Special Olympics Condition of Participation Reading Answers

Oct 14, 2025

Special Olympics Condition of Participation Reading Answers includes 13 questions and is a component of the IELTS General Reading test evaluation system. Candidates are required to finish the Special Olympics Condition of Participation Reading Answers within a time frame of 20 minutes. This section of the IELTS reading test features various question types, such as selecting the correct letters, choosing three letters, and determining whether the following statements correspond with the provided information.

Special Olympics Condition of Participation Reading Answers offers an in-depth overview of the Special Olympics, enabling individuals with intellectual disabilities to engage in sports and fostering inclusion and equal opportunity according to specific eligibility criteria. Participants with Down Syndrome and Atlantoaxial Instability have certain activity limitations for safety reasons, highlighting the need for medical evaluations and the involvement of parents. For additional practice with comparable reading assessments, candidates may refer to the IELTS Reading Practice Test section.

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Topic:

Special Olympics Condition of Participation

To be eligible for participation in the Special Olympics an individual with an intellectual disability must agree to observe and abide by the SOC Sports Rules. 'Mental Retardation' refers to substantial limitations in present functioning. It is characterised by significantly sub-average intellectual functioning, existing concurrently with related limitations in two or more of the following applicable adaptive Skill areas: communication, self-care, home living, social skills, community use, self-direction, health and safety, functional academics, leisure and work. Mental retardation manifests itself before the age of 18. The following four assumptions are essential to the application of the definition:

1. Valid assessment considers cultural and linguistic diversity as well as differences in communication and behavioural factors.

2. The existence of limitations in adaptive skills occurs within the context of community environments typical of the individual's age-peers and is indexed to the person's individualised needs for support.

3. Specific adaptive limitations often co-exist with strengths in other adaptive skills or other personal capabilities.

4. With appropriate support over a sustained period, the life functioning of the person with mental retardation will generally improve.

The term ‘mental retardation’ is a diagnostic term used to describe the condition defined above. In keeping with current language practised within the field, the term ‘mental retardation’ is no longer commonly used. In its place, if it is absolutely necessary to use a label, i.e. in an educational setting or in a SOC/NCCP Technical Programme, then the term that is in keeping with current practices is a person with an intellectual disability.

Special Olympics was created and developed to give individuals with an intellectual disability the opportunity to train and compete in sport activities. No person shall, on the grounds of gender, race, religion, colour, national origin or financial constraint be excluded from participation in, or be denied the benefits of, or otherwise be subjected to discrimination under any programme or activity of Special Olympics. Flexibility is left to the Local, Region/Zone, Chapter and National Special Olympics organisations for determining the eligibility of the participants because of the variety of situations and needs that exist in the many localities where Special Olympics programmes have been and will be instituted. Inclusion is preferred to exclusion when eligibility is in question. Individuals who have both an intellectual disability and multiple disabilities may participate in Special Olympics programmes and competition.

A. Participation by individuals with Down Syndrome who have Atlantoaxial Instability.

There is evidence from medical research that up to 15 percent of individuals with Down Syndrome have a defect in the cervical vertebrae C-1 and C-2 in the neck (or Atlantoaxial Instability). This condition exposes Down Syndrome individuals to the heightened possibility of a neck injury if they participate in activities that hyperextend or radically flex the neck or upper spine.

B. SOC requires temporary restriction of individuals with Down Syndrome from participation in certain activities.

Accredited Programmes may allow all individuals with Down Syndrome to continue participation in Special Olympics training and competition activities. However, such individuals shall not be permitted to participate in sport training and competitions which, by their nature, result in hyperextension, radical flexion or direct pressure on the neck or upper spine. These sports include the butterfly stroke and diving starts in swimming, diving, pentathlon, high jump, gymnastics, and any warm-up exercise placing undue stress on the head and neck.
Restriction from participation in the above-listed activities for individuals with Down Syndrome diagnosed with Atlantoaxial Instability (including X-ray views of full extension and flexion of the neck) and the results of such an examination demonstrate the presence of Atlantoaxial Instability.
For any individual diagnosed as having Atlantoaxial Instability, such participation shall only be permitted if written certification is obtained from the individual’s parents or guardians of the nature and extent of the individual’s condition, and the results of such examination demonstrate the presence of Atlantoaxial Instability and approval by the athlete sub-committee with certification from a physician that the individual may participate.

4. It is the responsibility of parents/guardians to monitor the individual and take appropriate action if neurological symptoms appear.

Terminology note: the term intellectual disability is used to replace the clinical term of Mental Retardation. Intellectual disability is not a disease, nor should it be confused with mental illness. People with mental disabilities have both a slower rate of learning and a limited capacity to learn. They may also have difficulty managing the ordinary activities of daily living, understanding the behaviour of others, and determining their own appropriate social responses (adaptive behaviour). Children with intellectual disabilities grow into adults with intellectual disabilities; they do not remain 'eternal children'.

*People with intellectual disabilities constitute one of the largest groups

of citizens with disabilities. There are an estimated 156 million individuals in the world who have intellectual disabilities. Intellectual disability cuts across lines of race, education, and social and economic background. It can occur in anyone. Hereditary components are known to account for only a fraction of the cases of intellectual disability. There are well over 350 causes of intellectual disability and in three-quarters of the cases the specific cause is unknown. About 87 percent of all people with intellectual disabilities are mildly afflicted and in many respects are indistinguishable from people who do not have intellectual disabilities.

QUESTIONS 14-20

DO THE FOLLOWING STATEMENTS AGREE WITH THE INFORMATION GIVEN IN READING PASSAGE 2?

TRUE if the statement agrees with the information

FALSE if the statement contradicts the information

NOT GIVEN If there is no information on this

14. To be eligible to take part in the Special Olympics, the athlete has to be not only less than intellectually capable , but must also be lacking in a number of other functions.

Answer: TRUE

Supporting statement: “It is characterised by significantly sub-average intellectual functioning, existing concurrently with related limitations in two or more of the following adaptive skill areas...”

Keywords: sub-average intellectual functioning, limitations, adaptive skill areas

Keyword Location: Paragraph 1, Lines 2–4

Explanation: To participate, a person must show both limited intellectual ability and deficiencies in at least two other functional areas, confirming the statement as true.

15. People with intellectual disabilities never improve their lives.

Answer: FALSE

Supporting statement: “With appropriate support over a sustained period, the life functioning of the person with mental retardation will generally improve.”

Keywords: appropriate support, sustained period, life functioning, improve

Keyword Location: Paragraph 1, Assumption 4

Explanation: The passage clearly states that people with intellectual disabilities can improve with support, so saying they never improve is false.

16. Down Syndrome participants often excel in their chosen field of athletic activity.

Answer: NOT GIVEN

Supporting statement: No reference in the passage to individuals with Down Syndrome excelling in sports.

Keywords: Down Syndrome, excel, athletic activity

Keyword Location: —

Explanation: The passage mentions risks and restrictions for Down Syndrome athletes but gives no information about their athletic success.

17. If you have Down Syndrome, your neck may be at risk of damage from certain spoils.

Answer: TRUE

Supporting statement: “This condition exposes Down Syndrome individuals to the heightened possibility of a neck injury if they participate in activities that hyperextend or radically flex the neck or upper spine.”

Keywords: neck injury, Down Syndrome, hyperextend, flex

Keyword Location: Paragraph A, Lines 3–5

Explanation: The statement directly supports that those with Down Syndrome risk neck damage in certain activities.

18. People with Down Syndrome cannot participate in any swimming events.

Answer: FALSE

Supporting statement: “Such individuals shall not be permitted to participate in sport training and competitions which… result in hyperextension… These sports include the butterfly stroke and diving starts in swimming.”

Keywords: not permitted, butterfly stroke, diving starts, swimming

Keyword Location: Paragraph B, Lines 4–6

Explanation: The restriction applies only to specific swimming activities, not all swimming, making the statement false.

19. All people with intellectual disabilities need the written permission of a parent or guardian in order to participate

Answer: FALSE

Supporting statement: “For any individual diagnosed as having Atlantoaxial Instability… participation shall only be permitted if written certification is obtained…”

Keywords: written certification, diagnosed, Atlantoaxial Instability

Keyword Location: Paragraph B, Last section

Explanation: Only individuals diagnosed with Atlantoaxial Instability need written permission; it is not required for all participants.

20. Participation in sports helps people with intellectual disabilities to improve their communication and social skills.

Answer: TRUE

Supporting statement: “Special Olympics was created and developed to give individuals with an intellectual disability the opportunity to train and compete in sport activities.”

Keywords: opportunity, train, compete, sport activities

Keyword Location: Paragraph 2, Line 1

Explanation: Participation in sports offers opportunities that develop communication and social interaction, aligning with the purpose of Special Olympics.

QUESTIONS 21-23

CHOOSE THE CORRECT LETTER A, B, C OR D.

21. What were the objectives of the Special Olympics document?

A. to inform the public about what they are to expect from the Special Olympics

B. to provide information for future candidates

C. to promote awareness in the general population of the plight of disabled people

D. to list the problems intellectually disabled people have

Answer: B

Supporting statement: “Flexibility is left to the Local, Region/Zone, Chapter and National Special Olympics organisations for determining the eligibility of the participants…”

Keywords: determining eligibility, information for participants

Keyword Location: Paragraph 2, Lines 4–5

Explanation: The document aims to inform potential candidates about eligibility and participation guidelines, matching option B.

22. What does the passage say about intellectual disability in the last paragraph?

A. The majority of cases are inherited.

B. Sufferers of the condition outnumber those with physical disabilities.

C. In most cases, the cause of the condition cannot be determined.

D. It may be determined by race, education, or social and economic background.

Answer: C

Supporting statement: “There are well over 350 causes of intellectual disability and in three-quarters of the cases the specific cause is unknown.”

Keywords: causes, unknown, three-quarters

Keyword Location: Last Paragraph, Lines 3–4

Explanation: The passage explicitly states that most causes of intellectual disability cannot be determined, matching option C.

23. What word best describes the Special Olympics participation policy?

A. inconsistent

B. ambiguous

C. controversial

D. non-discriminatory

Answer: D

Supporting statement: “No person shall… be excluded from participation… on the grounds of gender, race, religion, colour, national origin or financial constraint.”

Keywords: no exclusion, participation, discrimination

Keyword Location: Paragraph 2, Lines 2–3

Explanation: The policy promotes equal inclusion, making it clearly “non-discriminatory.”

QUESTIONS 24-26

Which three of the following facts relating to down syndrome are mentioned?

Choose THREE letters A - F.

A. It is thought that about one down syndrome person in every seven has atlantoaxial instability.

B. A person with down syndrome can not participate in winter competitions.

C. Down syndrome suffers with atlantoaxial instability who are minors need permission from a guardian to play soccer.

D. Down syndrome sufferers are unable to fix the upper spine.

E. Down syndrome athletes need to wear a neck brace to participate in the special olympics.

F. Down syndrome athletes can take part in sports that do not directly affect the neck or spine without any preconditions being fulfilled.

24. Answer: A

Supporting statement: “There is evidence from medical research that up to 15 percent of individuals with Down Syndrome have a defect in the cervical vertebrae C-1 and C-2...”

Keywords: 15 percent, Down Syndrome, defect

Keyword Location: Paragraph A, Line 2

Explanation: Fifteen percent is approximately one in seven, directly supporting this fact.

25. Answer: C

Supporting statement: “Participation shall only be permitted if written certification is obtained from the individual’s parents or guardians...”

Keywords: permission, parents or guardians, certification

Keyword Location: Paragraph B, Final lines

Explanation: This confirms that minors with Atlantoaxial Instability need guardian permission to participate.

26. Answer: F

Supporting statement: “However, such individuals shall not be permitted to participate in sports… that stress the neck or spine.”

Keywords: permitted, sports, neck, spine

Keyword Location: Paragraph B, Lines 3–5