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The Beginning of Football Reading Answers: IELTS Reading Practice Test

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Updated on Sep 06, 2024, 08:39

This passage, ‘the beginning of football,’ traces the origins and evolution of football, highlighting its development from ancient games like China's Tsu'chu and Japan's Kemari to the disorganised and aggressive British forms played between the 8th and 19th centuries. It also covers the formation of the Football Association in 1863, which marked the split between football and rugby.

 

This passage helps you prepare for the IELTS Reading section by enhancing your ability to understand and summarise complex historical content, which is key to boosting your IELTS reading score.

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1. The Beginning of Football Reading Passage

You should spend approximately 20 minutes answering Questions 1 - 13 based on the Reading Passage below.

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2. The Beginning of Football Reading Questions and Answers

Discover exciting and informative IELTS reading answers about The Beginning of Football Reading Questions & Answers.

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1.

The Beginning of Football Reading Passage

General Information

  • Read Instructions: Understand each question before answering.
  • Manage Time: Spend about 20 minutes per passage.
  • Skim and Scan: Quickly get the main idea and find specific information.
  • Highlight Key Info: Underline essential words or phrases.
  • Answer All Questions: Attempt every question; no penalty for wrong answers.
  • Stay Focused: Avoid distractions and keep your attention on the task.
  • Check Spelling: Ensure correct spelling and grammar.
  • Transfer Answers Clearly: Write answers neatly on the answer sheet.
  • Don’t Dwell: Move on if stuck and return later.
  • Review: If time allows, review your answers.

 

 

 

The Beginning of Football Reading Passage

 

Paragraph A

Although the game itself is much older, football as we know it now originated in Britain in the nineteenth century. In fact, the term "football" has historically referred to games performed on foot, as opposed to those played on horseback; therefore, kicking a ball was not always a component. It has generally been played by men, although at the end of the 17th century, married and unmarried women in a Scottish town played the game. The married women consistently won.
 

Paragraph B

Tsu'chu, which was played in China, was the earliest form of football that has evidence dating back 3,000 years. It was performed in front of the Emperor during their birthday celebrations. It entailed kicking a leather ball through a 30–40 cm aperture into a small net attached to long bamboo canes, a feat that required exceptional ability and precision.
 

Paragraph C

The Japanese 'kemari', which dates back to roughly the fifth century and is still played today, is a variant of the game that also originated in the Far East. This is a form of circular football, a more dignified and ceremonial event requiring specific skills, but not competitive in the same way that the Chinese game was, nor is there any hint of a fight for possession of the ball. The players had to transfer the ball to one another in a somewhat confined area without allowing it to hit the ground.
 

Paragraph D

The Romans had a far more exciting game called 'harpastum.' Each team member had a distinct tactical assignment and exhibited a loud interest in the game's progress and score. The involvement of the feet was so tiny as to be negligible. The game remained popular for 700 or 800 years, but despite its introduction to England, it is unlikely to be considered a precursor to modern football.
 

Paragraph E

The game that flourished in Britain between the 8th and 19th centuries was significantly different from all previously known versions; it was more disorganized, aggressive, spontaneous, and typically played by an undetermined number of players. Frequently, the games consisted of a fierce competition between entire communities. Kicking opponents was permitted, as was virtually anything else.
 

Paragraph F

Even though the authorities intervened often to limit football as a public nuisance, there was a great deal of passion for the sport. During the 14th and 15th centuries, football was ruled illegal in England, Scotland, and France due to the unrest that sometimes accompanied it or because it prohibited subjects from practicing more useful military disciplines. None of these initiatives had an appreciable effect.
 

Paragraph G

The popularity of the somewhat more organized Italian game 'Calcio' had a significant impact on the development of football in England throughout the sixteenth century. Richard Mulcaster, the school's headmaster, was a notable fan of English football, which remained as harsh as ever. He emphasized that it had educational value and fostered health and vitality. Mulcaster stated that all that was required was a little refinement, a cap on the number of players per team, and most crucially, a referee to monitor the game.
 

Paragraph H

Until the early 19th century, when a number of influential English schools created their own modifications, the game existed in a disorganized state. In some schools, particularly Rugby schools, the ball may be carried or touched with the hands, and opponents might be tripped and booted. In educational circles, it was acknowledged that football, as a team sport, helped to foster values such as loyalty, altruism, cooperation, subordination, and respect for team spirit. In schools, a 'games cult' arose, and football became a required part of the curriculum.
 

Paragraph I

In 1863, the culmination of events was reached. At Cambridge University, there was a movement to develop consistent standards and rules that would be accepted by everybody, but there were essentially two camps: Rugby School and others intended to continue with their own version of the game, which included permitting players to carry the ball. Eleven London clubs and schools dispatched delegations in October of the same year to draft a set of fundamental regulations to regulate their matches. This gathering signified the establishment of the Football Association.
 

Paragraph J

The issue over kicking and tripping opponents and carrying the ball was exhaustively examined at this and following sessions until, on December 8, the most ardent proponents of the Rugby style departed, resulting in a definitive split between rugby and football. Within eight years, the Football Association had 50 member clubs and launched the FA Cup, the first football competition in the globe.

 

Also Read: A Guide on Most Common English Words Used in Daily Life!

2.

The Beginning of Football Reading Questions and Answers

Questions and Answers 1-5
  • Reading Passage 1 has ten paragraphs A-J.
  • Choose the correct headings for paragraphs D-H from the list of headings below.
  • Write the correct number i-x for the questions 1-5 on your answer sheet.

 

List of Headings

I. Limited success in suppressing the game
II. Opposition to the role of football in schools
III. A way of developing moral values
IV. Football matches between countries
V. A game that has survived
VI. Separation into two sports
VII. Proposals for minor improvements
VIII.Attempts to standardize the game
IX. Probably not an early version of football
X. A chaotic activity with virtually no rules

 

1. Paragraph D

2. Paragraph E

3. Paragraph F

4. Paragraph G

5. Paragraph H
 

The Beginning of Football Reading Answers with Explanations (1-5)

 

Type of Question: Matching Heading
 

To answer Matching heading questions in IELTS reading, identify specific features or characteristics mentioned in the passage and match them with the corresponding headings provided in the question.
 

How to best answer: 
 

  • Read the Headings First: Before reading the passage, review all the headings to get a sense of the main ideas.
  • Skim the Passage: Quickly skim through the passage to understand the overall structure and main points.
  • Match Main Ideas: Focus on matching the main ideas of each paragraph with the corresponding heading rather than getting stuck on specific details.
  • Look for Keywords: Identify and highlight keywords in the headings and match them with similar words or phrases in the passage.
  • Eliminate Incorrect Options: If a heading doesn’t fit a paragraph, eliminate it to narrow down your choices, making it easier to find the correct match.

 

1. IX

 

Reference:

From Paragraph D, "The Romans had a much livelier game, ‘harpastum’. Each team member had his specific tactical assignment... it is doubtful whether it can be considered as a forerunner of contemporary football.”
 

Explanation: This paragraph discusses 'harpastum,' a Roman game with minimal foot involvement, emphasizing its distinct tactical play but questioning its relevance as a precursor to modern football. The passage indicates that while the game was popular and organised, it likely had no significant influence on the development of football as we know it today, which justifies the heading.

 

2. X

 

Reference:

From Paragraph E, "The game that flourished in Britain from the 8th to the 19th centuries was substantially different from all the previously known forms – more disorganised, more violent, more spontaneous..."
 

Explanation: This paragraph details how football in Britain during this period was markedly chaotic and disorganised, with an indefinite number of players and few rules governing the game. The lack of structure, combined with its violent nature, underscores the chaotic essence of football at that time, making this heading appropriate.

 

3. I

 

Reference:

From Paragraph F, "There was tremendous enthusiasm for football, even though the authorities repeatedly intervened to restrict it, as a public nuisance..."
 

Explanation: The paragraph explains how various authorities attempted to suppress football by making it illegal due to the chaos it caused and its interference with more important activities like military training. Despite these efforts, the game's popularity persisted, reflecting the limited success of these suppression attempts, which aligns with the heading.

 

4. VII

 

Reference:

From Paragraph G, "Mulcaster claimed that all that was needed was to refine it a little, limit the number of participants in each team, and, more importantly, have a referee to oversee the game.”
 

Explanation: This paragraph highlights Richard Mulcaster’s proposals to improve the game by introducing minor changes, such as limiting team size and appointing referees. These suggestions were intended to make the game more organised and safer, reflecting efforts to refine the sport rather than overhaul it completely, which is why this heading fits.

 

5. III

 

Reference:

From Paragraph H, "It was recognised in educational circles that, as a team game, football helped to develop such fine qualities as loyalty, selflessness, cooperation, subordination..."
 

Explanation: The paragraph indicates that football was valued in educational institutions for its ability to cultivate moral values and teamwork among students. The emphasis on qualities such as loyalty and cooperation highlights the game's role in moral development, making this heading particularly relevant to the content.

 

Also Read: IELTS Reading Tips & Tricks 2024: Techniques for Band 9

Questions and Answers 6-11
  • Complete each sentence with the correct ending A-I.
  • Write the correct letter A-I for the questions 6-11 on your answer sheet.

 

A. was seen as something to be encouraged in the young.

B. involved individual players having different responsibilities.

C. was influenced by a game from another country.

D. was a cooperative effort by all the players.

E. distracted people from more important activities.

F. was played by teams of a fixed size.

G. was less popular than it later became.

H. was often played by one community against another.

I. formed part of a celebration.

 

6. Tsu’chu
7. Kemari
8. Harpastum
9. From the 8th century, football in the British Isles
10. In the past, the authorities legitimately despised football and acted on the belief that football.
11. When it was accepted in academic settings, football.

 

The Beginning of Football Reading Answers with Explanations (6-11)
 

Type of Question: Matching Sentence Endings
 

To answer Matching Sentence Endings in the IELTS Reading section, match the ending of each sentence (usually found in a list) with the appropriate preceding sentences or sections in the passage, ensuring they logically complete the meaning without altering the original context.
 

How to best answer: 
 

  • Read Carefully: Understand each sentence's beginning and the list of possible endings. Identify keywords in the sentence that will help match with the correct ending.
  • Identify Key Information: Look for specific details or themes in the sentence beginnings that align with the information provided in the endings.
  • Use Process of Elimination: Cross out endings that don’t fit with the sentence beginnings. This narrows down your choices and increases accuracy.
  • Refer Back to the Passage: Quickly scan the relevant sections of the passage to find the information that matches each sentence's beginning.
  • Double-Check for Consistency: Ensure the chosen ending logically completes the sentence and makes sense in the context of the overall passage.

 

6. I

 

Reference:

From Paragraph B, "The very earliest form of football for which we have evidence is the ‘tsu’chu’, which was played in China... It was performed in front of the Emperor during festivities to mark his birthday.”
 

Explanation: The passage explains that 'tsu'chu' was played during celebrations, specifically during the Emperor's birthday festivities. This detail links the game to a celebratory context, demonstrating that 'tsu'chu' was a ceremonial sport, which aligns with the chosen answer.

 

7. D

 

Reference:

From Paragraph C, "The players had to pass the ball to each other, in a relatively small space, trying not to let it touch the ground.”
 

Explanation: This paragraph describes 'kemari,' a game that requires players to work together to keep the ball in the air without it touching the ground. The focus on cooperation and skill over competition highlights the teamwork aspect of the game, which justifies the answer about cooperation among players.

 

8. B

 

Reference:

From Paragraph D, "Each team member had his specific tactical assignment and took a noisy interest in the proceedings and the score.”
 

Explanation: The passage mentions that in 'harpastum,' each player had a distinct role or responsibility, indicating an organised approach to the game where individuals contributed to the overall team strategy. This structured method of play, where players had defined roles, supports the answer about individual responsibilities.

 

9. H

 

Reference:

From Paragraph E, "Frequently, the games took the form of a heated contest between whole villages.”
 

Explanation: The paragraph describes how football in Britain from the 8th to the 19th centuries often involved intense competitions between entire communities or villages. This detail about the game's competitive and communal nature supports the answer that football was played between different communities, making this option accurate.

 

10. E

 

Reference:

From Paragraph F, "In the 14th and 15th centuries, England, Scotland, and France all made football punishable by law...because the well-loved recreation prevented subjects from practising more useful military disciplines.”
 

Explanation: The paragraph explains that football was considered a distraction from more important activities, such as military training, leading to its prohibition. This reflects the authorities' view of football as an activity that diverted attention away from more crucial pursuits, justifying the answer regarding distraction.

 

11. A

 

Reference:

From Paragraph H, "A ‘games cult’ developed in schools, and some form of football became an obligatory part of the curriculum.”
 

Explanation: The passage highlights that football became an essential part of the school curriculum, encouraged for its educational and moral benefits. The institutionalization of football in schools shows that it was seen as a valuable activity for developing students, which aligns with the answer about football being encouraged in educational settings.

 

Also See: IELTS Academic 2024 Reading Resources

Questions and Answers 12-13
Do the following statements agree with the information given in the Reading Passage?
In boxes 12-13 on your answer sheet, write

  • TRUE if the statement agrees with the information
  • FALSE if the statement contradicts the information
  • NOT GIVEN if there is no information on this in the passage

 

12. Football has been played by men though in the 18th century both men and women started to play that game though kids regularly won in that game.
13. The earliest form of football involved kicking a leather ball through a 20-45 cm opening into huge net fixed onto bamboo canes.

 

The Beginning of Football Reading Answers with Explanations (12-13) 
 

Type of Question: True/False/Not Given 
 

These types of questions in IELTS reading involve identifying whether the sentence is  True, False, or Not Given using the given paragraph. 
 

How to best answer: 
 

  • Read the statements and paragraphs carefully to understand the context and meaning.
  • Identify keywords or key phrases in both the statements and paragraphs.
  • Look for direct matches between the statements and the content of the paragraphs.
  • Pay attention to synonyms or paraphrases that convey similar meanings.
  • Choose the paragraph that best aligns with the statement based on the information provided in the passage.

 

12. Not Given

 

Reference:

Not available

 

Explanation: The passage mentions that football was generally played by men and that women played in a Scottish town, with married women regularly winning. However, it does not mention children participating in these games, so the statement about kids winning is not addressed, making the answer "Not Given."

 

13. False

 

Reference:

From Paragraph B, "It involved kicking a leather ball through a 30-40 cm opening into a small net fixed onto long bamboo canes.”
 

Explanation: The statement in the question is incorrect because the passage clearly mentions that the opening was 30-40 cm, not 20-45 cm. This discrepancy in the measurements provided makes the statement false, as it contradicts the information given in the passage.

 

Also Read: Check out the eligibility criteria for the IELTS 2024 Exam here!

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FAQs

Q. How can I practice IELTS reading?

Ans. To practice IELTS reading, start by reading diverse materials such as newspapers, academic journals, and books to improve comprehension. Take timed practice tests to familiarise yourself with the exam format. Focus on skimming and scanning techniques to find information quickly. Additionally, review answer explanations to understand mistakes and improve. Regular practice with varied topics enhances speed, accuracy, and confidence.

Q. What is an IELTS Reading test?

Ans. The IELTS Reading test assesses your ability to understand and interpret texts in English. It consists of three sections with a total of 40 questions based on passages from books, magazines, newspapers, and journals. You'll encounter a variety of question types, including multiple-choice, matching, and true/false/not given. The test evaluates skills like reading for gist, main ideas, details, and inferring meanings from context.

Q. How long is the IELTS Reading test?

Ans. The IELTS Reading test is 60 minutes long. During this time, you’ll need to read three passages and answer 40 questions. There is no extra time provided for transferring answers, so it's important to manage your time effectively and write your answers directly on the answer sheet as you go. This requires good time management and the ability to quickly comprehend and analyze texts.