...even current world-class 18.
答案：(D) champions
world-class champions（世界級冠軍選手）呼應前文 first time amateurs（初次參賽的業餘者）形成對比，表示路跑賽事讓業餘者與世界級冠軍同場競技；matches／civilians／associations 均不符合此處語意。
world-class 後面接 matches，讀成「世界級賽事」本身是很自然的組合，眼睛掃到就覺得順，於是直接填了進去。
這一格靠並列定案，三步走完就好。第一步先找對等連接詞：participate in the same event as running club members and even current world-class ______，連接詞是 and。第二步確定它連的是哪兩樣：左邊是 running club members（路跑社團的成員），右邊就是空格，兩個一起當 as 的受詞。第三步從已經寫出來的那一邊反推空白的那一邊——左邊是「人」，右邊就必須也是「人」。用國中數學的分配律驗算最快：把共用的部分分配進去，還原成兩句——first time amateurs are welcome to participate in the same event as running club members，加上 ...as current world-class champions，兩句都單獨成立，可見 and 連的確實是兩個對等的人。界線也要記住：不是每個 and 都拆得開，Tom and Mary are a good couple. 拆開就不成立，那種 and 連的是一個整體，不能照抄形態。四個選項裡只有 champions（冠軍選手）是人，一步定案，整句讀成「初次參賽的業餘者可以與社團成員、甚至現役的世界級冠軍選手同場」。這一格的鑑別度只有 31，連高分群考生也在這裡失手，原因就在 world-class matches 這個組合太自然——對字詞搭配越敏感的人，越容易在看到 world-class 的當下就把 matches 填進去，不會回頭確認 and 前面那一項是什麼。字詞搭配平常是很好用的線索，但它只保證「這兩個字常放在一起」，不保證「在這一句的位置上站得住」，並列結構的對等要求比搭配的眼熟度優先。
matches（比賽）不是人，與 and 左邊的 club members 對不起來，理由見上。civilians（平民、老百姓）雖然是人，但它的對照組是軍人或警消，跑步的場合沒有這一組對比。associations（協會、組織）是團體不是個人，與 amateurs、club members 這條「參賽者」的線也接不上。
world-class（世界級的）、champion（冠軍、冠軍選手）、amateur（業餘者）、participate in（參加，participate 是不及物動詞，一定要有 in）、be welcome to V（歡迎做某事）、wheelchair entrant（輪椅參賽者）
Road running is one of the most popular and accessible athletic activities in the world. It refers to the sport of running on paved roads or established paths as opposed to track and field, or cross country running. The three most common 16 for road running events are 10K runs, half marathons (21.1K), and marathons (42.2K).
Road running is unique among athletic events because it 17 all ages and abilities. In many cases first time amateurs are welcome to participate in the same event as running club members and even current world-class 18 . Sometimes it may also include wheelchair entrants.
Road running often offers those 19 a range of challenges such as dealing with hills, sharp bends, rough weather, and so on. Runners are advised to train prior to participating in a race. Another important factor contributing to success is a suitable pair of running shoes.
Road running is often a community-wide event that highlights or raises money for an issue or project. 20 , Race for the Cure is held throughout the U.S. to raise breast cancer awareness. This race is also run in Germany, Italy, and Puerto Rico.