Practice English Reading Exercises for A2 – Transitions & Future Plans
Reading 1
For each question, choose the correct answer.
Saving Up for University
Maria is eighteen years old and wants to go to university next year to study medicine. She knows that university life is expensive. Her parents can pay for her classes, but Maria needs to buy her own textbooks. Because these books cost a lot of money, she decided to find a part-time job.
One afternoon, she saw a sign in the window of the Blue Cup Cafe. They needed a weekend worker. Maria went inside, spoke to the manager, and got the job. She was thrilled because she could study from Monday to Friday and work on Saturdays and Sundays.
Her first weekend at the cafe was incredibly difficult. Maria had to wake up at six o’clock in the morning, which was much earlier than her usual school days. She also had to learn how to use the large coffee machine. On Sunday, she accidentally dropped a slice of chocolate cake on the floor. She was worried, but her manager just laughed and helped her clean it up.
After two months, Maria is now an excellent waitress. She can make perfect coffee and carry heavy trays of food. Best of all, she has saved almost enough money for all her medical textbooks. She feels very proud of her hard work and is excited about starting her university course.
1 Why did Maria decide to get a job?
(A) To pay for her classes.
(B) To get cash for her study materials.
(C) To learn how to study medicine.
2 When does Maria work at the Blue Cup Cafe?
(A) One afternoon.
(B) From Monday to Friday.
(C) Only at the weekend.
3 What happened during Maria’s first weekend at the cafe?
(A) She woke up at the time of her usual school days.
(B) She laughed at the manager.
(C) She let a sweet snack fall on the ground.
4 How does Maria feel now?
(A) Happy about what she has achieved.
(B) Excited about being an excellent waitress.
(C) She has saved enough money for all her medical textbooks.
5 What is the best title for the article?
(A) How to make perfect coffee
(B) A student’s hard work to buy books
(C) The best weekend cafe in town
ANSWER KEY
1 B 2 C 3 C 4 A 5 B
Reading 2
For each question, choose the correct answer.
Thinking About the Future
Fifteen-year-old Lucas is a good student who enjoys many subjects at school. However, last week he felt very confused about his future. His friends knew exactly what jobs they wanted to do, but Lucas had no idea. Because he was worried, he decided to visit Mrs. Miller, the friendly school advisor, during his morning break.
Mrs. Miller smiled and told Lucas not to worry. She asked him about the things he liked doing in his free time. Lucas explained that he loved taking photos and writing short stories. He also told her that his dad is a doctor and his mum is an engineer, but he didn’t want to study science or medicine.
The advisor listened carefully and had a great idea. She explained that he could use his hobbies to find the perfect job. She suggested becoming a journalist or a photographer for a travel magazine. Lucas thought this sounded amazing because he always wanted to travel the world and meet new people.
Suddenly, Lucas’s future didn’t seem so scary. Mrs. Miller told him about the school newspaper and said he should join it to practice his writing. Lucas agreed immediately. When the bell rang for his next lesson, he thanked Mrs. Miller for her help. He left her office feeling very excited about his new dream.
1 Why did Lucas go to see the school advisor?
(A) He was unsure about what career to choose.
(B) He wanted to do exactly what his friends did.
(C) He needed help with many subjects at school.
2 What does Lucas say about his parents’ jobs?
(A) His dad is an engineer who studies science.
(B) He prefers not to have the same careers as them.
(C) They enjoy taking photos and writing short stories.
3 What did Mrs. Miller suggest Lucas should do?
(A) travel the world to meet new people
(B) use his perfect job to find some new hobbies
(C) look for a career related to his interests
4 What is Lucas going to do soon?
(A) practice his writing in his next lesson
(B) start working on the school newspaper
(C) leave her office feeling very excited
5 What is the best title for the text?
(A) Lucas’s difficult morning break
(B) A helpful chat about careers
(C) How to write a school newspaper
ANSWER KEY
1 A 2 B 3 C 4 B 5 B
Reading 3
For each question, choose the correct answer.
Finding the Right Path
Maya is fifteen years old and goes to a big high school in the city. She always gets good marks in her exams, but until recently, she didn’t know what she wanted to do in the future. Her best friends already had plans. Sarah wanted to be a doctor, and Tom wanted to design computer games.
Last month, a new boy named Leo joined Maya’s class. Leo came from another country, and his English was good, but he found maths very difficult. The maths teacher, Mr. Clark, gave the class a lot of homework, and Leo was often upset. Maya is very good at maths, so she asked Leo if he wanted some help.
They started meeting in the school library every Tuesday and Thursday afternoon. Maya explained the difficult maths problems to Leo. She drew pictures and used simple words to make it easier for him to understand. After three weeks, Leo took a big maths test and got a very high mark. He smiled and said, “Thank you, Maya!”
When Maya saw Leo’s happy face, she felt wonderful. Suddenly, she knew exactly what she wanted to do when she grows up. She wants to stand in front of a classroom and help students understand difficult things. Maya is going to be a teacher.
1 How was Maya different from her friends in the first paragraph?
(A) She wanted to be a doctor.
(B) She was unsure about what career to choose.
(C) She wanted to design computer games.
2 Why did Maya decide to help the new student, Leo?
(A) He gave the class a lot of homework.
(B) His English was good.
(C) He had problems with a specific school subject.
3 What did Maya do to assist Leo with his studies?
(A) She took a big maths test.
(B) She met him every Tuesday and Thursday afternoon.
(C) She used drawings and easy language.
4 What made Maya realize her dream job?
(A) She felt great seeing her classmate’s success.
(B) She knew exactly what she wanted to do.
(C) She wants to stand in front of a classroom.
5 What is the best title for the article?
(A) The Difficult Maths Test
(B) Finding the Perfect Career
(C) How to Learn a New Language
ANSWER KEY
1 B 2 C 3 C 4 A 5 B