Practice English Reading Exercises for B2 – Physical Education & Extracurriculars 2

Exercises:   123456

Reading 1

You are going to read an article about four young people talking about overcoming their fear of swimming through adult swimming lessons at a local pool.

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

Which person

1   mentions finding comfort in the shared struggles of their classmates?

2   experienced a profound sense of embarrassment about their inability to swim?

3   attributes their long-standing phobia to a frightening childhood memory?

4   confesses to having frequently invented reasons to avoid going to the pool?

5   struggled initially with the coordination required for inhaling and exhaling underwater?

6   explains that their anxiety peaked only when they were unable to stand up?

7   discovered that the activity relies more on state of mind than muscle power?

8   relied on a specific prop to help them gradually transition away from the pool’s edge?

9   was prompted to take action by the prospect of a forthcoming vacation?

10   praises the highly tolerant approach of their swimming coach?

Taking the Plunge: Overcoming the Fear of Water

A Mark

When I was seven, I tumbled from a small boat into a freezing lake, and ever since that terrifying ordeal, I had actively avoided being anywhere near the water. I had resigned myself to being a permanent landlubber. However, when my friends booked a luxurious villa in Greece with a massive pool, I realised I couldn’t sit on the sidelines any longer. Had it not been for that upcoming trip, I would probably still be avoiding the local leisure centre. I signed up for an intensive adult beginners’ course. To my surprise, simply staying afloat wasn’t the hardest part; it was getting the hang of the rhythmic breathing. I constantly swallowed water because I found it incredibly difficult to coordinate turning my head to inhale while simultaneously kicking my legs. My instructor was encouraging, but it took weeks of practice before the technique finally clicked. Now, while I wouldn’t say I’m ready for a triathlon, I can confidently manage a decent front crawl.

B Chloe

For years, whenever my friends suggested going to the beach or a water park, I would always make up a plausible excuse to stay behind. The truth was, I felt profoundly ashamed of being a twenty-something who couldn’t even tread water, let alone swim a length. I finally bit the bullet and joined a local evening class, fully expecting to be judged. What truly made all the difference was my tutor, Sarah. She never once made me feel foolish for clinging to the handrail in sheer panic; her endless patience and calm demeanour gave me the courage to finally let go. I had previously assumed that staying afloat required immense physical strength, which was why I always thrashed around so vigorously. However, Sarah demonstrated that the water actually supports you if you just relax your muscles. Once I overcame that mental block and stopped fighting the water, the actual swimming strokes came quite naturally to me.

C Julian

Booking the lessons online was straightforward enough, but actually turning up was a completely different story. For the first three weeks, I kept coming up with ridiculous justifications for skipping the sessions—a minor headache, too much coursework, unpredictable weather—absolutely anything to avoid facing my fears. When I finally dragged myself to the pool, my anxiety was completely through the roof. I was convinced I would be the most hopeless learner there. However, looking around the shallow end, I saw several other adults who looked equally petrified. Realising I wasn’t the only one completely out of my depth, both literally and figuratively, provided an immense sense of relief. If I hadn’t seen the others struggling, I would probably have walked right back out the door. We constantly cheered each other on, and that supportive group dynamic pushed me to attempt things I would never have tried if I were doing one-on-one lessons.

D Sophie

As long as my feet were firmly planted on the pool floor, I was perfectly happy splashing around. The moment I ventured past the waist-deep mark, however, sheer panic would inevitably set in. The mere thought of treading water over a deep drop-off terrified me to my core. To combat this specific phobia, I enrolled in a specialized fear-reduction class for adults. Instead of immediately forcing us into the deep end, the instructor introduced us to buoyancy belts. Wearing this specialized piece of equipment provided me with a false sense of security at first, but it allowed me to venture into the deeper sections without the overwhelming fear of sinking. Gradually, over a period of two months, the foam blocks were removed one by one until I was supporting my own body weight entirely unaided. I can now swim lengths in the deep end without a second thought, which feels like a miraculous achievement.

Reading 2

You are going to read an article about four teenagers reviewing the inclusion of alternative sports, like yoga and martial arts, in their school’s curriculum.

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

Which person/section

1   initially questioned whether the activity truly qualified as physical education?

2   was taken aback by the intense physical demands of the discipline?

3   felt a strong sense of alienation during conventional sports lessons?

4   appreciates the supportive and non-aggressive environment of the classes?

5   acknowledges that the sessions equipped them with tools to handle study-related pressure?

6   values how the sport has changed their perspective on everyday urban spaces?

7   mentions using the activity as a constructive way to release pent-up anger?

8   discovered a completely unexpected flair for the sport they chose?

9   felt extremely self-conscious when first attempting the movements?

10   highlights the fact that participants actively celebrate one another’s successes?

Stepping Out of the Gym: Our Verdict on Alternative PE

A Julian

When the school announced that yoga would be added to the PE timetable, I honestly thought it was a joke. I couldn’t wrap my head around how sitting on a mat and breathing deeply could possibly be considered a legitimate workout. During the first few sessions, I felt incredibly awkward and foolish trying to hold the poses while my classmates giggled in the background. I was convinced I was making an absolute fool of myself. However, as the term progressed, I started to notice a profound shift in my mindset. My final year has been overwhelmingly stressful, but learning these mindfulness techniques has provided me with a vital coping mechanism. Whenever I feel overwhelmed by revision, I use the breathing exercises we practice in class to ground myself. It turns out that mastering your own mind is just as challenging as scoring a winning goal, and I no longer take my mental well-being for granted.

B Maya

I’ve always considered myself to be in pretty good shape, as I jog regularly and swim on weekends. So, when I signed up for the new martial arts module, I confidently assumed it would be a walk in the park. I was in for a rude awakening! Within twenty minutes of the first taekwondo class, my muscles were aching and I was completely out of breath. The level of stamina and core strength required is absolutely staggering. Aside from the physical benefits, it has been brilliant for my emotional regulation. I’ve always had a bit of a short fuse, and the disciplined, controlled environment of the dojo has given me a safe space to let off steam. Channeling my frustrations into hitting a punchbag has worked wonders for my mood. I’ve definitely learned to manage my temper much more effectively, which has had a positive knock-on effect on my relationships at home.

C Toby

Traditional physical education has always been my absolute worst nightmare. Being entirely uncoordinated, I was inevitably the last person picked for football or basketball teams, which left me feeling completely isolated and miserable. When the school introduced parkour, I decided to give it a go out of sheer curiosity. It’s been an absolute revelation. Rather than competing against aggressively athletic peers, the focus is entirely on overcoming personal obstacles. What fascinates me most is how free-running alters your perception of the world around you. A concrete wall or a set of stairs is no longer just a barrier; it transforms into a puzzle to be solved. We are taught to look at the school architecture as a playground, assessing the safest and most efficient ways to vault over benches or scale walls. It has completely restored my confidence, proving that there is a sport out there for everyone.

D Nina

Ultimate Frisbee sounded like a recreational beach game rather than a serious curriculum addition, but I decided to sign up anyway. To my utter astonishment, I found that I had a real knack for it. Having never excelled at any sport before, realising I could accurately throw a disc over long distances was a massive confidence boost. What truly sets this sport apart, though, is the culture surrounding it. Standard school sports are often plagued by toxic rivalry, where making a mistake leads to groans from your teammates. In stark contrast, Ultimate Frisbee relies on a principle called ‘Spirit of the Game’, which emphasises fair play and mutual respect. There is no referee, so we have to resolve disputes peacefully ourselves. Furthermore, whenever someone pulls off a great catch, the opposing team is just as likely to cheer as your own teammates. This encouraging, harmonious atmosphere makes the lessons incredibly enjoyable.

Exercises:   123456