Practice English Reading Exercises for A2 – Sports, Fitness & Athletics

Exercises:   12345

Reading 1

For each question, choose the correct answer.

The Teenager Who Ran to Success

Fifteen-year-old Sam never liked sports. After school, he usually preferred to sit on his bed and play video games. However, one afternoon, he saw a large poster at his school. It was an advertisement for a local 5-kilometer race. Suddenly, Sam decided he wanted to get fit and try it.

To prepare, Sam joined a group called the City Runners. During his first evening with them, they ran around the park. It was extremely difficult, and his legs hurt a lot. But the older members were very kind to him. The running coach even gave him a free water bottle.

Sam practised hard for two months. He went running with the club three times a week. He also changed his daily diet. He stopped eating chocolate and started choosing healthy meals with fresh fruit and chicken. Soon, he noticed he could run much faster without getting tired.

When the day of the 5-kilometer race finally arrived, the weather was terrible. It was raining heavily, but hundreds of people still came to watch. Sam didn’t win the competition, but he didn’t mind. He finished the race and felt incredibly proud of himself. Next year, he is going to train for a 10-kilometer race!

1   What made Sam change his free time activities?

     (A) He saw a notice and wanted to become healthier.

     (B) He wanted to sit on his bed and play video games.

     (C) He had to make a large poster at his school.

2   What happened on Sam’s first day with the City Runners?

     (A) The running coach gave the older members a free water bottle.

     (B) He thought the activity was tough but everyone was nice.

     (C) He decided to stop running because his legs hurt a lot.

3   How did Sam’s life change while he was getting ready for the race?

     (A) He stopped eating healthy meals with fresh fruit and chicken.

     (B) He only practised hard for two months to eat chocolate.

     (C) He began to consume different, better types of food.

4   How did Sam feel on the day of the event?

     (A) He was unhappy because it was raining heavily.

     (B) He was extremely pleased that he managed to reach the end.

     (C) He was very sad because he didn’t win the competition.

5   What is the best title for the article?

     (A) How to win the competition in the rain

     (B) A boy’s successful preparation for a running event

     (C) The best way to play video games after school

Reading 2

For each question, choose the correct answer.

Shooting for the Stars

Fourteen-year-old Leo has loved basketball since he was a little boy. He always watches games on television, but he doesn’t play for his high school. This year, he really wants to wear the school shirt and play in real matches. So, he decided to practice every evening at the local park.

His routine began last month. Every day after dinner, Leo took his ball to the park. At first, it was quite difficult. He was not very tall and he missed a lot of shots. Fortunately, his older brother, Sam, started coming with him. Sam showed Leo some great ways to jump higher and move faster.

In November, the weather became very cold and rainy. Some evenings, Leo just wanted to stay inside his warm bedroom. However, he remembered his big dream. He put on his winter coat and continued practicing. After a few weeks, he noticed a big difference. His arms were stronger and his throwing was much better.

Last week, the school sports teacher held a special game to choose new players. Leo felt incredibly nervous before it started. But when he got the ball, he knew exactly what to do. Yesterday, the teacher gave Leo the fantastic news. He is the newest player on the team, and he is completely delighted!

1   Why did Leo decide to practice at the park every evening?

     (A) He hopes to become a member of a sports group at his school.

     (B) He always watches games on television.

     (C) He is a little boy who wants to play in real matches.

2   How did Sam help his younger brother?

     (A) He taught Leo some useful skills to improve his playing.

     (B) He missed a lot of shots with him at the park.

     (C) He was not very tall but he took his ball.

3   What happened to Leo during November?

     (A) He sometimes preferred to remain indoors because of the low temperatures.

     (B) He stayed inside his warm bedroom instead of practicing.

     (C) He remembered his big dream and became very cold and rainy.

4   What was the result of the special game last week?

     (A) Leo successfully achieved his goal of getting into the group.

     (B) Leo had to choose new players for the school.

     (C) Leo gave the fantastic news to the sports teacher.

5   What is the best title for the article?

     (A) A teenager’s hard work to reach a sports dream

     (B) How to jump higher and move faster

     (C) The best school sports teacher in the world

Reading 3

For each question, choose the correct answer.

A Relaxing Start to the Day

Fourteen-year-old Leo always loved sports. Last year, he played football every day after school. But when he hurt his leg during a match, he had to stop playing for a few months. When his leg finally got better, he wanted to find a new way to stay fit that was safe for his body.

At first, Leo thought yoga was only for old people. Then, his aunt showed him an online video of a young man doing it, and Leo decided to try it. Now, he wakes up at half past six every morning and does a yoga routine in his bedroom before he eats his breakfast.

During the first week, Leo found the exercises quite difficult. He couldn’t even touch his toes! But he practised every morning, and soon he became much stronger. He also noticed another great thing: doing the slow breathing exercises made him feel very calm. This really helped him when he had difficult school tests.

Next month, Leo is going to join a weekly yoga class at the sports centre in his town. He asked his best friend, Sam, to come with him. However, Sam said no because he prefers sleeping late! Leo doesn’t mind going alone because his new morning hobby makes him feel fantastic all day.

1   Why did Leo stop playing his favourite sport?

     (A) He wanted to find a safe and new way to stay fit.

     (B) He injured himself while he was in a game.

     (C) He had to play it every day after school.

2   How did Leo find out about the online yoga video?

     (A) An old person in his town told him about it.

     (B) A young man sent it to him before breakfast.

     (C) A member of his family shared it with him.

3   What changed for Leo after he practised yoga for a while?

     (A) He felt more powerful and less worried.

     (B) He found the exercises quite difficult to do.

     (C) He had to take more difficult school tests.

4   Why isn’t Sam going to the yoga class with Leo?

     (A) He wants to go to the sports centre in his town.

     (B) He enjoys staying in bed rather than waking up early.

     (C) He feels fantastic doing his new morning hobby alone.

5   What is the best title for the article?

     (A) How to play football after a bad leg injury

     (B) A teenager’s healthy new morning habit

     (C) The best weekly yoga classes in town

Exercises:   12345