TCET


MouseMaster

Canadian Corner

Grammar Central

Crazy English

Terrible Teacher

Flashed ESL

American Stories



Instructions:
1.   Either print this exercise with the questions and complete them in a traditional fashion, or
2.   Press to run a self-marked version of this exercise.




1.   He had a dream of running across Canada for cancer research. Although he only ran 5,343 kilometres from Newfoundland to Ontario, with about 3,000 kilometres remaining, he stayed true to his dream. Terry Fox became a hero to many Canadians.

2.   Fox was born in 1958 in Winnipeg, Manitoba. His mother could recall her son's steadfast determination as a young child. He would stack his toy blocks for hours until he had built the tower he wanted. This quality, along with his love of a challenge, would serve Fox well in his adult years.

3.   At age eight, Fox moved with his family to Port Coquitlam, British Columbia. He was always a high achiever, receiving straight A's in high school. Fox was told that he was too short to play basketball but his determination paid off: after intensive physical training, he was chosen nineteenth on a team of nineteen basketball players. After high school, Fox decided to study kinesiology at Simon Fraser University. He hoped to become a Physical Education teacher.

4.   During his first year at university, Fox developed severe pain in his right leg. He was diagnosed with bone cancer. This traumatic event changed his whole life. Within three days of the diagnosis, Fox's right leg was amputated. The following months of chemotherapy were agonizing, but they left him determined to help others with cancer. His dream was to run across Canada to raise money for cancer research. With his right leg fitted with a prosthesis, Fox began training for his Marathon of Hope.

5.   On April 12, 1980, equipped with a new camper van donated by Ford of Canada, Fox and his school friend, Doug Alward, began the Marathon of Hope. Terry's plan was to run from St. John's, Newfoundland to Vancouver, British Columbia--over 8,000 kilometres--in six months. He hoped to raise one dollar from every Canadian.

6.   Fox kept a journal of his daily running schedule. He documented many difficulties, such as cars pushing him off the road, sub-zero temperatures, howling winds, and being forced to breathe exhaust fumes. Yet, his courage and determination never faltered. By the time he reached Ontario, "Terry Fox" had become a household word. Everyone knew his cause. He had met Prime Minister Trudeau in Ottawa, and his hockey idol, Bobby Orr, in Toronto. People flocked to the roadways to see him pass. He made everyone feel good.

7.   On August 31, 1980, just outside of Thunder Bay, Fox developed terrible chest pain. The cancer had returned. He was flown back to Vancouver to begin the fight for his life. The CTV television network organized a Miracle of Hope tribute to Fox. Celebrities like John Denver, Elton John, Gordon Lightfoot and Anne Murray performed for the cancer cause. More than 23 million dollars was raised - about one dollar for every Canadian at that time.

8.   On June 28, 1981, Terry Fox lost his battle with cancer. But he was a true hero. He became the youngest person to earn the Companion of the Order of Canada, his nation's highest civilian award. As he said, "I just wish people would realize that anything is possible if you try; dreams are made if people try."


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