Practice English Reading Exercises for A2 – Eco-friendly & Personal Transport
Reading 1
For each question, choose the correct answer.
1 Who walks to school with an older family member?
(A) Leo (B) Maya (C) Toby
2 Which person wears something that helps drivers see them?
(A) Leo (B) Maya (C) Toby
3 Who says they use different transport when the weather is very bad?
(A) Leo (B) Maya (C) Toby
4 Which person carries something to help them see the path?
(A) Leo (B) Maya (C) Toby
5 Who chooses a route that has lots of street lamps?
(A) Leo (B) Maya (C) Toby
6 Which person leaves the house earlier than usual in winter?
(A) Leo (B) Maya (C) Toby
7 Who makes sure they go to a safe place to cross the street?
(A) Leo (B) Maya (C) Toby
Walking to school in the dark
Leo
Winter mornings are very dark here. I usually walk to school, but if it is snowing or raining hard, my dad gives me a lift in his car or I catch the bus. When I do walk on my own, I always stay on the main roads. I never take the quick way through the park because it has no lights. It is much safer to walk where everything is bright. I don’t wear a special coat, but my backpack is red and easy to see.
Maya
The sun doesn’t come up until after I am in my classroom. Because it is so dark, my parents don’t let me go alone. I always go with my teenage sister. Sometimes we take the bus if we wake up late, but usually we walk. My sister has a really bright jacket. I always hold a small torch in my hand. It is very useful because it shows me where I am stepping so I don’t fall over in the snow.
Toby
Walking to school in December can be dangerous if you aren’t careful. I always depart from my house ten minutes before I do in the spring, because I need more time to walk slowly on the ice. I walk by myself, not with my brother. To stay safe from cars, I put on a bright yellow jacket that reflects the light. Also, I never just walk into the road. I wait at the traffic lights, even if it takes longer, so cars will stop for me.
ANSWER KEY
1 B 2 C 3 A 4 B 5 A 6 C 7 C
Reading 2
For each question, choose the correct answer.
1 Who had an issue with their motorbike?
(A) Harry (B) Oliver (C) Ben
2 Who wore the wrong clothes for the trip?
(A) Harry (B) Oliver (C) Ben
3 Who went inside a building to get out of the storm?
(A) Harry (B) Oliver (C) Ben
4 Who drove slower than they usually do?
(A) Harry (B) Oliver (C) Ben
5 Who was on their way to visit a relative?
(A) Harry (B) Oliver (C) Ben
6 Who went the wrong way because it was hard to see?
(A) Harry (B) Oliver (C) Ben
7 Who thought the weather was going to be fine?
(A) Harry (B) Oliver (C) Ben
Caught in a Rainstorm
Harry
I looked at the news on TV in the morning, and the man said it would be sunny all afternoon. So, I just put on a thin t-shirt and shorts. When the heavy rain suddenly started, I was freezing! I was driving to my best friend’s house. Because the water was coming down so hard, I couldn’t read the street signs. I turned left instead of right and got completely lost for an hour. My motorbike worked perfectly, but I was so wet!
Oliver
I always carry a thick waterproof jacket on my motorbike, so my clothes didn’t get wet. However, the water on the road was very deep. Suddenly, my engine made a strange noise and died. It wouldn’t start again! I had to push my bike along the street. Luckily, I saw a small restaurant. I went through the doors, ordered a hot coffee, and sat there until the sky was clear again. It was a terrible afternoon, but at least I didn’t get lost.
Ben
I was riding to my uncle’s farm when the rain began. I knew the way perfectly, so I didn’t take any wrong turns. I saw a shop, but I didn’t stop to wait inside because I really wanted to arrive before dark. The streets were full of water, which is dangerous for motorbikes. I didn’t want to fall, so I rode at twenty kilometers an hour instead of fifty. It took a long time, but I finally got there safely.
ANSWER KEY
1 B 2 A 3 B 4 C 5 C 6 A 7 A
Reading 3
For each question, choose the correct answer.
1 Who feels their home moving when vehicles go past?
(A) Arthur (B) Bella (C) Carlos
2 Who wants to move to a new house because of the traffic?
(A) Arthur (B) Bella (C) Carlos
3 Who talked to an important person in the village about the problem?
(A) Arthur (B) Bella (C) Carlos
4 Who thinks the roads are not safe for kids?
(A) Arthur (B) Bella (C) Carlos
5 Who says the loud sounds are worse at the weekend?
(A) Arthur (B) Bella (C) Carlos
6 Who put things in their garden to make it quieter?
(A) Arthur (B) Bella (C) Carlos
7 Who has problems sleeping because of the noise?
(A) Arthur (B) Bella (C) Carlos
Loud Trucks in Our Village
Arthur
The traffic in our village is getting worse. Many big lorries drive past my front door every day. I am lucky because my bedroom is at the back of the building, so I can shut my eyes and rest perfectly at night. However, during the day, the engines are really loud. It is actually much worse on Saturdays and Sundays when even more drivers use our small roads. Last week, I had a meeting with the village leader. I asked him to stop these huge vehicles from coming here, but he said he cannot do anything.
Bella
I have lived in this village for ten years, and I will never leave my home here. But the heavy lorries are terrible. Every time one drives past, the whole building shakes. Sometimes, my cups even fall off the kitchen table! To block the terrible noise, I recently grew some really tall trees near the road. Sadly, they don’t help much at all. I am always tired at work now because the loud engines wake me up at three or four in the morning. It is very hard to live like this.
Carlos
In the past, this was a beautiful place. Now, hundreds of massive trucks drive through the centre every single afternoon. It makes me very angry. Because the road is so busy with fast vehicles, it is really dangerous for little boys and girls. They can’t ride their bikes or run around outside anymore. I wanted to tell the village leader about it, but I didn’t have time. Instead, I have decided to pack my things. I am going to buy a quiet apartment in a different town next spring.
ANSWER KEY
1 B 2 C 3 A 4 C 5 A 6 B 7 B