B1.2-Reading-Test 17

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Read the text and questions below.

For each question, mark the correct letter A, B, C or D

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Maria Mutola

Former 800 metres Olympic champion

In 1988, Maria Mutola was playing football as the only girl in an all-boys team in a local competition in Mozambique. 'We won,' she said. 'At first no one thought it was a problem that I was a girl. But then the team we beat complained.'

The story appeared in a local newspaper and José Craveirinha, who had encouraged other African athletes, learnt about Maria. He went to meet her and found her kicking a ball around outside the football club. He realised immediately that she was fast. 'He talked to me about athletics. I had no idea what he meant. The only sport I knew about was football. Then he bought me running shoes and took me training. It was such hard work and my legs really ached.' But José visited her parents and persuaded them she could be successful and this would help end their poverty. They agreed to let him take her away to train.

In 1991, she finally accepted an invitation to train in the United States. She had refused previously because she knew she would miss her family. Her background was unlike those of the girls she met in the US. She explains, 'They were good athletes but, while I worried about my parents having enough to eat, they worried about dresses and make-up. They knew very little about me and even less about my problems. But I knew I was lucky to be there. The trainers were brilliant and I learnt a lot.'

Today, Maria still runs and for most of the year she lives happily in South Africa with her mother.

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1. What is the writer trying to do in the text?

1. persuade more Africans to take up athletics
2. describe how Maria became a top athlete
3. give information about Mozambique
4. explain how Maria manages to stay fit

2. José Craveirinha found out about Maria when

1. he went to watch a local football competition.
2. she was blamed for her team losing a football competition.
3. he saw an article about her role in a football match.
4. people complained about another member of her football team.

3. When José first introduced Maria to athletics, she

1. didn't know what was involved.
2. was worried about being injured.
3. was keen to learn everything he knew.
4. didn't think her family would approve.

4. What does Maria say about the girls she met in the United States?

1. They did not make full use of their abilities.
2. Their training programmes were less demanding than hers.
3. They did not show enough respect for the trainers.
4. Their experiences of life were very different from hers.

5. What would Maria say about her life?

1. José has made all my dreams possible. From the first day we met, I was certain I wanted to become a top athlete.
2. My life hasn't always been easy but I've had many opportunities. Running is important to me and so is my family.
3. I regret becoming involved in athletics. It was horrible leaving Mozambique and my parents. I'd like to go back to football.
4. The US has some wonderful training facilities, so I'm glad that I agreed to go when I was first offered the chance.

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