Practice English Reading Exercises for A2 – Music, Arts & Creative Hobbies

Exercises:   12345

Reading 1

For each question, choose the correct answer.

Learning to Play Online

My name is Leo, and I am fourteen years old. I have always loved listening to music, especially rock bands. For my birthday last month, my parents bought me a beautiful acoustic guitar. I was very excited, but there was one problem: I didn’t know how to play it at all.

At first, I tried to find a teacher in my town. However, the music schools were very expensive, and the teachers were too busy. Then, my older sister had a brilliant idea. She told me to look for video lessons on the internet. I found a great website with a really friendly online teacher.

In the beginning, learning on my laptop was quite difficult. My fingers hurt a lot, and the strings made a terrible noise. But I didn’t stop. I practised for half an hour every evening after dinner. After three weeks, something amazing happened. I finally played my favourite rock song perfectly!

Now, I really enjoy my online classes and I am learning new music every week. My best friend plays the drums, so we are going to start a band together. We hope to play in front of our classmates at the school concert next summer. Learning online was definitely the best choice for me!

1   What was Leo’s problem after his birthday?

     (A) He did not like the acoustic guitar from his parents.

     (B) He had no idea how to use his new instrument.

     (C) He wanted to listen to his favourite rock bands instead.

2   Why did Leo decide to study on the internet?

     (A) The teachers in his town cost too much money.

     (B) His older sister was a very busy teacher.

     (C) The music schools did not have video lessons.

3   What does Leo say about his guitar practice?

     (A) He stopped because the strings made a terrible noise.

     (B) It took him half an hour to learn his favourite rock song.

     (C) It was hard at first, but he succeeded by working hard.

4   What is Leo planning to do next summer?

     (A) start playing the drums with his best friend

     (B) perform live music for other students

     (C) take his online classes at the school concert

5   Why has Leo written this text?

     (A) to explain how to find a cheap acoustic guitar online

     (B) to talk about his experience of learning to play an instrument

     (C) to tell teenagers why they must start a rock band

Reading 2

For each question, choose the correct answer.

The Loud Practice of a New Drummer

Fourteen-year-old Max has always loved listening to rock music. Last month, his music teacher decided to start a new school band. They already had two guitarists and a singer, but they really needed someone to play the drums. Max immediately bought a second-hand drum kit and joined the group.

Max wanted to be excellent, so he had to practise a lot. At first, he put the drums in his bedroom, but it was too small. So, he moved everything into the family garage. He spent two hours there every afternoon. He hit the drums very hard, and it was incredibly noisy.

His parents were a bit worried about the loud sounds. They thought the people living next door would be angry. However, their neighbours didn’t mind at all. An old lady from the next house even spoke to Max. She said she liked the music and it made her smile while she worked in her garden.

Last Friday, the school band played their very first concert in the main hall. Hundreds of students came to watch, and the music was fantastic. Max felt extremely proud of his hard work. Next year, he hopes to write his own songs. He knows he needs to practise more, but he is excited for the future.

1   Why did Max become part of the new group?

     (A) The band required a person to play his instrument.

     (B) His music teacher decided to start a new school band.

     (C) They already had two guitarists and a singer.

2   Why did Max practise in the garage?

     (A) His bedroom was not big enough for his equipment.

     (B) He wanted to be excellent, so he had to practise a lot.

     (C) He hit the drums very hard, and it was incredibly noisy.

3   What did the old lady think about Max’s playing?

     (A) She was pleased by the tunes she heard.

     (B) She was a bit worried about the loud sounds.

     (C) She thought the people living next door would be angry.

4   What is Max’s goal for next year?

     (A) To compose some new music by himself.

     (B) To play their very first concert in the main hall.

     (C) To feel extremely proud of his hard work.

5   What is the best title for the article?

     (A) The teenager who helped his school band succeed

     (B) How to start a new school band

     (C) The people living next door

Reading 3

For each question, choose the correct answer.

A Love for Live Music

Sixteen-year-old Chloe has an exciting hobby. While her classmates usually spend their pocket money on clothes or video games, Chloe loves buying tickets for live pop concerts. She started doing this two years ago when her older sister took her to a music festival. Since then, she has been to fifteen different shows!

Chloe doesn’t just watch the bands; she also collects the paper tickets. She keeps them safely in a large blue album on her bedroom desk. After every concert, she writes short notes on the back of the ticket. She writes about the songs the band played and the interesting people she met in the crowd.

Last month, Chloe went to see her favourite pop group in London. The weather was terrible, and it rained all evening. Her friends were worried about the rain, but Chloe didn’t care because the music was incredibly loud and fun. At the end of the show, the singer smiled and threw his towel into the crowd, and Chloe caught it!

Now, Chloe is saving her cash for something very special. Next year, a famous American singer is coming to the UK. The concert tickets are quite expensive, so Chloe is working at a local café every Saturday to get enough money. When she finishes school, she hopes to get a job organising big music events.

1   How did Chloe’s hobby begin?

     (A) She spent her pocket money on clothes and video games.

     (B) A family member went to a music event with her.

     (C) She bought fifteen different tickets for her classmates.

2   What does Chloe do with her concert tickets?

     (A) She leaves them on her bedroom desk for the bands.

     (B) She puts pictures of the people she met on the back.

     (C) She writes information about the shows behind them.

3   How did Chloe feel about the concert in London?

     (A) She was worried about the rain all evening.

     (B) She had a great time even though the weather was terrible.

     (C) She thought the music was terrible because it rained.

4   Why is Chloe working at a café?

     (A) To earn cash to see a famous American singer.

     (B) Because she hopes to get a job organising big music events.

     (C) Because concert tickets are quite expensive in the US.

5   What is the best title for the article?

     (A) The best large blue album for tickets

     (B) How to save your cash for an American singer

     (C) A teenager’s passion for live pop concerts

Exercises:   12345