Comprehension [0990/11], November 2022, IGCSE First Language English

 Text A: Endurance events

I’m not sure when endurance events like triathlons, adventure races and ultra-marathon running races (through jungle, desert and mountainous terrains) started to become popular, but they are here to stay and continue to challenge the limits of every competitor.

 

Not so long ago, a marathon runner was a mythical beast – we all knew someone who knew someone who had run a 42 km marathon, but most of us had only actually seen them on TV. Now everyone knows a marathon runner and they just look like normal people.

 

Somewhere along the way, marathons became commonplace and a whole new breed of extreme activities arrived: the Ironman triathlon, crazy ultra-marathons and adventure races that defy description, like the Tough Mudder. While a lot of extreme challenges are to do with ultra-endurance, the Tough Mudder is short but involves getting hurt. Sometimes by electric shocks. And fire. Why would you?

 

I’ve no idea what has made extreme sports such a phenomenon, but I do know what happened for me. After many years of corporate life and habitual laziness I found myself with a large belly, unable to get to the buffet without puffing. Horrified, I signed up immediately for a 10 km run, then a marathon. And then an Ironman. It becomes a rapidly escalating obsession. What seemed like a hard-core event reserved solely for proper endurance fanatics soon becomes just within reach.

 

My personal theory for the rise of extreme sports is that life has become sterile. The chances of getting an adrenaline rush in the average workplace are minimal, so, tired of the rat-race, people search out ways to re-engage with life.

 

After completing two Ironman events, I can testify that the feeling of sweeping down the finish chute after 226 km to pumping pop music, flashing lights and a cheering crowd is the ultimate buzz. But to the true athlete, finishing a classic marathon, quietly in an empty car park, in pouring rain, is easily its equal for an overwhelming inner sense of achievement.

_______________________________________________________________________________

Questions

a)       Give the two examples of types of endurance events, other than ultra-marathons, according to the text. [1]

 

b)      (i) Using your own words, explain what the text means by: ‘challenge the limits’ (line 3) [2]

 

(ii) Using your own words, explain what the text means by: ‘mythical beast’ (line 4) [2]

 

c)       Re-read paragraph 3 (‘Somewhere  you?’). Identify two ways in which Tough Mudder always differs from other extreme events. [2]

 

d)      (i) Re-read paragraphs 4 and 5 (‘I’ve no idea [1] with life.’). Give two reasons why the writer decided to drop their ‘habitual laziness’ and take up running. [2]

 

(ii) Explain why extreme sports are growing in popularity according to the text. [3]

 

e)      Re-read paragraph 6 (‘After completing [1] achievement.’). Using your own words, explain why some Ironman competitors might still like to compete in marathons. [3]


S(Suggested) Answers

a)       · triathlon(s) / Ironman

b)      · adventure race(s) / Tough Mudder

 

c)       (i) · test (your) / push (yourself) to / force(d) / prove (to themselves)

 

· extremes (of abilities) / the most you can do / boundaries (of what you can do) / beyond comfort zone / what is possible

 

(ii) · imaginary / fictitious / not real / of legends / legendary

· creature / animal / non-human / monster

 

d)      · short(er)

· involves getting hurt / more dangerous / fire / electric shock

e)      (i) · large belly / became overweight / to lose weight

· was unfit / got out of breath easily / to get fit

 

(ii) · life has become sterile / life is too safe / lack of risk

· no adrenaline rush (in workplace) / crave excitement / boring

· tired of rat-race / fed up with 9–5 routine / pressure to keep doing the same thing

· looking for a way to re-engage with life / doing something fulfilling / feeling alive

 

f)        Answers which are entirely in the words of the text will not be credited.

· less flashy / quieter

· true sporting challenge / classic race / sense of nostalgia / (for) real athletes

· equal buzz / same thrill

· (inner) sense of achievement

 

 

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