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The Beginning of Football Reading Answers
Author
16-09-2025
The Beginning of Football reading answers are taken from Academic (AC) IELTS Reading Test.
| 1.ix | 5.iii | 9.D | 13.A |
| 2.x | 6.viii | 10.B | |
| 3.i | 7.vi | 11.H | |
| 4.vii | 8.I | 12.E |
Find the above image consists of The beginning of football reading answers solutions and verify your answers.
You must solve other IELTS reading passages to improve your reading skills. As this module is considered one of the toughest IELTS modules, you have to develop a clear idea of answering the questions. Therefore, we have provided The beginning of Football reading answers with locations which helps you to locate your answers with ease.
The Beginning of Football reading answers illustrates the evolution of the game known as Football in different nations at different time periods. There are a total of 14 IELTS reading question types out of which three distinct question types are provided for your practice purpose.
- IELTS Reading Matching Headings
- IELTS Reading Matching sentence endings
- IELTS Reading True/False/Not given
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Strategies for solving “The Beginning of Football”
Consider the given strategies to improve your IELTS band score before attempting The Beginning of Football reading test.
- The Beginning of Football passage taken from Academic IELTS Reading Test depicts the time circumstances which lead to the evolution of the game of Football.
- You have to match the keywords to the actual passage to locate the answers while solving the True/False/Not given question type.
- You must develop skimming and scanning skills so that you can effectively answer matching headings questions.
- Kindly, prepare a strategy to manage your time as you have only 60 minutes to answer all questions.
- Highlight names, dates and features to locate your answers and keywords easily.
- Find The Beginning of Football reading pdf included in this blog for your better practice experience.
Kindly refer to the IELTS reading tips before attempting the passage The Beginning of Football IELTS reading answers
IELTS reading passage - The Beginning of Football
You should spend about 20 minutes on Questions 1-13 which are based on Reading Passage 2 below. After you've attempted all the questions, review your answers using the provided The Beginning of Football reading answers with locations.
The Beginning of Football
A - Although the game itself is much older football as we know it now was 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 win.
B - Tsu'chu, which was played in China was the earliest form of football which have evidence that may date 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.
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 circula/r 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 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.
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.
E - The game that flourished in Britain between the 8th and 19th centuries was significantly different from all previously known versions; it was more disorganised, 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.
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 practising more useful military disciplines. None of these initiatives had an appreciable effect.
G - The popularity of the somewhat more organised 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 emphasised 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.
H - Until the early 19th century, when a number of influential English schools created their own modifications, the game existed in a disorganised 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.
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 draught a set of fundamental regulations to regulate their matches. This gathering signified the establishment of the Football Association.
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.
The Beginning of Football reading questions
Questions 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
Example Paragraph C Answer v
- Paragraph D
- Paragraph E
- Paragraph F
- Paragraph G
- Paragraph H
Click to know more about IELTS reading matching headings
Questions 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.
- was seen as something to be encouraged in the young.
- involved individual players having different responsibilities.
- was influenced by a game from another country.
- was a cooperative effort by all the players.
- distracted people from more important activities.
- was played by teams of a fixed size.
- was less popular than it later became.
- was often played by one community against another.
- 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.
Click to know more about IELTS reading matching sentence endings
Questions 12-13
TRUE if the statement agrees with the information
FALSE if the statement contradicts the information
NOT GIVEN if there is no information on this
Write your answers for the questions 12-13 on your answer sheet.
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.
Click to know more about IELTS reading true/false/not given
The Beginning of Football reading answers
| 1.IX | 5.iii | 9.H | 13.False |
| 2.X | 6.I | 10.E | |
| 3.i | 7.D | 11.A | |
| 4.Vii | 8.B | 12.Not given |
The Beginning of Football reading answers with explanation
The Beginning of Football reading answers with explanations can assist you in correcting errors and identifying the required information for your answer.
(Note: The text in italics is from the reading passage and shows the location from where the answer is taken or inferred. The text in the regular font explains the answer in detail.)
1. IX
Keyword Location: Paragraph D, full
Explanation: “The Romans had a much livelier game, ‘harpastum’. Each team member had his specific tactical assignment and took a noisy interest in the proceedings and the score. The role of the feet was so small, as scarcely to be of consequence. The game remained popular for 700 or 800 years, but, although it was taken to England, it is doubtful whether it can be considered as a forerunner of contemporary football.” This suggests that the Harpasatum wasn’t a promising antecedent of modern-day football. This is mentioned in paragraph D.
2. X
Keyword Location: Paragraph E, lines 1-3
Explanation: “The game that flourished in Britain from the 8th to the 19th centuries was substantially different from all the previously known forms – more disorganized, more violent, more spontaneous, and usually played by an indefinite number of players.” This suggests that the game that developed in Britain from the 8th to the 19th centuries considerably used to be led to chaos and disorganization.
3. i
Keyword Location: Paragraph F, lines 1-5
Explanation: “There was tremendous enthusiasm for football, even though the authorities repeatedly intervened to restrict it, as a public nuisance. In the 14th and 15th centuries, England, Scotland, and France all made football punishable by law, because of the disorder that commonly accompanied it, or because the well-loved recreation prevented subjects from practising more useful military disciplines.” The authorities trying to limit and curb the game suggests that the game was being tried to be suppressed and limited, however, the efforts were unsuccessful.
4. Vii
Keyword Location: Paragraph G, lines 4-6
Explanation: “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.” This is suggestive of the minute proposals aimed at refining the game for better organization and discipline.
5. iii
Keyword Location: Paragraph H, lines 4-6
Explanation: “It was recognized in educational circles that, as a team game, football helped to develop such fine qualities as loyalty, selflessness, cooperation, subordination, and deference to the team spirit.” Thus, football started being seen as a way to inculcate moral values and brotherhood among the students in the education system.
6. I
Keyword Location: Paragraph B, lines 1-3
Explanation: “The very earliest form of football for which we have evidence is the ‘tsu’chu’, which was played in China and may date back 3,000 years. It was performed in front of the Emperor during festivities to mark his birthday.” This suggests that the Tsu’chu was played on the day of an event or celebration, such as the king’s birthday. Therefore, the answer is option I.
7. D
Keyword Location: Paragraph C full
Explanation: “Another form of the game, also originating from the Far East, was the Japanese ‘kemari’ which dates from about the fifth century and is still played today. This is a type of circular football game, a more dignified and ceremonious experience requiring certain skills, but not competitive in the way the Chinese game was, nor is there the slightest sign of struggle for possession of the ball. The players had to pass the ball to each other, in a relatively small space, trying not to let it touch the ground.” This suggests that the Kemari game was played by the cooperation and synchronization of the players Therefore, the answer is option D.
8. B
Keyword Location: Paragraph D, lines 1-2
Explanation: “The Romans had a much livelier game, ‘harpastum’. Each team member had his specific tactical assignment and took a noisy interest in the proceedings and the score.” This suggests that the Harpastum was very energetic and involved the players who all had different responsibilities. Therefore, the answer is option B.
9. H
Keyword Location: Paragraph E, lines 1-4
Explanation: “The game that flourished in Britain from the 8th to the 19th centuries was substantially different from all the previously known forms – more disorganized, more violent, more spontaneous, and usually played by an indefinite number of players. Frequently, the games took the form of a heated contest between whole villages.” This suggests that the game that flourished in Britain from the 8th to the 19th centuries was quite aggressive and intensive. It was so competitive that it used to take the form of a vehement battle between the teams that used to play against each other. Therefore, the answer is option H.
10. E
Keyword Location: Paragraph F, lines 2-5
Explanation: “In the 14th and 15th centuries, England, Scotland, and France all made football punishable by law, because of the disorder that commonly accompanied it, or because the well-loved recreation prevented subjects from practising more useful military disciplines.” This suggests that football was banned and prohibited as it used to be considered a distracting activity that took people’s interest off more important activities such as military disciplines. Therefore, the answer is option E.
11. A
Keyword Location: Paragraph H, lines 4-7
Explanation: “It was recognized in educational circles that, as a team game, football helped to develop such fine qualities as loyalty, selflessness, cooperation, subordination, and deference to the team spirit. A ‘games cult’ developed in schools, and some form of football became an obligatory part of the curriculum.” This suggests that football became an integral and essential part of the curriculum in the education system. Students were encouraged to play the game. Therefore, the answer is option A.
12. Not given
Explanation: The answer is not given as kids is not mentioned in the passage. It states that “It has generally been played by men, though at the end of the 17th century, games were played between married and single women in a town in Scotland. The married women regularly won.”
13. False
Keyword Location: Paragraph B, line 4-6
Explanation: “The answer is false as the opening to kick the ball is 30-40 cm instead of 30-45 cm.” It states that” It involved kicking a leather ball through a 30-40 cm opening into a small net fixed onto long bamboo canes – a feat that demanded great skill and excellent technique.”
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Conclusion
"The Beginning of Football reading answers" article provides you answers with clear explanations which might help you to improve your skimming and scanning skills. To finish the IELTS test in a given time, effective time management is necessary.
About Author Roshan Sunthar
Roshan Sunthar is a study abroad expert as well as a renowned writer and author in international education. His academic excellence and 5+ years of work experience give him in-depth knowledge of international standardised exams and test preparation in IELTS, TOEFL, GRE, PTE, SAT, etc. The study materials he prepares incorporate exam-like questions. He’s also an expert in writing Statement of Purposes (SOPs) and Letter of Recommendations (LORs) for college admissions. He usually spends his leisure time watching English classics and documentaries, travelling, etc.
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