Practice English Reading Exercises for B1 – Sports Career Development, Competitions & Injuries 3
Reading 1
For each question, choose the correct answer.
A different kind of leader
by Liam Davies
I’ve always loved playing basketball, but I’ve never been the loudest person on the court. I usually just focus on my own game and let the older, more confident players do all the shouting. So, when our coach called me over after practice last month and told me I was going to be the new team captain, I was completely shocked. I had always assumed the role would go to someone who was always talking and giving instructions, not a quiet teenager like me.
During my first week as captain, I really struggled. I thought I needed to change my personality completely. I tried to shout loudly at my teammates during our practice matches, telling them where to run and what to do. However, it just felt incredibly unnatural. My voice wasn’t loud enough, and the other players looked confused because they weren’t used to hearing me behave like that. I went home feeling miserable, convinced that the coach had made a terrible mistake.
The following week, we had our first official match of the season. Before the game, I admitted to the coach that I couldn’t lead the team because I was too shy to shout. He just smiled and said, “I didn’t choose you to be loud, Liam. I chose you because you never give up and you always train the hardest.” That advice changed everything for me. I realised I didn’t need to shout to be a good captain; I just needed to show them the right attitude.
As soon as the match started, I stopped worrying about giving instructions. Instead, I focused entirely on working as hard as possible. I ran after every loose ball and defended with all my energy. When my teammates saw how much effort I was putting in, they naturally started to do the same. We ended up winning the game easily. By the end of it, everyone was cheering and celebrating together.
I am still the quietest person on the team, but I now feel completely comfortable in my role. I’ve learned that there are many different ways to be a leader. Sometimes, setting a good example through hard work is far more effective than just having the loudest voice.
1 How did Liam feel when he was told he would be captain?
(A) He was annoyed because he didn’t want the extra responsibility.
(B) He was surprised because he didn’t fit his own idea of a leader.
(C) He was disappointed that the older players weren’t chosen.
(D) He was confident that he could do the job well.
2 What was Liam’s problem during his first week as captain?
(A) He didn’t know the rules of the game well enough.
(B) His teammates ignored his instructions on purpose.
(C) He felt uncomfortable trying to act like a loud person.
(D) The coach criticised him for not shouting enough.
3 What did the coach explain to Liam before the first match?
(A) He needed to overcome his shyness to be a good captain.
(B) He was selected because of his excellent effort and attitude.
(C) He should listen to the older players for advice.
(D) He had made a mistake in choosing him as captain.
4 During the match, Liam managed to inspire his teammates by
(A) giving them clear and loud instructions.
(B) scoring the most points for the team.
(C) showing them how much energy he was putting in.
(D) cheering and celebrating with them on the court.
5 What would Liam write in his diary at the end of the season?
(A) I still wish I was brave enough to shout at the players, but at least we won our matches.
(B) I was terrified of being captain, but I’ve discovered that leading by example is a great way to inspire the team.
(C) The coach made a mistake making me captain, so I’m going to ask an older player to do it next year.
(D) Trying to be a loud leader was exhausting, and I eventually decided that I just prefer playing normally.
Answer Key & Explanations
1 B – In paragraph 1, Liam states he was “completely shocked” because he assumed the role would go to someone who was “always talking and giving instructions, not a quiet teenager like me.” This paraphrases being surprised because he didn’t fit his idea of a leader.
2 C – In paragraph 2, Liam explains that he “tried to shout loudly” but “it just felt incredibly unnatural” and made him feel miserable. This maps to feeling uncomfortable trying to act like a loud person.
3 B – In paragraph 3, the coach tells Liam, “I chose you because you never give up and you always train the hardest.” This perfectly matches being selected because of his excellent effort and attitude.
4 C – In paragraph 4, Liam says he “focused entirely on working as hard as possible” and when his teammates saw “how much effort I was putting in, they naturally started to do the same.” This shows he inspired them by his energy and effort.
5 B – This option successfully captures the global narrative arc of the text: Liam’s initial fear and struggle with the role (terrified at first), his discovery of what the coach saw in him, and his final positive realization that leading by example (hard work) is highly effective.
Reading 2
For each question, choose the correct answer.
Racing My Best Friend
My best friend Sam and I have been running for our school athletics team since we were eleven. We usually run in different events, which means we can always cheer for each other from the side of the track. However, this year, our coach announced that there was only one spot left for the 400-metre race at the regional finals. Both Sam and I had the exact same qualifying time, so the coach decided we would have to race against each other to decide who would get the place. I felt sick just thinking about it.
During the week leading up to the race, the atmosphere between us became incredibly strange. Normally, we would joke around and chat while stretching, but our training sessions suddenly turned completely silent. We both wanted to win so much that we stopped sharing our usual running tips. It wasn’t that we were angry, but the pressure to succeed was building a temporary wall between us. I really missed my friend, and I started wondering if the competition was actually worth risking our relationship.
When the day of the race finally arrived, my legs were shaking as I stood on the starting line. As soon as the gun fired, we both sprinted forward. For the first 300 metres, we were running side by side, matching each other’s speed perfectly. I pushed myself harder than ever before, trying to ignore the burning pain in my muscles. However, as we approached the finish line, Sam suddenly found a burst of energy and crossed just a fraction of a second before I did.
As I slowed down, trying to catch my breath, I felt a sudden wave of disappointment. I had missed out on the regional finals. I looked over at Sam, expecting him to be celebrating wildly. Instead, he walked straight over to me, looking worried. Before I could even speak, he pulled me into a massive hug and told me it was the best race of his life. At that moment, my sadness completely vanished. I realised that running against my best friend hadn’t destroyed our friendship; it had actually proved how strong it really is.
1 Why was the writer unhappy about the upcoming 400-metre race?
(A) He had never competed in this particular event before.
(B) He was forced to compete against his closest friend.
(C) His coach told him his qualifying time was too slow.
(D) He usually preferred to watch from the side of the track.
2 How did the situation affect the boys during their training?
(A) They started arguing with each other about running tips.
(B) They refused to attend the same practice sessions.
(C) They stopped communicating with each other like they normally did.
(D) They decided that the race was no longer important to them.
3 What happened during the race itself?
(A) Sam managed to run slightly faster right at the end.
(B) The writer suffered a painful injury in his leg muscles.
(C) The two boys accidentally ran into each other on the track.
(D) The writer started shaking and couldn’t finish the run.
4 Immediately after the race, the writer was surprised because
(A) he actually managed to qualify for the regional finals.
(B) Sam seemed more concerned about him than celebrating.
(C) his feelings of disappointment lasted for a long time.
(D) Sam celebrated wildly in front of the crowd.
5 What would the writer write in his diary that evening?
(A) I’m furious that Sam beat me today. I’m definitely going to ask the coach to let me run in a completely different event next year.
(B) The tension this week was awful, but today showed me that our friendship is far more important than any spot in the regional finals.
(C) I won the race, but I feel terrible because Sam is now ignoring me. I wish the coach had never made us compete against each other.
(D) I was so nervous that I didn’t try my best during the race. Next time, I won’t let the pressure stop me from running fast.
Answer Key & Explanations
1 B – The first paragraph states that because they had the same time, “the coach decided we would have to race against each other… I felt sick just thinking about it,” which paraphrases to being forced to compete against his closest friend.
2 C – In the second paragraph, the writer explains that their sessions “turned completely silent” and they “stopped sharing our usual running tips,” meaning they stopped communicating like they normally did.
3 A – The third paragraph describes how they were tied until the end, when “Sam suddenly found a burst of energy and crossed just a fraction of a second before I did.”
4 B – In the fourth paragraph, the writer notes he expected Sam to be “celebrating wildly,” but instead Sam “walked straight over to me, looking worried” and gave him a massive hug.
5 B – This option captures the global meaning and emotional arc of the text. It acknowledges the uncomfortable tension before the race, but ultimately reflects the realization in the final paragraph that their friendship survived the competition and proved its true strength.
Reading 3
For each question, choose the correct answer.
The Benchwarmer
I have played basketball with my friends for years, so when I finally made the school team this year, I was absolutely thrilled. I imagined myself running up and down the court, scoring lots of points, and hearing the crowd cheer my name. However, the reality was quite different from my dreams. For the first two months of the season, I spent every single match sitting on the bench. While the starting players were out there competing, my only job was to hand out water bottles during breaks and clap. It was incredibly frustrating to feel left out.
By the middle of the season, I seriously considered quitting. It felt completely pointless to attend exhausting training sessions three times a week just to sit and watch others play on Saturdays. I even spoke to my coach about how disappointed I was feeling. He patiently explained that every successful team needs reliable substitute players. He advised me to pay close attention to the games, learn from the older players’ mistakes, and be ready, because my chance would eventually come. I decided to trust him and stayed on the team, though I still secretly felt a bit useless.
Then came the final championship match against our biggest rivals from across town. The score was completely equal with only two minutes left on the clock. Suddenly, our best defender, Liam, fell awkwardly and injured his ankle. The referee stopped the game, and Liam couldn’t continue. The coach looked along the bench, caught my eye, and pointed directly at me. My heart immediately started beating so loudly that I thought everyone in the sports hall could hear it. I took a deep breath, stepped onto the shiny wooden floor, and tried to remember my training.
In the last ten seconds, the opposing team had the ball and was preparing to shoot the winning goal. Their tallest player jumped up, but I managed to jump at exactly the same time. I stretched my arm as far as possible and successfully pushed the heavy ball away, stopping his shot. The final whistle blew, and we had won! My teammates rushed over and cheered for my defensive block. I might not have scored any points all season, but I finally understood what the coach meant. Every player matters, and I am definitely coming back next year.
1 Why was the writer frustrated during the first two months of the season?
(A) He found the weekly training sessions too difficult to complete.
(B) He had to spend the matches watching instead of actually playing.
(C) He was expected to score all the points for his teammates.
(D) He realised he didn’t know how to play basketball very well.
2 What did the coach do when the writer wanted to quit?
(A) He told the writer to pay more attention during practice.
(B) He promised to let the writer start in the games on Saturdays.
(C) He explained why the writer’s role on the team was still important.
(D) He agreed that the writer was wasting his time sitting on the bench.
3 How did the writer feel when the coach pointed at him?
(A) Confident because he knew the opponents’ weaknesses.
(B) Annoyed that he had to replace an injured teammate.
(C) Extremely nervous about joining such an important match.
(D) Relieved that the referee had temporarily stopped the game.
4 What did the writer achieve in the final seconds of the game?
(A) He prevented the other team from scoring a goal.
(B) He scored his very first points of the whole season.
(C) He managed to jump higher than anyone else on his team.
(D) He stole the ball and threw it across the sports hall.
5 What would the writer text to a friend after the final game?
(A) “I’m so angry that Liam got hurt today. Even though I blocked a shot, I’ve decided to quit the team because I never get to play.”
(B) “Sitting on the bench all season was tough, but making the final block to help us win showed me that everyone on the team is important!”
(C) “I finally scored the winning points today! The coach was right to put me in, and I can’t wait to be the best attacker next year.”
(D) “The other team was much taller than us, so we lost the championship. Next season, I hope I don’t have to hand out water bottles anymore.”
Answer Key & Explanations
1 B – In paragraph 1, the writer states “I spent every single match sitting on the bench” and “my only job was to hand out water bottles… It was incredibly frustrating to feel left out.”
2 C – In paragraph 2, the coach “patiently explained that every successful team needs reliable substitute players,” helping the writer understand the value of his role.
3 C – In paragraph 3, the writer says, “My heart immediately started beating so loudly that I thought everyone… could hear it,” which is a clear description of being extremely nervous.
4 A – In paragraph 4, the writer explains that he “successfully pushed the heavy ball away, stopping his shot,” which prevented the opposing team from scoring.
5 B – This option successfully captures the global narrative and emotional arc of the text: moving from the frustration of being a substitute to understanding his value through a crucial defensive play that won the game.