people in similarly desperate circumstances give in or go mad.
"I tell myself I can handle it," wrote Callahan. "Compared to what others have been through, I'm
fortunate. I tell myself these things over and over, building up fortitude(坚强意志)…."
It struck me as something important. And I've told myself the same thing when my own goals seemed
far off or when my problems seemed too overwhelming. And every time I've said it, I have always come
back to my senses.
The truth is, our circumstances are only bad compared to something better. But others have been
through much worse. So here, coming to us from the extreme edge of survival, are words that can give us
strength. Whatever you're going through, tell yourself you can handle it. Tell this to yourself over and over, and it will help you get through the rough spots with a little more fortitude.
1. The writer seemed more interested in ______.
A. something that made Steven Callahan want to cross the Atlantic
B. What made Steven Callahan live through the circumstances
C. what Steven Callahan thought of in the ban circumstances
D. what was wrong with his boat on the half way
2. From the third paragraph we can infer that ______.
A. the state of mind means one's life or death
B. keeping up one's spirit is especially easy for one
C. most people have good physiological quality
D. bad conditions can strengthen one's will
3. How did Steven Callahan build up his confidence in difficulty?
A. By comparing himself with others.
B. By trying over and over again to call help.
C. By encouraging himself once and again.
D. By trying out different ways of how to survive.
4. What did the writer get from the experience of Steven Callahan?
A .One shouldn't lose heart when in difficulty.
B. Encouragement comes from one's behaviors.
C. The strength of example is endless.
D. To experience the difficulty does good to one person.
