S3 U3+ H48 Cambridge Exam Practice PETfs Reading 3

S3 U3+ H48 Cambridge Exam Practice PETfs Reading 3

By Pieter Molenaar

Play to win

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16-year-old Harry Moore writes about his hobby, tennis.

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My parents have always loved tennis and they’re members of a tennis club. My older brother was really good at it and they supported him – taking him to lessons all the time. So I guess when I announced that I wanted to be a tennis champion when I grew up I just intended for them to notice me. My mother laughed. She knew I couldn’t possibly be serious, I was just a 4-year-old kid!

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Later, I joined the club’s junior coaching group and eventually took part in my first proper contest, confident that my team would do well. We won, which was fantastic, but I wasn’t so successful. I didn’t even want to be in the team photo because I didn’t feel I deserved to be. When my coach asked what happened in my final match, I didn’t know what to say. I couldn’t believe I’d lost – I knew I was the better player. But every time I attacked, the other player defended brilliantly. I couldn’t explain the result.

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After that, I decided to listen more carefully to my coach because he had lots of tips. I realised that you need the right attitude to be a winner. On court I have a plan but sometimes the other guy will do something unexpected so I’ll change it. If I lose a point, I do my best to forget it and find a way to win the next one.

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At tournaments, it’s impossible to avoid players who explode in anger. Lots of players can be negative – including myself sometimes. Once I got so angry that I nearly broke my racket! But my coach has helped me develop ways to control those feelings. After all, the judges have a hard job and you just have to accept their decisions.

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My coach demands that I train in the gym to make sure I’m strong right to the end of a tournament.

I’m getting good results: my shots are more accurate and I’m beginning to realise that with hard work there’s a chance that I could be a champion one day.

Multiple Choice

11 Harry thinks he said that he was going to be a tennis champion in order to

• A please his parents.

• B get some attention.

• C annoy his older brother.

• D persuade people that he was serious.

Multiple Choice

12 How did Harry feel after his first important competition?

• A confused about his defeat.

• B proud to be a member of the winning team.

• C ashamed of the way he treated another player.

• D amazed that he had got so far in the tournament.

Multiple Choice

13 What does Harry try to remember when he’s on the court?

• A Don’t let the other player surprise you.

• B Follow your game plan.

• C Respect the other player.

• D Don’t keep thinking about your mistakes.

Multiple Choice

14 What does Harry say about his behaviour in tournaments?

• A He broke his racket once when he was angry.

• B He stays away from players who behave badly.

• C He tries to keep calm during the game.

• D He found it difficult to deal with one judge’s decisions.

Multiple Choice

15 What might a sports journalist write about Harry now?