Practice English Reading Exercises for A2 – The Bond Between Humans and Animals
Reading 1
For each question, choose the correct answer.
Chloe’s Furry Study Buddy
Fifteen-year-old Chloe is a very good student. She always does her homework on time and listens carefully to her teachers. However, she has a big problem. When she has to take school exams, she feels extremely stressed and nervous. She often worries that she will forget everything she knows.
Last month, Chloe’s family adopted a large, lazy cat called Bella. Bella loves sleeping in warm places. When Chloe goes to her bedroom to study in the evenings, Bella always follows her. The cat usually jumps onto the desk and sits right next to Chloe’s school books. Sometimes, she even falls asleep on top of Chloe’s pencil case!
Having Bella in the room really helps Chloe. When the teenager feels tired or worried about a difficult maths problem, she stops and touches the cat’s soft fur. Listening to Bella breathe quietly makes Chloe feel completely relaxed. Because she is calm, she can understand and remember the information much better.
Next week, Chloe is going to take her final summer exams. In the past, she always felt ill before big tests. Now, things are different. She is not frightened anymore because she knows her furry friend will be there with her. Chloe hopes she will get the best marks in her class.
1 What happens to Chloe when she has school exams?
(A) She becomes very worried about them.
(B) She forgets to do her homework on time.
(C) She stops listening to her teachers.
2 Where does Bella usually sit in the evenings?
(A) close to the things Chloe uses for her classes
(B) on top of Chloe’s warm bed
(C) inside Chloe’s pencil case
3 How does Bella help Chloe with her work?
(A) She makes the teenager feel peaceful and quiet.
(B) She helps her answer a difficult maths problem.
(C) She tells the teenager to breathe quietly.
4 How does Chloe feel about the tests she is taking soon?
(A) She is not afraid of doing them.
(B) She feels ill just thinking about them.
(C) She wants to sit with her furry friend.
5 What is the best title for the article?
(A) How a pet helps a student with exam stress
(B) The best way to pass a difficult maths test
(C) Why lazy cats love sleeping on school books
ANSWER KEY
1 A 2 A 3 A 4 A 5 A
Reading 2
For each question, choose the correct answer.
My Dog Always Knows
My name is Sam, and I am fifteen years old. I have a wonderful dog named Max. He is a large, brown dog, and he is usually very energetic. Most of the time, Max loves running in the park and chasing after tennis balls. He is always happy to see everyone in my family.
However, Max has a very special skill. He always understands how I am feeling, especially when I am having a bad day. Last week, I came home from school feeling terrible. I got a bad mark on a difficult maths test, and I was very sad. I didn’t want to talk to my parents or eat my dinner. I just went straight to my bedroom and sat on my bed.
Usually, when I come home, Max jumps up and barks because he wants to go for a walk. But that day, he didn’t do that. He walked quietly into my room and looked at me. Then, he brought me his favourite dirty blanket. He didn’t ask to play. He just put his heavy head on my legs and stayed there for a long time.
Max always does this when I am upset. He never leaves me alone when I am crying. Sometimes, I think he understands me better than my human friends do. I am so lucky to have him in my life because he is not just a pet, he is my best friend.
1 How does Sam describe Max’s usual behaviour?
(A) He sleeps in the park.
(B) He chases everyone in the family.
(C) He has a lot of energy and likes to play.
2 Why did Sam go to his bedroom last week?
(A) He felt upset about a school result.
(B) He wanted to talk to his parents.
(C) He needed to study for a difficult maths test.
3 What did Max do when Sam was sad?
(A) He jumped up and barked.
(B) He rested part of his body on Sam.
(C) He went for a walk quietly.
4 What does Sam think about Max?
(A) Max is just a pet.
(B) Max is closer to him than some people are.
(C) Max leaves him alone with his human friends.
5 Why has Sam written this text?
(A) To describe his dog’s favourite toys and games
(B) To explain how his dog helps him when he feels bad
(C) To tell a story about a difficult maths test
ANSWER KEY
1 C 2 A 3 B 4 B 5 B
Reading 3
For each question, choose the correct answer.
Lily’s Clever Horse
Sixteen-year-old Lily has a very unusual best friend. While her classmates spend their free time hanging out together or chatting online, Lily prefers the company of an animal. Her absolute best friend is a tall, brown horse named Apollo. Lily believes he is the cleverest animal in the whole world.
Lily visits Apollo at the local stables every single day after school. She doesn’t just ride him. She also works hard to take care of him. She spends hours brushing his coat and giving him his dinner. Apollo is so smart that he knows the exact sound of Lily’s footsteps. He always makes a happy noise when she arrives.
Last month, Lily was feeling very sad about a difficult maths test at school. She went to the stables and sat quietly next to Apollo. Suddenly, Apollo did something amazing. He gently pushed his large head against her shoulder and stood perfectly still. Lily immediately felt better because she knew her horse understood her feelings.
Next year, Lily is going to enter a local riding competition with Apollo. She knows that she might not win first prize because there are many good riders. However, she is just excited to spend more time practicing with her clever friend. For Lily, their special friendship is the greatest prize of all.
1 How is Lily different from her classmates?
(A) Her best friend is an intelligent animal.
(B) She spends her free time chatting online.
(C) She likes hanging out with other teenagers.
2 What does Lily do at the stables after school?
(A) She only rides Apollo and then goes home.
(B) She makes a happy noise when she arrives.
(C) She works hard to look after her horse.
3 How did Apollo help Lily when she was sad?
(A) He helped her finish a difficult maths test.
(B) He touched her shoulder and stood quietly.
(C) He did an amazing trick in a riding competition.
4 What does Lily understand about the competition next year?
(A) The most important thing is winning first prize.
(B) There are many good riders, so she might not win.
(C) She needs to find a new, clever horse to ride.
5 What is the best title for the article?
(A) A teenager’s special friendship with a horse
(B) How to win a local riding competition
(C) The best ways to pass a difficult maths test
ANSWER KEY
1 A 2 C 3 B 4 B 5 A