Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow. "That's how the race ended, with nine gold medals / They came to the finish line holding hands still / And a standing ovation and nine beaming faces / Said more than these words ever will."
How did the nine contestants feel when they reached the finishing line together?
The nine contestants felt extremely joyful and elated when they reached the finishing line together. This is evident from their nine beaming faces, which reflected their happiness at completing the race as a united group.
Why do you think all the nine contestants were given gold medals?
All nine contestants were given gold medals because they did not compete to defeat each other. Instead, they helped the fallen athlete and completed the race holding hands. This act of empathy and sportsmanship represented the true ethos of the Special Olympics, making all of them equally deserving of the gold.
Complete the sentence appropriately. The holding of hands signifies a feeling of ____.
solidarity and unity
Choose the correct option to complete the sentence. The spectators giving a 'standing ovation' indicates that they were ____. A. amazed B. speechless C. distracted D. thoughtful
A. amazed - The spectators gave a standing ovation because they were amazed by the extraordinary display of empathy and sportsmanship, where the runners prioritized helping each other over individual victory.
Explain the last line of the extract.
The last line, "Said more than these words ever will," means that the standing ovation from the crowd and the beaming faces of the runners communicated their deep emotions of joy and solidarity far more effectively than any words could. Words were inadequate to express the profound beauty of the moment.
Explanation
The extract concludes the poem by describing the heartwarming finish of the race. The nine beaming faces show the joy of the athletes. All nine received gold medals because they embodied the ethos of the Special Olympics by helping each other and finishing together. Holding hands signifies solidarity and unity. The standing ovation indicates the spectators were amazed by this display of sportsmanship. The last line emphasizes that the non-verbal expressions of joy and support were far more powerful than any verbal description.