Question

passage 1 - the quiet marathon
1 the small clock on the kitchen wall ticked away each second as i stared at the open book before me. it was 5:58 a.m., the hour when most of my classmates were still wrapped in blankets, dreaming. i, however, had decided to push myself beyond my usual limits.
2 today, my challenge wasnt physical - it was mental. i was determined to read for two uninterrupted hours, without my mind drifting into thoughts of errands, lunch plans, or the glowing rectangle of my phone.
3 at first, the words flowed smoothly, their meaning snapping into place. but by the thirty - minute mark, i could feel my focus waver. my thoughts scattered like leaves in a gust of wind. it would have been easy to stop, to say, “that’s enough for today.” instead, i took a deep breath and imagined my mind as a runner, finding a steady pace. the longer i stayed in the race, the more the sentences seemed to open up, revealing textures and ideas i would have missed in a quick skim.
4 when i finally closed the book, i felt the ache of mental effort - but also a spark of pride. this was not just about finishing pages. it was about proving that my attention could stretch farther than i believed.

1. which two themes are present in both passages?

the benefits of working with a team
the value of avoiding physical activity
the importance of persistence in reaching a goal
the role of focus in achieving success

Explanation:

In Passage 1, the narrator decides to push their mental limits by reading for two uninterrupted hours. Despite initial focus wavering, they persist and regain focus, showing the importance of persistence in reaching a goal (third option). Also, they strive to maintain focus without being distracted by other things, highlighting the role of focus in achieving success (fourth option). There is no mention of working with a team or the value of avoiding physical activity in this passage.

Answer:

C. The importance of persistence in reaching a goal
D. The role of focus in achieving success