Practice English Reading Exercises for B1 – Joining Sports Clubs & Teams 2
Reading 1
For each question, choose the correct answer.
The people below all want to find a tennis beginner club.
There are descriptions of eight tennis clubs.
Decide which tennis club would be the most suitable for the people below.
1 Lucas wants a beginner club where professional coaches teach him how to hit the ball correctly. He does not own a racket yet, so he needs to rent one, and he loves playing on outdoor courts.
2 Sarah wants to practice tennis with her friend without a teacher. They need a club that offers racket hire, features excellent outdoor courts, and allows them to pay a cheap daily price instead of a full membership.
3 Mark wants a starter course where instructors teach him how to hit the ball. He already owns a racket but specifically requires a club with covered indoor courts to avoid the rain, plus late evening sessions.
4 Emma wants to learn tennis basics from an instructor to improve her hitting. She needs a club that provides racket hire, features covered indoor courts to escape the wind, and has a pleasant social cafe.
5 David wants a beginner group where a coach helps him practice hitting the ball. He prefers playing on outdoor courts in the sunshine, brings his own equipment, and requires morning classes during the week.
Recommended Tennis Clubs
A The Fresh Air Club
Enjoy our beautiful open-air courts surrounded by nature. We specialize in absolute beginners, offering daily lessons where friendly trainers guide you through your very first hitting techniques and ball control. No equipment? No problem at all! We provide excellent tennis rackets for a small rental fee at our front reception desk.
B Parkside Tennis Yards
Our facility features wonderful outside courts open to the public sky. We do not offer organized coaching courses, making it perfect for friends who want to play independently. We have a huge selection of rackets available to borrow for the afternoon, and we offer an affordable daily rate without long-term contracts.
C The Indoor Zone
Don’t let the rain stop you! Our completely covered courts offer a modern space for playing all year round. Our professional team runs fantastic introductory workshops focused on perfecting your swing and hitting skills. Players must bring their own rackets to class. Our popular beginner options run late at night from 8 p.m. onwards.
D Net Play Centre
Our fully roofed sports center protects players from heavy winds and rain. We offer exceptional starter classes where qualified guides explain the rules and teach you fundamental hitting styles. Racket rental is included in the price of your session. Afterward, relax and make friends at our popular coffee shop right next to the reception area.
E Summer Sky Tennis
We invite you to experience our traditional open-air courts under the sun. Our experienced professionals lead small beginner groups to help you improve your hitting precision and power. Please note that we do not rent out gear, so remember your own equipment. Join us every Monday and Wednesday at 9 a.m. for our popular early sessions.
F Valley Tennis Courts
Our beautiful outside courts are perfect for enjoying the summer weather. We have highly skilled instructors who run daily sessions aimed at teaching newcomers how to handle the ball and master basic hitting. However, we do not have any sports equipment on site to rent, so all players must bring their own rackets.
G The Covered Stadium
Our premium indoor hall ensures a perfect game completely safe from wet weather. We do not offer any training programs or lessons, allowing groups to rent space and play freely. Racket hire is available at low costs from our shop. Enjoy a slice of cake and a hot drink at our cozy court cafe afterwards.
H Riverside Tennis Club
Come down to our beautiful outdoor courts right by the water, open every Tuesday morning at 8 a.m. We cater strictly to experienced players who want to join competitive leagues and tournaments. We do not offer basic instruction or beginner coaching, and all members are expected to carry their own professional rackets and balls.
ANSWER KEY
1 A 2 B 3 C 4 D 5 E
Reading 2
For each question, choose the correct answer.
The people below all want to find a competitive swimming club.
There are descriptions of eight swimming clubs.
Decide which swimming club would be the most suitable for the people below.
1 Tom wants to train before the sun comes up. He enjoys racing against other people and wants a club where he can check his progress on a monthly league table to see who is the fastest.
2 Sarah wants to improve her diving skills. She needs a club that offers a gym to build her strength, and she also wants the club to provide a bus to take her to swimming competitions.
3 Alex finishes work late, so he needs indoor training sessions after 8 p.m. He is tired of normal swimming and wants to join a water polo team to play a fun sport in the water.
4 Maria has never competed before and wants beginner racing lessons. She only has free time on Saturdays and Sundays. She also needs to find a club that has a shop selling professional swimming clothes.
5 David wants to train in an outdoor pool. He is looking for a coach who has competed internationally. He also wants a club that organises fun social trips so he can make friends outside the water.
Competitive Swimming Clubs
A Sunrise Swimmers
Our club is perfect for athletes who like waking up at 5 a.m. for practice. We hold regular speed contests so you can compete against your teammates. Every four weeks, we publish a ranking list on our noticeboard so you can see your exact position compared to everyone else!
B Dolphin Athletics
If you want to perfect how you jump into the water, our expert instructors can help. Members also have full access to our modern fitness room to lift weights and build muscle. When we have away tournaments, you never need to drive, because we organize comfortable coaches for all our athletes.
C Night Sharks
Do you want to play exciting ball games in the water? We are looking for new players to join our competitive teams. We practice inside our fantastic heated pool, which is great for cold nights. Our sessions start at 8:30 p.m., making it ideal for busy working adults.
D Weekend Warriors
Are you new to fast-paced swimming? We offer special coaching for people just starting their racing journey. We only meet on Saturday and Sunday mornings, so it fits perfectly around school or work. Don’t worry if you need new gear; our excellent store sells all the costumes and goggles you need.
E Blue Lido
Train in the fresh air at our massive outside pool! Our main instructor has swam for his country in global championships, so you will learn from the best. We also believe in having fun, so we regularly arrange cinema visits, meals, and beach days for members to relax together.
F The Fast Lane
We are a serious club for people who want to race others and improve their times. We swim inside a modern sports centre. Our sessions begin at 6 a.m. to get you fit before breakfast. We don’t keep scores or ranking lists, because we believe everyone is a winner.
G Champion Aquatics
Led by a former European champion, our training programme will make you a brilliant racer. We swim in a high-quality indoor facility, which includes a fantastic weight-lifting area to get you strong. Please note that members must find their own way to all local and national swimming events.
H Splash Academy
This is the perfect place to learn how to swim faster if you have never raced before! Our friendly teachers will guide you every step of the way. We meet every Tuesday and Thursday evening. Be sure to visit our reception desk to buy top-quality swimming costumes and hats.
ANSWER KEY
1 A 2 B 3 C 4 D 5 E
Reading 3
For each question, choose the correct answer.
The people below all want to find a road cycling group to join.
There are descriptions of eight cycling clubs.
Decide which cycling club would be the most suitable for the people below.
1 Lucas wants a road cycling group that goes on long morning journeys of at least 60km. He wants to improve his skills riding closely in large packs and needs a club that meets only on Sundays.
2 Emma wants a club that rides challenging routes over 70km. It is essential to her that protective helmets and lights are strictly required for everyone. She also hopes to get professional training to increase her average speed.
3 Marco and his brother want to experience cycling in huge pelotons alongside other riders. They care a lot about safety, so wearing bright vests and helmets must be mandatory. They also want a group that finishes near a café.
4 Sophia wants a group that organizes long weekend rides across the countryside of around 80km. Everyone must use proper safety equipment. Because she has a low budget, the club must be completely free for new members.
5 Daniel wants to discover the technique of safely drafting and moving together within a fast-moving pack. He wants to challenge himself on a 65km route and needs a club that offers road bicycle rentals for the day.
Road Cycling Groups
A The Sunday Spin
Join us every Sunday morning for our popular high-distance outings! We specialize in endurance rides, always covering at least 65km of smooth roads. Our members will help you feel comfortable moving together in tight formations. Please bring your own lunch, as we do not stop at restaurants, and remember your standard cycling equipment.
B Velocity Elite
Looking to push your limits? Our experienced coaches offer expert guidance on every ride to help you maximize your performance and pace. We conquer massive 75km road routes across the region. To ensure player security, wearing approved hard hats and functional night-time lamps is absolutely compulsory for all participants. No exceptions allowed!
C Peloton Pals
We love the thrill of organizing massive groups of cyclists to ride down the coast together. It is our strict policy that everyone wears a secure helmet and reflective clothing during our trips. After finishing our fast-paced group journey, we always gather at a local coffee shop to relax and chat about our favorite hobby.
D Eco Riders
Our friendly community welcomes anyone who loves big adventures without spending any money. Our weekly 90km routes are entirely free of charge for students and adults alike! We value group well-being, meaning that protective headgear and bright jackets are required before joining the line. Come explore beautiful hidden paths with us this weekend!
E Metro Cycle Club
Master the art of team drafting! Our sessions teach you how to coordinate safely with other cyclists when moving in a fast pack. This Saturday, we are taking on a demanding 60km loop. If you do not own a racing bike, you can easily hire one of ours at the main center for a low fee.
F Early Birds
We assemble every Sunday at dawn for short, energetic group workouts. It is a fantastic opportunity to try riding in close packs for the first time. There is no membership fee to join our sessions, and we welcome all fitness levels. However, we focus strictly on brief 20km tracks, so no long journeys are available.
G Coastline Champions
Our members love taking on epic 100km road journeys along the beautiful sea cliffs every Saturday. Professional trainers accompany the group to offer advice on your riding posture and stamina. Our rides are completely free for students. Please note that we enjoy a casual style, so helmets and specialized safety clothing are optional.
H Gear Up Group
We offer premium road bike rentals for anyone wanting to experience the countryside. Security is our top priority, so all riders must wear protective hard hats and bright gear. We specialize in solo or duo trips through the forest, meaning you will not be riding in large packs or teams during our scheduled journeys.
ANSWER KEY
1 A 2 B 3 C 4 D 5 E