Practice English Reading Exercises for A2 – Arts, Design & Entertainment
Reading 1
For each question, choose the correct answer.
Chloe’s Colourful World
Sixteen-year-old Chloe has a wonderful hobby. While her older brother spends his weekends playing football, Chloe prefers sitting at her desk with her paints and pencils. She loves drawing pictures, but she doesn’t just want to make art for her bedroom walls. Her dream is to illustrate children’s books because she wants to make reading a fun activity for young kids.
Chloe gets her best ideas by spending time with her five-year-old cousin, Max. Every Saturday, she reads stories to him and watches his face carefully. She notices exactly which pictures make him laugh. Because of Max, Chloe knows that young children usually prefer bright colours like yellow and red, rather than dark ones.
Last term, Chloe’s English teacher, Mrs Smith, wrote a short story about a brave little monkey. She asked Chloe to draw the pictures for it. When it was finished, Mrs Smith put the book in the school library. The younger students loved the monkey, and this made Chloe feel incredibly happy.
Next year, Chloe hopes to study art at college to learn new drawing skills. She knows it is a difficult job, but she is ready to work hard. Her biggest hope is that one day, she will see her very own book in a real bookshop.
1 Why does Chloe draw pictures?
(A) to make art for her bedroom walls
(B) to help young children enjoy reading
(C) to spend her weekends playing football
2 How does her cousin Max help her?
(A) He reads stories to her every Saturday.
(B) He likes to paint with bright colours like yellow and red.
(C) He shows her what kind of art little kids like.
3 What did Chloe do at school last term?
(A) She wrote a short story about a brave little monkey.
(B) She created the art for her teacher’s story.
(C) She put the book in the school library.
4 What is Chloe planning to do next year?
(A) take classes to get better at drawing
(B) see her very own book in a real bookshop
(C) start a difficult job
5 What is the best title for the article?
(A) How to write a short story for your school
(B) A teenager’s dream of drawing for children
(C) The best colours to use for painting
ANSWER KEY
1 B 2 C 3 B 4 A 5 B
Reading 2
For each question, choose the correct answer.
Leo’s Magic Dream
Fourteen-year-old Leo has an unusual hobby. While his friends play sports or video games, Leo loves magic. He spends hours every day practicing tricks with cards and coins. His biggest dream is to travel to different countries and perform his magic on large stages in front of thousands of people.
To learn his tricks, Leo doesn’t go to a special magic school because it is too expensive. Instead, he watches videos on the internet and tries to do the exact same things. He usually shows his new tricks to his little sister, Mia. Sometimes she guesses how he does them, but usually, she is amazed.
Last month, Leo had the chance to perform in front of more people. His school organized a talent show. At first, Leo felt very nervous about being on a real stage. However, when he started his performance, he forgot his fears. He did a fantastic trick with a disappearing watch, and all the students cheered loudly.
Next year, Leo is going to enter a national magic competition. He knows that becoming a famous magician takes a lot of hard work. He won’t be on TV immediately, but he is ready to practice every day. He believes that anything is possible if you never give up.
1 What is Leo’s biggest dream for the future?
(A) to do magic shows in many different countries
(B) to play sports or video games
(C) to practice tricks with cards and coins
2 How does Leo improve his magic skills?
(A) He goes to a special magic school.
(B) He views online clips and copies them.
(C) He shows his new tricks to his little sister.
3 How did Leo feel at the beginning of the school talent show?
(A) He forgot his fears.
(B) He was scared to stand in front of an audience.
(C) He cheered loudly.
4 What does Leo understand about becoming a famous magician?
(A) He will be on TV immediately.
(B) It requires a great deal of effort.
(C) He is going to enter a national magic competition.
5 What is the best title for the article?
(A) How to win a school talent show
(B) A teenager’s dream of performing magic
(C) The best videos on the internet
ANSWER KEY
1 A 2 B 3 B 4 B 5 B
Reading 3
For each question, choose the correct answer.
A Voice on the Air
Fifteen-year-old Toby has a very clear idea about his future. Most of his classmates spend their evenings watching television or playing video games. However, Toby prefers doing something different. He listens to the radio for hours. His biggest dream is to become a famous radio presenter so he can share his favourite music and interesting stories with people.
To prepare for this career, Toby started his own online radio show from his bedroom last year. He didn’t have money for expensive equipment, so his uncle gave him an old microphone. Every Saturday, Toby spends a lot of time looking for new bands. He also writes down funny stories to tell his listeners.
Last month, Toby had his best show ever. He invited a popular local singer to his house for an interview. Before the show, Toby felt quite nervous, but the singer was very friendly and kind. The next day at school, all of Toby’s friends said the stories were amazing. This made Toby feel fantastic.
Next summer, Toby is going to help out at a real city radio station. He won’t talk on the radio there, but he will make coffee and answer the telephone. His parents are very proud of his hard work. Toby knows the media business is difficult, but he is ready to learn and reach his goal.
1 What do we learn about Toby in the first paragraph?
(A) He hopes to talk and play songs for an audience.
(B) He spends his evenings watching television.
(C) He plays video games with most of his classmates.
2 How did Toby get the items he needed for his online show?
(A) He bought some expensive equipment.
(B) He started looking for new bands every Saturday.
(C) A relative offered him something to use.
3 How did Toby feel before he spoke to the local singer?
(A) He was worried about the conversation.
(B) He was very friendly and kind.
(C) He felt fantastic about the amazing stories.
4 What is Toby going to do at the city radio station?
(A) Talk on the radio there.
(B) Complete basic everyday tasks.
(C) Teach his parents about the media business.
5 What is the best title for this article?
(A) An interview with a popular local singer
(B) How to use expensive radio equipment
(C) A teenager’s plan to become a presenter
ANSWER KEY
1 A 2 C 3 A 4 B 5 C