Why can a 2.1 m/s breeze keep a 100-metre time out of the record books?

Check your understanding

18-question test

Answer all the questions, then check your results.

1. True / False

   1.A following-wind reading of +2.1 m/s exceeds the limit for a 100-metre world record.

   ATrueBFalse
2. 2.Exceeding the wind limit automatically prevents a sprinter from winning the race.

   ATrueBFalse
3. 3.The official wind measurement covers a fixed ten-second period beginning with the starter’s signal.

   ATrueBFalse

4. Reading Comprehension

   4.Why does a following wind matter to a sprint performance?

   AIt changes the distance between the start and finish.BIt causes the official clock to run more slowly.CIt removes air resistance altogether.DIt reduces the air resistance the runner must overcome.
5. 5.What is the main limitation of the official wind reading described in the article?

   AIt measures only the conditions before the race starts.BIt records headwinds but cannot detect following winds.CIt cannot represent every gust experienced by every runner.DIt uses a different measurement method for each athlete.
6. 6.Inference: What does the difference between +2.0 and +2.1 m/s illustrate?

   AWind provides no assistance until it exceeds the legal limit.BOfficials may overlook the limit when the excess is small.CA reading above the limit proves that the athlete would otherwise have lost.DA small physical difference can produce a decisive change in record eligibility.

7. Grammar & Phrasal Verbs

   7.Which sentence would sound most natural in professional English?

   AThe result stands, but the time does not qualify to a world record.BThe result stands, but the time is not eligible of a world record.CThe result stands, but the time does not qualify for a world record.DThe result stands, but the time cannot be counted to a world record.
8. 8.Which alternative best preserves the meaning of “keeps two different questions apart”?

   AMaintains a distinction between two different questions.BPuts off answering two different questions.CRules out asking two different questions.DTreats two different questions as interchangeable.
9. 9.Which wording could replace “however narrow the margin” without changing its meaning?

   AProvided that the excess is sufficiently slight.BRegardless of how slight the excess is.CPrecisely because the excess is slight.DUnless the excess is exceptionally slight.
10. 10.Which sentence best reformulates the warning about taking the stopwatch “at face value”?

    AThe time alone does not tell the whole story.BThe clock should be assumed to have malfunctioned.CThe result should be dismissed without further examination.DThe recorded time matters only if the runner loses.

11. Prepositions

    11.Complete the sentence: “A performance above the following-wind limit is not eligible ___ a world record.”

    AtoBofCwithDfor
12. 12.Complete the sentence: “The wind gauge is positioned ___ the straight, rather than on the running surface itself.”

    AbetweenBbesideCthroughDwithin
13. 13.Complete the article’s question: “How does the performance compare ___ races elsewhere?”

    AwithBagainstCfromDover
14. 14.Complete the sentence: “The rule excludes performances above the limit ___ record consideration.”

    AagainstBofCbeyondDfrom

15. Vocabulary & Synonyms

    15.What does “standardised” mean in the description of the wind reading?

    AAdjusted separately to suit each runner.BProduced according to a common measurement procedure.CGuaranteed to capture every local fluctuation.DEstimated without using measuring equipment.
16. 16.Which expression is closest in meaning to “eligible” in the article?

    AMeeting the relevant requirements.BLikely to attract public attention.CCertain to receive immediate approval.DFaster than every previous performance.
17. 17.Which term could replace “following wind” in this sporting context?

    ACrosswindBHeadwindCTailwindDWhirlwind
18. 18.What does “capture every gust” mean in the final sentence of the second paragraph?

    APrevent every sudden movement of air.BPredict every change before it occurs.CRegister every brief variation in the wind.DRemove every wind-related advantage.