Practice English Reading Exercises for A2 – Pet Adoption & Animal Shelters

Exercises:   12345

Reading 1

For each question, choose the correct answer.

The Perfect Older Pet

Liam’s family wanted to get a dog. His mum and dad thought it was a great idea to buy a cute little puppy from a pet shop. However, fifteen-year-old Liam didn’t agree. He knew that small dogs need a lot of time and training, so he suggested something different.

One Saturday, Liam visited the local animal shelter. There were lots of animals looking for homes. He walked past the younger animals and stopped to look at an eight-year-old dog named Barnaby. Barnaby was very quiet and friendly. The people at the shelter said he already knew how to follow basic instructions.

When Liam went home, he showed his parents a photo of the dog. He explained that it is often difficult for older dogs to find a family. His mum and dad were worried at first. They told Liam that older animals are often sick and they probably don’t want to play.

A few days later, Liam asked his parents to visit the shelter with him. As soon as they arrived, Barnaby walked over and gave them a toy ball. He wanted to play! Liam’s parents smiled and immediately decided to take him home. Now, Barnaby is a happy member of the family, and Liam’s parents are glad they listened to their son.

1   What did Liam’s parents want to do at first?

     (A) get a young dog from a store

     (B) spend a lot of time and training

     (C) suggest something different

2   What did Liam find out about Barnaby at the shelter?

     (A) He was one of the younger animals.

     (B) He understood some simple rules.

     (C) He was looking for homes.

3   Why were Liam’s mum and dad worried about older dogs?

     (A) They thought it was difficult to find a family.

     (B) They thought older dogs wanted to look at a photo.

     (C) They believed older dogs might be in bad health.

4   What happened when Liam’s parents met Barnaby?

     (A) Liam asked his parents to visit the shelter.

     (B) Barnaby showed them he was happy to have fun.

     (C) Barnaby immediately decided to take him home.

5   What is the best title for the article?

     (A) A teenager’s brilliant choice of pet

     (B) How to teach your puppy basic instructions

     (C) The busiest animal shelter in town

Reading 2

For each question, choose the correct answer.

Leo’s Animal Rescue Dream

Fifteen-year-old Leo has a very different weekend from his classmates. While his friends spend their Saturdays going to the cinema or playing video games, Leo prefers to be around animals. He doesn’t have any pets at home, but his biggest dream is to help sick and lost dogs and cats.

To do this, Leo volunteers at a local animal rescue center every weekend. He doesn’t just play with the cute animals or take them for walks. His main job is actually very dirty and tiring. He spends hours cleaning the animal cages and washing their food bowls. Leo doesn’t mind the hard work because he wants the animals to have a clean and safe place to sleep.

Last month, a very frightened dog named Max arrived at the center. Max was afraid of people and made a lot of noise. When Leo had to clean Max’s cage, he was a little worried. However, Leo moved very slowly and spoke quietly to him. After a few weeks of cleaning his cage, Max finally trusted Leo and let him touch his head.

Next year, Leo is going to study science at college. He knows that becoming a real animal doctor will take many years of hard work. However, he is excited to learn everything he can. For now, he is happy to keep the rescue center clean and make the animals feel loved.

1   How is Leo different from his friends?

     (A) He wants to spend his free time caring for animals.

     (B) He spends his Saturdays going to the cinema.

     (C) He would like to have lots of pets at home.

2   What is Leo’s main job at the rescue center?

     (A) He plays with the cute animals.

     (B) He takes the dogs for walks.

     (C) He washes the areas where the animals live and eat.

3   How did Leo feel when he first cleaned Max’s cage?

     (A) He was a bit anxious about the dog.

     (B) He was very frightened of people.

     (C) He was angry because the dog made a lot of noise.

4   What does Leo understand about his future career?

     (A) He will become a real animal doctor next year.

     (B) It requires a lot of effort to achieve his goal.

     (C) He is going to study at the animal rescue center.

5   What is the best title for the article?

     (A) How to clean animal cages at home

     (B) The best animal rescue center in town

     (C) A teenager who works hard to help animals

Reading 3

For each question, choose the correct answer.

A Rainy Rescue

Fourteen-year-old Maya usually walks home from school with her best friend, but last Tuesday, she was alone. It was raining heavily, and she just wanted to get into her warm house. Suddenly, near the bus stop, she heard a quiet noise. She looked around and found a wet cardboard box. Inside, there were three tiny kittens.

Maya knew she couldn’t leave the little animals there in the cold weather. She took off her dry winter coat and put it carefully over the box to keep the rain out. Then, she ran all the way home. When her parents saw her, they were very surprised. They quickly got some warm towels and helped Maya dry the frightened cats.

Looking after the kittens was a very difficult job. Because they were so young, they could not eat normal cat food. Maya had to give them special milk every two hours. She even had to wake up during the night to feed them. Her arms were tired and she wanted to sleep, but she didn’t mind the hard work at all.

After four weeks, the kittens were finally strong and healthy. Maya’s parents agreed to keep one of them, a little black cat that Maya named Luna. They gave the other two to some good neighbours. Maya is extremely glad she walked past the bus stop that rainy afternoon.

1   What did Maya do last Tuesday?

     (A) She walked home from school with her best friend.

     (B) She discovered some tiny animals outside.

     (C) She quickly got into her warm house.

2   What did Maya do with her winter coat?

     (A) She used it to dry the frightened cats.

     (B) She put it on before she ran all the way home.

     (C) She covered the cardboard box with it.

3   How did Maya feel about taking care of the kittens?

     (A) It was exhausting but she was happy to do it.

     (B) It was easy because they could eat normal cat food.

     (C) She was angry because her arms were tired.

4   What happened to the kittens after four weeks?

     (A) Maya’s parents agreed to keep the other two.

     (B) The family gave a little black cat to some good neighbours.

     (C) Most of them went to live with people close by.

5   What is the best title for this article?

     (A) How to feed hungry kittens

     (B) Saving some little cats in the rain

     (C) A long walk with my best friend

Exercises:   12345