Is synchronized swimming really a sport? Despite the doubt of many people, synchronized swimming is one of the most underrated but most difficult sports, and it certainly deserves to be in the Olympic Games.
Olympic synchronized swimmers train for as long as eight hours a day, for six days a week− much longer than most other Olympic sports. The athletes are not just in the water the whole time, they spend hours stretching, doing Pilates, strength conditioning, diligently training, lifting weights, performing ballet, and even dancing and doing gymnastics. Because of this, synchronized swimmers are some of the strongest and skillful athletes to compete in the modern Olympic Games.
Synchronized swimmers must perform many movements and positions called figures while managing their breathing and coordination with the swimmers around them. To increase their lung capacity, often times synchronized swimmers will do exercises called “unders” during practices. They will swim a 25-meter lap underwater, repeating this exercise over and over until they’re beyond exhausted. This exercise is completely necessary for synchronized swimmers to master, because more than half of a routine is performed underwater.
Although synchronized swimming is a very graceful and beautiful sport, there can be some dangers. The synchronized swimmers can’t touch the bottom of the pool in a routine, or they’ll be disqualified. They must continuously move their legs in circular movements, like an egg-beater. Because synchronized swimming is a contact sport and the swimmer’s kicks are so powerful, swimmers may get hit by other competitors’ legs, causing concussions or knocking off nose clips, which is an essential piece of equipment. Since it’s fairly common for a nose clip to get knocked off, many times swimmers will swim with a couple extras.
(Adapted from https://swimswam.com/)
Question 39: What is the best tittle of the passage?
A. History of synchronized swimming B. Synchronized swimming competition
C. The requirement of synchronized swimming D. Synchronized swimming
Question 40: The word “skillful” in paragraph 2 is closest in meaning to _______.
A. experienced B. healthy C. clever D. accomplished
Question 41: As mentioned in the passage, what do swimmers have to pay attention in order to have a successful performance?
A. They have to remember every movement to complete them at the same time with others.
B. They have to practice “unders” exercises whenever they perform this sport.
C. They have to control their breath while harmoniously performing with other swimmers.
D. They have to swim a 25-meter lap underwater to manage their breathing.
Question 42: According to the passage, the followings are true about what synchronized swimmers have to do EXCEPT _______.
A. swim a 25-meter lap underwater
B. run around the fool before swimming
C. perform ballet and do gymnastics
D. keep their legs moving in their performance.
Question 43: What does the word “their” in the third paragraph refer to?
A. synchronized swimmers B. figures
C. positions D. movements
