Practice English Reading Exercises for B2 – Urban Cycling & Everyday Fitness 6

Exercises:   123456

Reading 1

You are going to read an article about four people talking about the physical and mental discipline required to practice traditional martial arts.

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

Which person

1   initially misunderstood what the early stages of training would involve?

2   uses their training as a way to process everyday frustrations?

3   struggled with the monotonous aspect of their practice early on?

4   believes that showing courtesy to rivals is more significant than physical dominance?

5   noticed a vast improvement in their ability to concentrate on their studies?

6   highlights the role of respiratory control in achieving mental and physical harmony?

7   suggests that being defeated is an essential part of personal growth?

8   mentions that learning how to hit the ground safely was an initial priority?

9   discovered that pushing past physical exhaustion helped build psychological endurance?

10   appreciates that mastering the discipline is an ongoing, lifelong commitment?

More Than Just Fighting: The Discipline of Martial Arts

A Kenji – Karate

When I first took up Karate, I took it for granted that we’d be sparring and learning flashy kicks right from the start. I couldn’t have been more wrong. For the first few months, our sessions consisted almost entirely of ‘kata’—choreographed sequences of basic blocks and punches. I won’t deny that doing the exact same movements hundreds of times felt incredibly tedious. However, I eventually realised that this strict repetition is the foundation of genuine discipline. Karate pushes you to the absolute limit. There are days when my muscles ache so much I can barely stand, but you are still expected to carry on. Pushing through that intimidating wall of fatigue taught me that my mind is far stronger than my body. Now, when I face obstacles outside the dojo, I bounce back much faster. People often think martial arts are solely about aggression, but for me, it’s about conquering your own desire to give up.

B Sarah – Taekwondo

I initially turned to Taekwondo during a particularly stressful exam period. I was looking for a physical outlet, but I ended up discovering a highly effective mental tool. The intense focus required to execute complex spinning kicks means you simply can’t think about anything else. I used to be easily distracted when revising for tests, but the concentration I’ve developed on the mat has completely transformed my academic life; I can now sit and study for hours without my mind wandering. Furthermore, the dojo is a fantastic place to blow off steam. Whenever I’m irritated about a problem at school, an hour of hitting the pads helps me release that negativity safely. Taekwondo also involves a lot of competitive sparring, and naturally, you don’t win every match. Coming to terms with defeat and congratulating the person who just beat you is humbling. It reminds you that setbacks are merely stepping stones to improvement, a lesson you just can’t learn from constantly winning.

C Mateo – Judo

Many outsiders hold the misconception that Judo is merely about tossing people to the floor, but the philosophy goes much deeper than that. The core principle of the sport revolves around mutual welfare and benefit. In fact, before you are even permitted to learn how to throw an opponent, you spend weeks mastering ‘ukemi’, the art of falling. Striking the mat correctly to absorb the impact is absolutely crucial to avoid breaking bones. It was a steep learning curve, but mastering how to protect myself from harm gave me immense self-assurance. Beyond the physical techniques, the discipline of Judo is deeply rooted in etiquette. Bowing to your partner isn’t just an empty tradition; it’s a profound acknowledgment of their worth. Even in the heat of a tournament, maintaining your composure and treating your rival with dignity is paramount. Ultimately, true mastery is shown not in how hard you can throw someone, but in the amount of respect you demonstrate.

D Aisha – Kung Fu

My journey into traditional Kung Fu started five years ago, and my master still considers me a beginner. In today’s fast-paced world, people expect instant results, but traditional martial arts demand immense patience. There are no shortcuts; it’s an endless path of self-improvement, which is exactly what I love about it. The realisation that I will spend my entire life perfecting these forms is deeply comforting to me. A major aspect of our training involves ‘Qi’, or energy flow, which relies heavily on matching your movements with deep, rhythmic inhalations and exhalations. If you aren’t regulating your air intake properly, you simply cannot achieve the balance and inner calm the art demands. Some newcomers find the deliberate, slow pacing frustrating and quit, looking for high-intensity workouts instead. I admit, the physical conditioning is gruelling, but the true test is mental. You must train your mind to remain still even when your body is under immense strain.

Reading 2

You are going to read an article about four teenagers reflecting on the benefits of doing bodyweight workouts at home instead of paying for an expensive gym membership.

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

Which person/section

1   admits they originally underestimated how effective this type of exercise could be?

2   switched to this routine after suffering physical harm from overexertion?

3   values the fact that their current routine eliminates the need for a commute?

4   utilizes ordinary domestic items to increase the difficulty of their routine?

5   was put off by the daunting atmosphere they experienced in public fitness facilities?

6   was motivated to avoid membership fees in order to finance a personal ambition?

7   relies on digital resources to verify they are performing movements accurately?

8   relishes the privacy of not being watched by strangers during their workout?

9   came to the realization that regular practice matters more than having professional gear?

10   occasionally takes advantage of the outdoors to complete their fitness sessions?

Ditching the Gym: The Power of Home Workouts

A Liam

Last year, I finally gave up my expensive gym membership. While the monthly fees were certainly a drain on my wallet, my primary frustration was the sheer amount of time wasted travelling back and forth. By the time I’d caught the bus and changed in the locker room, an hour had already vanished before I even lifted a weight. Now, doing bodyweight workouts in my bedroom means I can roll out of bed and get straight down to business. I use a basic fitness app to keep a log of my sets, which is incredibly handy. More importantly, I no longer have to put up with the uncomfortable feeling of being stared at by seasoned weightlifters. Knowing I can struggle through a challenging set of push-ups without anyone judging my technique is a massive relief. It turns out that exercising in complete seclusion is exactly what I needed to stay committed to my fitness goals.

B Chloe

When my friends started joining a trendy local health club, I was tempted to follow suit. However, I’d been putting away every spare penny to fund a backpacking trip across Europe after graduation, and signing a costly gym contract would have completely wiped out my savings. Instead, I looked into calisthenics—bodyweight training—and quickly realized that sheer dedication easily trumps state-of-the-art machinery. As I’ve grown stronger over the months, I’ve had to get a bit creative to keep challenging myself. Rather than buying expensive dumbbells, I stuff a rucksack with heavy textbooks or use water jugs to add resistance to my squats. If I hadn’t been so determined to save up for my travels, I might have fallen for the illusion that you need a facility packed with equipment to get fit. Provided you stick to a rigorous schedule, your own living room is more than sufficient.

C Marcus

I used to be a regular at a local leisure centre, where I’d spend hours trying to lift the heaviest weights possible. Unfortunately, my ego got the better of me. Trying to impress my mates, I attempted a deadlift that was way beyond my capability and ended up tearing a muscle in my lower back. That severe strain was a massive wake-up call. During my recovery, my physiotherapist strongly advised me to stick strictly to bodyweight exercises. I’ve completely changed my approach now. I watch detailed tutorials online and film myself on my phone to guarantee my posture is absolutely flawless before progressing to a harder variation. Although I sometimes miss the social aspect of the gym, I’m in much better shape now. I’ve finally come to terms with the fact that mastering your own bodyweight is far more impressive—and considerably safer—than throwing heavy iron around.

D Aisha

To be brutally honest, when my older brother suggested I try doing push-ups and planks instead of paying for a gym, I scoffed at the idea. I took it for granted that without heavy weights or treadmills, a workout simply wouldn’t yield any significant results. How wrong I was! I originally tried the gym, but I felt incredibly self-conscious; the aggressive music and the sight of people grunting loudly in front of mirrors was utterly overwhelming. Ditching that daunting environment was the best decision I ever made. Now, my routine is entirely flexible. While I usually train in the comfort of my living room, on sunny afternoons I’ll often take my yoga mat out to the local park to do my pull-ups and lunges in the fresh air. I’ve built up an astonishing amount of core strength, proving beyond doubt that my initial skepticism was completely unfounded.

Exercises:   123456