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

Exercises:   12345

Reading 1

For each question, choose the correct answer.

Long Journeys on Two Wheels

Fifteen-year-old Toby has always loved sports, but his favourite activity is cycling. Last year, his parents gave him a fantastic new bike for his birthday. At first, he only rode it in the small park near his house. However, he soon got bored of seeing the same trees every day. He decided he wanted to travel long distances.

To find new places, Toby uses a clever app on his smartphone. It shows him all the safe bike paths in the countryside. Last Saturday, he planned a 30-kilometre trip to a famous lake. He put some sandwiches and two bottles of water in his bag. His father felt a bit worried because it was a long way, but Toby promised to text him.

Toby left home early in the morning. The first part of the journey was easy, and he rode very fast. But after an hour, the path went up a really high hill. Toby’s legs hurt a lot, but he didn’t stop. When he reached the top, the view was amazing. He even stopped to take some photos of some unusual birds.

When Toby finally arrived at the lake, he sat on the grass and ate his lunch. He felt really tired, but he was also very proud of himself. He knows that cycling is excellent for his health. Next weekend, he is going to explore a new path in the mountains, and he is already excited about it.

1   Why did Toby decide to stop cycling in the local park?

     (A) His parents gave him a fantastic new bike.

     (B) He got bored of the sports he played every day.

     (C) He wanted to ride his bike in different places.

2   What do we learn about Toby’s father?

     (A) He planned a 30-kilometre trip to a famous lake.

     (B) He was anxious because the ride was very far.

     (C) He put some sandwiches and water in a bag.

3   What happened when Toby rode up the high hill?

     (A) The journey was easy and he rode very fast.

     (B) He stopped because his legs hurt a lot.

     (C) He continued riding even though it was hard.

4   How did Toby feel when he was eating his lunch at the lake?

     (A) Pleased about what he managed to do.

     (B) Excellent because it was good for his health.

     (C) Excited about a new path in the mountains.

5   What is the best title for the article?

     (A) The safest bike paths in the countryside

     (B) A teenager’s love for long cycling trips

     (C) How to take photos of unusual birds

Reading 2

For each question, choose the correct answer.

Getting Fit with my Phone

My name is Mark and I am fourteen years old. In the past, I didn’t do much exercise. I usually spent my free time playing video games on the sofa. But last month, my parents gave me a new smartphone for my birthday. I found a free health app on it and decided to try it.

First, I started tracking my daily steps. The app said I should do 10,000 steps every day. At first, this was really difficult. I only did about 4,000 steps because I always took the bus to school. So, I decided to change my routine. Now, I walk to school with my friends, and I easily reach my daily step goal!

After a few weeks, I started using the app for workouts, too. It has lots of short exercise videos. I don’t go to a gym because it is expensive, but I can do these video workouts in my bedroom. On Saturdays, my older brother often joins me, and we do the exercises together. We always have a lot of fun.

Now, I feel much healthier and stronger than before. Tracking my activities on my phone keeps me interested in fitness. Next month, I am going to run in a five-kilometre race in my town. I check my health app every day to make sure I am ready for it!

1   Why did Mark start using the health app?

     (A) to stop playing video games in his free time

     (B) because his parents gave it to him for his birthday

     (C) to test a mobile program he discovered on his device

2   How does Mark manage to do 10,000 steps a day now?

     (A) by going on foot to his classes

     (B) by doing about 4,000 steps on the bus

     (C) by changing his friends at school

3   Where does Mark do his video workouts?

     (A) at an expensive gym

     (B) inside his own room

     (C) at his older brother’s house

4   What do we learn about Mark in the last paragraph?

     (A) He feels much healthier than his older brother.

     (B) He is glad that his body is fitter now.

     (C) He is going to run a five-kilometre race today.

5   What is Mark’s main reason for writing this text?

     (A) to explain how technology helped him become more active

     (B) to tell teenagers why they should buy a new smartphone

     (C) to describe the best way to win a five-kilometre running race

Reading 3

For each question, choose the correct answer.

The Teenager Who Started Her Own Sports Club

Fourteen-year-old Emma absolutely loves playing sports, especially badminton. When she moved to her new high school last September, she immediately looked for a badminton club to join. She checked the school website and asked the teachers, but unfortunately, she couldn’t find one. She felt quite disappointed because she really wanted to play.

Emma decided to solve the problem herself. She went to talk to her sports teacher, Mr Harris. He thought it was a brilliant idea. However, he told Emma she had to find at least ten students before they could start. So, Emma spent her weekend making colourful posters and put them on the walls around the school.

On the first day of the new club, Emma waited in the sports hall. She was worried, but soon, twenty students arrived! They had a fantastic time hitting the shuttlecock and learning the rules. Some teenagers didn’t know how to play at all, so Emma spent time teaching them the basic skills.

Now, the school badminton club is incredibly popular. The members meet every Tuesday afternoon to practise. They are getting much better at the sport. Next term, they are going to travel to another town to play a friendly competition against a different school. Emma is extremely proud of what she has achieved.

1   Why was Emma unhappy when she started her new school?

     (A) She moved to her new high school last September.

     (B) She checked the school website and asked the teachers.

     (C) The activity she wanted to do wasn’t available.

2   What did Mr Harris tell Emma to do?

     (A) Spend her weekend making colourful posters.

     (B) Put them on the walls around the school.

     (C) Get enough people to join the group.

3   What happened during the first meeting?

     (A) Twenty students waited in the sports hall.

     (B) Emma helped people who were new to the game.

     (C) Emma didn’t know how to play at all.

4   What are the club members planning to do next term?

     (A) Meet every Tuesday afternoon to practise.

     (B) Have a match with students from elsewhere.

     (C) Getting much better at the sport.

5   What is the best title for the article?

     (A) The student who built her own badminton team

     (B) Moving to a new high school last September

     (C) Making colourful posters for the sports hall

Exercises:   12345