Practice English Reading Exercises for A2 – Extended Stays & Relocations
Reading 1
For each question, choose the correct answer.
City Lights and Seaside Nights
Sixteen-year-old Clara usually lives in a quiet village by the sea. But last September, she packed her bags and moved to London for six months. She wanted to study at a famous art college there. In her village, everyone knows each other, so living in a huge capital city was a very big change for her.
During the first few weeks, Clara felt quite unhappy. The city was incredibly busy and the streets were too noisy at night, so she couldn’t sleep well. One afternoon, she took the underground train to visit a museum but she got completely lost. She just wanted to go back to her family.
However, after a month, things started to improve. Clara met some lovely girls at her art college. They showed her the best places to visit in the city. They spent their weekends exploring interesting street markets and eating in cheap cafes. Clara slowly learned how to travel around without getting lost and began to love the fast life of the capital.
Next week, Clara’s six months in London will finish and she is going to return to her village. She is really looking forward to seeing her parents and walking on the beach again. But she knows she will never forget her amazing city adventure.
1 Why did Clara go to London?
(A) to do a course at a special school
(B) to visit a quiet village by the sea
(C) to meet people who know each other
2 What problem did Clara have at the beginning?
(A) She had to visit a museum every afternoon.
(B) She found it difficult to get enough rest.
(C) She could not find the underground train.
3 How did Clara’s new friends help her?
(A) They taught her how to travel around without getting lost.
(B) They bought her meals when they ate in cheap cafes.
(C) They took her to look around great parts of town.
4 How does Clara feel about going home?
(A) happy to spend time with her parents soon
(B) ready to forget her amazing city adventure
(C) sad that she cannot walk on the beach again
5 What is the best title for the article?
(A) The best art college in the city
(B) A village girl’s time in the capital
(C) How to find cheap cafes in London
ANSWER KEY
1 A 2 B 3 C 4 A 5 B
Reading 2
For each question, choose the correct answer.
My Freezing Study Adventure
I moved to Hanoi for a special study programme. It started on October 18th and finished on April 5th. In my hometown, it is always hot, so I was really excited about living in a colder place for the winter and spring. I thought it would be fun, so I only packed a few light sweaters for my trip.
But the winter was much colder than I expected! In December and January, the temperature was very low. I quickly had to go shopping for a heavy coat and warm boots. Waking up early for my morning classes was the hardest part. It was completely dark and freezing outside, and I just wanted to stay in my warm bed.
In February and March, the season changed to spring. It wasn’t freezing anymore, but it rained a lot. However, I slowly started to enjoy the cool weather. I loved drinking hot coffee in small cafes with my new classmates. On the weekends, we also walked around the beautiful lakes in the city centre.
My course finished in April, and I returned to my hot, sunny hometown. Now, I actually miss the cold days of the north. Next year, I hope to go back and visit my friends. It was a wonderful experience, but I will definitely pack better clothes next time!
1 How did the writer feel about moving to a colder region at first?
(A) He felt very happy about the change in weather.
(B) He only packed a few light sweaters.
(C) He was glad that it is always hot in his hometown.
2 What was the most difficult thing for the writer during winter?
(A) He had to go shopping for a heavy coat.
(B) Getting out of his bed to attend his lessons.
(C) The temperature was very low in December.
3 What did the writer do in the spring?
(A) He watched how the season changed to spring.
(B) He spent time enjoying hot drinks with other students.
(C) He wasn’t freezing anymore but it rained a lot.
4 What does the writer say in the final paragraph?
(A) He wants to return to his hot, sunny hometown.
(B) He had a wonderful experience packing better clothes.
(C) He wishes to travel there again in the future.
5 What is the best title for the article?
(A) My cold months studying in a new city
(B) How to go shopping for a heavy coat
(C) A hot, sunny holiday in April
ANSWER KEY
1 A 2 B 3 B 4 C 5 A
Reading 3
For each question, choose the correct answer.
Mateo’s New London Life
Fifteen-year-old Mateo usually lives in sunny Spain. But this term, he is living in London for three months. He is staying with his Aunt Sarah and his cousin Tom. Mateo loves London, but at first, the daily routine was quite difficult for him.
The biggest change was the mornings. In Spain, Mateo always woke up at 8:00 a.m. because his school was near his house. However, Tom’s school is very far away. Now, Mateo has to get up at 6:30 a.m. every day to catch the bus. He also eats a lot more for breakfast. Aunt Sarah makes eggs and toast, instead of just a quick biscuit.
The evenings were also strange for Mateo. In his home country, his family always had dinner together at 9:30 p.m. In London, Aunt Sarah cooks dinner at 6:00 p.m. During his first week, Mateo wasn’t hungry at that time. He actually woke up in the middle of the night because he wanted to eat!
Now, after four weeks, Mateo really likes his new life. He enjoys the big breakfasts, and because he eats dinner early, he goes to bed earlier and sleeps much better. He is sure he will miss his London routine when he returns to Spain next month.
1 In the beginning, what was Mateo’s problem in London?
(A) He found it hard to do things at different times.
(B) He had to stay with his Aunt Sarah and his cousin Tom.
(C) He was only living in London for three months.
2 Why does Mateo get up at 6:30 a.m. now?
(A) His school is near his house.
(B) He has a long journey to get to his lessons.
(C) Aunt Sarah makes eggs and toast.
3 During his first week in London, Mateo
(A) had dinner with his family at 9:30 p.m.
(B) wasn’t hungry when Aunt Sarah cooks dinner.
(C) felt empty in his stomach during the night.
4 What does Mateo think about his London routine now?
(A) It helps him get a good night’s sleep.
(B) He wakes up in the middle of the night.
(C) He wants to return to Spain next month.
5 What is the best title for the article?
(A) How to make eggs and toast for breakfast
(B) A fantastic three-month holiday in Spain
(C) Getting used to a different way of living
ANSWER KEY
1 A 2 B 3 C 4 A 5 C