Practice English Reading Exercises for B1 – Targeted Fitness, Health and Dance 5
Reading 1
For each question, choose the correct answer.
The Power of the Box
For the past year, my only exercise has been running around the local park. I wanted to build some strength, but going to a normal gym by myself always seemed incredibly boring. When my older cousin suggested I come along to his teenage CrossFit class, I was curious. I knew it involved high-intensity exercises, but I wanted to see if I was tough enough to handle it. However, walking into the building, which everyone called a ‘box’, my confidence vanished. There were no machines or mirrors, just heavy weights and people looking incredibly fit.
The session started with a quick warm-up before we moved on to weightlifting. I had never lifted a barbell before, and it looked quite dangerous. Luckily, our coach, Mark, was fantastic. He noticed that I was struggling to hold the bar correctly and came over to help. He explained that having the right technique is much more important than lifting a heavy weight. With his advice, I managed to do the movements safely, though I felt quite weak compared to the experienced teenagers next to me.
Then came the hardest part of the class: the ‘Workout of the Day’. We had to complete a mix of running, jumping, and lifting as fast as possible for fifteen minutes. By the fifth minute, my heart was racing, and my arms felt like jelly. I was sweating more than I ever had in my life. As my speed dropped, I seriously considered sitting down and giving up. I thought everyone would be too busy with their own workouts to notice my terrible performance.
To my absolute surprise, the other teenagers didn’t ignore me. Whenever someone finished their own exercises, they came over to cheer me on. They clapped and shouted encouraging words, telling me I could do it. Their energy was contagious. Instead of feeling embarrassed about being the slowest, I felt completely supported. I pushed myself to the absolute limit and managed to finish the whole routine just before the time ran out.
Leaving the class, my entire body ached, but I felt incredibly proud. The workout was definitely the toughest physical challenge I have ever faced. However, it was the welcoming community atmosphere that really changed my mind about exercise. I’ve already packed my gym bag for the next session.
1 Why did the writer decide to try the CrossFit class?
(A) He wanted to start running around the local park more often.
(B) He was looking for a way to get stronger that wasn’t boring.
(C) He wanted to look as incredibly fit as his older cousin.
(D) He was bored of using the fitness machines at his normal gym.
2 What happened during the weightlifting part of the session?
(A) The coach asked an experienced teenager to show him the technique.
(B) He managed to lift the same amount as the people next to him.
(C) The coach told him he needed to lift much heavier weights.
(D) He found it difficult to hold the equipment in the right way.
3 How did the writer feel during the ‘Workout of the Day’?
(A) so exhausted that he thought about stopping completely
(B) annoyed that he had to run and jump instead of lifting weights
(C) frustrated that the fifteen minutes went by so slowly
(D) worried that everyone was looking at his terrible performance
4 What surprised the writer about the other people in the class?
(A) They finished their own workouts much earlier than he expected.
(B) They offered to help him finish his jumping and lifting exercises.
(C) They gave him positive support when he was struggling.
(D) They clapped because he was the fastest person in the room.
5 What would the writer text his cousin after the class?
(A) I hated the workout today. The weights were too heavy, and no one helped me when I wanted to give up.
(B) Thanks for inviting me, but I think I’ll stick to running. The community here is just too competitive for me.
(C) My arms and legs are aching so much! It was incredibly tough, but everyone was so encouraging. I can’t wait to go back.
(D) I was definitely the fastest in the group! The workout wasn’t challenging at all, so I might try a harder class next time.
Answer Key & Explanations
1 B – In the first paragraph, the writer says, “I wanted to build some strength, but going to a normal gym by myself always seemed incredibly boring,” which maps perfectly to looking for a way to get stronger that wasn’t boring.
2 D – The second paragraph states that the writer was “struggling to hold the bar correctly,” which paraphrases to finding it difficult to hold the equipment in the right way.
3 A – In the third paragraph, the writer describes his arms feeling like jelly and says, “I seriously considered sitting down and giving up,” which means he was so exhausted he thought about stopping completely.
4 C – The fourth paragraph explains that the other teenagers didn’t ignore him; instead, they “came over to cheer me on” and “shouted encouraging words,” which means they gave him positive support when he was struggling.
5 C – This option accurately synthesizes the global meaning of the text. It acknowledges the extreme physical difficulty (aching arms and legs), the supportive community (everyone was encouraging), and his positive attitude about returning for the next session.
Reading 2
For each question, choose the correct answer.
Dancing from the Heart
I have danced since I was eight years old, mostly doing ballet and jazz. While I enjoyed the discipline, I sometimes found it boring to repeat the exact same routines every week. I wanted to try a style that allowed for more freedom, so I signed up for a contemporary dance class at a local studio. Because of my previous experience, I confidently assumed I would find the class quite easy and just learn a few new steps.
During the first lesson, however, I realised how different contemporary dance actually is. Our teacher, Sarah, told us to take off our shoes and explained that perfect technique wasn’t the goal. Instead of teaching us a strict routine, she asked us to move our bodies to show different feelings, like fear or joy. At first, I felt incredibly awkward. I was used to focusing on keeping my back straight and pointing my toes. Trying to act out emotions through movement made me feel quite foolish, and I worried that the other students were secretly laughing at me.
In the third week, everything changed. Sarah noticed that many of us were still watching ourselves in the studio mirrors instead of focusing on our feelings. To solve this, she turned off the main lights and asked us to dance with our eyes closed. Without the pressure of looking perfect, I finally stopped worrying about my appearance. I listened to the slow, emotional music and let my body move naturally. It was a completely new experience to dance without judging myself.
I soon discovered that contemporary dance is incredibly therapeutic. As a teenager, school exams and social media can cause a lot of stress and anxiety. Now, instead of keeping those negative feelings inside, I use my weekly dance class to completely release them. Whenever I finish a session, I always leave the studio feeling much lighter and happier.
I am no longer the awkward beginner who worried about looking silly. Contemporary dance has taught me that the most beautiful movements come from the heart, not just from practicing perfect technique. I highly recommend it to anyone who needs a safe space to express themselves.
1 Why did the writer sign up for the contemporary dance class?
(A) She wanted to improve her ballet and jazz technique.
(B) She was looking for a dance style with fewer strict rules.
(C) She thought it would be an easy way to make new friends.
(D) She was invited to join by a teacher at her local studio.
2 How did the writer feel during her first contemporary lesson?
(A) Upset that the teacher didn’t show them any new steps.
(B) Surprised by how difficult the physical exercises were.
(C) Uncomfortable about expressing feelings through her body.
(D) Annoyed that she had to dance without wearing any shoes.
3 What helped the writer to finally relax in the third week?
(A) She stopped looking at her reflection while she danced.
(B) The teacher played much faster music for the students.
(C) She realised the other students were also making mistakes.
(D) The teacher covered all the studio mirrors with dark blankets.
4 What is the main benefit the writer gets from the classes now?
(A) She gets better grades in her stressful school exams.
(B) She has a healthy way to deal with her daily worries.
(C) She spends less time worrying about social media.
(D) She feels physically stronger than she did before.
5 What would the writer write in her diary about contemporary dance?
(A) I’m glad I tried it, but I think I’ll go back to ballet because I miss learning proper techniques and routines.
(B) It was embarrassing at first, but learning to dance with my emotions has become a wonderful way to reduce my stress.
(C) The classes are fun, but the teacher is too strict and makes us dance in the dark if we don’t point our toes correctly.
(D) I’m proud that I’m the best dancer in the class, although I still find it difficult to express my feelings to the others.
Answer Key & Explanations
1 B – In the first paragraph, the writer states she found it boring to repeat strict routines and “wanted to try a style that allowed for more freedom.” This perfectly paraphrases looking for a style with fewer strict rules.
2 C – Paragraph two explains that trying to act out emotions through movement “made me feel quite foolish” and “incredibly awkward,” which matches feeling uncomfortable about expressing feelings through her body.
3 A – In the third paragraph, the teacher turned off the lights and asked them to dance with their eyes closed. The writer says, “Without the pressure of looking perfect, I finally stopped worrying about my appearance,” which means she stopped looking at her reflection.
4 B – Paragraph four mentions that school and social media cause stress, and “instead of keeping those negative feelings inside, I use my weekly dance class to completely release them.” This shows it is a healthy way to deal with daily worries.
5 B – This option successfully synthesizes the emotional arc of the text. It acknowledges her initial discomfort (“embarrassing at first” from paragraph 2) and captures the final therapeutic result of the activity (“wonderful way to reduce my stress” from paragraph 4).
Reading 3
For each question, choose the correct answer.
Finding my aim at the bowling alley
by Jamie Cole
My name is Jamie, and until recently, I had only ever been bowling at birthday parties. I was never very good at it, so when my friends asked me to join a casual weekend bowling league with them, I wasn’t completely sure. However, they persuaded me that it would just be for fun, and I thought it would be a great way to hang out together. I agreed to sign up, expecting to have an easy, relaxing time throwing a few balls down the lane.
Unfortunately, my first few weeks in the league were a complete disaster. We were playing against teenagers who took the game surprisingly seriously. Every time it was my turn, I picked up the heavy ball, ran towards the line, and threw it as hard as I could. Almost every single time, the ball rolled straight into the gutters at the side of the lane. I kept scoring zero points, and although my friends were supportive, I felt incredibly embarrassed by my terrible performance.
One Saturday, the manager of the bowling alley noticed how frustrated I was. He came over and offered me some advice. He explained that my stance was completely wrong. Instead of running fast, he told me to take four slow, careful steps. More importantly, he pointed out the small triangles, or arrows, painted on the wooden floor. He told me that I should stop looking at the pins at the end of the lane and aim for those arrows instead.
When it was my next turn, I decided to test his theory. I stood in my new starting position, took four calm steps, and kept my eyes fixed firmly on the second arrow. I released the heavy ball smoothly. To my absolute amazement, the ball travelled in a perfect curve, hit the centre pin, and knocked them all down. It was my very first strike!
That single moment completely changed my attitude towards the sport. I finally understood that bowling requires technique and concentration, not just physical strength. I am still not the best player in our team, but I am scoring much higher now. I absolutely love our league matches, and I can’t wait for next weekend!
1 Why did Jamie decide to join the bowling league?
(A) He wanted to improve his skills before his next birthday party.
(B) He believed it would be an enjoyable way to spend time with friends.
(C) He was looking for a serious competition to test his abilities.
(D) He had always been a confident and experienced bowling player.
2 What was Jamie’s experience during his first few weeks in the league?
(A) He felt embarrassed because he kept throwing the ball into the sides.
(B) He was shocked by how heavy the professional bowling equipment was.
(C) He was annoyed because his friends laughed at his low scores.
(D) He was angry that the other teenagers were taking the game too seriously.
3 What advice did the manager give Jamie?
(A) To run much faster before throwing the heavy ball.
(B) To look closely at the pins he wanted to hit at the end.
(C) To focus on the specific marks painted on the wooden lane.
(D) To use a different, lighter ball for his next turn.
4 What happened after Jamie followed the manager’s advice?
(A) He realised that he needed to use far more physical strength.
(B) He successfully knocked down all the pins for the first time.
(C) He immediately became the highest-scoring player in his team.
(D) He found it extremely difficult to take four calm steps.
5 What would Jamie write in his diary that evening?
(A) The manager’s advice was quite confusing, so I just threw the ball as hard as I could. Luckily, I still got a strike!
(B) Joining the league was a terrible mistake. Even though I finally got a strike, the game is just too embarrassing for me.
(C) I was really struggling at first, but learning the correct technique helped me get a strike and now I really love the sport!
(D) I’m so proud that I am finally the best player in my team. Next week, I’m going to teach all my friends how to bowl perfectly.
Answer Key & Explanations
1 B – In paragraph 1, Jamie states that his friends “persuaded me that it would just be for fun, and I thought it would be a great way to hang out together.” This perfectly matches believing it would be an enjoyable way to spend time with friends.
2 A – In paragraph 2, Jamie explains that the ball “rolled straight into the gutters at the side” and he “felt incredibly embarrassed by my terrible performance.” This maps directly to feeling embarrassed because he kept throwing the ball into the sides.
3 C – In paragraph 3, the manager points out the “arrows, painted on the wooden floor” and tells Jamie to “aim for those arrows instead.” This matches the advice to focus on the specific marks painted on the wooden lane.
4 B – In paragraph 4, Jamie follows the advice and the ball “hit the centre pin, and knocked them all down. It was my very first strike!” This paraphrases successfully knocking down all the pins for the first time.
5 C – This option successfully captures the global narrative arc of the text: Jamie’s initial struggles and embarrassment, the turning point of learning the correct technique (stance and aiming at arrows), his breakthrough strike, and his newly discovered love for the game.