Practice English Reading Exercises for B1 – Starting and Developing Traditional Sports 1
Reading 1
For each question, choose the correct answer.
Basketball tryouts
by Jamie Cole
I’ve always enjoyed playing basketball. Every weekend, my friends and I would meet at the local park for a friendly game. I was usually the one scoring the most points, and I felt extremely confident about my skills. So, when my sports teacher announced that there would be tryouts for the official school basketball team, I immediately signed up. I thought it would be quite easy for me to get a place on the team.
However, when I arrived at the sports hall on the day of the tryout, I quickly realised how wrong I was. The session didn’t begin with shooting practice or playing a normal game, which was what I was used to. Instead, the coach made us do twenty minutes of intense running exercises and defensive drills. Before we even touched a basketball, my legs were aching and I was already covered in sweat.
Things got even more difficult when we finally started a practice match. For the first few minutes, I played well and even scored a great goal. But very soon, I became completely out of breath. I looked around and noticed that the other players were still running up and down the court at top speed without any problems. It was obvious that although I had good ball control, I completely lacked the stamina required for a real, competitive match.
At the end of the session, the coach read out the list of students who had made the team. When my name wasn’t called, I felt a bit disappointed, but I wasn’t surprised. The coach kindly took me aside and explained that while my shooting technique was impressive, I needed to improve my general fitness if I wanted to play at a higher level. He told me not to give up.
His advice completely changed my attitude. Instead of feeling sorry for myself, I felt inspired. I have now created a strict training schedule for myself. I still play at the park, but I also go for a long run every morning before school to build up my stamina. I am determined to try out again next year, and this time, I’ll be fully prepared.
1 Why did Jamie decide to try out for the school team?
(A) His sports teacher told him he had to do it.
(B) He was bored of playing with his friends at the park.
(C) He believed his basketball skills were good enough.
(D) He wanted to learn how to play the game properly.
2 What surprised Jamie at the beginning of the tryout?
(A) The number of students who wanted to join the team.
(B) The type of activities they were asked to do first.
(C) How cold the sports hall was inside.
(D) The heavy basketballs they had to use.
3 During the practice match, Jamie realised that
(A) he was not physically fit enough to keep up.
(B) his ball control was worse than everyone else’s.
(C) the other players were not playing fairly.
(D) he had forgotten the rules of competitive basketball.
4 How did Jamie feel about the coach’s decision?
(A) angry that his shooting skills were ignored
(B) confused about why he wasn’t chosen
(C) upset that the coach spoke to him privately
(D) disappointed but understanding of the reasons
5 What would Jamie write in his diary that evening?
(A) The tryouts were a disaster. I’m going to stop playing basketball at the park because I’m just not good enough.
(B) I didn’t make the team today because I got too tired, but I’m going to work hard on my fitness for next year.
(C) The coach was really unfair today. He made us run too much instead of letting us show our shooting skills.
(D) I made the team! I’m so glad I go running every morning, because the practice match was incredibly tiring.
Answer Key & Explanations
1 C – In paragraph 1, Jamie says he felt “extremely confident about my skills” and thought “it would be quite easy for me to get a place on the team.” This paraphrases believing his skills were good enough.
2 B – In paragraph 2, Jamie explains that the session didn’t begin with shooting or playing a game, but rather the coach made them “do twenty minutes of intense running exercises and defensive drills.” This maps to being surprised by the type of activities they were asked to do first.
3 A – In paragraph 3, Jamie notes that he became completely out of breath while others were still running, realising that he “completely lacked the stamina required for a real, competitive match.” This directly paraphrases not being physically fit enough to keep up.
4 D – In paragraph 4, Jamie says, “When my name wasn’t called, I felt a bit disappointed, but I wasn’t surprised,” because he knew his fitness was lacking. This matches option D perfectly.
5 B – This option successfully captures the global narrative arc of the text: Jamie’s failure to make the team due to a lack of stamina (getting too tired), his positive reflection on the experience, and his new motivation to train his fitness for the future.
Reading 2
For each question, choose the correct answer.
My First Tennis Match
I have been taking tennis lessons for almost a year, spending hours each week perfecting my serve and learning how to hit the ball with power. My coach finally suggested I was ready to enter a local weekend tournament for beginners. Although I felt incredibly nervous about competing against strangers, I agreed to sign up. I had practised so much that I truly believed my physical skills would easily get me through my very first real match.
However, as soon as I walked onto the court, I realised that playing a proper match is a completely different experience. My opponent, a teenager named Liam, looked incredibly relaxed. Once the game started, my technique was fine, but my mind was a mess. Every time I hit the ball into the net, I became angry with myself. I quickly discovered that the mental side of tennis is actually much harder to manage than simply hitting the ball over the net.
Because I couldn’t control my frustration, my performance got worse. Liam easily won the first set. He wasn’t hitting the ball any faster or better than the players I usually practised with, but he never seemed to worry when he made a mistake. Meanwhile, I was thinking too much about the score and forgetting to just look at the ball. The second set started just as badly, and I knew I was probably going to lose the match.
Despite the score, I decided I wasn’t going to give up without a fight. During the final game, we had an incredibly long and difficult rally. We hit the ball back and forth over twenty times, running from one side of the court to the other. My legs were burning, but I stayed focused. Finally, Liam hit the ball slightly too high, and I smashed a winner past him. I won the point, and the crowd actually clapped!
Even though Liam won the match a few minutes later, I walked off the court with a huge smile on my face. Winning that one exhausted rally showed me what I am capable of when I don’t let my emotions take over. I now know that I need to train my mind just as much as my body. I’m already looking forward to my next tournament!
1 Why did the writer enter the tennis tournament?
(A) He wanted to test his powerful new serve against strangers.
(B) His coach advised him that it was time to start competing.
(C) He felt completely relaxed about playing a real match.
(D) He needed more practice hitting the ball over the net.
2 What surprised the writer at the start of the match?
(A) how quickly his opponent moved around the court
(B) how poorly he was hitting the ball with his racket
(C) how difficult it was to control his own feelings
(D) how relaxed the people watching the game were
3 Why was Liam winning the match so easily?
(A) He was hitting the ball much faster than the writer.
(B) He had more experience playing in weekend tournaments.
(C) He knew exactly what the writer was thinking about.
(D) He didn’t let his own errors upset him during the game.
4 How did the writer feel about the long rally?
(A) proud that he stayed concentrated and won the point
(B) annoyed that it made his legs hurt so much
(C) surprised that the crowd clapped for his opponent
(D) disappointed that it didn’t help him win the match
5 What would the writer write in his diary that evening?
(A) I’m so annoyed I lost my first match. My technique was terrible today, and I think I need a new coach to help me improve.
(B) Losing the match didn’t matter in the end. I won a fantastic point by staying calm, and now I know what I need to work on!
(C) The tournament was fun, but I realised that I am not fit enough. My legs were so tired during the long rally against Liam.
(D) Liam was just a much better player than me. He hit the ball so hard that I couldn’t even manage to return it once.
Answer Key & Explanations
1 B – The text states in the first paragraph that “My coach finally suggested I was ready to enter a local weekend tournament”, which paraphrases to his coach advising him it was time to compete.
2 C – In the second paragraph, the writer explains that his technique was fine but his “mind was a mess” and that “the mental side of tennis is actually much harder to manage”, meaning it was difficult to control his feelings.
3 D – The third paragraph states that Liam wasn’t hitting the ball better or faster, but “he never seemed to worry when he made a mistake”, meaning he didn’t let errors upset him.
4 A – In the fourth paragraph, the writer notes that despite his legs burning, he “stayed focused,” “smashed a winner,” and then in the fifth paragraph says he “walked off the court with a huge smile,” showing his pride in winning that specific point.
5 B – This option captures the global meaning and emotional arc of the text. It acknowledges the loss of the match, but highlights the personal victory of the long rally and the realization that he needs to work on his mental game (staying calm).
Reading 3
For each question, choose the correct answer.
Learning the True Meaning of Teamwork
I have always enjoyed watching volleyball on television, but until this year, I had never actually played it myself. Because I am quite tall, my sports teacher suggested I try out for the school team. I agreed, thinking it would be a fun way to get some exercise. However, when I walked into the gym for the first practice, I immediately felt quite nervous. Most of the other girls had been playing for years, and they seemed so confident together.
During the first few weeks, I managed to learn the basics of passing and defending. However, serving the ball over the net was a completely different story. No matter how hard I tried, my serves either hit the heavy net or flew completely off the court. It was extremely embarrassing, especially when the rest of the team made it look so simple. I started to hate that part of the training and dreaded it every single day. I even thought about quitting the team entirely because I felt like I was letting everyone down.
Then, one afternoon, our team captain, Chloe, noticed how upset I was. After the coach blew the whistle to end practice, she came over and asked if I wanted some extra help. I was surprised because she was usually so busy with her own training routine. For the next hour, Chloe patiently stayed in the empty gym with me. She didn’t just tell me what to do; she showed me how to throw the ball into the air properly and exactly where my hand should hit it. We did this twice a week, and she never once complained about giving up her free time.
Now, two months later, my serving has improved completely. During our big match last weekend, I actually scored three points in a row just from my serves! Seeing Chloe smiling and cheering for me from the front row was the best feeling in the world. I have finally realised that being part of a team isn’t just about winning matches or being the most talented player. It is really about supporting your teammates when they are struggling. I am so glad I didn’t give up, and I can’t wait for the rest of the season.
1 Why did the writer decide to join the volleyball team?
(A) Her teacher advised her to because of her height.
(B) She wanted to play with her confident friends.
(C) She preferred playing sports over watching them on TV.
(D) She had been playing it for years and wanted a new challenge.
2 How did the writer feel about serving the ball?
(A) She found it much easier than passing and defending.
(B) She felt ashamed because she couldn’t do it as well as the others.
(C) She was angry that the heavy net was too high for her.
(D) She thought the coach was disappointed in her performance.
3 What surprised the writer about Chloe?
(A) That she knew how to serve the ball properly.
(B) That she was chosen to be the team captain.
(C) That she was willing to use her own free time to help.
(D) That she stayed in the gym until the coach blew the whistle.
4 What has the writer learned from her experience on the team?
(A) Being the most talented player is the key to winning matches.
(B) Scoring points is the most important part of playing volleyball.
(C) True teamwork involves helping players who are having difficulties.
(D) Serving is a simple skill that only takes a few weeks to perfect.
5 What would the writer text to a friend about the volleyball team?
(A) “I really hate practicing my serves, so I’ve decided to quit the team. It’s just too embarrassing to play with these experienced girls.”
(B) “I scored three points in our last match! I’m so glad our captain took the time to help me improve my skills.”
(C) “I’m the best player on the team now, even better than Chloe. I might become the team captain next season!”
(D) “I enjoy watching volleyball on TV more than playing it. The training is too hard and I am not getting any better.”
Answer Key & Explanations
1 A – In paragraph 1, the writer states, “Because I am quite tall, my sports teacher suggested I try out for the school team,” which matches option A.
2 B – In paragraph 2, the writer says, “It was extremely embarrassing, especially when the rest of the team made it look so simple,” which paraphrases feeling ashamed about not doing it well.
3 C – In paragraph 3, the writer explains she was surprised Chloe offered help because she was “usually so busy” and “never once complained about giving up her free time.”
4 C – In paragraph 4, the writer reflects that being part of a team “is really about supporting your teammates when they are struggling,” which means helping players having difficulties.
5 B – This option successfully captures the global attitude and progression of the writer: expressing joy over her recent success in the match and gratitude for the teamwork and support she received from her captain.