Avoiding Running Injuries

 Part 6 – Multiple Matching (Questions 37–40)

You are going to read a magazine article in which four runners give advice about avoiding injuries.

For questions 37–40, choose from the runners A–D.

The runners may be chosen more than once.

Avoiding Running Injuries

What can runners do to reduce the likelihood of injury? Four experienced runners share their advice.

Runner A

Many runners believe the only way to improve is simply to run longer distances or train more frequently. However, repeating the same activity every day can place continuous stress on the same muscles and joints. For this reason, I think runners should include other forms of exercise in their training schedules.

Activities such as cycling or swimming can improve endurance without putting the same pressure on the legs that running does. Strength training can also be useful because stronger muscles help stabilise the body and reduce the likelihood of strains.

At the same time, runners must listen to their bodies carefully. Ignoring discomfort during training may transform a minor problem into a serious injury that requires weeks of recovery.

Runner B

Many coaches insist that runners should stop training immediately when they feel any kind of pain. While that advice is appropriate in cases of serious injury, I believe it is sometimes misunderstood. After demanding training sessions, it is normal for muscles to feel slightly sore.

In my experience, the best way to deal with this kind of discomfort is through effective recovery. Gentle stretching and slow jogging after training can help the muscles relax and reduce stiffness.

Runners should also remember that maintaining fitness does not necessarily require running every single day. Occasionally replacing a run with another endurance activity can reduce the stress placed on the body.

Runner C

Stretching has long been considered an essential part of preventing running injuries. As a result, many runners stretch carefully before every training session. However, recent research suggests that this habit may not provide the protection people expect.

Several scientific studies have compared runners who stretch before running with those who do not. Interestingly, the results show little difference between the two groups in terms of the number of injuries they experience.

This does not mean stretching is useless, but it may be more beneficial after exercise or later in the day when the muscles are already warm.

Runner D

Anyone who runs regularly should accept that injuries are almost inevitable. Statistics suggest that the average runner experiences at least one minor injury each year. The important thing is learning how to minimise the risk.

One of the biggest mistakes beginners make is trying to improve too quickly. They suddenly increase the distance they run or the speed at which they train, believing this will help them progress faster. Unfortunately, this approach often leads to injuries.

A far better strategy is to increase training gradually and allow the body enough time to adapt between sessions.

Questions

Which runner:

37 refers to scientific research that challenges a commonly held belief?

38 recommends including different sports in a training programme?

39 suggests that a certain level of muscle discomfort after exercise is normal?

40 warns that beginners often increase their training too quickly?

Why Amateur Athletes Compete

 Part 5 – Multiple Choice Reading (Questions 31–36)

Read the article and choose the correct answer.

Why Amateur Athletes Compete

Many people assume that competitive sport is driven primarily by the desire to win. While this may be true for professional athletes, the motivations of amateurs are often more complex.

For many participants, competition provides a sense of purpose. Training for an event encourages individuals to adopt healthier lifestyles and develop greater discipline.

Another motivation is social connection. Sporting events often bring together people from different backgrounds who share a common interest.

However, the benefits of competition are not purely social. Many amateur athletes report that the challenge of improving their personal performance is deeply satisfying.

Some psychologists argue that competition allows individuals to test their limits. By pushing themselves beyond what they previously believed possible, they develop greater confidence and resilience.

Nevertheless, experts caution that excessive competitiveness can be harmful. If individuals become overly focused on winning, they may lose sight of the enjoyment that originally attracted them to sport.

Questions

31. The writer suggests that amateur athletes mainly compete in order to
    A earn money
    B defeat their opponents
    C achieve personal satisfaction
    D gain professional recognition
32. Training for competitions often leads people to
    A change their daily habits
    B meet professional athletes
    C travel more frequently
    D avoid social activities
33. Sporting events help people
    A find employment opportunities
    B meet others with similar interests
    C compete against professionals
    D improve their academic skills
34. According to psychologists, competition helps individuals
    A avoid difficult challenges
    B understand their limitations
    C improve their physical appearance
    D develop greater self-confidence
35. The writer warns that competition can become harmful if people
    A train too frequently
    B focus only on winning
    C participate too often
    D compete internationally
36. The writer’s overall attitude toward amateur sport is
    A critical
    B neutral
    C supportive
    D doubtful

Staying Injury-Free in Sport

Part 1 – Multiple-choice Cloze (Questions 1–8)

For questions 1–8, read the text below and decide which answer (A, B, C or D) best fits each gap.

There is an example at the beginning (0).

Staying Injury-Free in Sport

For many athletes, injuries are an unavoidable part of training. Even those who follow carefully designed programmes sometimes experience physical problems that interrupt their progress. However, experts argue that the risk of injury can be reduced if athletes take a more balanced (0) approach to their training.

One common mistake is to increase the intensity of exercise too rapidly. Many beginners become overly enthusiastic and attempt to achieve ambitious goals within a short period of time. Unfortunately, the body often cannot (1) ______ such sudden demands, and the result may be muscle strain or fatigue.

Another important factor is recovery time. When athletes train without giving their bodies sufficient time to rest, minor injuries may gradually (2) ______ into more serious conditions.

Proper equipment also plays a crucial role. For instance, runners who choose unsuitable footwear may experience unnecessary stress on their joints. Selecting shoes that provide adequate support can (3) ______ the likelihood of injury considerably.

Finally, athletes should learn to recognise early warning signs. Pain is often the body’s way of signalling that something is wrong. Ignoring these signals may (4) ______ the problem and lead to longer recovery periods.

In short, preventing injuries is not simply a matter of luck. With careful planning and patience, athletes can greatly (5) ______ their chances of remaining healthy.

This requires a high level of (6) ______ to a well-designed training programme. Athletes must also (7) ______ a balance between effort and recovery. By doing so, they increase the (8) ______ of long-term success.

Example

0

A approach

B attitude

C method

D system

Answer: A

Questions

1

A resist

B withstand

C tolerate

D confront

2

A develop

B transform

C progress

D evolve

3

A lower

B weaken

C decrease

D decline

4

A expand

B worsen

C enlarge

D extend

5

A raise

B increase

C improve

D enhance

6

A dedication

B commitment

C responsibility

D obligation

7

A maintain

B preserve

C sustain

D support

8

A possibility

B opportunity

C chance

D probability

 

Part 1

0 A (approach)

1 B (withstand)

2 C (progress)

3 C (decrease)

4 B (worsen)

5 B (increase)

6 B (commitment)

7 A (maintain)

8 C (chance)

Experiences of writing autobiographies

 Part 8 – Multiple Matching

You are going to read four extracts from writers describing their experiences of writing autobiographies.

For questions 47–56, choose from the writers A–D. The writers may be chosen more than once.

Text A

When people think of autobiographies, they often imagine dramatic stories about extraordinary achievements or life-changing moments. Personally, I find such an approach slightly misleading. My own view is that a person’s character is revealed not through spectacular events but through the small, everyday experiences that shape our lives. In my autobiography I therefore chose to focus on ordinary moments – conversations with friends, daily routines, and seemingly insignificant decisions. These details may appear trivial at first, yet they often reveal far more about a person’s values and personality than heroic accomplishments ever could. By describing these modest experiences, I hoped to show that an ordinary life can be just as meaningful and interesting as an extraordinary one.

Text B

Writing honestly about one’s life is far more complicated than most people expect. While working on my autobiography, I quickly realised that it is extremely difficult to remain objective about events that involve our own emotions and personal relationships. Memory is selective: we tend to remember certain experiences clearly while forgetting others entirely. Even when we do remember events, our feelings at the time can influence the way we interpret them later. I often found myself wondering whether I was describing events exactly as they happened or simply as I remembered them. This uncertainty made me aware of how easily emotion and memory combine to shape our understanding of the past.

Text C

Before writing a single page of my autobiography, I spent several years gathering information about my past. I searched through boxes of old letters, childhood notebooks, photographs and diaries that had been stored away for decades. These personal documents proved invaluable. They allowed me to reconstruct events that had taken place many years earlier and to confirm details that my memory alone could not reliably provide. In addition, they helped me understand the context in which certain decisions were made. Without this careful preparation and research, I suspect that many parts of my story would have remained incomplete or inaccurate.

Text D

In my opinion, an autobiography should not simply present a list of events arranged in chronological order. Anyone could write such a factual record, but that would not necessarily help readers understand the person behind the story. What truly interests readers is the explanation of why certain choices were made and how particular experiences affected the writer’s thinking. For this reason, I tried to explore the emotions, motivations and doubts that influenced my decisions throughout life. By examining these internal processes, I hoped readers would gain insight not only into what happened but also into the reasons behind those events.

 

Which writer…

47 believes that autobiographies should explain reasons behind personal decisions?

 

48 mentions deliberately focusing on ordinary aspects of life rather than dramatic events?

49 emphasises the importance of collecting evidence before beginning to write?

50 describes the difficulty of remaining impartial when writing about personal experiences?

51 refers to the way emotions influence how past events are remembered?

52 states that autobiographies should provide insight into the writer’s thoughts and motivations?

53 suggests that apparently insignificant experiences can reveal a person's character?

54 mentions using personal documents to confirm memories?

55 explains that research helped reconstruct events that had been forgotten?

56 indicates that memory alone cannot always be trusted when describing the past?

Answer Key – Part 8

50 D

47 A

49 C

48 B

51 B

54 D

52 A

53 C

55 C

56 B

 

Discovering Family History

Part 7 – Gapped Text

You are going to read an article about researching family history.

Six sentences have been removed from the article.
Choose from the sentences A–G the one which fits each gap (41–46).

There is one extra sentence which you do not need to use.

Discovering Family History

In recent years, genealogy – the study of family history – has become an increasingly popular hobby around the world. Advances in digital technology and online archives have made it easier than ever for individuals to explore their ancestry and learn more about the lives of their predecessors. For many people, the process begins with a simple curiosity about where their family originally came from.

(41)_____

This initial stage often involves speaking to parents, grandparents or other relatives who may remember stories about earlier generations. Even small details such as names, occupations or places of residence can provide valuable starting points for further investigation.

(42)_____

Old photographs, letters, and personal diaries are particularly useful because they often contain dates and locations that can help researchers trace family connections. These materials may also reveal aspects of everyday life that are rarely recorded in official documents.

(43)_____

Public records, including birth certificates, marriage registers and census data, allow genealogists to confirm information and build a clearer picture of family relationships. Many of these records are now available through online databases, which has greatly simplified the research process.

(44)_____

However, researching family history is not always straightforward. Some historical records may have been destroyed, lost, or never created in the first place.

(45)_____

For this reason, experienced researchers emphasise the importance of comparing information from several different sources before drawing conclusions.

(46)_____

Despite these difficulties, many people find the experience extremely rewarding. Discovering unexpected connections or learning about the challenges faced by earlier generations can provide a deeper understanding of both personal identity and social history.

Sentences A–G

A. These discoveries often encourage people to continue exploring their family background.

B. In addition to oral accounts, researchers often examine documents kept at home.

C. In some cases, it may even be necessary to visit archives or libraries in distant regions.

D. Consequently, the information discovered during research must always be interpreted carefully.

E. At this point, many researchers turn to official historical records for more reliable evidence.

F. Nevertheless, family stories can sometimes contain inaccuracies or exaggerations.

G. As a result, they frequently begin their search within their own families.

Approaches to environmental protection.

Part 6 – Multiple Matching

Read the four extracts about approaches to environmental protection.

For questions 37–40, choose from the extracts A–D.

A

In many environmental projects, scientists work closely with local communities who have lived in a particular region for generations. These communities often possess detailed knowledge about local wildlife, climate patterns and seasonal changes that may not appear in scientific studies. For example, farmers and fishermen frequently notice subtle environmental shifts long before official data confirms them. By combining scientific research with local experience, conservation programmes can become far more effective. As a result, many experts now recognise that the participation of local communities is essential for protecting fragile ecosystems.

B

Advances in technology are increasingly being viewed as part of the solution to global environmental problems. Renewable energy technologies such as wind turbines, solar panels and hydroelectric systems offer alternatives to fossil fuels that produce large amounts of pollution. In addition, scientists are developing new methods of recycling materials and reducing industrial waste. Although technology alone cannot solve every environmental challenge, innovation can significantly reduce humanity’s impact on the planet. Continued investment in research and development may therefore play a crucial role in achieving a more sustainable future.

C

Education is widely regarded as one of the most powerful tools for environmental protection. When people understand how their daily actions affect the natural world, they are more likely to adopt responsible habits such as recycling, conserving energy and reducing waste. Schools, universities and public awareness campaigns all contribute to spreading this knowledge. Over time, education can also influence social attitudes, encouraging communities to support environmental policies and conservation initiatives. In this way, teaching people about environmental issues can gradually lead to meaningful behavioural change.

D

Many environmental challenges extend far beyond national borders. Issues such as climate change, ocean pollution and biodiversity loss affect the entire planet and cannot be solved by individual countries acting alone. For this reason, international cooperation has become increasingly important. Governments must work together to establish agreements that limit pollution, protect endangered species and promote sustainable resource management. Although such agreements can be difficult to negotiate, they are essential if humanity hopes to address environmental problems on a global scale.

 

Which extract refers to…

37 the belief that new technological developments may help reduce environmental damage?

38 the idea that local knowledge can complement scientific research?

39 the need for countries to collaborate in order to solve worldwide environmental problems?

40 the importance of educating people so that their behaviour changes?

The Value of Conservation

 Part 5 – Multiple Choice Reading (6 questions)

Read the article about environmental conservation and choose the correct answer (A–D).

The Value of Conservation

In recent years, environmental conservation has become one of the most urgent global concerns. Scientists warn that human activity is altering ecosystems at an unprecedented rate, threatening biodiversity and natural resources.

One major challenge is balancing economic development with environmental protection. Industries such as agriculture, mining and construction provide employment and economic growth, but they can also cause significant environmental damage.

Conservationists argue that sustainable development is the only viable long-term solution. This approach involves using natural resources responsibly so that they remain available for future generations.

However, implementing sustainable policies can be difficult. Governments often face pressure from businesses and local communities who fear that environmental regulations will reduce economic opportunities.

Despite these challenges, many countries have introduced policies designed to protect ecosystems. These include wildlife reserves, reforestation programmes and restrictions on pollution.

Although such measures cannot completely eliminate environmental problems, they represent an important step towards a more sustainable future.

31. What is the main purpose of the article?
    A To criticise government environmental policies
    B To explain why conservation is necessary
    C To describe different types of wildlife
    D To analyse agricultural production
32. According to the article, one major difficulty is
    A finding enough scientific evidence.
    B encouraging people to care about nature.
    C balancing economic and environmental interests.
    D reducing the cost of environmental programmes.
33. Sustainable development means
    A avoiding economic growth completely.
    B using resources in a responsible way.
    C preventing all industrial activity.
    D increasing agricultural production.
34. Governments sometimes hesitate to introduce environmental laws because
    A scientists disagree about environmental problems.
    B businesses fear economic losses.
    C environmental policies are too complicated.
    D conservationists oppose them.
35. Wildlife reserves are mentioned as an example of
    A scientific research.
    B economic development.
    C environmental protection measures.
    D international cooperation.
36. The writer suggests that conservation policies
    A will solve environmental problems entirely.
    B are unnecessary in modern society.
    C are an important but incomplete solution.
    D should replace economic development.