OC – Reading – Cloze Passage – 26/07
For Questions 1-5, choose from the sentences (A-F) which one you think best fits the gap.
There is one extra sentence which you do not need to use.
"Chasing the Wall: The Making of an Olympic Swimmer"
Every four years, the world watches in awe as Olympic swimmers slice through water
with impossible speed and precision. Their performances seem effortless, but behind
every gold medal is a journey built on sacrifice, discipline, and relentless routine.
Olympic swimmers are made long before they ever stand on a podium.
1. ______ Most begin serious training by the age of ten, often waking up before sunrise to
swim laps while their peers are still asleep. For many, swimming becomes not just a
sport, but a lifestyle.
It’s not just about how many hours they swim—it’s also about how they recover, what
they eat, and how they build mental resilience. 2. ______ To perform at the elite level,
every element of the swimmer’s day is planned down to the minute.
Elite swimmers often train twice a day, combining pool work with strength training and
technique drills. 3. ______ Coaches use video analysis to break down strokes frame-by-
frame, helping athletes find tiny adjustments that can shave tenths of a second off their
time.
4. ______ The emotional highs of winning can be quickly followed by the pressure to
maintain performance, while injuries or plateaus can test an athlete’s motivation and
mental health.
Despite the challenges, the Olympics remain the ultimate goal. 5. ______ It’s a moment
when years of sacrifice are measured in seconds—and when hard work, talent, and
timing collide on the world’s biggest stage.
A. Progress in swimming is often measured in fractions of a second, but those
fractions can mean the difference between gold and nothing at all.
B. For young swimmers with Olympic dreams, commitment begins early and rarely
lets up.
C. The psychological toll of elite competition is often underestimated, especially in
individual sports like swimming.
D. With so much riding on small margins, swimmers must constantly refine their
technique and efficiency.
E. Training camps, competitions, and even sleep schedules are optimised to
support peak performance.
F. While some swimmers pursue medals, others are simply grateful to compete
alongside the best in the world.
Answers:
1. B
2. E
3. D
4. C
5. A
Explanations:
1. B
For young swimmers with Olympic dreams, commitment begins early and rarely
lets up. Most begin serious training by the age of ten, often waking up before sunrise to
swim laps while their peers are still asleep.
The sentence after (1) explains how swimmers train from a young age and make it a
lifestyle. Therefore, it is appropriate for (1) to act as a clear topic sentence that sets the
stage for early dedication.
Therefore, the answer is Option B.
2. E
It’s not just about how many hours they swim—it’s also about how they recover, what
they eat, and how they build mental resilience. Training camps, competitions, and
even sleep schedules are optimised to support peak performance. To perform at
the elite level, every element of the swimmer’s day is planned down to the minute.
The sentence before (2) discusses recovery, nutrition, and routine. The sentence after
(2) explains how every part of their day is meticulously scheduled. Therefore, it is
appropriate for (2) to describe the structure behind elite performance.
Therefore, the answer is Option E.
3. D
Elite swimmers often train twice a day, combining pool work with strength training and
technique drills. With so much riding on small margins, swimmers must constantly
refine their technique and efficiency. Coaches use video analysis to break down
strokes frame-by-frame, helping athletes find tiny adjustments that can shave tenths of
a second off their time.
The sentence before (3) outlines some of the swimmers intense training methods. The
sentence after (3) elaborates on how coaches fine-tune swimming technique. Therefore,
it is appropriate for (3) to connect general training to specific analytical methods.
Therefore, the answer is Option D.
4. C
The psychological toll of elite competition is often underestimated, especially in
individual sports like swimming. The emotional highs of winning can be quickly
followed by the pressure to maintain performance, while injuries or plateaus can test an
athlete’s motivation and mental health.
The sentence after (4) mentions emotional highs, pressure, and mental health.
Therefore, it is appropriate for (4) to discuss the mental challenges that swimmers face.
Therefore, the answer is Option C.
5. A
Despite the challenges, the Olympics remain the ultimate goal. Progress in swimming
is often measured in fractions of a second, but those fractions can mean the
difference between gold and nothing at all. It’s a moment when years of sacrifice are
measured in seconds—and when hard work, talent, and timing collide on the world’s
biggest stage.
The sentence before (5) refers to the Olympics as the ultimate goal. The sentence after
(5) emphasises the importance of the Olympics, and winning a medal. Therefore, it is
appropriate for (5) to reinforce just how fine the margins for winning are at the elite
level.
Therefore, the answer is Option A.
