Semester Reading 10 Form

Read the text. Complete the sentences with one or two words from the text.

Marathon at the top of the world

Running a marathon is not an easy task. It requires great physical and mental strength, but for many people it’s the dream of a lifetime. In big cities around the world, there is usually at least one marathon taking place every week with thousands of people choosing to participate. But running in the city is not enough for some athletes. There are people looking for something more extreme.

The Tenzing Hillary Everest Marathon is the highest marathon in the world. It is named after the two men who first successfully climbed Everest, although runners do not run to the top of the mountain. It takes place in Nepal, starting at Everest Base Camp and finishing in the town of Namche Bazaar. The marathon takes place on the 29th of May every year and runners from all over the world participate.

1.In big cities around the world, thousands of people _________________________ in a marathon every week.

2.The Tenzing Hillary Everest Marathon is a _________________________ race than most others for people who want something different to a standard marathon.

3.The marathon is unique because it is _________________________ marathon in the world.

4.The race gets its name from the first people who _________________________ to the peak of the mountain.

Read the text. Complete the sentences with one or two words from the text.

In the months leading up to the race, runners undertake a lot of training to prepare. It’s essential they train to run long distances, and rather than run on the street or in the gym, it’s better to run on mountain trails and paths. They also need to increase their strength so spending time in the gym lifting weights is vital. But the training is not only about running. Competitors also have to prepare their bodies for the high altitude. At over 5,000 metres at the start, the air is so thin that running, even downhill, feels much more difficult than running at sea level. To train the body to function in these conditions, some runners decide to sleep in altitude tents. These are specially designed to reduce the amount of oxygen which causes the body to create more red blood cells. Sleeping in a tent like this for two weeks before a race is a great way to increase your endurance.

5.It takes _________________________ for runners to get ready for the race.

6.It’s not easy to run in the race, even downhill, because of the ________________________.

7.Running at high altitude is difficult because of the _________________________ air.

8.A/An _________________________ can help runners to prepare for the difficult conditions in the race.

Read the text. Complete the sentences with one or two words from the text.

Unlike most marathons, you can’t drive or take a train to the start of the race. It takes around two weeks to trek to the start point, and much of this is uphill. Due to altitude sickness, many competitors don’t even make it to the start line. However, the altitude isn’t a problem for runners from Nepal. Since their bodies are already used to the conditions, there is a different race for them. Otherwise the foreign runners wouldn’t stand a chance.

Whilst Everest is a dream for many people, there are a number of problems on the mountain. In recent years, the high number of tourists visiting the region means there is now a lot of rubbish in the area. To try and reduce the impact on the environment, the organisers of the race limit the number of people who can enter to 250 people per year. They are also working to improve the way waste is disposed of to ensure the race is an ecological event.

9.Before getting to the start line, participants spend about _____________________ trekking.

10.Some competitors are unable to start the race due to ______________.

11.With so many ______________ the region, the area is becoming more and more polluted.

12.Race organisers are trying to ______________ any damage done by the race to the environment.

Say are these sentences true or false.

1.You need to prepare physically for the marathon       [False, True]

2.Runners need to go to the highest peak of the mountain.       [False, True]

3. The marathon takes place on the 29th of May.       [False, True]

4.It's recommended to run on the street or in the gym.       [True, False]

5.Altitude tents are specially designed to reduce the amount of oxygen.       [False, True]

6.You can take a train to the start of the race.       [True, False]

7. Tourists cause problems for the organisers.       [False, True]

8.Only 250 people a year can take part in the marathon.       [False, True]