Practice English Reading Exercises for A2 – Family Relationships & Relatives
Reading 1
For each question, choose the correct answer.
Life with a Roommate
Fourteen-year-old Tom shares a very small bedroom with his nine-year-old brother, Leo. When their family moved into their current apartment two years ago, Tom was quite unhappy about the arrangement. He really wanted his own space to relax and play his video games quietly.
Living with a younger sibling can definitely be difficult. Leo is a very messy boy. He often leaves his colourful building blocks on the carpet, and Tom sometimes steps on them in the dark. Furthermore, Leo loves talking. When Tom is trying to finish his maths homework, Leo constantly asks him annoying questions. Tom often has to wear his headphones just to get some peace.
However, Tom admits that sharing a room isn’t always terrible. In fact, it can be a lot of fun. Every evening, when their mother turns the lights out, the brothers stay awake and tell funny stories. They laugh together about things that happened at school. Sometimes, on Sunday mornings, they wake up early and play board games on the floor before their parents get up.
Recently, Tom’s parents asked if he wanted to move his bed into the tiny study downstairs. Tom thought about it carefully, but to their surprise, he said no. Even though his brother can be incredibly annoying, Tom realised he would feel completely lonely in a room by himself.
1 How did Tom feel when he first started sharing the room?
(A) displeased because he wanted a place just for himself
(B) worried that the new family apartment was too small
(C) glad to have someone to play his video games with
2 What is one problem Tom has with Leo?
(A) Leo likes to listen to music on Tom’s headphones.
(B) Leo often interrupts him when he is studying.
(C) Leo plays with his building blocks in the dark.
3 What do the brothers do at night?
(A) They wake up early before their parents.
(B) They play board games on the carpet.
(C) They share amusing tales in the dark.
4 Why did Tom decide to stay in the shared bedroom?
(A) He didn’t want to be without his brother’s company.
(B) The study downstairs was too tiny for his bed.
(C) He needed his parents to help him carefully.
5 What is the best title for the text?
(A) Tom’s difficult maths homework
(B) The good and bad sides of sharing
(C) How to build a bedroom downstairs
ANSWER KEY
1 A 2 B 3 C 4 A 5 B
Reading 2
For each question, choose the correct answer.
The Best Summer Ever
My name is Lily, and I am a fourteen-year-old student. Summer is usually a quiet time for me. I usually spend July and August reading in my room or going to the local swimming pool. But this year, my summer holiday is going to be very different and exciting. All my cousins are coming to stay at my house for three weeks!
Right now, my parents and I are getting everything ready for them. My dad is painting the guest bedroom, and my mum is buying lots of extra food at the supermarket. She is making sure we have enough cereal, milk, and fresh fruit. My job is to wash the blankets and make the beds. It is hard work, but I don’t mind.
I have three cousins. Max is the oldest, and he loves playing the guitar. Then there are the twins, Emma and Chloe, who are exactly my age. We have planned some amazing activities. We are not going to travel to another country. Instead, we are going to sleep outside in a big tent in our garden and have barbecues every evening.
Sometimes, having four teenagers in one house can be difficult. We only have two bathrooms, so we will have to share! My dad is a little worried about the loud music and the mess. However, I am just counting the days until they arrive. It will definitely be a fantastic summer.
1 What does Lily say about her summers in the past?
(A) She enjoyed peaceful hobbies on her own.
(B) She used to stay at my house for three weeks.
(C) Her holidays were very different and exciting.
2 What is Lily’s task before her relatives arrive?
(A) Painting the guest bedroom.
(B) Buying lots of extra food at the supermarket.
(C) Preparing the places where people will sleep.
3 What will the young people do during the holiday?
(A) Travel to another country.
(B) Camp outdoors next to Lily’s home.
(C) Spend time playing the guitar with the twins.
4 What is Lily’s dad concerned about?
(A) He is anxious about the volume and the untidiness.
(B) He thinks they will have to share two bathrooms.
(C) He is counting the days until they arrive.
5 What is the best title for the article?
(A) Buying Extra Food for the Summer
(B) A Special Holiday Visit from Relatives
(C) How to Travel to Another Country
ANSWER KEY
1 A 2 C 3 B 4 A 5 B
Reading 3
For each question, choose the correct answer.
My Sister and Her Clothes
My name is Lily, and I am fifteen years old. I live with my parents and my older sister, Mia. Mia is seventeen and she has an amazing wardrobe. She always buys beautiful dresses, cool T-shirts, and expensive jackets. The only problem is that she never lets me borrow anything!
Last Saturday, my friends invited me to a big birthday party. I wanted to look nice, so I went into Mia’s bedroom and took her favorite blue sweater. I didn’t ask her first. When Mia saw me wearing it, she was very angry. We had a terrible argument and she shouted at me in front of our parents. I felt really bad.
After the party, I washed the sweater carefully and put it back on her bed with a small note. I wrote that I was sorry and that she has the best style in the world. I also bought her some chocolate from the shop near our house.
The next morning, Mia came into my room. She smiled, gave me half of the chocolate, and told me I could borrow her clothes if I ask first. We often fight about silly things like clothes or the bathroom, but she is actually my best friend. I love her very much and I am lucky to have her.
1 What does Lily say about her sister, Mia?
(A) She is fifteen years old.
(B) She refuses to let Lily use her clothes.
(C) She buys beautiful dresses for Lily.
2 Why was Mia angry with Lily on Saturday?
(A) Lily shouted at her in front of their parents.
(B) Lily invited friends to a big birthday party.
(C) Lily put on something of hers without permission.
3 What did Lily do to fix the problem?
(A) She washed the blue sweater in the shop near their house.
(B) She returned the item and got her sister a sweet present.
(C) She put the small note and the chocolate on her own bed.
4 The next day, Mia told Lily that
(A) she was happy to share her things if Lily spoke to her first.
(B) she wanted to fight about silly things like the bathroom.
(C) she wanted to give Lily half of her expensive jackets.
5 What is the best title for the article?
(A) How to buy beautiful new clothes
(B) The girl who loves birthday parties
(C) Arguing with my favourite person
ANSWER KEY
1 B 2 C 3 B 4 A 5 C