Practice English Reading Exercises for B1 – Watching Sports Events

Exercises:   12345

Reading 1

For each question, choose the correct answer.

The people below all want to find a cricket match to attend.

There are descriptions of eight cricket matches.

Decide which match would be the most suitable for the people below.

1   Leo wants to spend the entire day watching a game. He prefers a silent, traditional atmosphere where people only clap at good play. He wants to bring his own home-cooked food to eat during the breaks.

2   Mia is looking for a short match that finishes in just a few hours. She needs to bring a special soft cushion for her back, and she wants to buy hot meals at the stadium.

3   Sam and his friends want a game that lasts from morning until evening. They enjoy a noisy environment where they can shout and sing. They don’t want to carry anything, so they must purchase snacks there.

4   Aisha wants to take her grandmother to a peaceful, quiet match. They plan to stay for the whole day. Because the wooden benches are hard, Aisha wants to bring soft pillows for them to sit on.

5   Carlos only has time for a quick, evening match. He loves a lively, exciting crowd with lots of cheering. He prefers to prepare his own sandwiches at home and eat them while watching the players.

Cricket Matches

A Green Park Oval

Experience a classic, peaceful game of cricket from early morning until the sun goes down. The audience here respects the players, staying completely still and silent during the action. There are no cafes or restaurants on site, so packing your own delicious lunch and snacks in a bag is highly recommended.

B Riverside Ground

Watch top-level players compete from breakfast time until the late afternoon. Visitors here maintain a calm, relaxed silence, making it perfect for serious fans. Our wooden seating feels very hard, so remember to carry a comfortable pad with you. Please buy your lunch at our restaurant, as packed boxes aren’t permitted.

C The Lightning Cup

If you love loud music, crazy fans, and continuous cheering, join us for these quick, two-hour evening games under the lights! We don’t sell any refreshments at the venue, so guests are welcome to bring their own tasty packed dinners to enjoy while watching the fantastic sporting action.

D Westbridge Field

Spend the entire day watching a wonderfully traditional, calm match. Fans follow the rules and stay totally silent while the bowler runs in. Please note that bringing your own meals is not allowed, but you can enjoy wonderful dishes at our highly-rated restaurant located just behind the main seating area.

E Central Cricket Club

Don’t have much time? Our exciting matches take only a few hours to complete! You certainly won’t go hungry, as our amazing chefs prepare delicious hot meals throughout the event. However, for security reasons, bags and personal seating items like pillows are strictly not allowed inside the stadium.

F The City Arena

These fast-paced games are over in just three hours, perfect for busy fans! Grab a fantastic, freshly cooked burger or pizza from our excellent stadium food stalls. The plastic stadium seats can get quite uncomfortable during the action, so we strongly suggest carrying something soft from your living room to sit on.

G Summer Cricket Festival

This fantastic sporting event lasts for eight hours, giving you plenty of entertainment! You will need to bring your own soft seating, as we only provide concrete steps. Expect a brilliant, noisy party atmosphere, with drums and shouting from the crowd from the first ball until the very end!

H Kingsway Stadium

Get ready for a full day of action, starting at 10 a.m. and finishing late! This is a wild, high-energy event where fans scream, sing, and dance non-stop. Outside meals are strictly forbidden, but our fantastic stadium kitchens serve a huge variety of hot meals and cold drinks all day long.

Reading 2

For each question, choose the correct answer.

The people below all want to find a tennis tournament to attend.

There are descriptions of eight tennis tournaments.

Decide which tennis tournament would be the most suitable for the people below.

1   John wants to watch a match in the fresh air. He prefers venues where the crowd must remain absolutely quiet while athletes are playing. He is willing to try for an event where passes are famously difficult to buy.

2   Maria is looking forward to seeing four players on court together. She needs a stadium with excellent facilities for visitors who use wheelchairs. She also hopes to purchase some official sports clothing to take home.

3   Lucas wants to avoid bad weather by watching a competition inside a building. He dreams of getting some autographs from famous sports stars, and he needs a venue that is a short walk from a railway stop.

4   Chloe loves the traditional look of matches played on green lawns. She is looking for an event that continues late into the evening. She also wants to book a table for a proper hot dinner during her visit.

5   Stefan wants to see talented teenagers competing before they become professionals. He has a very small budget, so he needs something that costs nothing to enter. He also likes listening to expert opinions through personal headphones.

Tennis Tournaments

A The Grand Cup

Experience top-level sport under the sun in our fantastic open-air stadium. Spectators are strictly reminded that absolutely no talking is permitted while the ball is moving, allowing athletes to concentrate. You must be extremely lucky to attend, as all entrance tickets usually sell out online within just a few minutes!

B The City Open

If you enjoy watching pairs battle against each other on the court, this is the perfect event. Our modern arena has large elevators and ramps everywhere, making it brilliant for visitors who cannot walk easily. Before you leave, browse our huge gift shop to pick up some branded jackets and caps!

C The Metro Masters

You won’t need to worry about rain at this fantastic covered arena. After the games, champions regularly stand by the side of the court to sign books and posters for their fans. Even better, the main passenger platforms are located exactly opposite the front entrance for an extremely easy journey.

D Royal Green Championships

Come and enjoy watching the world’s best athletes running across beautifully cut natural grass. We turn on our bright stadium lights so the exciting action can continue long after the sun goes down. Guests can also reserve a table at our luxury restaurant for a delicious three-course meal.

E Future Stars Trophy

Discover the next generation of champions at this exciting youth competition for under-18s. You don’t have to pay a single penny at the gate, as all spectators are welcome without charge. During the games, you can rent small earpieces to hear professional broadcasters explaining the rules and tactics.

F Sunny Valley Classic

Enjoy thrilling matches outside in the wonderful summer sunshine. We ask the crowd to maintain absolute peace and quiet while the athletes serve the ball. Unlike other famous tournaments, you never have to worry about booking ahead, as hundreds of passes are always available to buy on the day!

G The Winter Shield

This brilliant competition happens inside a warm, dry building, making it a popular choice during bad weather. The stadium is extremely convenient, situated just seconds away from the underground railway platforms. Please note that tight security rules mean visitors are not allowed to approach the athletes for their signatures.

H Summer Lawn Open

Our traditional competition takes place on high-quality natural green fields. Visitors can enjoy a fantastic luxury dining experience, with hot meals served by waiters in our beautiful dining room. Please remember that our venue closes completely at six o’clock, so there are absolutely no matches played in the dark.

Reading 3

For each question, choose the correct answer.

The people below all want to find a skiing competition to watch.

There are descriptions of eight skiing events.

Decide which skiing event would be the most suitable for the people below.

1   Tom wants to watch a skiing event with real winter snow and freezing temperatures. He doesn’t mind standing for hours to see the athletes, but he must be allowed to bring his own flask of hot tea.

2   Simona wants to see a skiing contest but hates being in freezing weather, so she prefers an indoor stadium. She wants a fast event with no delays and plans to buy warm coffee at the shop there.

3   Andrei and his brother enjoy the chilly mountain atmosphere. They want an event where they can bring their own warm soup but want giant screens so they don’t have to wait a long time to see the skiers.

4   Nicola wants to photograph skiers and doesn’t mind waiting for hours in the forest. She will bring a flask of hot chocolate, but she prefers a low-altitude valley track where it is not freezing cold.

5   Karl wants to watch night skiing. He loves extreme sub-zero temperatures and doesn’t mind long delays before the athletes appear, but he wants to buy hot drinks at the venue rather than carry his own.

Skiing Competitions

A The Ice Track

This mountain competition offers classic winter conditions with temperatures well below zero. Spectators should prepare to stand by the track for a long time before the skiers fly past. Visitors are encouraged to pack their own flasks of warm coffee, as there are no shops or cafes available on the hillside.

B The Snow Dome

Enjoy skiing action inside our completely heated indoor arena, where you can escape the freezing winter elements completely. The races run continuously with absolutely no delays or long gaps. Drop by our modern trackside cafe to purchase delicious hot chocolate and hot snacks while you enjoy the incredibly fast-moving competition.

C Peak Valley Cup

Set high in the chilly mountains, this beautiful event is perfect for those who enjoy the crisp winter air. Giant digital television screens are placed everywhere, so you can watch the action instantly without any long delays. Feel free to bring your own bottles of warm soup to enjoy while sitting on the hillside.

D Lowland Forest Slalom

Located in a low valley, this unique track avoids the extreme freezing conditions of higher mountains, offering surprisingly mild weather. The gaps between skiers can last for hours, so patience is required. There are no food stalls, so remember to pack your own warm drinks to keep you comfortable during the long wait.

E The Midnight Slalom

This exciting evening competition takes place in extreme sub-zero conditions under powerful stadium lights. Because of the complex timing equipment, spectators must expect long waiting times between the individual runs. A row of festive stalls serves excellent hot tea and warm spiced drinks, so there is no need to carry your own.

F Glacier Point

This famous event takes place in extreme freezing conditions high up the mountain. The schedule is incredibly fast-moving, with athletes appearing one after another without any long delays. Visitors are welcome to bring their own warm drinks or snacks onto the viewing platforms to enjoy the rapid, non-stop racing action.

G Summit Arena

This outdoor high-altitude race features a very quick schedule with zero waiting time between skiers. The weather is beautifully mild and not freezing at all. A wonderful selection of cafes allows you to buy hot drinks easily, although bringing your own food and refreshments from home is strictly prohibited inside the venue grounds.

H The Winter Park

This low-valley track offers a relaxed skiing exhibition with mild, comfortable temperatures instead of freezing cold weather. Spectators face very long waiting times as the skiers prepare their equipment. Excellent snack bars are located right next to the snow, where visitors can buy a variety of delicious warm coffees and teas.

Exercises:   12345