Practice English Reading Exercises for A2 – Special Events & Competitions

Exercises:   12345

Reading 1

For each question, choose the correct answer.

Chloe’s Competition Picture

Fourteen-year-old Chloe is a very creative student. She spends all her free time painting and drawing. Last week, her art teacher told the class about a national art competition for young people. The winner gets a free trip to a famous gallery in London. Chloe immediately decided to enter.

First, Chloe needed a good idea for her picture. She thought about painting her pet dog or her bedroom, but then she chose her grandfather’s garden. It is her favourite place because it has beautiful old trees and colourful flowers. She spent the whole weekend sitting outside with her paints.

On Sunday evening, the picture was almost finished. But then, something terrible happened. Chloe dropped her brush, and some black paint fell onto the paper. At first, she felt extremely upset and wanted to throw the picture away. However, she looked carefully and decided to turn the dark mark into a small bird. Suddenly, the painting looked even better than before!

The next day, Chloe put her beautiful picture in a large envelope and posted it to the competition. She has to wait four weeks to find out the result. She really hopes to win the trip to London. However, she is already very proud of what she created.

1   How did Chloe learn about the national competition?

     (A) She visited a famous gallery in London.

     (B) Someone at her school talked about it.

     (C) She read an advertisement in her free time.

2   What did Chloe decide to paint for the contest?

     (A) an animal that lives in her house

     (B) a room inside her grandfather’s home

     (C) an outdoor space that she loves

3   When the black paint fell on the paper, Chloe

     (A) changed the mistake into something else.

     (B) threw the terrible picture away.

     (C) painted a dark mark on a small bird.

4   What is Chloe’s attitude while she waits for the result?

     (A) She is worried the envelope will take four weeks.

     (B) She is pleased with the work she did.

     (C) She is busy planning her trip to London.

5   What is the best title for the text?

     (A) Chloe’s holiday in London

     (B) A special piece of art

     (C) How to paint beautiful flowers

Reading 2

For each question, choose the correct answer.

A Very Special School Visitor

My name is Mia, and I am fourteen years old. I love reading, and I usually finish a new book every week. Last Friday was a very special day at my school. Our teachers told us that a famous writer, David Thomas, was coming to visit us.

When David walked into the school hall, everyone was quiet. He was there to talk about his newest book, The Secret of the Dark Island. It is a story about a young detective who solves mysteries. I was so excited that I decided to sit in the very first row. I didn’t want to miss anything!

During his talk, David explained how he writes his stories. He said that he doesn’t just use his imagination. He often gets his best ideas from his own life, his family, and the interesting people he meets. Then, he read the first chapter of his new book to us. His voice was fantastic, and the story was very exciting.

At the end of the morning, the students could ask questions. I raised my hand and asked him how to become a successful writer. He smiled and told me to write a little bit every day. Before he left, I bought his new book, and he wrote his name inside it for me. It was the best school day ever, and now I really want to write my own stories!

1   Why was last Friday a special day for Mia?

     (A) She read a new book in one week.

     (B) A well-known author came to her school.

     (C) Her teachers asked her to write a story.

2   Why did Mia sit in the front row?

     (A) Because she was a young detective.

     (B) Because the school hall was very quiet.

     (C) Because she wanted to see and hear everything perfectly.

3   Where does David get the ideas for his books?

     (A) Only from his amazing imagination.

     (B) From his experiences and people he knows.

     (C) From the first chapter of other fantastic books.

4   What advice did David give to Mia?

     (A) To practice writing something daily.

     (B) To ask a lot of questions at school.

     (C) To buy his new book before leaving.

5   What is the best title for the article?

     (A) How to solve a difficult mystery

     (B) The teacher who loved reading

     (C) An inspiring visit from a writer

Reading 3

For each question, choose the correct answer.

Getting ready for the celebration

It was Friday afternoon, the day before the winter holiday started. Lily stayed at school after all her classmates went home. She wanted to prepare the classroom for the big holiday party on Monday. Her teacher, Mr. Evans, said she could stay until five o’clock to put up the decorations.

Lily brought three large bags of colourful balloons. First, she tried to blow them up using just her mouth, but her face soon hurt. Then, she remembered there was a small plastic pump in the sports cupboard. She went down the hall, found the pump, and quickly filled fifty balloons with air.

Next, she needed to put the balloons on the ceiling and the walls. Lily stood on a chair, but she was too short to reach the highest places. Luckily, the school cleaner, Mr. Clark, walked into the room to empty the bins. He saw her problem and kindly offered to help hang the highest balloons.

By half past four, the room looked absolutely amazing. There were red, green, and gold balloons everywhere. Lily felt extremely tired but very pleased with her hard work. She knew her friends were going to love it. She locked the door and walked home, feeling excited about the party on Monday.

1   Why was Lily still at school on Friday afternoon?

     (A) to get the room ready for a special event

     (B) to go home with all her classmates

     (C) to ask Mr. Evans if she could stay

2   What was Lily’s problem with the balloons at first?

     (A) She only brought three large bags of them.

     (B) It was painful to put air into them herself.

     (C) She could not find the small plastic pump.

3   How did Mr. Clark help Lily?

     (A) He stood on a chair to reach the walls.

     (B) He walked into the room to empty the bins.

     (C) He placed the decorations up in tall places.

4   How did Lily feel before she went home?

     (A) completely exhausted of her friends

     (B) happy about what she achieved

     (C) excited to lock the classroom door

5   What is the best title for the article?

     (A) The best winter holiday party ever

     (B) How to use a plastic balloon pump

     (C) A student’s hard work for a celebration

Exercises:   12345