The London Marathon

Reading comprehension

100

Answer the questions with 1–3 words based on the text.

1. What condition did Michael have as a child?
2. How many people took part in the first London Marathon?
3. What is the distance of the marathon route?
4. What phrase describes the moment when runners run out of energy?
5. How long did it take Michael to finish the race?

1–heart defect, 2–7,747, 3–42.2 km, 4–hit the wall, 5–less than six hours.

101

True or False. If False, correct the statement with 1–3 words.

1. Michael played football with other kids his age.
2. The London Marathon route ends in front of Buckingham Palace.
3. Most runners finish the marathon in under 3 hours.
4. Michael started training by running 10 km every day.
5. The doctor was worried about Michael’s progress.

1–False (was in hospital), 2–True, 3–False (four to five hours), 4–False (walking for a few minutes), 5–False (thrilled).

102

Match the paragraph (A–F in the text) with its main idea.

1. Michael’s first conversation with the doctor and the start of training.
2. The training plan and the risk of dehydration.
3. The marathon route and the physical challenge of “hitting the wall”.
4. Race day and Michael’s final thoughts on running.
5. Michael’s childhood and early interest in the marathon.

5–A, 3–B, 1–C, 2–D, 4–E/F

103

Infer the meaning of these phrases from the context. Choose the best explanation.

1. “hit the wall” — a) fall down, b) run out of energy, c) collide with something
2. “build muscle strength” — a) make muscles stronger, b) make muscles bigger, c) make muscles faster
3. “set out a training schedule” — a) decide on a plan, b) start running immediately, c) watch other runners
4. “thrilled with my progress” — a) worried about my progress, b) happy with my progress, c) surprised by my progress
5. “enter the race” — a) watch the race, b) join the race, c) organize the race

 

1–b, 2–a, 3–a, 4–b, 5–b.

104

Complete the summary with 1–3 words from the text.
Michael had a __________ (1) as a child and spent time in the hospital. He watched the __________ (2) on TV and dreamed of running it. After talking to his doctor, he started training __________ (3) and built strength. He learned about the risk of __________ (4) and prepared carefully. On race day, he __________ (5) in under six hours.

1–heart defect, 2–London Marathon, 3–step by step / by walking, 4–dehydration, 5–finished.

Language Functions & Expressions

100

Match the expression with its function.

1. “I couldn’t believe how far I had come.”
2. “My doctor and I worked together to set out a training schedule.”
3. “I was building more strength and confidence with every step.”
4. “The biggest problem would be dehydration.”
5. “I learned that as long as I try my best and have faith in myself, I can do almost anything.”

A. Expressing a lesson learned
B. Expressing disbelief/amazement
C. Describing a collaborative effort
D. Describing steady improvement
E. Identifying a potential problem

1–B, 2–C, 3–D, 4–E, 5–A.

101

Choose the best linking word to complete each sentence (from the text style).

1. __________, I decided to talk to my heart specialist.
2. __________, I started lifting weights to build muscle strength.
3. __________, I progressed from walking to running.
4. __________, I knew my chances of entering the race were slim.
5. __________, I finished the race in less than six hours.

Options: Meanwhile, Finally, At first, Over time, However

1–At first, 2–Meanwhile, 3–Over time, 4–However, 5–Finally.

102

Rephrase each sentence using a synonym for the underlined word/phrase, keeping the meaning the same.

1. Michael’s childhood with a heart defect was difficult.
2. He watched the marathon every year.
3. The marathon is the most challenging in the world.
4. Michael was surprised to see so many athletes drop out.
5. He continued to run even after the London Marathon.

 1–hard/tough, 2–annually, 3–toughest, 4–astonished/amazed, 5–kept on/went on.

103

Complete the collocations from the text.

1. __________ a training schedule
2. __________ muscle strength
3. __________ the wall
4. __________ a heart defect
5. __________ the race

1–set out, 2–build, 3–hit, 4–have, 5–enter.

104

Choose the correct preposition.

1. Michael dreamed __________ running the marathon.
2. The race starts __________ Greenwich Park.
3. Runners race __________ the River Thames.
4. Michael trained __________ a year before the race.
5. He shared his story __________ other athletes.

1–of, 2–in/at, 3–along, 4–for, 5–with.

Writing and creative tasks

100

Write 5 questions you would ask Michael in an interview (use different question words: who, what, when, where, why).

1. Who inspired you to start training?
2. What was the hardest moment during the race?
3. When did you realize you could finish the marathon?
4. Where did you feel the most support from your family?
5. Why do you still run today?

101

Write 5 bullet points (10–15 words total) for a poster advertising Michael’s talk “From Hospital Bed to Marathon Finish Line”. Use words from the text.

• Heart defect as a child — many hospital stays.
• Dreamed of the London Marathon since age 14.
• Trained step by step with doctor’s support.
• Faced “hitting the wall” and dehydration risks.
• Finished in under 6 hours — proved anything is possible.

102

Write a 4‑sentence email (60–80 words) from Michael to his 14‑year‑old self, using 4 time expressions from the text (e.g., “when I was 14”, “over the course of a year”, “by the time I turned 19”, “on race day”).

Dear 14‑year‑old me, when I was 14, I loved watching the marathon on TV and dreamed of running it. Over the course of a year, I went from walking to running and built strength with weights. By the time I turned 19, I was ready to apply for the race. On race day, I finished in under six hours — it was the most rewarding experience of my life.

103

Complete the dialogue with 5 phrases from the text (or their synonyms).
A: How did you prepare for the marathon?
B: I started __________ (1), then increased the intensity.
A: What was the hardest part?
B: __________ (2) around 30–35 km was tough.
A: Did your doctor support you?
B: Yes, we __________ (3) together.
A: How did you feel at the finish line?
B: I was __________ (4) and proud.
A: What’s your advice for others?
B: __________ (5) and believe in yourself.

 1–by walking for a few minutes, 2–Hitting the wall,  3–set out a training schedule,  4–thrilled, 5–Try your best.

104

Create a 5‑point checklist for someone who wants to train for a marathon with a health condition. Use modal verbs (should, must, can, etc.) and ideas from the text.

1. You must consult a specialist before starting any training.
2. You should start with low‑intensity activities like walking.
3. You can increase the intensity gradually over time.
4. You must stay hydrated and monitor your body’s signals.
5. You should celebrate small progress to stay motivated.

Grammar

100

Choose the correct verb form (Past Simple vs Past Continuous).

1. While other kids __________ (play) football, Michael __________ (stay) in the hospital.
2. When Michael __________ (turn) 14, the first London Marathon __________ (happen).
3. The doctor __________ (think) Michael __________ (joke) at first.
4. As Michael __________ (run) the final kilometers, his muscles __________ (start) to cramp.
5. Over a year, Michael __________ (go) from walking to running.

1–were playing, was staying; 2–turned, happened; 3–thought, was joking; 4–was running, started; 5–went.

101

Rewrite the sentences in the negative form.

1. Michael could run 5 km on his first training day.
2. The doctor advised Michael to stop training.
3. All runners finished the marathon in under 4 hours.
4. Michael watched the marathon only once as a teenager.
5. The crowd cheered for Michael at the finish line.

1–Michael couldn’t run 5 km on his first training day. 2–The doctor didn’t advise Michael to stop training. 3–Not all runners finished the marathon in under 4 hours. 4–Michael didn’t watch the marathon only once as a teenager. 5–The crowd didn’t cheer for Michael at the finish line.

102

Put the verbs in brackets into the correct past tense (Past Simple, Past Continuous, Past Perfect).

1. By the time Michael __________ (reach) 30 km, he __________ (already/feel) tired.
2. While the crowd __________ (cheer), Michael __________ (try) to keep his pace.
3. Before he __________ (start) training, Michael __________ (talk) to his doctor.
4. The race __________ (begin) at 9 a.m., and by noon many runners __________ (drop out).
5. Michael __________ (not/expect) to feel so emotional at the finish line.

1–reached, had already felt; 2–was cheering, was trying; 3–started, had talked; 4–began, had dropped out; 5–didn’t expect.

103

Find and correct the tense error in each sentence (based on the text).

1. Michael is training for a year before he runs the marathon.
2. The doctor says Michael can’t run 42.2 km at first.
3. While Michael watches the marathon on TV, he dreams of running it.
4. By the time Michael turns 19, he will have completed his training.
5. The marathon takes place every year, and last year 710,000 bottles of water are consumed.

1–Michael trained for a year before he ran the marathon. 2–The doctor said Michael couldn’t run 42.2 km at first. 3–While Michael watched the marathon on TV, he dreamed of running it. 4–By the time Michael turned 19, he had completed his training. 5–The marathon takes place every year, and last year 710,000 bottles of water were consumed.

104

Complete the timeline with the correct past tense forms.

1. Childhood: Michael __________ (spend) a lot of time in the hospital.
2. Age 14: He __________ (watch) the first London Marathon on TV.
3. Before training: He __________ (consult) his heart specialist.
4. During training: He __________ (build) muscle strength by lifting weights.
5. Race day: He __________ (finish) in under 6 hours.

1–spent, 2–watched, 3–consulted, 4–built, 5–finished.

Vocabulary

100

1. sickly              A. to get or acquire something
2. ultimate          B. physically weak and often ill
3. mentally          C. final, most extreme or best
4. drop out          D. to leave a course or                                          competition before finishing
5. obtain            E. in a way that relates to the                                mind     

1–B, 2–C, 3–E, 4–D, 5–A.

101

Complete the sentences with the words from the box. Use each word once.
defect, cramp, thrilled, consume, progress

1. Michael’s doctor was __________ with his improvements and allowed him to keep training.
2. A heart __________ made Michael’s childhood difficult.
3. When runners reach 30–35 km, their muscles often __________.
4. Over a year, Michael made steady __________ from walking to running.
5. During the race, runners __________ large amounts of water to avoid dehydration.

1–thrilled, 2–defect, 3–cramp, 4–progress, 5–consume.

102

Choose the correct synonym for each word from the text.

1. involved (in the race) — a) excluded, b) participated, c) watched
2. challenge — a) task, b) game, c) obstacle
3. confidence — a) doubt, b) trust, c) self‑assurance
4. essential — a) optional, b) necessary, c) expensive
5. suffer — a) enjoy, b) experience something unpleasant, c) ignore

1–b, 2–c, 3–c, 4–b, 5–b.

103

Identify the word that does NOT belong to the group (all others are related to the marathon or training).

1. marathon, race, competition, holiday
2. muscle, lung, heart, stadium
3. dehydration, cramp, injury, celebration
4. training, schedule, progress, television
5. strength, confidence, ability, illness

1–holiday, 2–stadium, 3–celebration, 4–television, 5–illness.

104

Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the word in brackets.

1. Michael faced many __________ (challenge) during his training.
2. His __________ (progression) over the year was remarkable.
3. The marathon is a true test of __________ (physics) and mental strength.
4. The doctor’s __________ (supportive) was crucial for Michael’s success.
5. Running the marathon was an __________ (inexperience) he will never forget.

1–challenges, 2–progress, 3–physical, 4–support, 5–experience.