Section C

Questions 26 31 are based on the following passage.

1
Mind over body that best describes Daisuke Nakanishis ability to
cycle over 143,000 km since the beginning of his world tour over a decade
ago. He has been using the same trusty bicycle since starting out on his mission
in Anchorage, Alaska, way back in 1998. He arrived in Malaysia by air from Sri
Lanka this year in April, and duly cycled from the KL International Airport to
Kuala Lumpur where he spent the night.
2
From here, Nakanishi will be cycling to Johor Baru en route to
Singapore, from where he will head to Indonesia. The 39-year-old single, who
speaks English, Spanish and a smattering of Portuguese, left Japan on July 23,
1998, to take on the challenge of pedalling across the world. Since then, his
two-wheeler has been his mobile home. He carries cooking equipment, a
sleeping bag, tent and spare parts for his bicycle in seven bags. His cycling gear
is made up of only a T-shirt, Bermuda shorts and a hat.
3
On his first visit to Kuala Lumpur, Nakanishi said the city was welldeveloped compared to many others he has pedalled to. I also enjoy the local
food. It is very delicious, Nakanishi said during a brief interview at Menara
Star where he had cycled to.
4
The Economics graduate from Osaka worked for six years in a
construction company after graduating and saved US$50,000 (RM175,000)
before embarking on a mission to realise his childhood dream of touring the
world on a bicycle and making one million friends.
5
It is simply fascinating to feel the wind on my face when I cycle. I feel
so free when I am on my two wheels. I can go anywhere I want, said
Nakanishi, who stayed in Petaling Street in his stop here. Moreover, I have
visited many countries and I have had the opportunity to learn about people and
about their cultures.
6
During his travels, Nakanishi has had the good fortune to meet with
world leaders and interesting personalities, such as Nepali president Dr Ram
Barav Yadov, football icon Pele, former US president Jimmy Carter, former
Polish president Lech Walesa and the late Sir Edmund Hillary, the first person
to conquer Mount Everest.
7
Made an honorary citizen of Peru, Bolivia, Venezuela and Moldova, the
Japanese also endured bad experiences, such as contracting malaria in Kenya
and children throwing stones at him in Ethiopia. Nakanishi puts up his tent
whenever he wants to call it a day, and in some countries like Chile, the locals
invited him to spend the night in their homes.
8
In Europe, the hotel rates are very expensive so I travelled out of the
city and slept inside my tent, said the tanned Nakanishi, who confessed to
eating all kinds of food in his travels. I find it exciting to try new kinds of food
but sometimes, I get very sick due to food poisoning, he added.

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

There are countries that Nakanishi wished to visit such as Saudi Arabia 45
and Libya but he was unable to do so because he faced difficulties in getting the
visa. In Brazil, his credit card was stolen by a group of drug addicts. He did not
realise that his credit card was being stolen as he was sound asleep at that time!
Once while he was in Romania cycling past the beautiful countryside, he was
attacked by wild gypsies who were camping in the open. His old faithful bicycle
breaks down once in a while he has endured 300 tyre punctures and replaced
the tyres 76 times as he pedalled through 123 countries in all.
10
In spite of the bad experiences, Nakanishi has never once thought of 50
giving up. In fact, he is looking forward to moving on and seeing other
countries. He said he would visit about seven more countries by the year-end
before wrapping up his tour.
11
I miss my family very much. My parents and elder brother are waiting 55
for me in Japan. I have not gone home for many years! Sometimes Ill send my
family a postcard and keep in touch with them via internet and e-mail. However,
all the problems that I face are insignificant as compared to the wealth of
experience that I have gained in the course of my travels, he said.
(Adapted from The Star, April 2009)
Questions 26 30
Answer all questions. You are advised to answer them in the order set.
26 From paragraph 1, how did Nakanishi get to Malaysia from Sri Lanka?
... [1 mark]
27 From paragraph 2,
(a) what does the word two-wheeler refer to?
... [1 mark]
(b) identify two items that Nakanishi takes with him in his bags.
(i) ... [1 mark]
(ii) [1 mark]
28 From paragraph 3,
(a)
what does Nakanishi think of Kuala Lumpur?
... [1 mark]
(b)

which word has the same meaning as the word short?

.. [1 mark]

29

(a) From paragraph 6, name the famous sports personality Nakanishi met.
... [1 mark]

(b)

From paragraph 10, what does Nakanishi plan to do before the end of the year?
... [1 mark]

30

How would you describe Nakanishis character? Give a reason for your answer.

...

......................................................................................................................... [2 marks]

Based on the passage given, write a summary:

1 of why Nakanishi cycles around the world and
2 the problems he experienced during his travels