Practice English Reading Exercises for B2 – Elite Athletics & The Olympic Spirit 10

Exercises:   123456

Reading 1

You are going to read an article about four young athletes talking about the sacrifices and guilt associated with their intense training schedules.

For questions 1-10, choose from the people/sections (A-D). The people/sections may be chosen more than once.

Which person/section

1   mentions the sadness of missing out on recreational travel with relatives?

2   felt disconnected from classmates due to missing weekend celebrations?

3   explains that expectations from a relative contributed to their internal conflict?

4   had a romantic relationship fail as a direct result of their demanding routine?

5   shifted their perspective and now accepts the choices they made?

6   expresses discomfort with the special attention they receive from peers?

7   confesses to occasionally feigning illness to catch a break from training?

8   notes that social circles eventually ceased including them in plans?

9   believes that choosing a conventional lifestyle would have led to long-term disappointment?

10   was surprised by a longing for ordinary, unplanned leisure hours?

The Price of Performance

A Tom – The Swimmer

Ever since I turned fourteen, my life has been ruled by the swimming pool countdown. While my classmates were busy organizing weekend get-togethers and birthday parties, I was always swimming laps. At the time, I felt incredibly isolated at school because I could never share in the Monday morning gossip about what had happened over the weekend. It was as if we lived in completely different worlds. Dating was equally challenging; my last relationship fell apart entirely because I could never commit to Friday night movie dates or spontaneous outings. My partner simply grew tired of competing with my training regime. Consequently, a deep sense of guilt used to eat away at me. I kept wondering if I was throwing away the best years of my youth for a dream that might never materialize. Although my coach insisted that focus was vital, I often took it for granted that a normal teenage existence was far more enjoyable.

B Lily – The Gymnast

For me, the hardest part of elite gymnastics has been missing out on annual summer holidays with my family. Every July, my relatives would head to the coast together, but I had to stay behind in a stuffy gymnasium. Watching their photos flood social media left me with a heavy heart, and I couldn’t help but feel guilty for disrupting our family traditions. Over time, my school friends also stopped inviting me to outings altogether; they just assumed I’d be too busy practicing, which was devastating. There were mornings when the pressure became so overwhelming that I actually feigned illness just to escape my grueling schedule for a single afternoon. I’d tell my mum I had a terrible migraine, knowing it was the only way to catch a brief break without letting my team down. It’s a constant mental battle, and dealing with that fear of missing out never truly goes away.

C Marcus – The Runner

My entry into competitive running wasn’t entirely my own choice, as my father had always dreamed of sporting success. At first, his high expectations made me feel intensely guilty whenever I wished for a break, as if I were failing him. At school, things became awkward once I started winning national titles. Classmates began treating me like a local celebrity, which made me feel deeply uncomfortable because I just wanted to fit in and be an ordinary teenager. What caught me completely off guard, though, was how much I yearned for simple, unstructured free time. I didn’t care about missing lavish parties; I just craved an afternoon where nothing was planned and I could simply do nothing. It’s funny how you take basic downtime for granted until it’s completely stripped away from you. My sports psychologist helped me come to terms with these feelings, but the internal conflict remains.

D Elena – The Tennis Player

People often look at my tennis trophies and assume I’ve had an ideal life, but they overlook the sacrifices required to get here. Throughout my teens, while my peers were dating or going to beach parties, I was practicing my serve until my arms ached. I used to look out of the window and feel a profound sense of regret about what I was missing. However, as I grew older, my perspective shifted completely, and I now realize those difficult choices were entirely worth it. If I had chosen a conventional teenage lifestyle, I am certain I would have experienced long-term disappointment for not pursuing my true athletic potential. You can always attend parties later in life, but your window for peak physical performance is incredibly brief. Coming to terms with that reality allowed me to bounce back from my low points and finally enjoy the unique path I’ve chosen.

Reading 2

You are going to read an article about four elite competitors describing the tense moments in the locker room right before a major event.

For questions 1-10, choose from the people/sections (A-D). The people/sections may be chosen more than once.

Which person/section

1   points out that the silent environment actually helped strengthen a bond with others?

2   was surprised by how quickly the remaining time slipped away?

3   mentions an uncomfortable physical reaction brought on by the complete lack of noise?

4   explains how focusing on a repetitive personal routine helped them stay calm?

5   admits they originally downplayed the significance of the upcoming game to cope with pressure?

6   notes a powerful conflict between the atmosphere inside the room and the one waiting outdoors?

7   recalls a moment when an item of clothing or gear served as a useful diversion?

8   appreciates the stillness despite normally finding quiet environments unsettling?

9   describes a physical adjustment they had to make to their gear due to nervousness?

10   was reminded of an essential piece of guidance received prior to the event?

The Sound of Silence

A Mark

I had spent the entire morning pretending this was just another ordinary match, taking it for granted that treating it casually would keep the pressure at bay. However, as the clock ticked down to the final ten minutes, that illusion completely vanished. The surreal stillness of the locker room was absolute. Instead of soothing me, the utter absence of sound caused a bizarre, throbbing sensation in my ears that felt incredibly uncomfortable. It was as if the silence itself was a heavy weight. In that intense quiet, I found myself thinking back to what my old trainer had told me years ago: that true champions are not those who feel no fear, but those who face it. This vital piece of advice, which I had previously ignored, suddenly resonated deeply. I came to terms with the magnitude of the event, realized there was no hiding from it, and prepared to step out into the arena.

B Sarah

Ten minutes can feel like an eternity, but in that silent locker room, I was astonished by how rapidly the remaining moments slipped away from me. The quietness was profound, almost supernatural. To keep my soaring anxiety from taking over, I desperately focused my attention on my running shoes. Polishing the leather and re-lacing them over and over served as a brilliant diversion from the terrifying reality of what was about to happen. My hands were shaking so much that I had to completely undo and re-tie the left lace three times just to ensure it wasn’t too tight across my foot. That minor physical adjustment gave me something practical to do while my brain was overwhelmed. Before I knew it, the official was knocking on the door to inform us it was time. If I hadn’t had my gear to fuss over, the oppressive hush would have driven me mad.

C David

I have always detested quiet spaces; usually, I need blasting music or loud chatter to get myself into the right frame of mind before competing. Consequently, I had anticipated that the mandatory hush of the final ten minutes would be entirely counterproductive to my performance. Yet, to my amazement, I found myself deeply appreciating the stillness. It allowed me to look inward. To maintain my composure, I relied on a repetitive routine I’ve practiced since childhood: slowly wrapping and unwrapping a piece of sports tape around my wrists. This rhythmic habit kept me grounded while the atmosphere around me felt utterly surreal. I realised that the silence wasn’t an empty void, but a protective shield blocking out the enormous expectations of the crowd. By the time we were called out, I felt an unfamiliar sense of serenity that settled my trembling muscles and prepared me perfectly for the battle ahead.

D Emma

Standing in a room with fifteen other athletes who are usually shouting and joking, the sudden transition to total silence was striking. You might expect such an environment to feel divisive, but it actually had the opposite effect. As we sat there in our matching jerseys, unable or perhaps unwilling to speak, the unspoken connection between us grew immensely powerful. We didn’t need words; a simple nod or eye contact conveyed a level of solidarity that small talk never could. We were fully bound together by our shared ambition. Furthermore, there was a fascinating conflict between this internal serenity and the muted roar of forty thousand fans vibrating through the walls from the stadium outside. It was a stark reminder of the chaotic storm waiting for us outdoors. That final ten minutes of profound hush allowed us to gather our collective strength, ensuring that when we finally walked through that tunnel, we did so as an unbreakable unit.

Exercises:   123456