Practice English Reading Exercises for A2 – Friends & Socializing

Exercises:   12345

Reading 1

For each question, choose the correct answer.

Real Friends, Not Screens

I love my friends, and we usually have a great time together. In the past, we always went to the park to play football or rode our bikes around town. We talked for hours about school, music, and our favorite sports teams. But recently, things have changed completely.

Last Saturday, we met at a new café in the city centre. I was excited to chat and share my news about a guitar I just bought. However, when we sat down at the table, my three friends immediately took out their smartphones. They started playing games and reading messages. Nobody looked at me or listened to my story. I felt really bored and a bit angry.

I decided to do something about this problem. I invited them to my house for pizza this weekend. But I sent them a message with a special rule: “When you come inside, you must put your phone in a box by the door. No screens for two hours!”

When they arrived, they weren’t very happy about my idea. My friend Tom said he needed to check his emails. But I said no. After eating, we played a board game together. Soon, everyone was laughing and making jokes. It was the best afternoon we have had in months. When they left, they agreed that spending time without phones was actually a fantastic idea.

1   What did the writer and his friends use to do?

     (A) They enjoyed doing outdoor activities and chatting.

     (B) They talked for hours about their favorite smartphones.

     (C) They changed their favorite sports teams completely.

2   How did the writer feel at the café last Saturday?

     (A) upset because his friends ignored him

     (B) excited to chat and read messages

     (C) angry because his friends played his new guitar

3   What did the writer ask his friends to do at his house?

     (A) spend time without looking at their devices

     (B) eat pizza from a box by the door

     (C) send a message before they come inside

4   What happened at the end of the afternoon?

     (A) The group thought the writer’s plan was very good.

     (B) Tom was unhappy because he needed to check his emails.

     (C) Everyone laughed at the best smartphone jokes.

5   What is the best title for the article?

     (A) The Best New Café in the City Centre

     (B) Having Fun Without Our Phones

     (C) How to Play Board Games with Friends

Reading 2

For each question, choose the correct answer.

The Noisy Study Group

My name is Liam, and I am fifteen years old. Next Friday, my class has a very important history test. I really want to get a good mark, so I decided to organize a study group. I invited my three best friends, Sam, Max, and Toby, to come to my house on Saturday afternoon to prepare for it together.

When my friends arrived, everyone had their history books, notebooks, and pens. We sat around the large table in the dining room and opened our books. For the first twenty minutes, everything was perfect. We were very quiet, read our notes carefully, and asked each other questions. I felt very happy because we were working so hard.

But then, my mom brought us some warm pizza and glasses of cola. Max took a big slice of pizza and asked Toby about a new video game he bought. Suddenly, all the history books were closed. We started talking about the new game, our favourite football teams, and a school party next weekend. The quiet dining room quickly became a very noisy place.

Two hours later, my mom came back into the room to check on us. We were laughing loudly and not studying at all. We didn’t learn much about history that afternoon, but we had a fantastic time together. We promised to meet again on Sunday morning, and this time, we will actually study!

1   Why did Liam invite his friends to his house?

     (A) to prepare for a school exam together

     (B) to celebrate getting a good mark in history

     (C) to organize a party for next Friday

2   What did the boys do when they first sat at the table?

     (A) They read their notes to Liam’s mom.

     (B) They concentrated well on their school work.

     (C) They quickly asked each other about a game.

3   Why did the boys stop looking at their history books?

     (A) Liam’s mom wanted to talk to them.

     (B) Max decided to turn on a new video game.

     (C) They began chatting when the food appeared.

4   What happened at the end of the afternoon?

     (A) The boys agreed to try studying again the next day.

     (B) Liam’s mom laughed loudly with the boys.

     (C) They learned a lot of history together.

5   What is Liam’s main reason for writing this text?

     (A) to explain how to get a good mark in a test

     (B) to describe a study meeting that changed into a fun chat

     (C) to tell parents what kind of food to make for teenagers

Reading 3

For each question, choose the correct answer.

A Brave Afternoon in the Park

My name is Charlie and I am twelve years old. Every Saturday morning, my best friend Sam and I go to the local park. We really love playing football there because the grass is always green and perfect for running. Sam is smaller than me and he is usually very quiet, but he is a fantastic player.

Last weekend, we were having a great time when three older boys walked over to us. One of them quickly took our football. He started laughing at Sam and called him unkind names. Sam looked really sad and afraid. I felt very nervous, but I knew I had to help my friend.

I walked right up to the older boys. I didn’t shout, but I spoke in a very loud and clear voice. “Give the ball back to us now and leave my friend alone,” I said. Several adults sitting on the park benches turned around to look at us. The older boys saw the adults watching them. They suddenly looked embarrassed.

The tall boy dropped our football on the grass, and the three of them ran away quickly. Sam gave me a big hug and said thank you. I was surprised by my own actions, but I felt incredibly proud. I learned that it is always important to stand up for your friends when they need you.

1   What do we learn about Sam in the first paragraph?

     (A) He is extremely good at playing a sport.

     (B) He is exactly twelve years old.

     (C) He goes to the local park every morning.

2   How did Charlie react when the teenagers took the ball?

     (A) He started laughing at them.

     (B) He looked really sad and afraid.

     (C) He was worried but wanted to support his mate.

3   Why did the older boys begin to feel embarrassed?

     (A) Charlie started to shout at them.

     (B) Some grown-ups were observing the situation.

     (C) They were sitting on the park benches.

4   At the end of the story, what did Charlie do?

     (A) He felt pleased because he defended his companion.

     (B) He gave his best friend a big hug.

     (C) He ran away quickly with the tall boy.

5   What is the best title for the article?

     (A) How to play a fantastic football match

     (B) The older boys who love the local park

     (C) A courageous moment between two friends

Exercises:   12345