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88-year-old Ploutarchos Pourliakas crossed the finish line at the 41st Athens Marathon on Sunday, proving once again that age is no match for determination.

This marathon, known as “The Authentic”, is deeply influenced by history, following the steps of the ancient Athenian messenger Phiedippides, who ran from the battlefield of Marathon over 2,500 years ago to bring news of victory.

Pourliakas completed the course in 6 hours and 31 minutes — a personal best, finishing 18 minutes faster than last year. Pourliakas’ journey as a marathon runner began at the age of 73, inspired by his son, an ultramarathon (超长距离马拉松赛跑) runner. Since then, he has gone beyond expectations. Many find it hard to believe that an eighty-eight years old could still be racing. “Why wouldn’t you believe it?” he asks with a smile. “We all can do it — as long as we want to.”

For Pourliakas, the secret of success lies in both mental and physical training. “The mind has to agree with what you’re doing,” he says, adding that a strong will is just as important as a strong body. Pourliakas runs about three miles daily and avoids smoking, heavy drinking, and late nights. “I’ve never smoked. I don’t make a pig of myself, I don’t drink, I don’t stay up late. I eat in a balanced way, everything but in moderation. However, I do have a little tsipouro (local drink) every day not as a drink, but as a medicine”, he said. “I feel younger than my 88 years,” he reflects, smiling after his latest marathon finish.

1.1.What happened to Pourliakas?

A He became older and weaker.

B He ran to Athens last Sunday.

C He showed the power of marathon.

D He ran a marathon at an old age.

解析：选D。D 细节理解题。根据第一段中的“88-year-old Ploutarchos Pourliakas crossed the finish line at the 41st Athens Marathon on Sunday”可知，88岁的Pourliakas冲过了第41届雅典马拉松比赛的终点线，即高龄老人跑完了马拉松。故选D。

2.2.What can we know from the second paragraph?

A The host country of this marathon.

B The origin of marathon.

C The meaning of modern marathon.

D Matters need attention during the marathon.

解析：选B。B 细节理解题。根据第二段中的“following the steps of the ancient Athenian messenger Phiedippides, who ran from the battlefield of Marathon over 2,500 years ago to bring news of victory”这场马拉松是追随菲迪皮德斯的脚步开始的马拉松，菲迪皮德斯于2500年前从马拉松战场奔回雅典传递胜利的消息。由此可知，这是马拉松的起源。故选B。

3.3.How do people feel about Pourliakas’s achievement?

A Surprised.

B Disappointed.

C Amused.

D Excited.

解析：选A。A 推理判断题。根据第三段中的“Many find it hard to believe that an eighty-eight years old could still be racing.”许多人很难相信一个88岁的老人还在参加马拉松比赛。由此可知人们对此感到惊讶。故选A。

4.4.What does the underlined part “make a pig of myself” mean?

A Eat healthy food.

B Eat too much.

C Drink little water.

D Sit too much.

解析：选B。B词义猜测题。根据划线单词前后文的“I’ve never smoked.”“I don’t drink, I don’t stay up late. I eat in a balanced way”普里卡斯不抽烟不酗酒不熬夜，饮食均衡，可知，划线部分说的是饮食方面的不好的习惯，即在饮食方面他不会吃得太多。故选B。

5.5.What kind of person is Pourliakas?

A Kind-hearted and humorous.

B Easy-going and generous.

C Strong-willed and confident.

D Simple-minded and interesting.

解析：选C。C 推理判断题。根据第三段中的“‘Why wouldn’t you believe it?’ he asks with a smile. ‘We all can do it — as long as we want to.’”可知，普里卡斯是自信的；根据第四段中的“adding that a strong will is just as important as a strong body”“Pourliakas runs about three miles daily and avoids smoking, heavy drinking, and late nights.”可知，普里卡斯意志坚定。故选C。