
SECTION A (10 Marks)
COMPREHENSION AND SUMMARY
1. Read the passage below carefully then answer the questions that follow.
It was Saturday, the weather was cool. I was among the runners who were nervous. It was my
first time to participate in such a famous event of the Olympic Games. In fact, it was my first time
to be in Dar es Salaam, especially at the National Stadium.
The Stadium was full of spectators from all over the country as well as outside Tanzania. There
were other runners from Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia, Somalia, Seychelles, Malawi, Namibia,
Morocco, and many more. My heart was beating fast. I thought my fellow athletes could hear my
heart beats. I was among the 15 Marathon runners representing their countries in this great race.
I came from one of the central regions in Tanzania called Singida, Kiomboi district. I managed to
compete and succeed at all levels from the district, region, zone and now I am representing my
country Tanzania. Although I had met the minimum time set by the international Olympic
Committee, I knew that I could not do much more. However, in my heart, a voice told me that I
can win. So, I did not give up.
The race started from the Airport to the National Stadium. The race was to cover fifty kilometres.
An alarm to alert us was rang. We got ready, then, the gun was fired and we started the race. On
the way to the National Stadium, there stood men with similar jackets as landmarks. Therefore, it
was a matter of running, no worries of getting lost! Roads were cleared for runners.
At first we thought it was an easy task. Everyone ran very slowly. After about twenty minutes,
everybody increased speed. We passed by crowds of people who were waving and shouting at us.
I could not hear my name. Beside the road I saw a big sign board reading 40 km. “Forty more to
go.” I said to myself, praying that God may help me to win the race.
Up to this point, I guess I was the 10
th
in the race. I felt very tired, my legs were aching, my chest
and throat were dry. I felt as if I was burning. I could not breathe properly. However, deep inside
me, something encouraged me to keep on going. I start ed singing silently, “Kikuku keep on and
on and on….” In a way, the song gave me a little more strength. In a moment, I thought blood
would rush out of my ears and nostrils. Anyway, I moved forward and left some more runners
behind. Another sign board read 20 km. Ugh! I tried harder.
I was among the five marathon runners leading the race. I could read the names of their countries.
They were from Kenya, Morocco, Namibia and Somalia. I knew I was the only Tanzanian; and
others were now left a bit behind. A sign board read 10 km. This was another push I got, that
there remained only 10 km? I must do it.
Suddenly, the kenyan sprinter increased speed and started leaving us behind. He ran as fast as an
antelope. The distance between him and me was now about 100 meters or so. I made a quick
decision that he should be my target. I remembered all the field exercises, climbing hills, crossing
valleys etc. All of which I had done while preparing for this event in Singida and some practices
in Manyara. I had developed a technique to help me feel at ease and increased speed, even when I