Running and Writing Examination

Running: A Sprint or a Marathon?

Running has many types of competitive racing. All races test speed, endurance or both. Track and field races are usually divided into sprints, middle-distance and long-distance. Those held off the track may be called cross-country races. The longest is a marathon which is run over 42.195 kilometres (26 miles and 385 yards).

Who is your favourite running hero?

Maybe it is Kenyan Eliud Kipchoge, winner of the gold in the Berlin Marathon event? Eliud has come dangerously close to finishing the marathon in less than two hours. He set a new world record of 2 hours, 1 minute and 39 seconds and is now in the running to break that mythical time barrier.

Or perhaps your breath is taken away by the stunning feats of Allyson Felix? In 2012, she dominated other runners in the sprinting events at the London Olympics. She won gold medals in the 200-metre individual, 100-metre relay and 200-metre relay. Four years later she defended her relay gold medals again in Rio.

The top ten runners in the world come from all the different events. Distance runners are masters of keeping pace and using grit to finish a race. The sprinters are powerful and coordinated, and rarely make mistakes. But long-distance runners and sprinters have one thing in common – they try to win!

Physically, they are complete opposites. Long-distance runners are lean, which best suits them for covering ground. Sprinters are powerfully built and explosively fast for shorter stretches. The two runners differ in speed and body type.

Height

Generally, top long-distance runners are tall with long arms that pump for extra power and long legs allowing bigger strides. Sprinters typically are smaller than distance runners. Shorter legs are beneficial for quickly building speed.

Weight

Long-distance runners tend not to weigh much. Carrying weight is a burden for distance runners and slows speed. Sprinters carry more weight and most of it is muscle. Being heavier allows the sprinter to run with more power and cut through wind.

Muscle mass

Long-distance runners develop long, lean muscles, particularly in the lower body. Sprinters have thick muscles. Their strong thighs and calves help them burst from the starting line. Runners come in all shapes and sizes, but one thing they all have in common is determination.

How does this title interest the reader?

• explains the races

• describes types of running

• shows what the text is about

• describes famous sports stars

‘Running has many types of competitive racing. All races test speed, endurance or both.’

Give the word the writer has used for being persistent.

‘…a marathon which is run over 42.195 kilometres (26 miles and 385 yards).’
Why has the writer given two types of measurement?

• show how long the marathon race is

• explain how far marathon runners go

• emphasise both of the distances given

• make the distance clearer for readers

‘Who is your favourite running hero?’
Explain why the writer makes this question a subheading.

‘Eliud has come dangerously close to finishing the marathon in less than two hours.’
What does the writer mean by the words ‘dangerously close’?

• Eliud has difficulty in beating this time

• Eliud may suffer if he runs faster

• Eliud just missed out beating this time

• Eliud is a fierce running competitor

‘Or perhaps your breath is taken away…’
This is an example of:

• personification

• a simile

• a metaphor

• alliteration

‘In 2012, she dominated other runners in the sprinting events…’
Choose the word from the list below that could replace ‘dominated’.

• disappointed

• overshadowed

• astonished

• terrified

Running: A Sprint or a Marathon?

Running has many types of competitive racing. All races test speed, endurance or both. Track and field races are usually divided into sprints, middle-distance and long-distance. Those held off the track may be called cross-country races. The longest is a marathon which is run over 42.195 kilometres (26 miles and 385 yards).

Who is your favourite running hero?

Maybe it is Kenyan Eliud Kipchoge, winner of the gold in the Berlin Marathon event? Eliud has come dangerously close to finishing the marathon in less than two hours. He set a new world record of 2 hours, 1 minute and 39 seconds and is now in the running to break that mythical time barrier.

Or perhaps your breath is taken away by the stunning feats of Allyson Felix? In 2012, she dominated other runners in the sprinting events at the London Olympics. She won gold medals in the 200-metre individual, 100-metre relay and 200-metre relay. Four years later she defended her relay gold medals again in Rio.

The top ten runners in the world come from all the different events. Distance runners are masters of keeping pace and using grit to finish a race. The sprinters are powerful and coordinated, and rarely make mistakes. But long-distance runners and sprinters have one thing in common – they try to win!

Physically, they are complete opposites. Long-distance runners are lean, which best suits them for covering ground. Sprinters are powerfully built and explosively fast for shorter stretches. The two runners differ in speed and body type.

Height

Generally, top long-distance runners are tall with long arms that pump for extra power and long legs allowing bigger strides. Sprinters typically are smaller than distance runners. Shorter legs are beneficial for quickly building speed.

Weight

Long-distance runners tend not to weigh much. Carrying weight is a burden for distance runners and slows speed. Sprinters carry more weight and most of it is muscle. Being heavier allows the sprinter to run with more power and cut through wind.

Muscle mass

Long-distance runners develop long, lean muscles, particularly in the lower body. Sprinters have thick muscles. Their strong thighs and calves help them burst from the starting line. Runners come in all shapes and sizes, but one thing they all have in common is determination.

What do long-distance runners and sprinters have in common?

‘Sprinters are…explosively fast…’
What does the word ‘explosively’ show about how sprinters run?

Tick the type of running: Long-distance that matches the words from the text below.

• …long arms that pump for extra power…

• …carry more weight and most of it is muscle.

• …develop long, lean muscles, particularly in the lower body.