Practice English Reading Exercises for B1 – Winter, Outdoor and Adventure Sports 7
Reading 1
For each question, choose the correct answer.
My first paintball experience
by Jamie Carter
I’ve always loved watching action movies where the hero runs through a forest, easily defeating the enemy. So, when my older brother invited me to play paintball with his friends for his birthday, I couldn’t wait. I was completely sure that I would be the best player on the field. I imagined myself running fast through the trees, shooting paintballs everywhere, and winning the game for my team without any problems.
However, the reality of the game was a huge shock. As soon as the referee blew the whistle to start our first match, I ran straight out into the middle of the forest. I didn’t look for anywhere to hide. Within ten seconds, I heard a loud pop and felt a sharp pain on my shoulder. I was covered in bright yellow paint and had to leave the game immediately. I felt incredibly embarrassed as I walked back to the safe zone to wait for the others to finish.
While I was waiting, I realised that my action movie strategy was a complete disaster. When my brother’s team returned, we sat down to discuss our mistakes. We agreed that running blindly was useless. If we wanted to win, we needed to use the trees and wooden walls for cover. More importantly, we needed to communicate. We created a plan where half the team would move forward slowly while the others stayed back to warn them about enemy movements.
During the final match of the day, everything changed. Instead of rushing, I stayed low behind a large tree, shouting instructions to my teammates. We moved carefully from one hiding place to another, always checking that the area was safe. By working together and sharing information, we managed to surprise the other team and win the match easily.
By the end of the day, my clothes were covered in mud and paint, but I was smiling. I learned that paintball isn’t just about running fast or shooting; it requires real teamwork and a clever strategy. It was an exhausting but brilliant experience, and I am already planning my next trip to the forest!
1 Why did Jamie think he would be successful at paintball?
(A) He had played the game many times before with his brother.
(B) He wanted to impress his brother on his birthday.
(C) He assumed it would be just as easy as it looks in films.
(D) He spent a lot of time practising his running in the forest.
2 What happened to Jamie at the start of the first match?
(A) He hid behind a tree to avoid the enemy players.
(B) He was quickly hit by a paintball and had to stop playing.
(C) He accidentally shot one of his own teammates with yellow paint.
(D) He got lost in the middle of the forest when the whistle blew.
3 After the first game, Jamie and his team decided to
(A) change their tactics and talk to each other more.
(B) let his older brother make all the important decisions.
(C) run much faster to avoid getting hit by the paintballs.
(D) stop playing because the paintballs hurt too much.
4 How did Jamie’s team manage to win the final match?
(A) By letting Jamie go forward alone to surprise the enemy.
(B) By staying in the safe zone until the end of the game.
(C) By running as fast as possible towards the other team.
(D) By moving carefully and helping each other.
5 What would Jamie write in a text message to a friend?
(A) Paintball is too painful and embarrassing. I don’t think I’ll ever go with my brother again.
(B) We won the final game because the other team was so bad at hiding, but I still found the sport quite boring.
(C) I thought paintball was just about running and shooting, but I discovered that strategy and teamwork are the real keys to winning!
(D) I was the best player today! I just ran into the forest and shot everyone like an action hero without any help.
Answer Key & Explanations
1 C – In paragraph 1, Jamie states he “loved watching action movies” and “imagined myself running fast… winning the game for my team without any problems.” This maps to assuming it would be as easy as it looks in films.
2 B – In paragraph 2, Jamie explains that within ten seconds he “felt a sharp pain on my shoulder. I was covered in bright yellow paint and had to leave the game immediately.” This paraphrases being quickly hit by a paintball and having to stop playing.
3 A – In paragraph 3, the team agreed that “running blindly was useless,” they needed to use cover, and “More importantly, we needed to communicate.” This matches changing their tactics and talking to each other more.
4 D – In paragraph 4, Jamie notes that they “stayed low,” “moved carefully from one hiding place to another,” and won by “working together and sharing information.” This matches moving carefully and helping each other.
5 C – This option successfully captures the global narrative arc: Jamie’s initial false assumption (running like an action hero), his discovery that blindly running doesn’t work, and his final realization that teamwork and strategy are essential for success.
Reading 2
For each question, choose the correct answer.
Desert Surfing
For my sixteenth birthday, my parents organised a weekend trip to some famous sand dunes near the coast. I had been snowboarding a few times and absolutely loved it, so when my dad suggested we try sandboarding, I was thrilled. I imagined it would be exactly the same as riding down a snowy mountain, just with warmer weather and beautiful desert views. I was feeling incredibly confident as we picked up our rented boards and walked towards the massive hills of yellow sand.
However, my confidence didn’t last long. Firstly, climbing a sand dune is physically exhausting. With every step I took, my feet sank deep into the soft sand, making it hard to move forward. By the time I reached the top, I was already out of breath. Then came the real disappointment. I strapped my feet into the board and leaned forward, expecting to fly down the hill. Instead, I barely moved. The sand created so much friction that I only slid a few metres before stopping completely. I felt quite annoyed that it wasn’t as effortless as I had imagined.
Seeing my frustration, a local guide who was teaching another group came over to help. He explained that unlike wet snow, dry sand is surprisingly sticky. He handed me a small block of special wax and told me to rub it all over the bottom of my board. He said that adding a generous layer of wax before every single ride was the secret to achieving high speeds on the dunes.
I carefully followed his advice, applied the wax, and pushed myself off the edge of the dune once more. The difference was unbelievable! Suddenly, the board shot forward, and I was sliding down the steep hill at a thrilling speed. The wind rushed past my face, and I couldn’t stop laughing. Of course, I eventually lost my balance and tumbled into the soft sand, but it didn’t hurt at all.
By the end of the afternoon, I was completely covered in sand. It was in my hair, my pockets, and even my shoes. Despite being so messy and tired, it was one of the most exciting days of my life. Sandboarding is definitely harder work than snowboarding, but it is just as rewarding. I can’t wait to go back and ride the dunes again.
1 How did the writer feel about trying sandboarding before they arrived?
(A) anxious about falling down the steep desert hills
(B) certain that it would be similar to a winter sport he already knew
(C) disappointed that they weren’t going snowboarding instead
(D) worried because he had never ridden a board before
2 What was the writer’s main problem during his first attempt?
(A) He found the soft sand too painful to fall on.
(B) He didn’t have enough breath to strap his feet in.
(C) The board didn’t travel as fast as he wanted it to.
(D) The wind blew too much sand into his eyes.
3 What did the local guide tell the writer to do?
(A) apply a substance to his board to make it move faster
(B) avoid going down the hill when the sand is completely dry
(C) borrow a different board from the other group
(D) practice sliding down smaller dunes first
4 When the writer used the board after following the guide’s advice, he
(A) managed to reach the bottom without falling over.
(B) experienced the feeling of speed he had been hoping for.
(C) realised that he actually preferred snowboarding.
(D) injured himself after losing his balance on the hill.
5 What would the writer write in his diary that evening?
(A) Sandboarding was a complete disaster today. Walking up the dunes was exhausting, and the board wouldn’t even slide properly.
(B) I’m so glad the guide was there to help! Sandboarding is much easier than snowboarding because you don’t need to do any preparation.
(C) The sand is absolutely everywhere, and my legs are aching, but sliding fast down those dunes was an incredible experience!
(D) I had fun today, but I was quite annoyed that the rental board was broken. Next time, I will definitely bring my own equipment.
Answer Key & Explanations
1 B – The first paragraph states that the writer “imagined it would be exactly the same as riding down a snowy mountain,” which maps to being certain it would be similar to a winter sport he knew.
2 C – In the second paragraph, the writer explains that he expected to “fly down the hill,” but instead he “barely moved” and stopped completely due to friction.
3 A – The third paragraph describes the guide handing him a block of wax to “rub it all over the bottom of my board” because it “was the secret to achieving high speeds”.
4 B – In the fourth paragraph, the writer notes that the board “shot forward” and he was “sliding down the steep hill at a thrilling speed,” meaning he finally got the speed he wanted.
5 C – This option accurately captures the global meaning and emotional arc of the text. It acknowledges the messy nature of the sand and physical exhaustion, while concluding that the fast-paced thrill made the whole day incredibly rewarding.
Reading 3
For each question, choose the correct answer.
From Plastic to Stone
I have been bouldering at my local indoor climbing gym for just over a year. Bouldering is a type of rock climbing where you don’t use ropes, but you don’t climb very high and there are soft mats below. Because I could easily complete the advanced routes at the gym, I felt extremely confident in my abilities. So, when my older cousin invited me to climb some real rocks in a nearby national park last weekend, I quickly accepted. I thought it would be exactly the same as training indoors, just with fresh air.
However, as soon as I touched my first real boulder, I realised how wrong I was. The surface of the stone was incredibly rough and uneven. At the indoor centre, the plastic shapes you hold onto are smooth and comfortable. Out in the forest, the rock was so sharp that it actually hurt my fingers when I pulled myself up. During my first few attempts, I couldn’t hold on for more than a few seconds before slipping off and landing heavily on the safety mat we had brought along. I felt quite disappointed with myself.
Then, my cousin explained the biggest difference between indoor and outdoor climbing. In a gym, the routes are marked with brightly coloured holds, so you always know exactly where to put your hands and feet. On a real rock, there are no neon green or pink markers to guide you. Instead, you have to treat the boulder like a complicated physical puzzle. I had to stand back and stare at the grey stone for a long time, searching for tiny cracks and natural shapes that could support my weight.
Once I started treating the rock like a puzzle, my performance improved dramatically. I slowly moved my hands and feet into the small spaces I had identified. My fingers still hurt, but the intense concentration made me forget about the pain. When I finally pulled myself over the top of the three-metre boulder, I felt an enormous sense of achievement. Looking out over the trees, I knew that outdoor climbing was much harder than being in a gym, but it was also far more rewarding. I am already planning my next outdoor adventure!
1 Why did the writer agree to go climbing outdoors?
(A) He wanted to try a completely new sport with his older cousin.
(B) He believed his indoor skills would make the experience easy.
(C) He was bored of the advanced routes at his local climbing gym.
(D) He wanted to enjoy the fresh air in the national park instead of exercising.
2 What surprised the writer during his first attempt on real rock?
(A) The safety mats were not soft enough to protect him from falls.
(B) He was unable to pull himself up because the stone was slippery.
(C) The natural surface of the boulder caused physical pain to his hands.
(D) The boulder was much taller than the walls at his indoor centre.
3 The writer says that outdoor bouldering is like a puzzle because
(A) climbers have to figure out their own path up the rock.
(B) the grey stones are covered in confusing, bright colours.
(C) it is difficult to find the boulders in the middle of the forest.
(D) his cousin asked him complicated questions while he climbed.
4 How did the writer feel when he reached the top of the boulder?
(A) Relieved that his fingers had finally stopped hurting.
(B) Disappointed that the climb was only three metres high.
(C) Worried about how he was going to get back down safely.
(D) Proud because the natural climb was a satisfying challenge.
5 What would the writer write in his diary that evening?
(A) I went outdoor bouldering today. It was fun, but I think I’ll stay in the gym from now on because real rocks are just too painful.
(B) Climbing real rocks was a huge shock today! It required much more thinking than gym climbing, but reaching the top felt absolutely amazing.
(C) My cousin took me climbing in the forest. I managed to do it easily on my very first try since I’m already an advanced indoor climber.
(D) The outdoor boulder was covered in colourful markers, which made it too easy. Next time, I want to find a much harder puzzle to solve.
Answer Key & Explanations
1 B – Paragraph 1 states that because he could easily complete advanced routes at the gym, he felt “extremely confident” and “thought it would be exactly the same as training indoors,” meaning he believed his indoor skills would make it easy.
2 C – Paragraph 2 explains that the rock was “so sharp that it actually hurt my fingers when I pulled myself up,” which maps to the natural surface causing physical pain to his hands.
3 A – Paragraph 3 details that on real rock there are no coloured markers to guide you, so you must “stare at the grey stone… searching for tiny cracks and natural shapes that could support my weight,” meaning climbers must figure out their own path.
4 D – Paragraph 4 highlights that when he pulled himself over the top, he felt an “enormous sense of achievement” and found it “far more rewarding” than gym climbing, showing he was proud of the satisfying challenge.
5 B – This option successfully captures the global narrative and emotional arc of the text: the writer experienced a shock moving to rough outdoor rock, learned to solve the “puzzle” of the route, and felt a great sense of accomplishment at the end.