Question

The sun had just risen. The annual marathon in my town is usually held during a heat wave. My job was to follow the runners in an ambulance to render medical attention. The driver and I were in an air-conditioned ambulance behind approximately one hundred athletes waiting for the race to start. “We’re supposed to stay behind the last runner, so drive slowly,” I said to the driver, Doug, as we began to step forward.
“Let’s just hope the last runner is fast!” He laughed. As they began to pace themselves, the runners were running way ahead. It was then that my eyes were drawn to a woman in blue running shorts and a baggy white T-shirt. She clenched her fists tightly. She pushed her self forward, ready to begin the race. “Doug, look!” We knew we were already watching our “last runner.” Her feet were turned in, yet her left leg was turned out. Her legs were so crippled and bent that it seemed impossible for her to be able to walk, let alone run a marathon.
Doug and I watched in silence as she slowly moved forward. We did not utter a word. We would move forward slightly, then stop and wait for her to gain some distance. Then we would slowly move a little more. As I watched her struggle to put one foot in front of the other, I found myself cheering for her and urging her forward. I wanted her to stop, and at the same time, I prayed that she would not. Finally she was the only runner left in sight. Tears streamed down my face as I sat on the edge of my seat and watched with awe, amazement and even reverence as she pushed forward with sheer determination through the last miles. When the finish line came into sight, trash lay everywhere and the cheering crowds had long gone home.
Yet, standing straight and ever so proud waited a lone man. He was holding one end of a ribbon of crepe paper tied to a post. She slowly crossed through, leaving both ends of the paper fluttering behind her. There was a look of triumph in her before she collapsed and lay limp on the ground. Hurray! She made it. Without a moment’s delay, I dashed forward and rendered aid to my first and only casualty for the day.
I do not know this woman’s name, but that day she became part of my life – a part I often depend on. For her, it wasn’t about beating the other runners, or winning a trophy, it was about finishing what she had set out to
do, no matter what. When I think things are too difficult or too time consuming, or I get those I-just-can’t-do-it feeling, I always think of the last runner. Then I would realize how easy the task before me really is.
Answer the following questions based on the reading passage.
1. From paragraph 1, quote a two-word phrase which clearly indicates that the marathon
was held on a very hot day.
2. Doug said, “Let’s just hope the last runner is fast” Write the reason.
3. How do you know that the last runner was determined to finish the race right from the
beginning?
4. Mention the place where the Writer and Doug sitting throughout the race.
5. In the second last paragraph, what does “it” refer to?

Answer 1

Answer:

This notice is to inform all school students that our school is organizing an Inter Class Singing Competition on 30th April 2019. The theme of this year's competition is Patriotism. Interested students are requested to submit their names to the undersigned. Contact the undersigned for further details about the selection process for this competition.

Navita

Secretary, Music Club