In my early thirties, I decided to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa at 5,895 meters above sea level.

After months of preparation, I started my great adventure. At the base of the mountain, I met Mik, a local porter, who warmly greeted me. Mik’s job was to carry my equipment up the mountain, set up the tent (帐篷), and carry everything back down after reaching the peak. Mik stood about 1.6 meters tall. I was equipped with a pack nearly as tall as his whole body. Just imagine this little man with the huge equipment balanced on his head.

The first day of the climb was through the rain forest, across a slippery (滑的), muddy ground covered with tree roots and vines (藤蔓). Mik was carrying 30 kilos on his head! By that evening, we made it to 3,000 meters. The air was thinner and it was colder. When I arrived at the campsite for the night, my tent was already set up and waiting for me.

Day two was much steeper (陡峭的) and rockier. I really had to focus on what I was doing. And I felt guilty for the tough.conditions Mik had to work in Yet when I turned to Mik, he said with the biggest smile, “Polle, polle,” which means “relax, take it easy” in his native language. I smiled back, my burden lighter somehow.

Over the next five days, the climb got increasingly difficult. The temperatures could swing from 21°C to below freezing in a few hours. At 5,700 meters, there’s only half the oxygen available in each breath compared to at sea level. That leaves many people with severe headache. Yet Mik remained cheerful. He always had a smile and a positive attitude. It had an enormous impact on me, giving me the strength to keep going.

Even today, when I find myself struggling with anything in life, I just think back to Mik and his smile.

A great attitude can bring joy to those around you, or even motivate strangers to the top of a mountain.

上面的文章是2023年天津卷第1次的完形填空题。

不明白文中 for the tough 是什么意思。

不理解 I felt guilty for the tough是什么意思。