Reading Comprehension: sample 10

(1) A sports reporter once wrote the following article for a London evening newspaper:

(2) When I was a young reporter, my father made sure I had a place at the front so that I could have a good view of the football match. If you let your child stand alone in the wrong place these days, he would probably be hurt or even killed. He would certainly learn some of the worst language. Football stadiums are not suitable for families anymore. If a football ground were a safer and more respectable place, some of them might be persuaded to return.

(3) Today's game was boring, because both teams appeared to play only for a draw. If both teams played to win, the crowds would return. What happened to scorelines like 5-5 and 4-2? It is unbelievable that one major club has not scored in the last six games. There would surely be bigger crowds if there were more goals and fewer fouls.

(4) We cannot really blame the youths who fight in the stadium. If their heroes on the field used less offensive language and had more self-control, the youths themselves would probably behave in a more civilized manner. If referees imposed harsher penalties, players would think more carefully before committing an offence.