terry fox

 THE MARATHON OF HOPE

(The Story of Terry Fox)

In this lesson you are going to read about Terry Fox. Before you read the story, find words from the passage which mean the following. The number after each meaning tells you in which paragraph the word occurs.

1. not to speak clearly (7)

Answer: mumbled

2. told a secret (11)

Answer: confided

3. took no notice (14)

Answer: ignored

4. go against something strongly (16)

Answer: protested

5. liveliness and energy (20)

Answer: spirit

6. not real (20)

Answer: artificial

7. planned (25)

Answer: intended

8. feel as if everything around is moving (28)

Answer: dizzy

9. very famous person (34)

Answer: celebrity

10. change position in order to escape something (38)

Answer: dodging

11. give a name or title (41)

Answer: designated

12. sign, mark (42)

Answer: symbol

 

READ FAST

Read paragraphs 1 to 3 and fill up this biodata as Terry Fox.

Name - Terry Fox

Date of Birth – 1958

Birth place – Winnipeg, Manitoba

Resident of – Port Coquitlam, British Columbia.

Brother(s) – Two  Names Fred and Darell

Sister(s) – One Names Judith

Now write biodata about yourself.

Answer:

Name - Simran Gupta

Date of Birth – 2012

Birth place – New Delhi

Resident of – Vasant Kunj

Brother:  One  Name : Samir

Sister : One Name : Sara

READ AGAIN

Read paragraphs 4 to 18 and complete the following notes.

1. Terry was practicing basketball a lot because

(a) he loved the sport and

(b) he had aspirations of playing at a higher  level.

2. Terry hated running yet he kept on at it because

he wanted to make it to the school team.

3. Terry made it to the school team because

of his hardwork and determination.

4. Terry tried to forget about his pain in the leg because he was determined to finish the basketball season.

5. Medical tests showed that Terry had cancer.

6. Though Terry had a strong mind, the news of cancer made him sad.

7. Terry didn’t want to lose his leg because he was an athlete.

READ FURTHER

Read paragraphs 19 to 26 and say whether the following statements are True or False. Put a tick against the statements you think are true.

1. For the strong-minded Terry, losing a leg was not a challenge.

Answer: False

2. It took Terry little time to overcome his disappointment.

 Answer: True

3. People were more sad for Terry than he was for himself.

Answer: True

4. Only Terry’s coach was not unhappy about him.

Answer: False

5. Dick Traum was Terry’s inspiration.

Answer: True

6. Terry wanted to run across Canada to prove himself.

Answer: False

7. Finishing the Prince George Marathon set Terry for the final run.

Answer: True

8. The starting point of the run was Newfoundland.

Answer: True

9. Terry’s run started with a lot of publicity.

Answer: False

10. Terry’s family was with him on the morning of April 12, 1980.

Answer: False

READ CAREFULLY

Read paragraphs 27 to 42 and look at the table below. Against each place name, write brief notes on the events that took place in those places. One has been done as an example.

Place	Events
Prince Edward Island to New Brunswick	Donations poured in.
Montreal	Received a warm welcome, media attention grew.
Hawkesbury	Local runners joined him, fundraising efforts intensified.
Ottawa	Met with officials, public awareness soared.
Toronto	Terry’s run gained national prominence.
Near Thunder Bay	Terry’s health worsened, run tragically ended

 

Below is a map of Canada. In pencil mark an X to show Terry’s starting point and intended finishing point. Now, trace the route which he actually completed. The place names listed will help you.

Answer: St. John’s, Newfoundland, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Montreal, Hawkesbury, Ottawa, Toronto, Thunder Bay.

 

Terry met and heard from many important people. List their names.

Answer:

Don Sweet                                                  Queen Elizabeth II

Jim Brown                                                 Governor General Edward Schreyer

Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau                 Athletes and Celebrities

Terry was recognized and honoured in many ways. List the honours he received.

Answer: Companion of the Order of Canada

Terry Fox Commemorative Stamp

Terry Fox Marathon of Hope Day

Letters of Recognition from the President of America, Jimmy Carter and Pope John Paul II

Different people and agencies were inspired to help Terry in different ways. Against each name write briefly what help he got from each. One is done as an example.

Television and Radio	Publicity
Ford Company	Donated vehicles
Imperial Oil Company	Donated fuel
School children	Raised money
Drivers	Offered rides
A city newspaper	Raised awareness
Prisoners	Raised Donations
Famous Stars	Promotion

 

An epitaph is a writing on a tomb stone which honours the dead person buried there. Complete this epitaph for Terry Fox.

 

Here lies Terry Fox

a beacon of courage and inspiration,

whose indomitable spirit and selfless journey

touched the hearts around the world.

 

 

LET’S SPEAK

You also wish to raise some funds for cancer patients. In group discuss what you could do. Jot down your points and let your group leader later tell the whole class about it.

Answer : As a group, we could raise funds for cancer patients by organizing a charity walk or run, similar to the Terry Fox Run. Participants could ask for sponsorships from friends and family for each kilometer they complete. Another idea is to sell ‘cancer-awareness T-shirts’ or ‘bracelets’, and donate the profits. We could also get local businesses to sponsor the event and spread the word on social media to reach more people.