Practice English Reading Exercises for A2 – Teachers & Student Relationships

Exercises:   12345

Reading 1

For each question, choose the correct answer.

A Fantastic Surprise for Emma

Thirteen-year-old Emma usually finds history very difficult. Last year, she didn’t get good marks in her exams, and she often felt sad about it. However, this term she decided to try her best to improve. She didn’t watch much television. Instead, she spent hours in her bedroom every evening, reading her notes and learning about the past.

Yesterday was the final day of the school term. During the morning break, Emma’s history teacher, Mr. Clark, called her to his desk. At first, Emma felt quite nervous. She thought she did something wrong or maybe failed her important test. She walked slowly to the front of the busy classroom.

But Mr. Clark didn’t look angry at all. Instead, he smiled warmly at her. He told Emma that she got the highest mark in the whole class. Then, he gave her a beautiful, thick book about ancient Egypt. He explained it was a special prize because she worked so hard and improved so much this term.

Emma was absolutely delighted with her gift. When she went home, she immediately showed the special prize to her parents, and they were very proud of her. Emma doesn’t think history is a boring subject anymore. In fact, she is excited to read every page of her new book during the summer holidays.

1   What did Emma do differently this term?

     (A) She studied a lot more at home.

     (B) She watched some television programmes about history.

     (C) She asked her parents to help her get good marks.

2   Why was Emma worried when Mr. Clark called her?

     (A) She was late for the morning break.

     (B) She believed she had a bad exam result.

     (C) She walked too slowly in the classroom.

3   Mr. Clark gave Emma a book because

     (A) he wanted her to learn about ancient Egypt.

     (B) she was the top student in his subject.

     (C) she bought a beautiful, thick book for him.

4   How does Emma feel about history now?

     (A) She thinks it is a very boring subject.

     (B) She is finding it very difficult.

     (C) She has become very interested in it.

5   What is the best title for the story?

     (A) A wonderful reward for a student

     (B) Mr. Clark’s difficult history test

     (C) How to write a book about Egypt

Reading 2

For each question, choose the correct answer.

Saying Sorry to a Friend

Yesterday, Leo and his best friend Sam had a terrible argument at school. It happened during a football game in the afternoon. Sam didn’t pass the ball to Leo when he asked for it, and Leo got very angry. He shouted at Sam in front of everyone, which was a big mistake.

After school, Leo walked home alone. He usually takes the bus with Sam, so this felt very strange. When Leo arrived home, he tried to play some new video games, but it wasn’t fun without his best friend. He knew he was wrong and wanted to fix the problem.

In the evening, Leo decided to write a letter to say sorry. He didn’t want to just send a text message on his phone because he thought a letter was more special. He sat at his desk for an hour trying to find the right words. He wrote that their friendship was much more important than winning a football game.

The next morning, Leo gave the letter to Sam before their math class. Sam read it carefully and then smiled. He told Leo that it was a silly argument and that he was sorry, too. They decided to go to the park together after school, and this time, they just wanted to have fun.

1   Why was Leo angry with Sam?

     (A) Sam didn’t give him the ball.

     (B) He shouted at Sam in front of everyone.

     (C) They played a football game in the afternoon.

2   What did Leo do after school?

     (A) He decided to take the bus with Sam.

     (B) He went back to his house without his friend.

     (C) He enjoyed playing some new video games.

3   Why did Leo write a letter instead of a text message?

     (A) He felt it was a better way to apologize.

     (B) He wanted to just send a text message on his phone.

     (C) He wanted to win a football game.

4   What happened when Sam got the letter?

     (A) He read it carefully during their math class.

     (B) He was happy and apologized to Leo as well.

     (C) He decided to start a silly argument.

5   What is the best title for the article?

     (A) How to win a football game

     (B) The boy who loves video games

     (C) A letter to save a friendship

Reading 3

For each question, choose the correct answer.

Story Time on Fridays

Lily is sixteen years old and her favourite hobby is reading. She spends hours in the library every weekend. Lily wants to become a primary school teacher in the future. However, she is a very quiet person and she usually feels nervous when she has to speak in front of other people.

Last month, her English teacher, Mr. Clark, told the class about a new volunteer project. The local primary school needed older students to come and read stories to the young children on Friday afternoons. Lily decided to write her name on the list immediately, but she was worried that the children wouldn’t like her.

On her first Friday, Lily walked into a classroom full of six-year-olds. At first, the children were running around and making a lot of noise. Lily opened a picture book about a funny bear. When she started reading, she used different voices for the animals. Suddenly, the children sat down and listened quietly.

When the story finished, the kids asked her to read another one. Lily felt really happy and she wasn’t nervous anymore. Now, she goes to the primary school every week. She knows that reading to the children is excellent practice, and she is absolutely certain that teaching is the perfect job for her.

1   What do we learn about Lily at the beginning of the text?

     (A) She is afraid of talking to groups of people.

     (B) She usually feels nervous about her favourite hobby.

     (C) She spends hours in the library to speak to people.

2   Why did Lily sign up for the reading program?

     (A) Her English teacher told the class they had to do it.

     (B) She wanted to help out with the new school activity.

     (C) She was worried that the children wouldn’t like her.

3   What happened when Lily read the book about the funny bear?

     (A) The children were running around and making a lot of noise.

     (B) The kids became calm and paid attention to her.

     (C) The children started reading with different voices.

4   How does Lily feel about her future now?

     (A) She knows that reading another one is excellent practice.

     (B) She is absolutely certain that she wasn’t nervous anymore.

     (C) She is sure about her career choice.

5   What is the best title for the article?

     (A) A shy teenager builds confidence by helping others

     (B) The young children who make a lot of noise

     (C) How to be a very quiet person in the library

Exercises:   12345