Sport — Unit 25, Beginner English
Sports, the people who play them, the places they are played, and the three verbs English uses with them: play, go and do.
Reading: Mina Joins the School Team
Mina is twelve and she loves sport. She usually goes swimming with her sister on Saturdays, but this month she wants to try something new. At school, a friendly **coach** tells her about the girls' football **team**. The team trains every Tuesday and Thursday after lessons.
Mina goes to the first training session with her friend Aysel. At first, she is nervous because the other players know each other well. The coach gives every new player a blue T-shirt and explains the plan. Mina practises passing the ball, running quickly and stopping the ball with her foot. Her teammates help her and say, "Good job!"
On Saturday, the team plays its first **match** of the month against Green Park School. Mina does not start the match, but she plays in the second half. The score is one–one when she passes the ball to Aysel. Aysel scores a goal, and Mina's team **wins** two–one. Mina is tired after the match, but she feels proud. She decides to **train** every week and play football again next term.
After the game, the coach talks to every player. She says that Mina listened well and ran a lot. Mina's parents come to watch, and they take a photo of the team. On Sunday, Mina rests at home, but she watches a football match on television and practises a few passes in the garden with her brother.
Vocabulary from this unit
| Verb | Sport | Example |
|---|---|---|
| play | football | My brother plays football for a local team. |
| play | basketball | We play basketball after school. |
| play | volleyball | They play volleyball on the beach. |
| play | tennis | I play tennis with my cousin. |
| play | table tennis | He plays table tennis very well. |
| go | swimming | I go swimming every Tuesday. |
| go | running | She goes running before work. |
| go | cycling | We go cycling at the weekend. |
| go | skiing | They go skiing in winter. |
| do | judo / karate | My sister does karate. |
| do | gymnastics | She has done gymnastics since she was six. |
| do | yoga | I do yoga to relax. |
| Word | Which sport | Example |
|---|---|---|
| a pitch | football | The players came onto the pitch. |
| a court | tennis, basketball, volleyball | The tennis court was wet. |
| a pool | swimming | The pool opens at seven. |
| a track | running | He ran four times round the track. |
| a gym | exercise, gymnastics | I go to the gym three times a week. |
| a stadium | big matches | The stadium was full. |
| a racket | tennis, table tennis | I need a new racket. |
| boots / trainers | football / running | Don't forget your trainers. |
| a net | tennis, volleyball, football | The ball hit the net. |
This is the free sample from this unit. The full unit adds 1 more reading passage, comprehension questions with an answer key, the listening exercises, flashcards for the vocabulary above, and a speaking task — with your progress tracked so the next unit unlocks when you are ready for it.
Common questions
What level is this unit?
Beginner — roughly CEFR A0–A1. If you are not sure of your level, the course places you with a short diagnostic before you start rather than making you guess.
Do I need to pay to use this?
The reading passage and vocabulary on this page are free to read. The rest of the unit — the remaining passages, the exercises, the listening, the answer key and the progress tracking — is part of the paid General English course.
Is this British or American English?
British English spelling and vocabulary, which is what most learners in Azerbaijan are taught and what IELTS expects, though both are accepted in the exam.