The David Mathews foundation

Simon Mathews is an amazing man, but I’m fairly sure you’ve never even heard of him. He was an ordinary man from a regular family, living in just another English town. That is, until something extraordinary happened. His older brother, David, had always been a hero to Simon and when David completed the Berlin marathon using a pair of prosthetic legs, Simon got the necessary inspiration to start an amazing journey. In 2009 Simon ran the London marathon, then the Marrakesh marathon and then the Rome marathon. You might not think this is such an amazing achievement, but he ran all three in just one month. By running in these marathons Simon helped to raise £30,000 for children’s charities. The following year he climbed Ben Nevis, Britain’s highest mountain and then followed it by conquering Everest, the world’s highest mountain. He planned to climb a third, Kilimanjaro, but halfway up weather forced him to turn back. In that year Simon raised over £50,000 for a local charity that supports the homeless. By the next year he had decided to take up swimming. First he crossed the British channel and then narrowly failed to cross Lake Ontario but he did manage the 25 kilometers across the Red Sea. Again he managed to raise over £50,000, and this time he chose The Dogs Trust, a charity dedicated to helping find new homes for abandoned dogs. Since then, Simon has been training for the big one. The next epic endurance test is a whopping 7,000-mile bike ride from the Netherlands to Vladivostok, Russia. He is presently training hard by cycling the hills near his home in Derbyshire. His charity this time is his most personal and noteworthy. The David Mathews foundation is a new charity that helps disabled people fulfill their sporting ambitions. Of course the charity was started by Simon to celebrate his brother’s achievement of completing the Berlin marathon against all expectations. This year Simon was invited to meet the mayor in London where he was given a special award. Simon stood alongside other heroes who had raised money for hospitals, the elderly and special schools. Simon attended with his brother David, and in a warm acceptance speech he thanked his brother for being such a hero.

1/8 

This passage is mainly about how Simon Mathews :

honored his brother by establishing a sports foundation.

competed in sporting events to support disabled athletes.

attempted to overcome physical challenges in events around the world.

became a marathon runner just like his older brother.

used achievements in multiple sports to raise money for charity.

2/8 

According to the passage, which TWO things make Simon’s story remarkable?

He competed in a variety of sporting events in a short time frame.

He ran in and finished the Berlin marathon using prosthetic legs.

He started his own charity and raised a lot of money for it.

He set and reached ambitious physical goals.

He came from a small town to become a very famous person.

3/8 

Which TWO of the following has Simon Mathews attempted but failed to complete?

Running the Berlin marathon

Swimming across the Red Sea

Swimming Lake Ontario

Cycling from Amsterdam to Vladivostok

Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro

4/8 

Simon has raised money for charities that support which TWO of the following?

Homeless people

Dogs

Disabled people

Hospitals

Elderly people

5/8 

Which TWO of the following did Simon Mathews complete in a single year?

The Marrakesh marathon

The Berlin Marathon

The Rome Marathon

The Ben Nevis climb

The Everest climb

6/8 

Which TWO of the following statements best state what the writer admires about Simon Mathews?

His record of winning

His devotion to his family

His modesty

His bravery

His persistence

7/8 

The passage suggests that which TWO of the following are accurate statements about the Netherlands-to-Vladivostok trip?

It is the most challenging goal Simon has set thus far.

It will allow Simon to compete with his brother.

It will be Simon’s first bike race.

It will benefit a charity of particular interest to Simon.

It will mean the end of Simon’s running career.

8/8 

The passage suggests that which TWO of the following are true of Simon and David Mathews?

They competed against each other as young children.

They were always interested in competitive athletics.

They have some of the same personality characteristics.

They are equally well-known.

They have some similar interests.