I retired from my family business four years ago. But I've never been 41___ of a challenge. I've sailed around the world before. And I've decided to fly east from Western Australia in a 42___.
For the last two years I have trained hard, spending 150 hours 43___ with my ground team. When the big day came, thousands of people gathered to 44___ the launch. It was a 45___ start, with a smooth and steady takeoff. I was 46___ but still had some doubts—I was flying into the 47___. I couldn't guarantee I'd see my friends and family again.
The capsule where I stayed was designed to 48___ if I landed in water, but I was not sure whether I could 49___ the cruelty of the Ocean. 50___, I kept watching the weather, communicating with my land team and 51___ altitude to achieve the perfect speed and direction.
On my fifth day, I was terrified to notice I was losing oxygen. 52___, I managed to save my life by adjusting the pressure in the oxygen cylinder (氧气筒) to stop the oxygen escaping.
I know it was vital to stay 53___ to control the flight, altitude and my oxygen flow, so I held a spoon between two fingers—If I 54___, it would fall and wake me up. I never questioned why I was doing this. It is such a unique 55___ to see our beautiful planet from high above.
Seeing the coast of Australia again on my 11th day was a huge 56___. I knew my journey was nearly over. It was to be a new world record. I could see my team 57___ below as I flew over.
This 58___ really pushed me to my limits, but it hasn't 59___ me. Next year, I want to fly even higher to break another 60___ for the hot-air balloon flight
41. A. shy B. skeptical C. fond D. confident
42. A. plane B. helicopter C. wing suit D. hot-air balloon
43. A. debating B. preparing C. carving D. traveling
44. A. welcome B. inspect C. delay D. witness
45. A. perfect B. false C. poor D. fresh
46. A. amused B. puzzled C. excited D. frightened
47. A. future B. unknown C. shelter D. reality
48. A. digest B. recycle C. float D. fly
49. A. survive B. show C. evaluate D. comment
50. A. Finally B. However C. Therefore D. Besides
51. A. losing B. ignoring C. proving D. adjusting
52. A. Strangely B. Luckily C. Normally D. Conveniently
53. A. calm B. awake C. patient D. relaxed
54. A. looked around B. carried on C. dropped off D. turned up
55. A. experience B. excuse C. dream D. tradition
56. A. loss B. disaster C. burden D. relief
57. A. exercising B. celebrating C. escaping D. quarreling
58. A. challenge B. accident C. race D. failure
59. A. interested B. confused C. annoyed D. discouraged
60. A. promise B. balance C. record D. barrier