English Test: A Brilliant Athlete

Are you looking to test your English proficiency? “English Test: A Brilliant Athlete” provides a comprehensive assessment of your skills in Reading, Grammar, Functions, and Writing. Besides the questions, this exam also includes answer key for each question.

Answers to English Test: A Brilliant Athlete

1. Hicham El Guerrouj (born September 14, 1974, in Berkane, Morocco) is a Moroccan middle-distance runner. He has set several world records, and is considered by some as the greatest middle-distance runner of all time, earning him the nickname ‘’King of the Mile”.
2. He has now moved up to compete in long-distance events. He said he wants to better Kenenisa Bekele’s world record of 12 min 37 s in the 5000 m. He is the world record holder for 1,500 meters, the mile, and 2,000 meters and is the athlete with the best record in both events in the last decade.
3. His sporting career is marked by various recognitions such as the award for humanitarian effort from the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), which he received in 1996. He is also a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador. El Guerrouj was named best athlete of the year by the IAAF in 2001 and 2002 after remaining unbeaten in more than 20 races and thus becoming the first man to win athlete of the year titles in consecutive years since the award was created in 1988. Also, in 2002, he was chosen, together with the British athlete Paula Radcliffe, the best athlete of the year by the prestigious athletics journal Track and Field News.
4. 2003, he was also top of the world athletics list and was elected as a member of the IAAF Athletes Committee, On September 7, 2004, Hicham El Guerrouj was decorated with the “Cordon de Commandeur” by King Mohammed VI of Morocco.

I- comprehension: (15 points)

BASE ALL YOUR ANSWERS ON THE TEXT

a. Are these sentences true or false? Justify. (3 points)

1. El Guerrouj has never set any world records.

2. He got the award for the humanitarian effort in 1996.

3. Track and Field News chose El Guerrouj as the only best athlete of the year 2002.

b. Answer these questions: (4 points)

• Which distance was El Guerrouj good at?

• What are El Guerrouj’s records?

• How old was El Guerrouj when he was decorated with the “Cordon de Commandeur”?

• What does IAAF stand for?

c. What do these words refer to? (3 points)

1-Both events: (paragraph 2)……………….

2- His: (paragraph 3)…………

3- The award: (paragraph 3)………

d. Find words that mean the same as (3 points)

1. To improve (paragraph 2): ………………………………………..
2. 10 years: (paragraph 2): …………………………………………..
3. Staying: (paragraph 3): ……………………………………………

e. Complete these sentences in your own words: (2 points)

• In 2001 and 2002 the IAAF…………………………
• King Mohammed VI of Morocco…………………

II. Language: (15 points)

A. Match the following words together to make appropriate collocations. (3 points)

easily	the price
it’s worth	advances
technological	with someone
	accessible

B. Complete these sentences with the appropriate word from the list. (2 points)

a) Non-profit b) reception  c) struggle d) vulnerable

1-The young artist was given a warm…………………. at the airport.

2-The volunteers carry out tasks that help……………………….. citizens.

C. Rewrite these sentences with the words given. (4 points)

1. I don’t know much about job interviews.

I wish……………………

2. “I am awfully sorry, I am not coming”.

She………………………

3. Only twenty teachers can be accepted for the job.

We can……………………

4. My sister didn’t see me; she didn’t take me with her.

If………………………

D. Give the correct form or tense of the verbs between brackets. (3 Points).

When Barbara went sailing, she left a note she (to write) ……….earlier, saying that she

(Like)………………… (Meet)…………………………………Liza the next day.

E. Match each sentence with its appropriate function. (3 points)

1.      I hate to mention this but your son destroyed all my flowers.	a.      giving opinions
2.      I definitely think that you should open a bank account	b.      cause and effect
3.      If only my son had not won the competition.	c.       complaining
	d.      Regrets

III. Writing: (10 points)

Do you think sport is important in young people’s lives? Why? In what way can it be a means of self-fulfillment? Give reasons for this importance.

Answers to English Test: A Brilliant Athlete

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I- comprehension: (15 points)

a. Are these sentences true or false? Justify. (3 points)

1. False. El Guerrouj has set several world records.
2. True. El Guerrouj received the award for humanitarian effort from the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) in 1996.
3. False. Track and Field News chose El Guerrouj and British athlete Paula Radcliffe as the best athletes of the year 2002.

b. Answer these questions: (4 points)

1. El Guerrouj was good at middle-distance running.
2. El Guerrouj’s records are in the 1,500 meters, the mile, and 2,000 meters.
3. El Guerrouj was 30 years old when he was decorated with the “Cordon de Commandeur.”
4. IAAF stands for International Association of Athletics Federations.

c. What do these words refer to? (3 points)

1. Both events: (paragraph 2) Refers to the 1,500 meters and the mile events.
2. His: (paragraph 3) El Guerrouj
3. The award: (paragraph 3) Refers to the award for the humanitarian effort that El Guerrouj received from the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) in 1996.

d. Find words that mean the same as (3 points)

1. To improve (paragraph 2): Better.
2. 10 years: (paragraph 2): Last decade.
3. Staying: (paragraph 3): Remaining.

e. Complete these sentences from the text: (2 points)

1. In 2001 and 2002 the IAAF named Hicham El Guerrouj as the best athlete of the year.
2. King Mohammed VI of Morocco decorated Hicham El Guerrouj with the “Cordon de Commandeur”.

II. Language: (15 points)

A. Match the following words together to make appropriate collocations. (3 points)

1. complaining
2. giving opinions
3. regrets

B. Complete these sentences with the appropriate word from the list. (2 points)

1-The young artist was given a warm reception at the airport.

2-The volunteers carry out tasks that help vulnerable citizens.

C. Rewrite these sentences with the words given. (4 points)

1. I wish I knew more about job interviews.
2. She said that she was awfully sorry but she was not coming.
3. We can accept only twenty teachers for the job.
4. If my sister had seen me, she would have taken me with her.

D. Give the correct form or tense of the verbs between brackets. (3 Points).

When Barbara went sailing, she left a note she had written earlier, saying that she liked to meet Liza the next day.

E. Match each sentence with its appropriate function. (3 points)

1. complaining
2. giving opinions
3. regrets

III. Writing: (10 points)

Sport is undoubtedly important in young people’s lives for various reasons. Firstly, it helps in the physical and mental development of individuals. Regular physical activity promotes cardiovascular health and strengthens the immune system. It also helps in the release of endorphins, which reduce stress levels and boost mood. Secondly, participating in sports activities helps young people develop essential social skills such as teamwork, communication, and leadership. Through working in teams, individuals learn how to rely on others and also be relied upon, which is important in building self-confidence and social relationships. Furthermore, being part of a team provides individuals with a sense of belonging, which is essential for building social networks and developing one’s identity. In conclusion, sports can be a means of self-fulfillment, as it provides individuals with opportunities to develop physical, social, and emotional skills that are vital for growth and success in life.