In 1718 Defoe was 1___ (NEARly) sixty years old. He had a full and 2___ (INTERESTing) life. He 3___ (TRAVELled), tried many professions and wrote many books and pamphlets. In 1712 Defoe met a 4___ (SAILor) who had been on a desert island. Alexander Selkirk was his name. for more than four years he had lived alone on that island, managing not only to stay alive, but also to make himself fairly 5___ (COMFORTable). At last he was rescued through the happy chance of a ship putting in at this island for water. When he ___ (FINALly) returned to London, his adventures became the talk of the town. Several accounts of his experiences were printed, read and soon 7___ (FORGoTten).But Defoe didn’t forget. Selkirk’s unique experience captured his 8___ (IMAGINation). What would a man do, all alone? How would he live? Thus Defoe turned to writing the story of a shipwrecked man. He chose an island in a 9___ (DIFFERent) part of the world for his story and created an imaginary character for his hero, Robinson Crusoe. With his skill as a 10___ (JOURNAList) he was able to make his story seem absolutely true. The book was a great success