Practice English Reading Exercises for B1 – Targeted Fitness, Health and Dance 3
Reading 1
For each question, choose the correct answer.
Finding the Right Pace
For the last few months, I had been struggling to wake up for school and feeling constantly tired. My doctor suggested I needed to find a relaxing morning routine to start my day better. While walking through my local park one Saturday, I noticed a group of people doing Tai Chi. I knew it was a traditional Chinese martial art focused on health, so I bravely decided to join their next session. However, when I arrived at 7:00 a.m. the following Tuesday, I immediately noticed I was the only teenager there; everyone else in the group was over the age of sixty!
As the class began, I quickly realised that this was going to be a huge challenge for me. In my daily life, I am used to doing everything as fast as possible, from texting friends to playing sports. But Tai Chi requires you to move incredibly slowly. For the first twenty minutes, my patience was seriously tested. We had to lift our arms and step forward at a snail’s pace. I felt quite foolish and kept wondering if I was just wasting my time doing something so boring.
But halfway through the lesson, my opinion completely changed. I stopped looking at my watch and started paying attention to my breathing and posture. I suddenly discovered that moving slowly actually requires a huge amount of deep concentration and balance. When you stand on one leg and slowly move your hands through the air, your muscles have to work surprisingly hard. It was definitely not as easy as the elderly people in the front row were making it look.
By the time the hour-long session finished, I was amazed by how I felt. Instead of being exhausted and ready to go back to sleep, my mind was clear and my body felt completely energised. Walking to school later that morning, I felt relaxed and ready for my classes. I learned that you don’t always need to run fast or lift heavy weights to get a good workout. I have now made Tai Chi a regular part of my week, and I really look forward to those quiet mornings in the park.
1 Why did the writer decide to join the Tai Chi class?
(A) Her doctor told her she needed to learn a new martial art.
(B) She wanted to find a way to begin her days more positively.
(C) She was looking for a group of people her own age to exercise with.
(D) She wanted to get better at waking up early on Saturdays.
2 How did the writer feel during the first part of the lesson?
(A) frustrated because the movements were not fast enough for her
(B) embarrassed because she couldn’t keep up with the quick pace
(C) worried that her school friends would see her looking foolish
(D) exhausted because she was used to playing much easier sports
3 What did the writer discover about Tai Chi?
(A) It is much easier to do if you stand in the front row.
(B) It demands a lot of mental focus and physical effort.
(C) It is the best way to improve your breathing during fast sports.
(D) It helps you learn how to tell the time more accurately.
4 After the class ended, the writer
(A) decided to start lifting heavy weights to get stronger.
(B) felt so tired that she just wanted to go back to bed.
(C) felt more awake and prepared for her school day.
(D) realised she was going to be late for her morning classes.
5 What would the writer write in her diary that evening?
(A) I can’t believe I was the only young person there today. Tai Chi is far too slow and boring, so I definitely won’t be returning.
(B) Even though the slow movements tested my patience at first, I feel so focused and full of energy now. Those elderly people are amazing!
(C) The deep concentration required for Tai Chi is great, but it leaves me too exhausted for school. I need to find a faster sport to try.
(D) I finally learned how to do a traditional Chinese martial art perfectly! My doctor will be so happy that I’m lifting heavy weights now.
Answer Key & Explanations
1 B – In the first paragraph, the writer states she wanted a “relaxing morning routine to start my day better,” which paraphrases to finding a way to begin her days more positively.
2 A – The second paragraph explains that the writer is used to doing things “as fast as possible” and that moving slowly meant her “patience was seriously tested,” mapping to feeling frustrated because the movements were not fast enough.
3 B – The third paragraph describes how moving slowly requires “a huge amount of deep concentration” (mental focus) and that “your muscles have to work surprisingly hard” (physical effort).
4 C – In the fourth paragraph, the writer notes that her “mind was clear and my body felt completely energised” and she felt “ready for my classes,” meaning she was more awake and prepared for school.
5 B – This option accurately captures the global meaning and emotional arc of the text. It highlights her initial frustration with the slow pace, her realization of the energy and focus it provided, and her respect for the older participants.
Reading 2
For each question, choose the correct answer.
Raising the Bar
For the past year, I’ve enjoyed running around my local park to keep fit. Recently, a new outdoor gym was built there with several metal bars for calisthenics, which is a type of street workout. Whenever I ran past, I saw teenagers doing amazing gymnastic exercises on the equipment. They swung around and lifted their bodies with incredible ease. Because I was already quite a fast runner, I confidently assumed I would be strong enough to do the same things. I decided to stop and try doing a simple pull-up.
When I reached up and grabbed the high metal bar, I expected to pull my chin over it immediately. However, when I pulled with my arms, absolutely nothing happened. I couldn’t lift my body even a single centimetre off the ground! I hung there like a heavy sack of potatoes, feeling my face turn red with embarrassment. I quickly let go of the bar and looked around to see if anyone was laughing at my terrible attempt. I suddenly realised that moving your own body weight requires a completely different kind of strength.
Just as I was about to walk away, an older boy named Leo came over. He smiled and told me that almost nobody can do a pull-up on their first try. He explained that I needed to train my muscles gradually. Leo suggested I start by doing something called ‘negative pull-ups’. He told me to use a wooden box to jump up so my chin was above the bar, and then lower myself down as slowly as possible.
I followed his advice and practised these negative pull-ups three times a week. At first, my arms and back ached terribly the next day, and progress felt painfully slow. But I refused to give up. Then, exactly a month after my embarrassing first attempt, I grabbed the bar and pulled. This time, I slowly but surely lifted my entire body until my chin was over the bar.
The feeling of achieving that single pull-up was absolutely incredible. Street workout has taught me that true physical strength doesn’t happen overnight; it takes huge amounts of patience and dedication. I am now training to do five pull-ups, and I love the fact that this amazing sport is completely free!
1 Why did the writer decide to try doing a pull-up?
(A) He wanted to impress the other teenagers at the park.
(B) He believed his running fitness meant he was strong enough.
(C) He was bored of running on the same paths every day.
(D) He had watched videos of street workouts online.
2 How did the writer feel immediately after his first attempt?
(A) Worried that he had injured his arms and back.
(B) Annoyed that the metal bar was too high for him to reach.
(C) Ashamed because he couldn’t lift himself at all.
(D) Surprised by how much the equipment hurt his hands.
3 What advice did Leo give the writer?
(A) To lift heavier weights at an indoor gym first.
(B) To focus on controlling his body as he went downwards.
(C) To ask the other teenagers for help with his technique.
(D) To practice jumping over the box to build leg strength.
4 The writer achieved his first real pull-up because he
(A) rested for a month before trying the exercise again.
(B) continued practising despite the physical pain.
(C) started training at the outdoor park every single day.
(D) had a lot of natural gymnastic ability from running.
5 What would the writer text to a friend about his calisthenics experience?
(A) I finally did a pull-up! It’s a great sport, but it’s annoying how much money you have to spend on equipment.
(B) I tried the outdoor gym today. I couldn’t do a pull-up, so I think I’ll just stick to running from now on.
(C) Leo is a great coach. He helped me do a pull-up on my very first try, and it was much easier than I thought.
(D) It was really embarrassing at first, but working hard to get my first pull-up showed me that patience really pays off.
Answer Key & Explanations
1 B – In the first paragraph, the writer states: “Because I was already quite a fast runner, I confidently assumed I would be strong enough to do the same things.” This means he believed his running fitness made him strong enough.
2 C – Paragraph two explains that he “couldn’t lift my body even a single centimetre” and his face turned “red with embarrassment,” which paraphrases to feeling ashamed because he couldn’t lift himself.
3 B – In the third paragraph, Leo suggests jumping up so his chin was above the bar, “and then lower myself down as slowly as possible.” This matches focusing on controlling his body as he went downwards.
4 B – Paragraph four mentions that his “arms and back ached terribly” (physical pain) but he “refused to give up” and practiced three times a week, meaning he continued practising despite the pain.
5 D – This option successfully synthesizes the writer’s emotional journey. It acknowledges his initial failure (“embarrassing at first” from paragraph 2) and captures the final lesson learned about hard work and perseverance (“takes huge amounts of patience and dedication” from paragraph 5).
Reading 3
For each question, choose the correct answer.
Starting ballet as a teenager
by Mia Thompson
My name is Mia, and I decided to start learning ballet when I was fourteen. Most of my friends thought it was a crazy idea. They reminded me that professional dancers usually begin their training when they are three or four years old. However, after watching a classical ballet performance on television, I was completely fascinated by how elegant the dancers looked. I wanted a new physical challenge, so I persuaded my parents to find a beginner’s class for older girls.
When I arrived for my first lesson, the reality of the sport quickly became clear. The atmosphere in the studio was incredibly serious. Our teacher demanded strict discipline and perfect concentration from everyone. We spent the first hour just holding onto a wooden bar and stretching. I soon realised that my body lacked the flexibility required for the movements. Compared to the other students, who could already bend easily, I felt extremely clumsy and awkward.
Over the next few weeks, the physical demands were overwhelming. My legs and feet ached constantly from standing in unnatural positions. There were many evenings when I returned home feeling miserable, seriously wondering if I should just give up. It felt like I wasn’t making any progress at all. But deep down, I am a stubborn person. I refused to let the pain defeat me, so I started stretching in my bedroom every morning to improve.
The turning point came when our teacher introduced us to the pirouette, which is a classic ballet spin. For a long time, I failed completely. I would lose my balance, get terribly dizzy, and fall onto the floor. Then, during one evening class, I remembered to focus my eyes on a single spot on the wall as I turned. Suddenly, I spun smoothly and landed perfectly on my feet. The feeling of control and grace was amazing.
That single moment of success changed everything for me. I now understand that ballet is much more than just wearing beautiful costumes. It requires an incredible amount of mental strength, physical power, and dedication. I know I will never become a famous professional dancer, but I have developed a huge appreciation for the art form. I am really proud of what I have achieved, and I can’t wait for my next class.
1 Why did Mia decide to start ballet?
(A) She wanted to prove to her friends that she wasn’t too old.
(B) She felt inspired after seeing professional dancers on a screen.
(C) Her parents suggested she needed a new physical hobby.
(D) She wanted to become a famous dancer in the future.
2 How did Mia feel during her first ballet class?
(A) Annoyed by the strict rules the teacher gave them.
(B) Worried that the wooden bar was not safe to hold.
(C) Uncomfortable because she was less flexible than the others.
(D) Surprised that the lesson only lasted for an hour.
3 What did Mia do when she struggled with the physical demands?
(A) She decided to ignore the pain and stop complaining.
(B) She asked her teacher for extra help after class.
(C) She took a break from ballet until her legs stopped hurting.
(D) She showed determination by doing extra practice at home.
4 What happened when Mia finally did a successful pirouette?
(A) She managed to complete the movement without falling over.
(B) She realised that the spin was actually easier than stretching.
(C) She felt dizzy because she focused on a spot on the wall.
(D) She decided that the wooden floor was making her slip.
5 What would Mia write in her diary?
(A) Ballet is incredibly difficult and painful. I’ve realised that starting at fourteen was a mistake, so I’m going to give up.
(B) I finally did a perfect spin today! Ballet takes a lot of hard work and strength, but I really love it now.
(C) I’m so happy I managed to do a pirouette. With a bit more practice, I am sure I will become a professional dancer.
(D) The teacher is far too strict and the other girls are much better than me, which makes the classes very boring.
Answer Key & Explanations
1 B – In paragraph 1, Mia explains that “after watching a classical ballet performance on television, I was completely fascinated by how elegant the dancers looked” and wanted a new challenge. This paraphrases feeling inspired after seeing dancers on a screen.
2 C – In paragraph 2, Mia mentions that her body lacked flexibility and “Compared to the other students, who could already bend easily, I felt extremely clumsy and awkward.” This matches feeling uncomfortable because she was less flexible than the others.
3 D – In paragraph 3, Mia states that she refused to let the pain defeat her, “so I started stretching in my bedroom every morning to improve.” This correctly maps to showing determination by doing extra practice at home.
4 A – In paragraph 4, Mia describes her successful pirouette by saying she “spun smoothly and landed perfectly on my feet,” instead of losing her balance and falling like before. This means she completed the movement without falling over.
5 B – This option captures the global meaning and narrative arc of the text: Mia’s realization of the physical demands (hard work and strength), her breakthrough moment (a perfect spin), and her new positive appreciation and love for the art form.