Read the passage carefully before attempting Exercise 1 (Multiple Choice) and Exercise 2 (Fill in the blanks dropdown) below.
Last Saturday, Priya almost stayed at home. The weather was cold, her favourite TV series was waiting, and the sofa looked very comfortable. But her friend Kofi called and said, “Come to the Riverside Sports Centre with me. Just try it.” Priya said yes — and she was very happy that she did.
When they arrived, Priya was surprised by how big the building was. There was a swimming pool, a gym, two indoor tennis courts, and a large hall for group classes. The receptionist gave them a map of the centre and explained where everything was. Priya wanted to try the swimming pool, but it was closed for a competition that morning. So she and Kofi decided to join a beginners’ yoga class instead. Neither of them had done yoga before, and it was much harder than they expected! Their legs hurt and they fell over several times, but the instructor was very patient and encouraging. By the end of the class, Priya felt relaxed and a little proud of herself.
After the class, they bought smoothies from the café near the entrance and sat down to rest. Kofi is already planning to go back next weekend. Priya agrees — she thinks the yoga class is going to become her new Saturday routine. She is also going to book a swimming session online before she goes next time, so she will not miss it again.
Exercise 1
Read the passage about a day at the sports centre carefully, then choose the correct answer for each question based on the text.
Example: Where does the story take place?
Answer: The story takes place at the sports centre.
A Day at the Sports Centre
Have you ever tried a new sport and surprised yourself? Before you read, think about these two questions: What sports or activities can people do at a sports centre? And what problems might someone have on their first visit to a new place? Keep these questions in mind as you read the passage below.
Reading Passage: Better Than Expected
Last Saturday, Priya almost stayed at home. The weather was cold, her favourite TV series was waiting, and the sofa looked very comfortable. But her friend Kofi called and said, "Come to the Riverside Sports Centre with me. Just try it." Priya said yes — and she was very happy that she did.
When they arrived, Priya was surprised by how big the building was. There was a swimming pool, a gym, two indoor tennis courts, and a large hall for group classes. The receptionist gave them a map of the centre and explained where everything was. Priya wanted to try the swimming pool, but it was closed for a competition that morning. So she and Kofi decided to join a beginners' yoga class instead. Neither of them had done yoga before, and it was much harder than they expected! Their legs hurt and they fell over several times, but the instructor was very patient and encouraging. By the end of the class, Priya felt relaxed and a little proud of herself.
After the class, they bought smoothies from the café near the entrance and sat down to rest. Kofi is already planning to go back next weekend. Priya agrees — she thinks the yoga class is going to become her new Saturday routine. She is also going to book a swimming session online before she goes next time, so she will not miss it again.
Key Vocabulary in Context
| Word / Phrase | Part of Speech | Definition | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| receptionist | noun | a person who works at the entrance of a building and helps visitors | The receptionist told us where the changing rooms were. |
| competition | noun | an event where people or teams try to win against each other | The pool was closed because of a swimming competition. |
| beginners' | adjective | designed for people who are learning something for the first time | She joined a beginners' cooking class at the local centre. |
| instructor | noun | a person who teaches a sport or physical activity | Our yoga instructor showed us the correct position slowly. |
| patient | adjective | calm and not angry when something takes a long time or is difficult | A good teacher must be patient with students who make mistakes. |
| encouraging | adjective | saying or doing things that give someone confidence to continue | The coach was very encouraging, so everyone kept trying. |
| routine | noun | something that you do regularly, as a normal part of your life | Going for a walk every evening became part of his routine. |
| smoothie | noun | a thick cold drink made by mixing fruit with milk or juice | After exercise, she always drinks a fruit smoothie. |
Reading Strategies & Comprehension Tips
Skimming for the Main Idea
Read the first sentence of each paragraph quickly. This helps you understand what the whole text is about before you read every word. For example, the first paragraph tells you that Priya almost did not go out. This immediately shows you the text is about a change of plan and a new experience.
Scanning for Specific Information
If a question asks about a specific detail — for example, why the swimming pool was closed — do not re-read everything. Look for key words like "pool" or "closed" in the text and read only that part carefully. The answer is usually very close to those key words.
Understanding Sequence
This text follows a clear sequence of events: before the visit, during the visit, and after the visit. Look for time words like last Saturday, when they arrived, by the end of the class, and after the class. These words help you understand the order of what happened.
Inferring Feelings
The text does not always say directly how Priya feels. For example, it says she "felt relaxed and a little proud of herself." Think about why she feels proud — what did she do that was difficult? Using clues like this helps you understand characters more deeply, even in simple texts.
Common Reading Pitfalls & Traps
Trap 1: Assuming the Swimming Pool Was Available
Some readers might think Priya went swimming because the text mentions the swimming pool first. Read carefully — the pool was closed for a competition. Priya and Kofi chose the yoga class instead. This is a common detail that is easy to miss if you read too quickly.
Trap 2: Confusing Kofi's and Priya's Plans
Both friends plan to return to the sports centre, but their plans are slightly different. The text says Kofi is already planning to go back next weekend, while Priya also agrees and has made a specific plan about booking a swimming session online. Do not confuse whose plan belongs to whom.
Trap 3: The Word "Patient"
In this text, patient is an adjective meaning calm and not frustrated. Do not confuse it with the noun patient, which means a person receiving medical treatment. The context — describing the instructor during a yoga class — makes the meaning clear.
Trap 4: Negative to Positive Shift
The opening paragraph describes reasons why Priya did not want to go out. Some students misread this and think she had a bad experience. The word "but" in the final sentence of the first paragraph signals a contrast — everything changes after that point.
Quick Summary
This passage tells the story of Priya's first visit to the Riverside Sports Centre with her friend Kofi. She did not plan to go at first, but she ended up having a great time at a beginners' yoga class. The text covers the sequence of events during their visit, the small problems they faced, and their plans for the future. Now read the passage carefully and complete Exercise 1 (Multiple Choice) and Exercise 2 (Fill-in-the-gap dropdown) below.
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