Written Comprehension

UNIT 1 Test Level 1
WRITTEN COMPREHENSION
Read the magazine article and answer the questions that follow.
EQUALITY ON THE PITCH

I On Monday 5th April 2021, Port Vale beat Harrogate Town 2-0 at football. It wasn’t an important match,
but it made history because Rebecca Welch became the first female referee to be chosen to take charge
of a match in the English men’s Football League. Women had refereed men’s matches at a lower level
and one had taken over towards the end of a match when the official referee had been injured, but
Rebecca‘s achievement marked a new era in English football. Fortunately for Rebecca, it wasn’t a difficult
match to be in charge of. She turned down a couple of appeals for penalties, but there were no serious
problems from the players or spectators. Managers of a losing team have a reputation for blaming
referees after a defeat, but the Harrogate manager praised Rebecca for making good decisions.
II Rebecca has been very positive about the reaction of professional players towards her. In fact, some male
referees have noted that players tend to treat her with more respect than if she were male. That doesn’t
mean to say that old-fashioned attitudes have died out completely. There are still problems for women
when refereeing matches between smaller teams, the problems seeming to increase as the level of the
teams drops. Another referee remembers how she once showed a red card to an assistant manager of a
lower league team, who told her that she should be in the kitchen, not on a football pitch.
III Even positive comments can reveal a sexist attitude on the part of the speaker. A compliment such as
‘You were really good’ can be as annoying as an insult when said in a surprised tone of voice as if to say
that it is unbelievable that a woman could do the job so well.
IV The worst problems, though, are often faced by referees of children’s matches. The players usually accept
decisions without complaint. However, even before kick-off, mums and dads can start getting carried
away, and any decision which goes against their child is met with fierce criticism and personal abuse, with
sexist comments if the referee is female. Many of these referees are only teenagers themselves, and it’s
difficult for them to concentrate on what they are doing when accused of being incompetent or even
cheating.
V Fortunately, things are changing, even if slowly. It is evident that the behaviour of players and fans at
lower levels of the game is affected by watching top players on television. The hope is that, when women
are regularly seen on television taking charge of the biggest matches, they will be accepted by players,
managers, fans and even parents at all levels of the game. Perhaps the top players and managers could
show the same consideration to male referees as well. That might be a little too optimistic!
1
UNIT 1 Test Level 1
1 Choose the correct answer. (4 x 2 = 8 points)

1. Rebecca Welch became the first woman to … .
a. act as a referee at an English football match
b. referee an entire football match between men’s teams
c. take charge of an entire English Football League men’s match
d. qualify as a professional referee in England
2. During the match, Rebecca … .
a. gave one of the sides a penalty
b. upset one of the managers
c. had no difficult decisions to make
d. should have given a penalty
3. According to the writer, … .
a. male referees don’t accept Rebecca
b. Rebecca has more problems than male referees
c. the lower the level, the more problems female referees face
d. players treat Rebecca the same as any other referee
4. Refereeing children’s matches is a problem because of the … .
a. age of the referees
b. mistakes made by referees
c. attitudes of the players
d. behaviour of the parents
2 Complete the sentences in your own words. (5 x 2 = 10 points)

1. The first woman to referee a part of an English men’s Football League game had to do so because
...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... .
2. The Harrogate manager, unlike many other managers, didn’t ................................................................................................................. .

3. When watching their children play football, parents often ............................................................................................................................. .
4. Players and supporters of football often copy ........................................................................................................................................................... .

5. The writer doesn’t think that there will be a change ............................................................................................................................................ .
3 Find words or expressions in the article that mean the opposite of: (6 x 2 = 12 points)
1. accepted (paragraph I) ...............................................................................
2. trendy (paragraph II) ...............................................................................
3. partially (paragraph II) ...............................................................................
4. rises (paragraph II) ...............................................................................
5. mild (paragraph IV) ...............................................................................
6. uncertain (paragraph V) ...............................................................................

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UNIT 1 Test Level 1

EQUALITY ON THE PITCH

1 Choose the correct answer. (4 x 2 = 8 points)

2 Complete the sentences in your own words. (5 x 2 = 10 points)

2. The Harrogate manager, unlike many other managers, didn’t ................................................................................................................. .

4. Players and supporters of football often copy ........................................................................................................................................................... .

2. trendy (paragraph II) ...............................................................................

3. partially (paragraph II) ...............................................................................

4. rises (paragraph II) ...............................................................................

5. mild (paragraph IV) ...............................................................................

6. uncertain (paragraph V) ...............................................................................

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