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

Exercises:   12345

Reading 1

For each question, choose the correct answer.

The Stadium Superfan

Fifteen-year-old Jamie has a brilliant weekend hobby. While most of his school friends prefer going to the cinema or playing video games, Jamie loves visiting the big city stadium. Every Saturday, he goes there with his uncle to watch live football matches. He has done this since he was ten years old.

For Jamie, the best part is the amazing atmosphere. He loves listening to the loud crowds and singing songs with thousands of other fans. It is much more exciting than sitting in a quiet living room and watching sports on television. Before the players run onto the grass, Jamie always buys a hot dog and a cold drink.

Last weekend, Jamie watched a very difficult game. The weather was terrible because it rained all afternoon. His favourite team played badly in the first half and was losing. However, they suddenly scored two quick goals in the last five minutes. Jamie jumped up and down because he felt so happy!

Now, Jamie is saving his weekly pocket money. There is a very important cup final next month, and the tickets are quite expensive. He really hopes he can go. When he finishes high school, Jamie doesn’t want to be a professional player. Instead, he wants to get a job at the stadium so he can watch every game.

1   What does Jamie like doing on Saturdays?

     (A) Going to the cinema with his school friends.

     (B) Seeing football games at a sports ground.

     (C) Playing video games with his uncle.

2   Why does Jamie prefer the stadium to watching television?

     (A) He enjoys the loud noise of the people there.

     (B) He likes sitting in a quiet living room.

     (C) He wants to run onto the grass with the players.

3   What happened during the match last weekend?

     (A) Jamie’s team was losing in the last five minutes.

     (B) His favourite team played badly because it rained all afternoon.

     (C) His team got the victory just before the finish.

4   What does Jamie want to do when he is older?

     (A) He hopes to be a professional player.

     (B) He wants to save his weekly pocket money.

     (C) He plans to find employment where the matches happen.

5   What is the best title for the article?

     (A) A teenager’s love for watching live sports

     (B) How to get a job at the stadium

     (C) Saving your weekly pocket money for tickets

Reading 2

For each question, choose the correct answer.

Reaching New Heights in Gymnastics

Thirteen-year-old Mia has loved gymnastics since she was a little girl. She spends many hours in the sports centre every week with her friends. Recently, she decided she wanted to learn some new, very difficult jumps. However, to do these jumps safely, Mia knew she had to become much more flexible.

Her coach, Sarah, explained that doing the new jumps would not be easy. “You must practice your jumps every day,” Sarah told her. “But the most important thing is stretching your legs and your back.” Mia realized she needed to add more stretching to her daily routine to improve her gymnastics.

So, Mia started waking up thirty minutes earlier every morning before school. At first, doing the exercises was quite painful, and she just wanted to stay in her warm bed. But after three weeks of practicing, the morning stretching felt much easier. Her body felt stronger, and she could finally move her arms and legs in ways she couldn’t before.

Last weekend, Mia entered a local gymnastics competition. It was time to try her difficult new jump in front of a large audience. She ran, jumped, and did it perfectly! Although she didn’t win a gold medal this time, her coach was extremely proud of her. Mia felt amazing and is now planning to learn even harder jumps for the next competition.

1   Why did Mia want to get more flexible?

     (A) To help her perform harder moves safely.

     (B) Because she spends many hours in the sports centre.

     (C) Because she has loved gymnastics since she was a little girl.

2   What did coach Sarah say was the most important thing for Mia to do?

     (A) practice her jumps every day

     (B) work on exercises for her back and legs

     (C) add more stretching to her daily routine

3   How did Mia feel about her morning exercises at first?

     (A) It made her body feel stronger.

     (B) It hurt and she preferred to keep sleeping.

     (C) It felt much easier after three weeks.

4   What happened at the competition last weekend?

     (A) She won a gold medal this time.

     (B) Her coach planned to learn even harder jumps.

     (C) She completed her new move without any mistakes.

5   What is the best title for the article?

     (A) How to win a gold medal in gymnastics

     (B) The best sports centre for young girls

     (C) A young gymnast works hard to improve

Reading 3

For each question, choose the correct answer.

Reaching the Top

My name is Leo and I am fourteen years old. I have always loved playing sports like football and basketball. However, I have a big problem: I am very afraid of high places. Last week, my best friend Tom invited me to an indoor rock climbing centre for his birthday. I didn’t want to go, but I couldn’t say no to him.

When we arrived at the sports centre, I looked up at the huge climbing walls and felt really nervous. A friendly instructor met us. She gave us some special climbing shoes and talked for a long time about how to stay safe. She said we must always listen to her instructions.

It was time to climb. I started on the easiest wall. After a few minutes, I looked down at the floor and felt terrible. I wanted to stop. But Tom shouted, “You can do it, Leo!” I stopped looking down and only watched my hands and feet. Slowly, I moved higher.

Finally, I reached the top of the wall! I felt so proud of myself because I didn’t stop. The journey down was actually quite fun. Now, I am not as scared of high places as before. In fact, I am going to return to the climbing centre with Tom next weekend!

1   Why did Leo go to the climbing centre?

     (A) He wanted to play sports like football.

     (B) He wanted to visit high places.

     (C) He went to celebrate his friend’s special day.

2   What happened when the boys arrived at the centre?

     (A) They bought some special climbing shoes.

     (B) A woman taught them some important rules.

     (C) The friendly instructor climbed the huge walls.

3   How did Leo feel while he was climbing?

     (A) afraid when he checked the ground below him

     (B) terrible because he was on the easiest wall

     (C) angry when Tom shouted you can do it

4   What do we learn about Leo at the end of the text?

     (A) He felt proud because the journey down was fun.

     (B) He decided to stop at the top of the wall.

     (C) He plans to do the activity again soon.

5   What is the writer’s main purpose in this text?

     (A) to explain how to stay safe at an indoor rock climbing centre

     (B) to describe his experience of beating his fear of heights

     (C) to tell teenagers why they should love playing sports

Exercises:   12345