A student with the nickname of "Silo" from University of Wisconsin is eating his way through school competitively. For the time being, Eric Dahl ranks third in the world of competitive eating, which is determined by All Pro Eating rankings, though he once held the top spot. So far Dahl has earned more than 18,000 dollars in prize money or merchandise to help pay for his education.
"I'm eating for my education," Eric Dahl said in a proud tone. "I think it will help me get through and achieve my success in my education."
Dahl was drawn to competitive eating in 2011, at the former Big Red's Steakhouse in Madison. Dahl didn't want to pay for his meal so he signed up for a challenge: eat a three-pound cheese-steak sandwich in less than 10 minutes and skip the bill. He finished his eating within 5 minutes and 50 seconds.
Dahl's first pay came from Dickey's Barbecue Pit in suburban Minneapolis, where he earned $250 for eating nine pulled pork sandwiches within six minutes. The former high school athlete found the competition and its over-the-top atmosphere reminding him of professional wrestling.
"I really get pumped when the crowd starts cheering," he said, "I am friends with other competitive eaters, but once I'm on stage I don't have any friends but we have become opponents."
Dahl said he walks a few miles a day, lifts weights twice a week and plays soccer and hockey to maintain his 220-pound weight. He eats no more than 3,100 calories a day, mostly vegetables to avoid increasing his waistline, and stretches his stomach by eating 10 pounds of cabbage or broccoli in a single sitting followed by a lot of water.
His next bout is scheduled for this Saturday. Dahl will try to win $1,000 at a national pizza-eating contest on Library Mall at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Good luck to him and let's wait for his good news.
4. Why did Dahl first participate in competitive eating?
A.There were some delicious sandwiches. | B.He didn't want to pay for his meal. |
C.He could eat some sandwiches quickly. | D.He had no money to pay for his meal. |
5. Dahl trains for competitive eating through the following ways EXCEPT
.
A.drinking plenty of wine | B.doing some sports |
C.eating large amounts of vegetables | D.stretching his stomach scientifically |
6. What can we learn from the passage?
A.The highest award will be no more than $ 1,000. |
B.The competitive eating is concerned with vegetables. |
C.Dahl will continue his competitive eating this Saturday. |
D.The author believes Dahl will win the eating competition. |
7. What is the main idea of this passage?
A.Dahl makes a fortune by competitive eating. |
B.Dahl ranks third in the world of competitive eating. |
C.Dahl makes good preparation for pizza-eating contest. |
D.Dahl earns for his education through competitive eating. |