Practice English Reading Exercises for B1 – Watching Sports Events 2

Exercises:   123456

Reading 1

For each question, choose the correct answer.

The people below all want to find a football match to attend.

There are descriptions of eight football stadiums.

Decide which football stadium would be the most suitable for the people below.

1   Karl loves a loud, lively atmosphere and doesn’t mind being on his feet for the whole game. He wants to eat there, so he needs a stadium that sells hot meals since he won’t bring his own.

2   Maria wants to bring her own sandwiches and snacks to eat during the match. Her legs get tired easily, so a comfortable seat is essential. She also dreams of meeting the players to get their autographs afterwards.

3   Chen is driving and needs a car park right next to the stadium. He wants to buy a team shirt to take home. As the weather is bad, he must find a match played completely indoors.

4   Sarah is taking her small children and needs a quiet, family-friendly area. She is on a tight budget, so she wants discounted tickets. Before the game begins, she’d love to take them on a stadium tour.

5   David doesn’t drive, so he needs a stadium very close to a train station. He uses a wheelchair and requires flat, easy access everywhere. He prefers watching local teenage teams play rather than famous professional footballers.

Football Stadiums

A The Green Arena

This stadium is perfect for fans who want to relax. Every ticket includes a comfortable, reserved chair. Visitors are welcome to carry their own packed lunches and drinks inside. After the final whistle, fans are invited down to the pitch to chat with the stars and get their signatures!

B City Walk Stadium

Enjoy a fantastic day out without spending too much money, thanks to our special half-price family tickets! There is a huge shop selling all the latest team clothing. However, there is no roof over the seats, so remember to bring an umbrella, and parking is a 20-minute walk away.

C Silver Park

We offer brilliant low prices for parents bringing kids, saving you plenty of money! Families are seated in a special, peaceful section away from the noisy crowds. Make sure you arrive early, because your ticket includes a fantastic guided walk around the changing rooms before the football action starts.

D The Lion’s Den

Experience the incredible volume of thousands of singing fans! There are no seats here, so be prepared to stay upright for 90 minutes. Please note that security will not allow any homemade packed lunches inside. Instead, enjoy our fantastic stalls selling delicious, warm burgers and chips throughout the event.

E Riverside Fields

Come and support the town’s newest amateur players! It’s a great afternoon out, but there is no seating, so everyone must watch from their feet. We don’t have any food cafes or burger vans on site, so spectators must remember to pack their own bags full of snacks and drinks.

F The Mega Dome

Don’t worry about the rain, because our modern stadium is completely covered, keeping you dry all day. Drivers will love our massive parking area located right outside the main gates. Before you leave, don’t forget to visit our excellent store to purchase official football tops and other fantastic gifts.

G National Stadium

Located just a two-minute walk from the central railway station, this is the easiest ground to reach. The building has brilliant lifts and ramps for anyone with walking difficulties. Come and watch the country’s most expensive, world-famous professional athletes compete for the biggest prize in national football today!

H Community Sports Ground

Watch the best high-school students compete in our exciting youth tournament. The ground has completely flat paths and wide gates, making it perfect for visitors who cannot use stairs. You can leave the car at home, as the main railway line stops just a few steps from the entrance.

Reading 2

For each question, choose the correct answer.

The people below all want to find a basketball game to attend.

There are descriptions of eight basketball games.

Decide which game would be the most suitable for the people below.

1   Liam wants to watch a match during the freezing winter months. He hates the cold, so the stadium must be completely enclosed. He also doesn’t want to miss any action, so he needs to buy food without getting up from his chair.

2   Sofia hopes to get some photographs with the athletes when the match finishes. She is driving to the stadium and needs somewhere to leave her car at no cost. She also wants to purchase some sports clothing to support her team.

3   Marcus is looking for a sports event that begins before midday. He wants his young boy to have the chance to practice throwing the ball on the actual court. Finally, they need a cafe that offers meals without any meat.

4   Elena is traveling by public transport, so the venue must be on a regular bus route. She is a student with very little money, so entry must be inexpensive. She loves matches where real bands perform songs during the rest periods.

5   Jamal is interested in discovering the past achievements of the local club. He suffers from back pain, so he requires extremely soft seating. Also, he specifically wants to see a top-level female sports competition this weekend.

Basketball Games

A The Court Arena

Our covered stadium means the weather outside never ruins the fun, with matches scheduled in every season, even January! You won’t miss a second of the game, because our friendly workers walk through the crowd offering hot drinks and tasty snacks right where you are sitting. Come and enjoy the exciting atmosphere!

B Lions Stadium

Support the Lions! Check out our huge shop selling caps and tops in team colours. Fans can leave their vehicles right outside the venue without paying anything. Don’t leave early, because fans are invited down to the floor to chat and take selfies with the sports stars afterwards!

C Sunrise Sports Centre

Join our special 10 a.m. weekend matches! It’s a great family day out. During half-time, children are invited onto the wooden floor to try shooting some hoops themselves. When you get hungry, our modern restaurant serves delicious salads and plant-based dishes, so everyone has something tasty to enjoy. Don’t miss this brilliant experience!

D City Hoops

We believe sports should be for everyone, so our entrance fees are kept incredibly low. At half-time, enjoy fantastic entertainment with local musicians playing their instruments right on the court! You don’t need a car to reach us, as the number 12 coach stops exactly outside the main doors. Book your place today!

E Queen’s Park Club

Come and support our incredible ladies’ team as they compete for the championship! Before the action begins, check out the amazing museum showing our old trophies and facts from previous decades. During the match, relax in our luxury armchairs, which have thick cushions to keep you perfectly relaxed. It’s an unforgettable sports experience.

F Summer Slam Arena

Inside our giant glass building, you can enjoy amazing basketball action away from the rain! Our helpful team brings cold drinks and chips directly to your row. Please note that we only host these exciting tournaments from June to August, as the building closes for the rest of the year. See you in the sunshine!

G Northern Knights

The Knights love their supporters! We offer a massive area to leave your car for zero cost. After the final whistle, the athletes always stay to sign autographs and meet the crowd. Unfortunately, our clothing store is currently closed for repairs, so no official club items are available today. Bring your own items to sign!

H Valley Basketball

Looking for an affordable evening out? Our match passes are the cheapest in the region! While the players rest, enjoy amazing performances from popular rock groups. The arena is located far out in the countryside, and there is no public transport available, so visitors must drive to get here. We promise a fantastic show!

Reading 3

For each question, choose the correct answer.

The people below all want to find a horse racing event to attend.

There are descriptions of eight horse racing events.

Decide which horse racing event would be the most suitable for the people below.

1   Thomas is driving to the venue, so he needs a car park right next to the running area. He wants to watch competitions from morning until late afternoon, and hopes to enjoy a comfortable sit-down meal while watching the sports action.

2   Sarah works late, so she is looking for an event that happens in the evening. She wants the opportunity to stand close to the animals before they compete, and she prefers to buy cheap burgers or chips quickly between events.

3   Martin and his wife are taking their young children, so they need a venue with special activities for little ones. They plan to travel by train and want a place where they are allowed to eat their own homemade sandwiches.

4   Emma wants an excuse to wear her best formal clothes and a fancy hat. She hopes to find an event that offers advice for beginners on how to guess the winners, and she wants to dance to live music afterwards.

5   David only has a couple of hours to spare, so he wants a very short event. He is interested in being shown around the venue by a professional guide, and he needs to buy a present to take home.

Horse Racing Events

A Kingswell Park

At Kingswell Park, the gates open at 9 a.m. with exciting competitions happening continuously until 5 p.m. You can leave your vehicle just steps away from the main track. For a special treat, book a table in our indoor dining room, which features huge windows directly facing the finish line.

B Starfield Stadium

Join us at Starfield Stadium for exciting action under the lights, starting at 7 p.m.! Before the riders begin, visitors are welcome to walk through the holding area to admire the beautiful creatures. If you get hungry, there are plenty of fast-food stalls selling hot dogs and fries quickly.

C Green Valley

Green Valley is a brilliant choice for families. We have a fantastic playground and face painting to keep younger guests happy. The local railway station is just a five-minute walk from our entrance. Plus, we have large grassy areas where you are completely free to enjoy your own packed lunches.

D The Royal Cup

The Royal Cup is our most elegant day out, requiring all guests to wear beautiful suits and dresses. We offer free afternoon talks where experts explain how to choose the fastest runner. When the sports finish, the fun continues with a fantastic pop concert on our main outdoor stage!

E Silver Creek

Silver Creek offers a quick afternoon program featuring just three exciting races, perfect for busy visitors. You can join a walking trip with an expert who will explain the history of the grounds. Before leaving, don’t forget to visit our lovely store to pick up something special for your friends!

F The Grand Derby

The Grand Derby is a massive event starting early in the morning and finishing late. Visitors can grab cheap pizza slices from our busy snack bars between the exciting races. However, please note that visitors must arrive by public transport, as there are absolutely no spaces for cars here.

G Oakwood Track

Oakwood Track provides a wonderful family day out. We organise fun games for little ones while the adults watch the sport. You are very welcome to bring a blanket and your homemade snacks to eat on the grass. However, because of our countryside location, visitors must drive here themselves.

H Highfield Park

Highfield Park asks all guests to dress beautifully for this traditional sporting event. Upon arrival, a friendly member of staff will walk you around the tracks and explain how everything works. Our site closes immediately after the final winner crosses the line, so there is no evening entertainment provided.

Exercises:   123456