Practice English Reading Exercises for B1 – Starting and Developing Traditional Sports 10
Reading 1
For each question, choose the correct answer.
Learning to Glide
Every summer, my family goes to a large lake for our holidays. We usually spend our time swimming or playing beach volleyball. However, this year, I wanted to try something a bit more adventurous. I had spent the first few days watching people water skiing behind fast motorboats, making it look incredibly effortless and fun. Because I am quite good at ice skating in the winter, I assumed I would naturally be good at water skiing too, so I eagerly booked an afternoon lesson.
When it was time for my lesson, I jumped into the freezing water wearing a thick life jacket and strapped my feet into the long skis. As I held onto the rope, I suddenly felt quite nervous. The driver shouted that he was starting the engine. Suddenly, the boat pulled me forward with amazing power. Because my legs were completely straight, I immediately lost my balance and fell face-first into the lake. I swallowed a huge amount of dirty water and felt a bit embarrassed as I swam back to find my skis.
Over the next half hour, I tried again and again, but the result was always the same. Each time the boat accelerated, the force of the rope pulled me over before I could even stand up. My arms and shoulders were aching, and I was starting to feel really frustrated. I was actually considering giving up when the instructor stopped the boat to give me some advice. He told me that my biggest mistake was trying to stand up straight too early. The real secret, he explained, was to keep my knees deeply bent and let the boat do the hard work.
I decided to give it one last try. I took a deep breath, bent my knees as much as possible, and held the rope tightly. As the boat sped up, I stayed low in the water. To my absolute amazement, the skis slowly lifted me to the surface. I was actually water skiing! The wind rushed past my ears, and although my legs were burning with the effort, the feeling of gliding across the water was fantastic. I only managed to stay up for about twenty seconds before crashing, but I felt incredibly proud of myself. I definitely want to try it again!
1 Why did the writer decide to try water skiing?
(A) She was bored of the usual summer activities at the lake.
(B) She believed her winter sports skills would help her succeed.
(C) Her family persuaded her to do something more exciting.
(D) She wanted to be able to make action videos like the other teenagers.
2 What happened during the writer’s first attempt?
(A) She was unable to put on the thick life jacket correctly.
(B) The driver started the boat before she was holding the rope.
(C) She drank a lot of lake water after losing her balance.
(D) She decided to swim back to the beach because she was embarrassed.
3 What important advice did the instructor give the writer?
(A) She needed to use more strength in her arms and shoulders.
(B) She should stand up as quickly as possible when the boat starts.
(C) She was making the mistake of letting the boat do all the work.
(D) She had to keep her legs bent rather than keeping them straight.
4 How did the writer feel during her final attempt?
(A) Disappointed that she only stayed on her skis for twenty seconds.
(B) Worried about the burning pain in her leg muscles.
(C) Annoyed that she crashed into the water again at the end.
(D) Thrilled because she was finally moving across the surface of the lake.
5 What might the writer write in her diary that evening?
(A) Water skiing is much easier than it looks! Thanks to my ice skating skills, I stood up immediately and didn’t fall at all today.
(B) My whole body aches from falling into the lake today, but successfully standing up on those skis was an unforgettable experience. I can’t wait for next time!
(C) I had a terrible time at the lake today. The instructor gave me some confusing advice, and I just swallowed a lot of dirty water.
(D) I managed to water ski for twenty seconds today, but the boat was moving way too fast for me. I think I’ll stick to beach volleyball next summer.
Answer Key & Explanations
1 B – In the first paragraph, the writer states, “Because I am quite good at ice skating in the winter, I assumed I would naturally be good at water skiing too.”
2 C – In the second paragraph, the writer explains that she “immediately lost my balance and fell face-first” and then “swallowed a huge amount of dirty water.”
3 D – In the third paragraph, the instructor explains that her mistake was standing up straight and that the secret “was to keep my knees deeply bent.”
4 D – In the fourth paragraph, the writer expresses “absolute amazement” and says “the feeling of gliding across the water was fantastic.”
5 B – This option accurately captures the global meaning and emotional arc of the text: acknowledging the physical struggle and pain of falling, but ultimately feeling incredibly proud of the brief success and wanting to do it again.
Reading 2
For each question, choose the correct answer.
Pushing Through the Mud
I have always considered myself a track runner. For years, I have trained on clean, flat surfaces, enjoying the predictable conditions. However, my sports teacher recently persuaded me to enter the regional cross-country race. He believed it would build my physical strength for the summer track season. As I checked the weather forecast the night before the event, I felt a knot of anxiety in my stomach. Heavy rain was predicted, and I knew that meant the course would be completely different from anything I was used to.
When I arrived at the park on the morning of the race, the conditions were even worse than I had imagined. The heavy rain had turned the ground into a dark, slippery mess. As the whistle blew and hundreds of us started running, I immediately struggled to keep my balance. Instead of focusing on my speed, I was just trying not to fall over. I could hear several other runners around me complaining about the freezing rain and the thick mud, and many of them started to slow down significantly.
About halfway through the five-kilometre race, we reached the worst section of the course. The mud there was incredibly deep. As I stepped forward, my right foot sank completely. When I pulled my leg up, my shoe remained stuck deep in the thick mud! For a moment, I completely stopped. An official nearby asked if I wanted to leave the race, and part of me really wanted to say yes. But then, to my own surprise, I ignored the cold and just kept running with only one shoe on.
The final two kilometres were extremely uncomfortable. Every time my sock touched the freezing, wet ground, it sent a shock up my leg. However, instead of feeling sorry for myself, I suddenly felt highly motivated. I realised that I couldn’t change the terrible situation, but I could control how I reacted to it. I stopped worrying about the pain and focused entirely on the finish line, even managing to overtake several runners who had given up mentally.
Crossing the finish line covered in mud, with only one shoe, was the proudest moment of my life. I didn’t win a medal, but I discovered a level of mental toughness I never knew I had. Next year, I am definitely entering the cross-country race again—though I will make sure to tie my shoelaces much tighter!
1 Why did the writer enter the cross-country race?
(A) He wanted to run in unpredictable weather conditions.
(B) His teacher thought it would help his future running performance.
(C) He was bored of running on clean, flat surfaces at the track.
(D) He wanted to win a regional competition for his school.
2 What did the writer notice at the beginning of the race?
(A) Many competitors were unhappy with the terrible weather.
(B) He was running much faster than he usually did.
(C) The ground was exactly as bad as the forecast predicted.
(D) He found it surprisingly easy to keep his balance in the mud.
3 When the writer lost his shoe, he
(A) asked an official to help him find it in the mud.
(B) stopped running because the official told him to.
(C) considered quitting the race for a brief moment.
(D) was surprised that his sock was completely ruined.
4 How did the writer feel during the final part of the race?
(A) Sorry for the runners who had decided to stop.
(B) Annoyed that his foot was in so much pain.
(C) Determined to finish despite the uncomfortable situation.
(D) Confident that he was going to win the entire competition.
5 What would the writer say about his cross-country experience?
(A) It was a huge mistake. The conditions were dangerous and losing my shoe ruined my chances of winning.
(B) The race was incredibly tough, but pushing through the difficulties showed me how mentally strong I can be.
(C) I proved that track runners are always faster than cross-country runners, even when it rains heavily.
(D) I’m really disappointed I didn’t get a medal, so I will never run in a muddy park again.
Answer Key & Explanations
1 B – Paragraph 1 states that “my sports teacher recently persuaded me to enter” because “He believed it would build my physical strength for the summer track season.” This matches his teacher thinking it would help his future performance.
2 A – Paragraph 2 explains that the writer “could hear several other runners around me complaining about the freezing rain and the thick mud,” which means competitors were unhappy with the weather.
3 C – Paragraph 3 mentions that after he lost his shoe, an official asked if he wanted to leave, and “part of me really wanted to say yes,” showing he briefly considered quitting.
4 C – Paragraph 4 details how the final kilometres were uncomfortable, but “instead of feeling sorry for myself, I suddenly felt highly motivated” and “focused entirely on the finish line,” showing his determination to finish.
5 B – This option successfully captures the global narrative of the text: despite terrible conditions and a missing shoe, the writer didn’t give up and ultimately discovered a new level of mental toughness.
Reading 3
For each question, choose the correct answer.
A Lesson on the Track
I have always loved running, so making the school athletics team was a dream come true. For weeks, I trained hard, hoping to be chosen for the 4x100m relay. It is the most exciting event in any athletics competition because it relies on speed and perfect teamwork. When my coach finally told me I was going to run the final section of the race at the regional championships, I felt incredibly proud, although a bit anxious.
On the day of the championships, the stadium was packed with cheering supporters. Our team was doing brilliantly. The first three runners flew around the track, keeping us in first place. As our third runner, Liam, sprinted towards me, I carefully positioned myself in the exchange zone. I started to run forward, reaching my hand back exactly as we had practised hundreds of times before. I was ready to grab the metal baton and sprint to the finish line.
However, disaster struck in a matter of seconds. As Liam tried to place the baton into my hand, our timing was slightly off. My fingers closed on empty air, and I heard the terrible sound of the metal baton hitting the hard track. By the time I stopped, turned around, and picked it up, three other teams had already rushed past us. I ran as fast as I could, but we finished in last place. I felt absolutely crushed.
After the race, I sat on the grass alone, feeling terrible that I had ruined everything for my teammates. I expected them to be furious with me. Instead, my whole team walked over and sat down beside me. Liam put his hand on my shoulder and reminded me that we win and lose as a team. He explained that mistakes happen to everyone, even professional athletes, and told me to stop blaming myself.
That terrible afternoon actually taught me the most valuable lesson of my sporting life. I realised that true sportsmanship isn’t just about winning gold medals; it is about how you treat your teammates when things go completely wrong. Their kindness helped me forget my embarrassment. If I am chosen for the team again next year, I will definitely be a better, stronger athlete, thanks to their wonderful support.
1 How did the writer feel about being chosen for the relay team?
(A) Delighted but slightly worried about his role.
(B) Disappointed he wasn’t running the first section.
(C) Surprised because he hadn’t trained very hard.
(D) Confident that his team would win the championships.
2 What was the writer doing just before the mistake happened?
(A) Shouting at Liam to run faster.
(B) Looking backwards to see where the other teams were.
(C) Moving forward and preparing to receive the baton.
(D) Changing his position in the exchange zone.
3 The team lost the race because the writer
(A) wasn’t running fast enough to catch the other teams.
(B) failed to hold onto the baton during the exchange.
(C) tripped over the metal baton on the track.
(D) started running before Liam had reached him.
4 How did the other runners react to the writer’s mistake?
(A) They told him he should have practised more.
(B) They were angry but tried to hide their feelings.
(C) They blamed Liam for dropping the baton.
(D) They were supportive and told him not to worry.
5 What would the writer write in his diary about the race?
(A) I ruined the race today, and my teammates are so angry with me. I don’t think I’ll ever run in a relay again.
(B) Dropping the baton was awful, but my team’s reaction showed me what real sportsmanship means. I’m lucky to run with them.
(C) We came last today because Liam made a terrible mistake. I hope the coach chooses better runners for the team next year.
(D) I’m glad I dropped the baton because it taught me a lesson. Winning isn’t important to me anymore, so I don’t mind losing.
Answer Key & Explanations
1 A – In the first paragraph, the writer says, “I felt incredibly proud, although a bit anxious.” This perfectly paraphrases to being delighted but slightly worried.
2 C – Paragraph two states, “I started to run forward, reaching my hand back… I was ready to grab the metal baton,” which matches moving forward and preparing to receive the baton.
3 B – In the third paragraph, the text explains that the writer’s “fingers closed on empty air, and I heard the terrible sound of the metal baton hitting the hard track.” This means he failed to hold onto it.
4 D – Paragraph four says the team “walked over and sat down beside me,” and Liam “told me to stop blaming myself,” which shows they were supportive and told him not to worry.
5 B – This option successfully synthesizes the writer’s overall experience. It acknowledges the negative event (“dropping the baton was awful” from paragraph 3) but focuses on the positive global message and lesson learned from his teammates (“real sportsmanship” and “wonderful support” from paragraphs 4 and 5).