Practice English Reading Exercises for A2 – Arts, Music & Literature
Reading 1
For each question, choose the correct answer.
The Teenager Sharing Scary Local Legends
Sixteen-year-old Mark lives in an old town with a lot of history. Since he was a young boy, his grandfather has told him scary stories about the area. Mark loves these spooky legends. Last month, he decided to start a podcast because he wanted to share these amazing tales with other teenagers.
Starting the project wasn’t easy for Mark. He needed to record his voice, but he didn’t have any money to buy expensive equipment. Luckily, his computer teacher, Mr. Clark, let him borrow a good microphone from the school. Then, Mark’s older sister showed him how to use free software to make the audio sound great.
For his first episode, Mark talked about a famous local bridge. Some people say they hear strange noises there at night. When he put the podcast on the internet, he felt quite worried. However, the next day at school, his classmates said they loved it! They thought it was really interesting and asked him to make more episodes.
Now, Mark’s podcast is very popular in his town. He makes a new programme every two weeks. Next month, he is going to invite some older people to be on his podcast. They will talk about the scary things they saw in the past. Mark enjoys his hobby so much that he hopes to become a radio presenter in the future.
1 Why did Mark start his podcast?
(A) He wished to let other young people hear the stories.
(B) His grandfather wanted to share these amazing tales.
(C) He lives in an old town with a lot of history.
2 How did Mark get the things he needed to record his voice?
(A) He used his money to buy expensive equipment.
(B) A teacher allowed him to take an item from the school.
(C) His older sister showed him how to use a good microphone.
3 How did Mark feel when his first episode went on the internet?
(A) He was anxious about what people would think.
(B) He was scared because he heard strange noises there at night.
(C) He was happy because he thought it was really interesting.
4 What is Mark going to do next month?
(A) Become a radio presenter in the future.
(B) Have some guests on his show to tell their stories.
(C) Make a new programme every two weeks.
5 What is the best title for the article?
(A) How to buy expensive equipment for a podcast
(B) The local bridge that makes strange noises at night
(C) The schoolboy recording spooky stories from his town
ANSWER KEY
1 A 2 B 3 A 4 B 5 C
Reading 2
For each question, choose the correct answer.
The Teenager Making Garden Theatre
Fourteen-year-old Mia has always loved acting. During the summer holidays, she saw that the young children in her street were quite bored. They usually just played football or watched television all day. Mia wanted to give them something more exciting to do, so she decided to organize a theatre play in her garden.
First, Mia wrote a short story about a magical forest. Then, she needed to find clothes for the actors. Her aunt gave her some big old dresses and colorful coats. They were perfect! The children didn’t buy anything new. Instead, they made their own animal hats using paper and paint.
The group practiced twice a week. In the beginning, it was not an easy job. Some of the younger kids forgot what they had to say, and Mia felt quite stressed. However, she didn’t get angry. She played fun memory games with them, and soon everyone remembered their words perfectly.
Last Saturday, all the neighbors came to watch the show. They sat on comfortable chairs on the grass. The children were fantastic, and nobody made a mistake. Afterwards, the parents clapped loudly and gave Mia a beautiful box of chocolates. Mia felt incredibly proud. Next summer, she hopes to organize an even bigger show.
1 Why did Mia decide to organize a play?
(A) She wanted to offer the local kids a more interesting activity.
(B) She wanted to play football or watch television all day.
(C) She has always loved acting in her garden.
2 How did the children get their costumes?
(A) Her aunt made their own animal hats using paper and paint.
(B) They wore used clothing and built some items themselves.
(C) The children decided to buy anything new for the actors.
3 What happened during the practice?
(A) Mia felt quite stressed and got angry with the younger kids.
(B) Everyone remembered their words perfectly in the beginning.
(C) Mia used an entertaining method to help the group learn.
4 How did the event end?
(A) The children were fantastic and gave Mia a beautiful box of chocolates.
(B) The adults loved the performance and gave the director a present.
(C) All the neighbors hope to organize an even bigger show next summer.
5 What is the best title for the article?
(A) How to play fun memory games in the summer
(B) The teenager who directed a play for local children
(C) Why parents sat on comfortable chairs on the grass
ANSWER KEY
1 A 2 B 3 C 4 B 5 B
Reading 3
For each question, choose the correct answer.
The Teenager Making Music for His Town
Sixteen-year-old Leo has always loved listening to music, but last year he decided to make his own. He started by learning the piano online. A few months later, his uncle gave him an old guitar, and then Leo bought some drums with his pocket money. He now plays all three instruments, which is quite unusual for someone his age.
Learning three instruments at the same time is not easy. Leo has to practice every afternoon. His parents don’t mind the quiet sounds of his electronic piano because he wears headphones. However, they often tell him to stop playing the drums because they are incredibly loud. So, he usually waits and practices the drums when his parents go out to the supermarket.
Last month, the owner of a popular local café heard Leo playing his guitar in the park. She liked his music and invited him to perform for her customers on Saturday afternoons. Leo felt quite nervous about playing in front of strangers, but he said yes because he wanted to share his talent.
His first performance was a fantastic success. Now, lots of teenagers visit the café at weekends just to hear him play. Leo enjoys performing alone, but his new dream is to find other young musicians and start a rock band. He is currently looking for a singer to join him.
1 How did Leo get his guitar?
(A) He bought it with his pocket money.
(B) It was a present from a relative.
(C) He started by learning it online.
2 What does Leo do when he wants to play his drums?
(A) He makes sure he wears headphones.
(B) He plays them when he goes out to the supermarket.
(C) He chooses a time when his mother and father are not at home.
3 Why did Leo agree to play music at the café?
(A) He wanted other people to listen to him.
(B) Because he was playing his guitar in the park.
(C) Because he felt quite nervous about playing.
4 What is Leo hoping to do next?
(A) Visit the café at weekends with lots of teenagers.
(B) Discover a person who can perform with him.
(C) Spend more time performing alone on Saturdays.
5 What is the best title for the article?
(A) The boy who entertains people with his instruments
(B) How to find musicians to start a rock band
(C) The most popular local café for teenagers
ANSWER KEY
1 B 2 C 3 A 4 B 5 A