“Easy come, easy go” as the old saying goes. It’s easy to do easy things, but they don’t carry the challenges and rewards of doing something difficult. Stanley said he tried to express that view everywhere he went. And he spoke from experience, having spent a career that included the time as a NASA astronaut, US Navy captain, fighter pilot, and engineer.
Stanley spoke at the University of North Alabama, sharing stories about his experience of spending a year on the International Space Station (ISS). He said the physical pressure of living in weightlessness for a year was hard to describe and that the fluids in his head sometimes made him feel like he was standing on his head. It also needed some time to recover when he returned home. “My legs were weak and it would be uncomfortable to sit for a while because my body hadn’t had that pressure so long,” Stanley said.
He discussed life aboard the Space Station, including spending time with Russian astronauts. He had managed to get along well with everyone aboard as they lived together, worked together, and had to rely on each other. He thought it was one of the most rewarding things in his life.
Though life there was not easy, Stanley never regretted being an astronaut and going to space. He also discussed experiences growing up, admitting that he wasn’t always the greatest student but was able to overcome that through hard work and determination.
“Never give up or lower your dreams. If you work for it, all things are possible. There is a zero percent chance of succeeding if you don’t even try. And when you succeed after trying hard, you’ll find it really rewarding,” Stanley said in the end.
8. Based on Stanley’s experience, which is his major occupation?
A.A speaker. | B.A spaceman. |
C.A firefighter. | D.A scientist. |
9. What may benefit Stanley most when he lived with Russian astronauts?
A.He developed good relationships with others. |
B.He picked up different cultures. |
C.He found the fun of living in the Space Station. |
D.He won some awards through teamwork. |
10. Which of the following can best describe Stanley?
A.Determined. | B.Aggressive. |
C.Gifted. | D.Disgusting. |
11. What does the author intend to tell us from Stanley’s story?
A.Nurture passes nature. |
B.Life is not all roses. |
C.Difficult things are demanding but rewarding. |
D.Have a vision in order to win. |