Practice English Reading Exercises for A2 – Exercise & Keeping Fit

Exercises:   123456789

Reading 1

For each question, choose the correct answer.

1   Who says they use a piece of equipment to help them play faster?

     (A) Leon   (B) Maya   (C) Jin

2   Who explains that playing table tennis helps them drop things less often?

     (A) Leon   (B) Maya   (C) Jin

3   Who thinks table tennis has made them better at a different game?

     (A) Leon   (B) Maya   (C) Jin

4   Who says their eyes can follow things much better now?

     (A) Leon   (B) Maya   (C) Jin

5   Who plays with an older relative to improve their speed?

     (A) Leon   (B) Maya   (C) Jin

6   Who feels their body moves without needing to decide what to do?

     (A) Leon   (B) Maya   (C) Jin

7   Who does activities without the ball to make their legs faster?

     (A) Leon   (B) Maya   (C) Jin

Table Tennis: Improving Reflexes and Speed

Leon

I started playing table tennis last year. It is amazing how much my reactions have changed. For example, if a cup falls off the kitchen table, my hand grabs it before it crashes! I never did that before. Also, when I am in a match, the ball comes so fast. I don’t even have to use my head to decide what my next move is; my arm just hits it straight away. I used to play normal tennis, but this indoor game needs much quicker movements. I even bought a special new bat to help me hit harder.

Maya

Table tennis is brilliant for your speed. Because the ball is tiny and travels so fast, I am able to watch small things flying across the room really easily now. My sight is definitely sharper! We don’t just hit the ball during training, though. I also jump over small wooden boxes to make my steps quicker around the table. You always have to plan your next shot carefully, but all this hard work is useful. When I play volleyball at school now, I am great at saving the ball. It is much simpler for me!

Jin

If you want to have fast reactions, you should try table tennis. To get quicker, I use a special robot at the sports centre. It shoots balls at me at high speed, and I have to return them. It is very hard work, and my legs are usually quite tired afterwards! My grandfather has played for forty years, and we have matches every Sunday. Playing against him really tests my speed because he is so clever with his shots. You need perfect sight for this sport, but it is the best way to get fast.

Reading 2

For each question, choose the correct answer.

1   Who started running because they wanted to become thinner?

     (A) Mark   (B) Nina   (C) Pablo

2   Who practised for the event with other people?

     (A) Mark   (B) Nina   (C) Pablo

3   Who says the start of their training was completely terrible?

     (A) Mark   (B) Nina   (C) Pablo

4   Who had to take a break from running before the big day?

     (A) Mark   (B) Nina   (C) Pablo

5   Who got some cash for sick people by doing the race?

     (A) Mark   (B) Nina   (C) Pablo

6   Who paid for some fresh clothes before doing the activity?

     (A) Mark   (B) Nina   (C) Pablo

7   Who had no energy left after the race finished?

     (A) Mark   (B) Nina   (C) Pablo

From Unfit to Running a Marathon

Mark

A year ago, my doctor told me I was too heavy. I decided I needed to change my body size, so I began jogging. At first, I just wore my old t-shirts and trainers. I always prefer going to the park alone, rather than with a team. I was getting fast, but then a terrible problem with my knee meant I stayed in bed for three weeks! Fortunately, it got better. When I finally crossed the finish line of the long race, I felt fantastic.

Nina

I was so unfit last summer that I couldn’t walk up the stairs! I wanted to do a marathon, but I was afraid. Then, I started meeting a few neighbours every Tuesday to jog together. Having friends there really helped me! I ran every single week without missing a day. I didn’t care about my weight; my goal was to collect funds. People actually gave me over £500 to help a local children’s hospital! Amazingly, I didn’t feel tired after the 42 kilometres; I felt wide awake!

Pablo

I was already quite thin, so I didn’t need to change my diet. But I wanted a big challenge! Before my first run, I went shopping for some expensive shoes and shorts to look good. Honestly, the first month was the worst time of my life, as my legs hurt every single day. But I kept going. I didn’t ask anyone to give money for my race, I just did it for myself. When I completed the marathon, I immediately went home and slept for ten hours on the sofa!

Reading 3

For each question, choose the correct answer.

1   Who says the outdoor gym gets very busy at specific times?

     (A) Liam   (B) Noah   (C) Ethan

2   Who used the outdoor gym on a rainy day?

     (A) Liam   (B) Noah   (C) Ethan

3   Who showed another person what to do on the machines?

     (A) Liam   (B) Noah   (C) Ethan

4   Who feels the park needs more lights in the evening?

     (A) Liam   (B) Noah   (C) Ethan

5   Who loves the fact that they do not have to pay to exercise?

     (A) Liam   (B) Noah   (C) Ethan

6   Who is training for a sports event?

     (A) Liam   (B) Noah   (C) Ethan

7   Who says the equipment was surprisingly easy to use?

     (A) Liam   (B) Noah   (C) Ethan

Trying the New Outdoor Gym

Liam

I usually visit the outdoor park gym after school. I only go when the sky is blue and sunny, though! Yesterday, while I was lifting some heavy weights, I explained to an older man the right way to push the metal bars. He was very thankful! The only problem with the park is that it is hard to see anything when the sun goes down. It would be amazing if they put some big lamps near the equipment. I also spend a little cash on the bus to get there.

Noah

I am practicing hard for a huge running race next month, so I need to build my muscles. This new park gym is perfect because keeping my pocket money in my wallet is the best part! Before I went, I watched some videos because I thought the machines would be hard to understand. Actually, they are incredibly simple! There are great photos on each one showing exactly how to move your arms and legs. I usually exercise there in the late evening, and I always have a brilliant time.

Ethan

My friends and I started using the park equipment last week. It is brilliant to exercise outside in the fresh air. However, there are usually far too many people waiting to use the machines on Saturdays and Sundays. You have to stand in a line for a long time! On my last visit, I was in the middle of a workout when water started falling from the heavy, grey clouds. We got completely wet, but we didn’t stop! Afterwards, we watched some runners doing a fast race nearby.

Exercises:   123456789