Practice English Reading Exercises for B1 – Joining Sports Clubs & Teams 3

Exercises:   123456

Reading 1

For each question, choose the correct answer.

The people below all want to find a martial arts or judo club to join.

There are descriptions of eight martial arts clubs.

Decide which martial arts club would be the most suitable for the people below.

1   Lucas wants to learn how to protect himself safely on the streets. He hopes to take regular tests to earn different coloured belts, and he needs a club located very close to the main railway station.

2   Sara is looking for a club that teaches teenagers strict rules and good behavior. She can only attend sessions on Sunday mornings, and she needs to borrow the traditional training clothes without paying extra money.

3   Tomas wants to learn practical ways to stay safe against attackers. He is looking for a club that organises fun social activities outside of training, and he specifically wants to be taught by a female teacher.

4   Nina hopes to take formal assessments so she can progress to higher levels in the sport. She needs a venue that provides plenty of parking spaces, and she wants to use soft training equipment like punch bags.

5   David wants to develop his self-control and learn traditional, polite ways of acting. He has a very small budget so needs inexpensive lessons. He also prefers to train inside a large, modern sports hall.

Martial Arts and Judo Clubs

A City Centre Judo

At City Centre Judo, teenagers learn practical ways to escape dangerous situations safely. Students regularly take official grading assessments to progress and earn their next coloured band. Best of all, we are situated exactly opposite the main passenger train platforms, guaranteeing an extremely simple journey for anyone travelling by rail.

B Sunrise Martial Arts

We focus heavily on teaching young people excellent manners, self-control, and following instructions. Our popular teenage sessions happen every weekend before midday, leaving your afternoon free. You don’t need to buy expensive equipment either, as we lend all the white cotton training suits to members completely free of charge.

C Golden Dragon Club

Led by our highly experienced head instructor, Maria, this welcoming club is brilliant for teenagers wanting to discover how to defend their bodies in physical emergencies. We don’t just train hard on the mats; our group regularly organises weekend cinema trips and bowling evenings to help everyone build amazing new friendships!

D Power Strike Academy

Students at our academy use heavy hanging pads and soft targets to practice their moves safely. We organise official judging days twice a year so you can officially move up to the next grade. Parents will be pleased to know we offer a massive free area for leaving their vehicles.

E Silver Tiger Dojo

Practice your moves inside an incredibly spacious, newly built leisure centre featuring fantastic facilities. We strongly emphasize mental calmness, teaching students the ancient traditions of showing honour and courtesy to their partners. It is highly affordable too, offering special discounted teenage rates that will definitely not empty your pocket.

F Iron Fist Karate

This club is located just a two-minute walk from the local train station. We run official grading days every winter so you can successfully achieve your next belt. However, our classes focus entirely on improving your breathing and making shapes in the air, rather than learning to fight off attackers.

G Warrior Way

Join our weekend morning sessions where we teach traditional self-control and strict personal discipline. It is a fantastic way to improve your mind and your body before lunch! Please remember that all beginners must purchase their own expensive white uniform from our club shop before joining their first lesson.

H Red Phoenix Judo

Test your strength against our fantastic range of hanging strike bags and soft kicking pads. We host formal examinations each spring to help teenagers successfully reach their next rank. Unfortunately, our city location means visitors must arrive by public transport, as there are absolutely no places to leave a car.

Reading 2

For each question, choose the correct answer.

The people below all want to find a table tennis community club.

There are descriptions of eight table tennis clubs.

Decide which club would be the most suitable for the people below.

1   Lucas wants to play inside so the weather doesn’t stop him. He doesn’t own any equipment, so he needs to borrow bats and balls. He also hopes to find a friendly place where children, teenagers, and older people all play together.

2   Sarah prefers keeping fit outside in the fresh air and sunshine. She already has her own high-quality bat and balls. She is looking for a club that is strictly for adults, as she prefers not to play with younger children.

3   Mark is looking for a sports centre with covered tables. He wants to purchase a brand-new bat from a shop at the venue. After playing, he likes to relax and buy a hot cup of coffee and a slice of cake.

4   Emma loves the excitement of playing in serious competitions to win prizes. She enjoys playing against opponents of completely different generations. She doesn’t have her own gear, so she needs a place that supplies rackets and balls for her matches.

5   David has his own lucky bat and balls, so he will bring them along. He wants to practice on indoor tables to avoid the wind. He is a beginner and requires an expert instructor to teach him how to play.

Table Tennis Community Clubs

A The Racket Hall

You will find our covered sports centre completely protected from the rain. We welcome everyone, from young kids to grandparents, creating a wonderful community feeling. There is no need to pack anything in your bag; we will hand you free rackets and plenty of spheres to use during your visit here.

B Sunshine Ping Pong

Enjoy our fantastic open-air tables set in a beautiful park environment. We do not provide any gear, so players must arrive with their personal rackets and spheres. To ensure a quiet atmosphere, our community is limited to members over the age of eighteen, making it perfect for grown-ups.

C City Table Tennis

Our fantastic tables are located inside a modern, heated building. If you need a new racket, our excellent sports store has plenty of items for sale. When you finish your game, you can sit down at our comfortable snack bar to enjoy delicious hot drinks and fresh pastries.

D Victory Spin Club

We organise thrilling weekly contests where you can test your skills and win medals. Our community is incredibly diverse, with teenagers competing against seniors in a friendly way. If you forget your gear, don’t worry! We will happily lend you excellent bats and balls for your important matches.

E The Top Spin Centre

Come to our fantastic indoor stadium, where the wind will never affect your game. We have professional teachers ready to give you private lessons to improve your technique. Please note that we do not have a rental desk, so everyone must pack their own rackets and balls to play.

F Green Park Ping Pong

Everyone from small children to retired adults loves our friendly community events. We have a huge box of excellent rackets and balls that anyone can borrow for free. However, all our tables are placed completely outside on the grass, so we must cancel games if it starts raining heavily.

G Metro Table Tennis

This excellent covered facility offers brilliant protection from the winter weather. If you want to own your equipment, our reception desk sells a fantastic range of professional bats and balls. Unfortunately, our restaurant closed last month, so you will need to bring your own food and drinks with you.

H The Baseline Club

Step inside our magnificent roofed arena to practice your table tennis skills away from the bad weather. Our highly trained instructors offer brilliant classes for newcomers. You never need to buy your own gear, because we provide every student with a high-quality bat and ball to use in class.

Reading 3

For each question, choose the correct answer.

The people below all want to find a badminton evening club.

There are descriptions of eight badminton clubs.

Decide which badminton club would be the most suitable for the people below.

1   John wants to play a match with a partner against two other players. He needs to secure a specific playing space before he arrives. He also needs to borrow a racket because he doesn’t own one.

2   Sara wants to improve how quickly her body reacts during a fast game. She is looking for professional lessons to help her get better. She works late, so the club must be open after 9:00 PM.

3   Mike has never played badminton before and wants to start. He is interested in learning how to play in a team of two. He wants to sit down and buy something to eat and drink afterwards.

4   Emma wants to develop her speed to return the shuttlecock faster. She needs to guarantee she has a playing space before she travels there. After her game, she would like to relax in a social area.

5   David is a complete beginner looking for a suitable club. He doesn’t have his own racket, so he must be able to use the club’s gear. He is only free to play very late in the evening.

Badminton Evening Clubs

A The Shuttlecock Lounge

If you are completely new to the sport, this is the perfect place to start your journey. We focus entirely on two-versus-two games, teaching you how to communicate with your teammate. When you finish, head to our fantastic restaurant area to enjoy delicious hot meals and chat with new friends!

B Evening Aces

Our doors stay open until half-past eleven, so evening visitors are always welcome. To play, you must contact us to arrange your specific court ahead of time. Unfortunately, our rental shop is permanently closed, meaning everyone must carry their own rackets. We also do not have any dining facilities inside.

C Net Champions

Grab a friend and enjoy two-on-two matches! We provide all the gear you need, including high-quality rackets and shuttlecocks, at no extra cost. To guarantee your spot, visitors must arrange their specific playing area online before showing up. Please note, we do not sell any food or beverages here.

D Pro Pairs Centre

This location is strictly for highly experienced athletes who want to compete in fast two-on-two tournaments. It is absolutely not suitable for anyone just learning the basic rules. Afterwards, competitors love hanging out in our brilliant snack bar to purchase tasty refreshments and discuss their winning performance on the court.

E Action Athletics

Develop your speed and learn to return the quickest hits with ease. Players must secure their own netting area via our website before travelling to the sports hall. Once you are exhausted, relax in our comfortable coffee shop with a warm beverage. We only offer one-on-one matches here, without partners.

F Swift Strikes Club

Do you want to increase your reaction speed on the court? Our expert instructors offer excellent training sessions to help you move and hit like lightning! We welcome athletes until midnight, making it perfect for busy evening workers. However, you must carry your own gear, as nothing is provided here.

G Lightning Badminton

Train your body to react in a split second! We focus on quick movements to make you an unbeatable opponent. We happily supply all the necessary rackets and shuttlecocks for our guests. We operate on a first-come, first-served system, meaning you cannot save a space in advance. No food available.

H Midnight Smashers

Just starting out? We warmly welcome people who have zero experience on the court! We stay open until half-past eleven, so you can enjoy your new hobby well into the dark. Don’t worry if you arrive empty-handed; we have plenty of rackets available to lend to all our guests.

Exercises:   123456