Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D to indicate the correct answers to each of the questions. World walker On May 21, 2022, Tom Turcich from New Jersey, USA, became the 10th person on record to achieve the remarkable feat of walking around the world, while his four-legged companion Savannah was the first dog to do so. The triumphant moment brought about the end of a seven-year, 48,000-kilometer journey. The inspiration for the trip stemmed from a sad loss in 2006, ...

World walker

On May 21, 2022, Tom Turcich from New Jersey, USA, became the 10th person on record to achieve the remarkable feat of walking around the world, while his four-legged companion Savannah was the first dog to do so. The triumphant moment brought about the end of a seven-year, 48,000-kilometer journey.

The inspiration for the trip stemmed from a sad loss in 2006, when a long-time friend of Turcich died in a jet ski accident at the age of 17. It dawned on young Turcich that death could occur at any moment, so he needed to make the most of his life. He spent the next few years completing college and working to save money, and in 2015, he finally quit his job, packed a few belongings and set off on foot from his home.

Turcich was not alone on this epic trek. Around four months in, he acquired his walking companion, puppy Savannah, from an animal shelter in Texas. At first, he simply felt that having a furry friend alongside who could keep watch at night would come in handy, but the two soon became perfect travel companions. Crossing borders with a dog sounded tricky, but with a certificate in hand proving that she was free of disease, it turned out to be smooth sailing.

On average, Turcich walked 38 kilometers a day, burning 5,000 calories in the process. His path hadn’t been a breeze—he’d tackled volcanoes and steep mountains in Guatemala, at times covering just 16 kilometers a day. He travelled light, pushing his gear in a baby stroller, which he found to be less tiring than carrying a backpack.

When he first started out, his legs ached at the end of the day, but then he grew accustomed to the physical demands. He stretched daily and worn out multiple pairs of hiking boots, each lasting around 800 kilometers. He had an arrangement with a friend in the States who’d mail him new pairs of sneakers whenever he needs them.

Turcich inevitably experienced various highs and lows along the way, including being invited to local weddings in Turkey and being held at knife point while in Panama. Throughout his journey, he was amazed by the generosity and hospitality of strangers, many of whom have welcomed him into their homes. Although they often doubted his story at first—especially when he mentioned walking to South America—they soon came to believe it, and their admiration for his feat grew.

Now that Turcich’s back in his hometown, he’s focused on writing a memoir about his voyage, while Savannah is adjusting to being in one place all the time. When asked if he’s itching to get back on the road, he says that it’s the furthest thing from his mind. In fact, he has no plans to go anywhere for a long time.