Practice English Reading Exercises for A2 – Clubs & Extracurricular Activities

Exercises:   12345

Reading 1

For each question, choose the correct answer.

A Fresh Idea for the School Kitchen

Fourteen-year-old Oliver joined his school’s gardening club in March. The club had a small piece of land behind the sports hall. While most students wanted to grow beautiful flowers, Oliver had a different idea. He loves cooking at home, so he wanted to grow fresh vegetables to give to the school cafeteria.

Getting the ground ready was really hard work. There were lots of heavy rocks in the soil. Oliver couldn’t move them all by himself, so his friend Sarah offered to help. After they cleared the space, they carefully planted carrots and tomatoes. They had to visit the garden every day after lessons to water the seeds.

A few weeks later, the tiny green plants started to grow. However, Oliver noticed a problem. Some insects were eating the tomato leaves! He didn’t want to use dangerous chemicals, so he asked his science teacher for advice. The teacher showed him how to use a special soap mixed with water. It worked perfectly, and the insects went away.

Finally, in June, the vegetables were big and ready to eat. Oliver and Sarah picked them and took them to the school kitchen. The chef was amazed and made a delicious tomato and carrot soup for lunch. When Oliver saw his classmates enjoying the meal, he felt extremely proud. He is already planning to plant onions and potatoes next year!

1   Why did Oliver choose to plant vegetables?

     (A) Because he wanted to grow beautiful flowers.

     (B) Because he enjoys making meals.

     (C) Because the club was behind the sports hall.

2   What did Sarah do to help Oliver?

     (A) She assisted him with preparing the ground.

     (B) She moved the heavy rocks all by herself.

     (C) She gave him some fresh vegetables.

3   How did Oliver solve the problem with the insects?

     (A) He bought some dangerous chemicals.

     (B) He asked his science teacher to catch them.

     (C) He washed his plants with a safe liquid.

4   What happened in June?

     (A) Oliver was pleased that students liked his food.

     (B) Oliver made a delicious tomato and carrot soup.

     (C) Oliver started planning to plant onions and potatoes.

5   What is the best title for the article?

     (A) How to Cook a Delicious Soup

     (B) Growing Food for the School

     (C) The Dangers of Garden Insects

Reading 2

For each question, choose the correct answer.

Finding Friends Through Pages

Fourteen-year-old Ben loves spending his free time in his bedroom. While his school friends usually play football or basketball in the park, Ben prefers reading. His favorite books are fantasy novels. He loves reading exciting stories about magic, dragons, and brave heroes. However, he sometimes feels a bit sad because he doesn’t have anyone to talk to about his favorite books.

One Saturday, Ben went to the local library to borrow some new novels. On the door, he saw a large poster. It was an advertisement for a new teen book club. The group meets every Thursday evening to talk about fantasy stories. Ben felt a little nervous about meeting teenagers he didn’t know, but he decided to go.

At the first meeting, there were about ten other students. The teacher asked them to talk about a very famous fantasy book. At first, Ben was quiet and just listened. But then, a girl named Sophie started talking about Ben’s favorite character. Ben quickly put his hand up. He spoke loudly and explained why the character was so brave.

Everyone in the room agreed with Ben’s excellent ideas. After the club finished, Ben and Sophie talked for another twenty minutes about other books they liked. Ben walked home with a big smile on his face. He finally has friends who enjoy the same things, and he can’t wait for next Thursday!

1   Why does Ben sometimes feel sad?

     (A) He has to play football in the park.

     (B) He spends too much free time in his bedroom.

     (C) He can’t share his interest in stories with others.

2   How did Ben find out about the book club?

     (A) He read a notice at the library.

     (B) He borrowed a new novel about a book club.

     (C) A teenager he didn’t know told him about it.

3   What made Ben speak during the meeting?

     (A) The teacher asked him to talk.

     (B) Another student mentioned someone he liked in the story.

     (C) He wanted to talk to the ten other students.

4   What happened after the meeting?

     (A) Everyone in the room agreed to walk home with Ben.

     (B) Ben had a conversation with his new friend.

     (C) Ben went home to read for another twenty minutes.

5   What is the best title for the article?

     (A) Finding friends who love reading

     (B) How to write a fantasy novel

     (C) The best library in town

Reading 3

For each question, choose the correct answer.

Painting a New Friendship

Liam is thirteen years old. He is a very quiet boy. When he started secondary school last September, he didn’t know anyone. During break times, he usually sat alone and read comic books. He really wanted to talk to his classmates, but he felt too shy. One day, his mother saw a poster for a weekend art club and said he should go.

On his first Saturday at the club, Liam was very nervous. He walked into the big art room and sat at a table at the back. A friendly teacher gave everyone some paint and brushes. She asked the students to paint a picture of their favourite animal. Liam loves dogs, so he started painting a big, happy brown dog.

After an hour, a boy named Sam walked over to Liam’s table. Sam looked at Liam’s painting and smiled. “That is a brilliant dog,” Sam said. “I am painting a cat, but it looks terrible!” Liam laughed and showed Sam a few easy ways to paint animal fur. Soon, another girl called Chloe joined them, and they talked about their favourite pets.

Now, Liam goes to the art club every weekend. He doesn’t sit alone at school anymore, either. Sam and Chloe are in the same maths class as Liam, and they always have lunch together. Liam is still a quiet person, but he is much happier. He knows that sharing a hobby is a fantastic 

way to meet people.

1   What do we learn about Liam at the beginning of the school year?

     (A) He preferred to sit alone and read comic books.

     (B) He had no friends when he began secondary school.

     (C) He talked to his classmates during break times.

2   What did Liam do on his first day at the club?

     (A) He sat at a table with a friendly teacher.

     (B) He asked the students to paint a picture.

     (C) He made an image of an animal he likes.

3   How did Liam and Sam start talking?

     (A) Sam showed Liam a few easy ways to paint.

     (B) Sam painted a cat that looked brilliant.

     (C) Sam liked the picture that Liam was doing.

4   How has Liam’s life changed now?

     (A) He eats his lunch with some new friends.

     (B) He is not a quiet person anymore.

     (C) He sits alone and reads in his maths class.

5   What is the best title for the article?

     (A) The boy who learned to paint animals

     (B) Making friends by doing a fun activity

     (C) Why teenagers should read comic books

Exercises:   12345