Practice English Reading Exercises for A2 – Transport & Journeys

Exercises:   12345

Reading 1

For each question, choose the correct answer.

A Kind Action at the Station

Fifteen-year-old Mark usually stays at home on Saturday mornings. But last weekend, he was at the main bus station in his city. He was waiting for a bus to visit his aunt in a different town. His bus was late, so he was feeling quite bored.

Suddenly, Mark noticed an old lady. She had a huge red suitcase and she was walking very slowly. The bag looked extremely heavy, and the woman seemed really tired. Many busy people just walked past her without stopping to ask if she needed anything.

Mark immediately walked over to the woman and offered to help. He picked up the heavy suitcase and carried it all the way to her bus. During their short walk, she explained that she was travelling to see her grandchildren. Before she got on the bus, she smiled and gave Mark a large bar of chocolate to say thank you.

A few minutes later, Mark’s bus finally arrived. He sat down in his seat and ate some of his delicious present. He wasn’t bored anymore. He thought about the old lady and felt fantastic. He realised that doing something kind for a stranger can make your whole day better.

1   Why was Mark at the bus station?

     (A) He was travelling to spend time with a family member.

     (B) He wanted to stay at home on Saturday mornings.

     (C) He was waiting for a bus to travel around his city.

2  What was happening when Mark noticed the woman?

     (A) Many busy people stopped to ask if she needed anything.

     (B) She was having trouble moving with her large bag.

     (C) She quickly walked past her without stopping.

3   What did the woman do to show she was grateful?

     (A) She offered to help him pick up his heavy suitcase.

     (B) She invited him to travel to see her grandchildren.

     (C) She gave him something nice to eat.

4   How did Mark feel after he got on his bus?

     (A) He was still feeling quite bored.

     (B) He felt great because of his helpful actions.

     (C) He felt like a stranger making a short walk.

5   What is the best title for the article?

     (A) How to visit your aunt in a different town

     (B) The busy people at the main bus station

     (C) The boy who helped a tired traveller

Reading 2

For each question, choose the correct answer.

Tom’s Travel Discovery

Sixteen-year-old Tom visits his grandparents twice a year. They live in a city which is 800 kilometres away. Usually, his family takes a plane to get there. Flying is incredibly fast, and the journey only takes two hours. However, Tom never enjoys waiting in the busy airport, and he hates sitting in a small seat.

This summer, everything was different. Tom’s dad bought a new car and decided they should drive to his grandparents’ house instead. At first, Tom was unhappy about this idea. He knew the drive would take twelve hours. He was sure he would feel really bored for the whole day.

But the journey was actually fantastic! They didn’t just drive; they stopped at several amazing places. They had a picnic near a beautiful blue lake and visited a famous old castle. Tom realised that when you are on a plane, you can only look at white clouds. In a car, you can explore the real country.

Now, Tom has a new favourite way to travel. He knows that flying is the quickest way to move from place to place, and it is great for business. But for a family holiday, the road is much better because the journey becomes part of the fun. He hopes they will use the car again next winter.

1   How does Tom feel about taking a plane?

     (A) He thinks it is not a pleasant experience.

     (B) He enjoys waiting in the busy airport.

     (C) He likes sitting in a small seat.

2   When his dad decided to drive, Tom

     (A) wanted to buy a new car.

     (B) expected the trip to be very uninteresting.

     (C) was happy to drive for twelve hours.

3   What did Tom like about the road trip?

     (A) driving the car to a famous old castle

     (B) looking at white clouds in the sky

     (C) discovering things you cannot see from the air

4   What is Tom’s opinion about flying now?

     (A) It is his new favourite way to travel.

     (B) It is a good choice for people travelling for their jobs.

     (C) It becomes part of the fun of a family holiday.

5   What is the best title for the article?

     (A) Why driving is more fun than flying

     (B) How to buy a fast new car

     (C) The quickest way to visit my grandparents

Reading 3

For each question, choose the correct answer.

A Long Day at the Airport

I am finally sitting on the plane, so I have some time to write in my diary. This morning, I woke up at five o’clock. I was so excited because my family and I were going to Spain for our summer holiday. We quickly packed our bags into the car and my dad drove us to the airport. The roads were empty, so we arrived very early.

However, when we looked at the big information screen inside, we saw some bad news. Our flight to Madrid was delayed by four hours! A woman at the desk explained that there was a terrible storm over the sea. She said it was too dangerous for planes to fly. I felt really sad because I wanted to be on the beach already.

We had to wait a long time, but we found things to do. First, my parents bought some sandwiches and hot drinks at a café. After we ate, my little sister and I walked around the shops. I bought a new magazine to read on the plane, and she found some nice sweets.

At exactly two o’clock in the afternoon, we finally walked onto the plane. I am very tired now, but I am not angry anymore. The pilot says the weather in Spain is beautiful and sunny. I can’t wait to start my holiday!

1   What do we learn about the trip to the airport?

     (A) The family reached the building ahead of schedule.

     (B) The teenager had to drive the car to the airport.

     (C) The family quickly packed their bags on the empty roads.

2   Why couldn’t the family fly immediately?

     (A) The weather conditions outside were extremely bad.

     (B) There was a terrible storm waiting for them in Madrid.

     (C) The woman at the desk said the plane was too dangerous.

3   What did the teenager get at the shops?

     (A) Something to look at during the journey.

     (B) Some sandwiches and hot drinks.

     (C) Some nice sweets to eat on the plane.

4   How does the teenager feel now that they are on the plane?

     (A) Exhausted but no longer upset.

     (B) Very angry about waiting until two o’clock.

     (C) Beautiful and sunny like the weather in Spain.

5   What is the best title for this diary entry?

     (A) A slow start to the summer holiday

     (B) A terrible storm in sunny Spain

     (C) How to pack your bags quickly

Exercises:   12345