Practice English Reading Exercises for A2 – The Bond Between Humans and Animals

Exercises:   12345

Reading 1

For each question, choose the correct answer.

Ben’s Memory Video

Fifteen-year-old Ben loves technology and photography. While his friends spend their weekends playing football or going to the shopping mall, Ben prefers editing clips on his computer. His favorite project this year is making a short video montage that shows how he and his golden retriever dog, Buddy, grew up together over the last ten years.

To create the perfect video, Ben had to look through thousands of old family photos and home clips. It was a huge task because his parents had taken pictures almost every day since Buddy first arrived as a tiny puppy. Ben didn’t just want a simple slideshow. He wanted the video to tell a real story of their friendship, from their first day playing in the garden to their long walks today.

Last week, Ben ran into a problem while editing. The music he chose at first was too fast and loud, making the emotional video feel like an action movie. He decided to change it to a soft acoustic guitar melody instead. He also showed the first version to his older sister. She suggested adding short text descriptions with the dates of each memory, which Ben thought was an excellent idea.

Next month, Ben’s family is celebrating Buddy’s tenth birthday, and Ben plans to show the completed video on a big screen during the party. He knows that seeing how much they have both changed might make his mum a little emotional, but he feels very proud of his work. He hopes this video will keep their precious childhood memories safe forever.

1   What is Ben’s video montage about?

     (A) how to train a golden retriever puppy

     (B) the way he and his pet changed over a decade

     (C) his friends playing football on the weekend

2   Why was making the video a big task for Ben?

     (A) He had to sort through a massive number of images and clips.

     (B) His parents forgot to take photos when Buddy was young.

     (C) He had to take new pictures in the garden every day.

3   Why did Ben decide to change the music in his video?

     (A) His older sister didn’t like the acoustic guitar melody.

     (B) The original music didn’t match the feeling of the video.

     (C) He wanted the montage to look like an action movie.

4   What is Ben’s plan for next month?

     (A) to buy a new big screen for his bedroom

     (B) to celebrate his own tenth birthday with a party

     (C) to share his finished project with his family

5   What is the best title for the article?

     (A) A teenager’s video about growing up with his dog

     (B) How to choose the best music for an action movie

     (C) The easiest way to edit family photos

Reading 2

For each question, choose the correct answer.

The Cat That Listens and Replies

Fourteen-year-old Leo has a very special pet. His name is Barnaby, and he is a large, orange cat. Leo got Barnaby from a rescue centre two years ago. Many people think cats just sleep and eat, but Leo believes his pet is different. He is sure that Barnaby understands human language.

Every morning, before school, Leo has a conversation with his cat. When Leo asks a question, Barnaby always answers with a loud “meow”. For example, if Leo asks, “Do you want some fish?”, Barnaby meows immediately. Leo’s older sister, Mia, laughs and says the cat only makes that noise because he is hungry. But Leo thinks Barnaby is actually talking to him.

Last Tuesday, something amazing happened. Leo was very worried because he couldn’t find his history homework. He looked everywhere in his bedroom. Finally, he looked at Barnaby and asked, “Where is my homework?” Barnaby walked out of the room, stopped next to the kitchen table, and said “meow”. Leo looked under the table, and his schoolwork was right there!

Now, Leo is completely certain that his cat is a genius. His friends at school think it is a funny story, but they don’t really believe him. So, Leo is going to make a short video of his conversations with Barnaby. He hopes to put it online soon to show the world how clever his best friend is.

1   What does Leo think is special about his cat, Barnaby?

     (A) He knows what people are saying.

     (B) He came from a rescue centre two years ago.

     (C) He prefers to just sleep and eat.

2   What does Mia think about the cat’s “meow”?

     (A) She believes he makes the noise because he wants food.

     (B) She thinks he is actually talking to him.

     (C) She asks him, “Do you want some fish?”

3   How did Barnaby help Leo last week?

     (A) He was very worried because he couldn’t find his history homework.

     (B) He showed Leo where his lost paper was.

     (C) He looked everywhere in his bedroom.

4   What is Leo planning to do next?

     (A) tell a funny story to his friends at school

     (B) film his pet and share it on the internet

     (C) show his friends at school that he is a genius

5   What is the best title for the article?

     (A) How to find your history homework

     (B) The cat that is always hungry

     (C) A boy and his clever talking pet

Reading 3

For each question, choose the correct answer.

A Great Playground for Snowball

My name is Toby and I am twelve years old. I live in a house with a beautiful big garden, and I have a wonderful pet rabbit called Snowball. Most of the time, Snowball just sleeps in his little wooden house, but last weekend he looked very tired and bored. I wanted to do something exciting for him.

I went into the family garage and found some interesting old things. I took some small cardboard boxes, a long plastic pipe, and a few pieces of wood. I carried everything into the garden and started to build an amazing playground for Snowball. It was hard work, and it took me two hours to finish the project.

When it was finally ready, I brought Snowball outside. At first, he was a little afraid, so I put some pieces of carrot inside the plastic pipe. Suddenly, he ran right through the tunnel! After that, he jumped over the boxes and the wood without any problems. He was very fast and looked completely happy. We stayed outside in the sun and played together all afternoon.

My parents watched us from the kitchen window while they were drinking tea. They laughed a lot and told me that I am a brilliant builder. Building the playground was a great experience, and now I have a wonderful idea. Next summer, I am going to make an even bigger obstacle course for Snowball!

1   What was Toby’s reason for making something for Snowball?

     (A) He wanted him to stay in his little wooden house.

     (B) He wanted to spend time in the beautiful big garden.

     (C) He felt his pet needed to do something interesting.

2   Where did Toby find the things to build the playground?

     (A) out in the garden

     (B) inside a room at his home

     (C) inside some small cardboard boxes

3   How did Toby make Snowball go into the pipe?

     (A) He used some food to help him.

     (B) He ran right through the tunnel.

     (C) He jumped over the boxes.

4   What is Toby planning to do in the future?

     (A) get a job as a brilliant builder

     (B) create a larger play area next year

     (C) watch his rabbit from the kitchen window

5   What is the best title for the article?

     (A) How to clean your family garage

     (B) A brilliant builder’s kitchen window

     (C) A fantastic garden project for a rabbit

Exercises:   12345