Practice English Reading Exercises for A2 – Video Games & Interactive Media
Reading 1
For each question, choose the correct answer.
1 Who created a game for someone in their family to play?
(A) Leo (B) Mia (C) Sam
2 Who watched a short film on the internet to learn how to build their game?
(A) Leo (B) Mia (C) Sam
3 Which person made all the pictures for their puzzle without any help?
(A) Leo (B) Mia (C) Sam
4 Who says their puzzle was too hard to finish in the beginning?
(A) Leo (B) Mia (C) Sam
5 Which person used a computer program that they didn’t have to pay for?
(A) Leo (B) Mia (C) Sam
6 Who let other students at their school play their game?
(A) Leo (B) Mia (C) Sam
7 Which person says it took a long time to complete their project?
(A) Leo (B) Mia (C) Sam
Designing Simple Puzzle Games
Leo
I love computers, so making my own puzzle on my laptop was really fun. Some people buy graphics, but I painted everything you see on the screen using a drawing app. I didn’t ask anyone to assist me with the art. When I finally finished the code, my older brother tried it. He couldn’t win because the puzzle was impossible to solve! I had to change the rules to make it simpler. I spent a bit of my pocket money on the programming software, but it was definitely worth it.
Mia
My grandfather loves doing puzzles, so I programmed one especially for him. I wanted him to play it on his tablet. The programming software I used was quite expensive, but it was very quick to learn. I actually completed the whole thing in just two days! My granddad really enjoyed it. After that, I showed the puzzle to my classmates during break time. They all thought it was brilliant and asked me how to make one. I didn’t watch any online lessons; I just read a book about it.
Sam
I wanted to build a game, but I didn’t know how to code. Fortunately, I found a free app that lets you build puzzles. It was great to save my cash! I wasn’t sure what to do at first, so I found a really helpful video on the web. It explained exactly where to click to build the levels. Making the puzzle work perfectly required many weeks of hard work. I got very tired! I didn’t draw the animals in the game; I just downloaded them from a website.
ANSWER KEY
1 B 2 C 3 A 4 A 5 C 6 B 7 C
Reading 2
For each question, choose the correct answer.
1 Which person plays games to make a short trip feel faster?
(A) Liam (B) Hannah (C) Oliver
2 Which person dislikes games that need the internet to work?
(A) Liam (B) Hannah (C) Oliver
3 Which person prefers phone games to reading during a trip?
(A) Liam (B) Hannah (C) Oliver
4 Which person chooses games that are very simple to play?
(A) Liam (B) Hannah (C) Oliver
5 Which person plays games because their travel ticket costs a lot of money?
(A) Liam (B) Hannah (C) Oliver
6 Who normally plays games when there is no seat available?
(A) Liam (B) Hannah (C) Oliver
7 Who started playing a game after a classmate told them about it?
(A) Liam (B) Hannah (C) Oliver
Playing Games While Commuting
Liam
I travel to college by train every morning. My monthly ticket is not cheap, so I want to get full value from my time. I see other people reading books, but I prefer my phone. I always choose apps that work offline because the train goes through deep tunnels where you lose the signal. A boy from my school suggested a fun block game, and now I play it every day. It can be quite a difficult puzzle game, but it keeps me awake before my first class.
Hannah
I go to work by bus. The bus is quite cheap, but the ride is usually long and boring. I used to open a book to pass the time, but phone puzzles are much more fun. The vehicle is always completely full, so I have to stand up during the journey. Luckily, casual phone games are easy to hold and play with just one hand. I use the free Wi-Fi on the bus to play online against other people. It is a fantastic way to relax.
Oliver
My daily ride to school on the tram is short, but playing on my device makes my 15-minute journey pass quickly. I always get a nice seat by the window, so I can sit back and relax. I find it hard to concentrate in the morning, so I only play basic matching games where I don’t have to use my brain too much. I found my favorite game myself on the app store last winter. It doesn’t cost anything to download, which is great.
ANSWER KEY
1 C 2 A 3 B 4 C 5 A 6 B 7 A
Reading 3
For each question, choose the correct answer.
1 Which person thinks the people in the game look like real humans?
(A) Leo (B) Maya (C) Finn
2 Which person bought the game after seeing a picture of it on the internet?
(A) Leo (B) Maya (C) Finn
3 Which person says the changing weather in the game is amazing?
(A) Leo (B) Maya (C) Finn
4 Which person feels that some parts of the game are too dark?
(A) Leo (B) Maya (C) Finn
5 Which person loves the clothes the characters wear?
(A) Leo (B) Maya (C) Finn
6 Which person thinks the animals in the game are drawn very well?
(A) Leo (B) Maya (C) Finn
7 Which person sometimes stops playing just to look at the beautiful views?
(A) Leo (B) Maya (C) Finn
A Beautiful Fantasy Game
Leo
I have been playing this new fantasy adventure game all week. The artwork is brilliant. When you travel through the world, the sun often disappears, and it starts to rain or snow. That is my favourite part because it looks so natural! I also love what the heroes are dressed in. Their boots and jackets are full of amazing details. You can ride a horse everywhere, but I never stop to look around. I prefer to run fast and complete the missions quickly!
Maya
The graphics in this adventure game are so lovely that I often put down my controller and just stare at the mountains and lakes. Sometimes I take screenshots to share on the internet with my friends. The faces of the heroes and villagers are fantastic. Their eyes and hair move exactly like ours do in real life! The only problem is when you go into the old woods. There isn’t enough light in there, so it is quite hard to see where you are walking.
Finn
I didn’t plan to get this game until I saw a photo of it on a gaming website. The colours looked so incredible that I had to buy it! The best artwork is on the wild creatures you meet. The big bears and flying birds look like wonderful paintings. Some people complain that the caves are completely black, but I think the shadows make it exciting. The characters carry some really cool swords and shields, although their dresses and shirts are a bit boring.
ANSWER KEY
1 B 2 C 3 A 4 B 5 A 6 C 7 B