Question

Both options make sense. Underline the one which forms a common collocation.

Last week well over a thousand people (1) took place in/took part in our local round-the-city 10-kilometre fun run. This kind of race doesn't normally (2) appeal to me/amuse me ,as, frankly, I'm not really (3) cut out for/right for long distance running. But I've got two friends who are dead keen runners and who keep going on about the (4) beneficial/positive effects of running. So I decided to run, partly for that reason and partly to (5) earn/raise money for charity. Friends and colleagues agreed to (6) sponsor/support me, and pay for each mile I completed. Well, I hadn't done so much training for the big event, and after two kilometers I was (7) gasping/panting for breath, so I settled down to a slow jog and resigned myself to plodding along with the (8) strugglers/stragglers at the back of the race. At least I finished, and was very pleased with myself, as I didn't need to stop. I timed myself with a stop-watch, and reckon I (9) crossed/arrived at the finishing line in 43minutes - not bad for a novie. The heat proved too much for a few people who'd gone off too fast for their capabilities and ended up (10 suffering from/showing exhaustion. Apparently, the course was very fast, and both my friends ran a (11) personal best/personal record. The winners (12) surpassed/broke the course record. The organisation was first class, with medical volunteers (13) on duty/standby, drinks (14) stops/stations every few kilometers of the route.

Answer 1

1. Took part

2. Appeal to

3. Right

4. Beneficial

5. Earn

6. Sponsor

7. Gasping

8. Strugglers

9. Arrived

10. Showing

11. Personal record

12. Broke

13. Standby

14. Stations