Practice English Reading Exercises for B1 – Sports Career Development, Competitions & Injuries 8
Reading 1
For each question, choose the correct answer.
Discovering the Ice
I have always been a huge fan of winter sports. While my friends spend their weekends skiing or snowboarding, I wanted to try something completely different. Last month, I was watching the Winter Olympics on television and saw a sport called curling. To be honest, watching people slide heavy stones and sweep the ice with brooms looked quite silly. However, when I found out that my local ice rink was offering a free weekend class for teenagers, I decided to go along with my friend Tom, mostly just to have a good laugh.
When we arrived, the instructor gave us special shoes. One shoe was slippery to help us slide, and the other was designed to grip the ice. Taking my first turn was much harder than I had expected. You have to push a heavy granite stone across a long sheet of ice towards a target. On my first attempt, I pushed the stone far too gently, and it stopped halfway down the track. Then, when I tried to sweep the ice in front of Tom’s stone, I completely lost my balance and fell over. I felt very clumsy and thought the sport was just a bit of silly fun.
But everything changed after our lunch break. Our coach patiently explained that curling is actually a highly strategic game. He told us that sweeping the ice isn’t just about keeping it clean. Sweeping hard actually warms the ice, which helps the stone travel further and change direction. Suddenly, I realised that the players aren’t just pushing rocks blindly; they are constantly calculating distance, speed, and angles. It felt like playing a giant game of physical chess. You really have to use your brain to predict where the stone will finish.
In our final practice match, I finally understood the attraction of the sport. Tom pushed his stone perfectly, and I swept the ice as hard as I could to guide it right into the centre of the target. We actually won the game! Although my arms were aching from all the sweeping, my mind was completely wide awake. I loved the mental challenge just as much as the physical exercise. I have already asked my parents if I can join the beginner’s league next winter!
1 Why did the writer decide to try curling?
(A) He wanted to improve his skiing and snowboarding skills.
(B) He thought the sport looked funny and wanted to try it for a joke.
(C) His friend Tom persuaded him to join a local team.
(D) He wanted to compete in the next Winter Olympics.
2 How did the writer feel during his first attempt on the ice?
(A) Annoyed because his special shoes were far too slippery.
(B) Disappointed that his friend Tom was much better than him.
(C) Surprised by how heavy the sweeping broom actually was.
(D) Awkward because he fell over and lacked the right skills.
3 What did the writer learn about sweeping the ice?
(A) It is the best way to clean the track for the next player.
(B) It requires players to move their bodies as fast as possible.
(C) It makes the ice warmer so the stone can move differently.
(D) It is an easy task that doesn’t require much extra thinking.
4 What does the writer say about his final practice match?
(A) He enjoyed having to think carefully to win the game.
(B) He was too exhausted from sweeping to finish the match.
(C) He pushed his stone perfectly into the centre of the target.
(D) He decided that the sport was too difficult to continue doing.
5 What might the writer write in his blog after the class?
(A) Curling is a lot like chess, but unfortunately, the heavy sweeping makes it just too physically exhausting for me to enjoy.
(B) I thought curling was just a silly game with brooms, but it actually requires a lot of strategy. I really enjoyed it!
(C) The free class was a great laugh, but I think I will stick to snowboarding next winter instead of trying curling again.
(D) I managed to slide the heavy stone perfectly on my very first try, which proves that curling is actually a really easy sport.
Answer Key & Explanations
1 B – In the first paragraph, the writer mentions that the sport “looked quite silly” and that he decided to go to the class “mostly just to have a good laugh.” This matches wanting to try it for a joke.
2 D – The second paragraph describes him losing his balance and falling over, and he states, “I felt very clumsy.” “Clumsy” is a direct paraphrase of feeling awkward and lacking skill.
3 C – The third paragraph explains that sweeping isn’t about keeping the ice clean. Instead, “Sweeping hard actually warms the ice, which helps the stone travel further and change direction.”
4 A – In the fourth paragraph, the writer says, “my mind was completely wide awake” and that he “loved the mental challenge.” This shows he enjoyed the cognitive (thinking) aspect of winning the game.
5 B – This option perfectly captures the global meaning and emotional arc of the text: he initially went because he thought it was a silly joke, but he ended up loving the hidden strategy and mental stimulation of the sport.
Reading 2
For each question, choose the correct answer.
Discovering Disc Golf
I’ve always enjoyed throwing a frisbee around at the beach, but I had never heard of disc golf until my friend Sam suggested we try it. He explained that it is very similar to traditional golf, but instead of hitting a ball into a hole, you throw a special plastic disc into a metal basket. Because it is completely free to play at our local park, I thought it would be a great way to spend a sunny Saturday afternoon. I imagined myself throwing the disc easily across wide, open fields, scoring points without much effort.
However, my expectations were completely wrong. The local disc golf course was built inside a heavily wooded area of the park, which meant there were tall trees everywhere. During the first few holes, my discs kept crashing loudly into the thick wooden trunks and dropping straight to the ground. I felt incredibly frustrated. I was trying to throw the disc as hard and as straight as possible, just like I do at the beach, but the trees always seemed to block my path. I started to wonder if this sport was actually a terrible idea.
Seeing my annoyance, Sam stopped to give me some much-needed advice. He told me that disc golf is rarely about pure power; it is mostly about using the right technique to avoid obstacles. He showed me how changing the angle of my wrist could make the disc curve beautifully around the trees, either to the left or to the right. It felt quite strange at first, and I still hit a few branches, but as soon as I managed to bend a throw perfectly around a massive oak tree, the game suddenly became fascinating.
By the time we reached the final basket, my score was still pretty bad, but my attitude had completely changed. Between my throws, I noticed how peaceful the woods were. Walking through the shadows of the old trees, listening to the birds singing, was actually incredibly relaxing. I realised that I was enjoying the calm walk in nature just as much as the actual game. I might not be a champion disc golfer yet, but I am definitely returning to the woods next weekend for another round.
1 Why did the writer decide to try disc golf?
(A) He thought it would be a cheap and easy way to spend his weekend.
(B) He wanted to practise his skills for a traditional golf tournament.
(C) He was bored of playing regular frisbee on the beach with Sam.
(D) He wanted to explore the wide, open fields at his local park.
2 What caused the writer to feel frustrated during the first few holes?
(A) The metal baskets were hidden behind thick wooden trunks.
(B) He was not strong enough to throw the disc straight.
(C) His usual way of throwing a frisbee was unsuccessful there.
(D) The park was too crowded with other people playing the game.
3 What did Sam teach the writer about playing disc golf?
(A) How to throw the plastic disc much harder than before.
(B) How to shape the path of the disc by adjusting his wrist.
(C) How to safely break branches that are blocking the target.
(D) How to choose the correct type of disc for each specific throw.
4 How did the writer feel by the end of the game?
(A) Proud that he had finally managed to get a good score.
(B) Disappointed because he was still hitting trees with his disc.
(C) Tired from walking through the woods for such a long time.
(D) Pleased because he appreciated the beautiful environment.
5 What would the writer write in his diary that evening?
(A) I tried disc golf today, but the woods were too frustrating. Next time, I’ll ask Sam if we can play in an open field instead.
(B) Playing disc golf today was a great experience! Even though my score wasn’t great, learning to curve the disc and being in the peaceful woods was wonderful.
(C) Sam is a great teacher, but I don’t think disc golf is for me. I prefer sports that require physical strength rather than learning complicated angles.
(D) I finally beat my friend at disc golf! The trick is to just enjoy the walk in the park and not worry too much about hitting the trees.
Answer Key & Explanations
1 A – Paragraph 1 states that because the game was “completely free to play,” he thought it would be a “great way to spend a sunny Saturday” and imagined scoring points “without much effort” (cheap and easy).
2 C – Paragraph 2 explains that he was trying to throw the disc straight, “just like I do at the beach,” but “the trees always seemed to block my path.” This shows his usual beach technique didn’t work in the woods.
3 B – Paragraph 3 details how Sam showed the writer that “changing the angle of my wrist could make the disc curve beautifully around the trees,” meaning he learned to shape the disc’s path.
4 D – Paragraph 4 highlights that the writer noticed “how peaceful the woods were” and realised he was “enjoying the calm walk in nature just as much as the actual game.”
5 B – This option successfully captures the global narrative of the text: the writer learned a new technique to overcome his initial frustration, accepted his low score, and thoroughly enjoyed the surrounding nature.
Reading 3
For each question, choose the correct answer.
Lost and Found in the Forest
I have always loved running in the countryside, so when my school announced an orienteering competition in the local forest, I immediately signed up. Orienteering involves using a map and a compass to find your way between different checkpoints as quickly as possible. Although I was a fast runner, I had never used a compass before in my life. Because of this, I felt quite nervous, but I was also excited to try an interesting new challenge.
When the race started, I ran into the dense forest with a map in my hand. For the first twenty minutes, everything went perfectly. I easily found the first two checkpoints and felt incredibly confident. However, as I went deeper into the trees, the paths started to look exactly the same. I quickly glanced at my map and turned left. After jogging for another ten minutes, I realised I hadn’t seen any other runners for a while. The forest was completely silent, and I suddenly knew I was lost.
My heart started beating much faster, and my first instinct was to run wildly in any direction to find the path. Then, I remembered what my geography teacher had told us before the race: if you get lost, never panic. I forced myself to stop, take a deep breath, and sit down on a fallen tree. I knew that if I ran without thinking, I would only get further away from the course and make the situation worse.
Instead of guessing, I carefully looked at my compass and the map. I slowly walked back in the exact direction I had come from, paying close attention to the shape of the hills and the types of trees around me. After a frightening twenty minutes, I finally recognised a large rock I had passed earlier. I was back on the correct path! From there, I managed to find the remaining checkpoints without making any more mistakes.
I crossed the finish line in last place, but I honestly didn’t mind at all. Getting lost in the woods was terrifying, but it taught me a valuable lesson. I learned that physical speed is completely useless if you don’t stay calm under pressure. I now know how to survive and navigate in the wild, which makes me feel like a winner anyway.
1 Why did the writer feel nervous before the competition?
(A) He had never run in the countryside before.
(B) He didn’t know how to use the navigation equipment.
(C) He was worried about getting lost in the dense forest.
(D) He didn’t think he was fast enough to win the race.
2 What caused the writer to realise he was lost?
(A) He couldn’t find the first two checkpoints.
(B) The paths looked completely different from the map.
(C) He noticed there was nobody else around him.
(D) He accidentally dropped his map in the forest.
3 What did the writer do immediately after realising he was lost?
(A) He started running much faster to find the correct path.
(B) He shouted loudly to attract his geography teacher’s attention.
(C) He tried to guess which direction the rest of the runners were going.
(D) He controlled his fear and rested for a moment to think.
4 How did the writer find his way back to the course?
(A) He followed the footprints of the other runners in the dirt.
(B) He walked back to the start of the race and began again.
(C) He returned the way he came until he saw something familiar.
(D) He climbed to the top of a steep hill to look around.
5 What would the writer write in his diary about his orienteering experience?
(A) It was an awful day. The teachers shouldn’t let students run in dangerous forests where they can easily get lost.
(B) Although I came last, the race taught me how important it is to keep a clear head in difficult situations.
(C) I’m really disappointed with my result. Next time, I need to train harder so I can run much faster than the others.
(D) I discovered that I’m actually very good at reading maps, so I’m going to enter more competitions in the future.
Answer Key & Explanations
1 B – In the first paragraph, the writer states: “Although I was a fast runner, I had never used a compass before in my life. Because of this, I felt quite nervous…” which paraphrases to not knowing how to use the navigation equipment.
2 C – Paragraph two explains that after jogging for ten minutes, he “realised I hadn’t seen any other runners for a while. The forest was completely silent, and I suddenly knew I was lost.” This matches noticing there was nobody else around him.
3 D – In the third paragraph, although his first instinct was to run, he remembered his teacher’s advice to never panic. He “forced myself to stop, take a deep breath, and sit down on a fallen tree,” meaning he controlled his fear and rested.
4 C – Paragraph four states that he “slowly walked back in the exact direction I had come from” and “finally recognised a large rock I had passed earlier.” This means he returned the way he came until he saw something familiar.
5 B – This option successfully synthesizes the writer’s global experience and the final lesson learned. It acknowledges his last-place finish but focuses heavily on the positive takeaway from the final paragraph: “I learned that physical speed is completely useless if you don’t stay calm under pressure.”