Spark Study Buddy (Explorer): China half-marathon offers unique prizes – a cow and fish
This page has an easy read with questions to test your understanding and work on your English skills.
A half-marathon in China offers the winner a cow while other prizes include chickens and ducks. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock/PixabyContent provided by British Council
[1] A half-marathon in northeastern China surprised many people by announcing that the winner would receive a cow as a prize. Other rewards included wild fish, chickens and ducks. These unusual prizes got the attention of many people. Some said they wanted to join the event. The race took place on December 3.
[2] According to the rules, the first 50 people to finish the half-marathon would receive a combination of cash and other prizes. The champion would be awarded a cow. The first and second runners-up would receive valuable wild fish. Those who place fourth to 20th would be given a goose or rooster. Anyone who finishes after the 30th spot would take home 10kg of rice or whole wheat flour.
[3] The event organiser explained the rewards: “Indeed, the top prize this year is a cow. Last year, we offered wild fish as the top prize, with second place winners receiving chickens and ducks. To make this year more special, the champion has the option to either take the cow home or exchange it for 6,000 yuan in cash.”
[4] More people in China are living healthier lifestyles. This includes a rising number of people who enjoy running marathons. Marathons are popular in China because they offer a great social experience. People who love sports find this very appealing.
[5] According to the “2023 China Road Running Races Blue Book” released by the Chinese Athletics Association, a total of 622 marathons and half-marathons were held nationwide that year. This is an average of nearly two events per day.
[6] This trend is not only popular in major cities like Beijing, Guangzhou and Chengdu. Smaller third- and fourth-tier cities and counties with populations of only a few hundred thousand are now organising races.
[7] The groups that plan these events are constantly adding local elements into this fitness trend. One example from 2023 was the “Village Super League” football finals in Guizhou. The award ceremony had chickens, geese, sheep, pigs and cows.
Source: South China Morning Post, December 10
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Reflect: What would be the best prize to get for winning a race?
Questions
1. What is the top prize for the winner of the half-marathon according to paragraph 2?
A. a goat
B. a cow
C. a bicycle
D. a car
2. In paragraph 2, what does the 45th person who finishes the race receive?
3. How many marathons were held in China in 2023?
A. 311
B. 622
C. 2,023
D. information not given
4. The “trend” in paragraph 6 refers to …
A. fewer marathons taking place in Beijing, Guangzhou and Chengdu.
B. more books published by the Chinese Athletics Association.
C. more people running in marathons and half-marathons.
D. more young people running in marathons.
5. Arrange the words below to form a grammatically correct sentence. Begin the sentence with a capital letter and end with a full stop.
winner / to / half-marathon / 6,000 / choose / yuan / the / receive / instead / of / the / can
6. Write the singular form of these animals. (3 marks)
(i) chickens
(ii) geese
(iii) fish
Answers
1. B
2. 10kg of rice or whole wheat flour
3. D
4. C
5. The winner of the half-marathon can choose to receive 6,000 yuan instead.
6. (i) chicken; (ii) goose; (iii) fish