Practice English Reading Exercises for B1 – Language & Communication 2
Reading 1
For each question, choose the correct answer.
The people below all want to find a Japanese language resource for anime fans.
There are descriptions of eight Japanese language resources.
Decide which resource would be the most suitable for the people below.
1 Leo wants to learn Japanese by watching famous animated shows. He needs to understand simple traditional writing to read signs in the shows. He also enjoys testing his memory with short, entertaining games to check what he has learnt.
2 Maya wants to translate Japanese comic books. She needs a real teacher to explain the language rules to her. She works in the afternoons and evenings, so she is only free to attend classes on weekday mornings.
3 Sam and Dan want to learn useful phrases to speak at a big anime festival. They need a program they can use while travelling by train without internet. They are students with absolutely no money to spend.
4 Chloe loves Japanese pop music and wants to understand the lyrics. She needs to practice writing the characters by hand on her smartphone. She is busy all day, so she wants to study late at night.
5 Alex wants to understand what his favourite animation heroes are saying without reading the English text. He needs regular exams to track his progress. He also wants to chat with other learners on the internet.
Japanese Language Resources for Anime Fans
A Otaku Academy
Improve your skills using short clips from the most popular animated series! We teach you how to recognise the basic characters used in everyday Japanese street signs. At the end of each lesson, you can try our enjoyable visual puzzles and interactive challenges to make sure you remember everything you studied.
B Manga Masterclass
Do you want to read your favourite illustrated books straight from Japan? Join our live video sessions where an experienced tutor will explain all the difficult grammar. Lessons take place from Monday to Friday before midday, which is perfect if you are busy working later in the day.
C Cosplay Chat
Get ready for your next big fan event! This handy tool focuses completely on speaking and listening, giving you the perfect sentences to meet new friends. You don’t have to pay a single penny to download it, and it works perfectly even when you have zero Wi-Fi connection on your long journeys.
D Idol Sounds
Discover the hidden meaning behind your favourite Japanese hit songs! This brilliant mobile app is available twenty-four hours a day, so it perfectly fits your midnight schedule. It includes a special screen feature that lets you use your finger to draw and memorise traditional symbols directly on your own device.
E Hero Voices
Stop relying on translated subtitles to enjoy your shows! We focus on improving your listening skills so you can follow fast-paced dialogue perfectly. Every Friday, we provide helpful assessments to show how much you have improved. Plus, you can join our active digital forum to discuss episodes with fellow students worldwide.
F Speak Like a Ninja
This audio-only course is amazing for fans of action shows who want to learn fast. We use fun audio quizzes and speaking games to carefully test your memory. Because we want you to sound like a native speaker quickly, we completely ignore the difficult alphabet and focus only on conversation skills.
G Comic Reader Pro
This self-study platform is fantastic for people who want to understand Japanese graphic novels. It is designed entirely for independent learners who prefer not to use a teacher. New reading materials are uploaded every weekday morning, so you can easily practice alone before you head off to school or work.
H Anime Connect
Train your ears to understand exactly what your favourite characters are saying on screen. We have a huge online message board where you can make friends with other learners. We believe learning should just be for pleasure, so we never give our users any stressful tests or annoying memory checks!
ANSWER KEY
1 A 2 B 3 C 4 D 5 E
Reading 2
For each question, choose the correct answer.
The people below all want to find a Business English course.
There are descriptions of eight Business English courses.
Decide which course would be the most suitable for the people below.
1 Lucas wants to learn how to write professional emails to companies. He also hopes to practice answering questions for future job applications. Because he is busy at university during the week, he can only attend classes on Saturday or Sunday.
2 Sara needs to improve her formal business vocabulary to speak more professionally. She lives far from the city, so she must find a course she can do online. She also requires a certificate at the end to show future employers.
3 Diego wants to develop his interview skills so he can get a good job. He is very interested in learning about cultural differences in international business. As he currently has no money, the course needs to be completely free.
4 Amina wants to learn formal vocabulary to use in the workplace. She also needs help composing proper business emails to her managers. She works during the day, so she is looking for a class that meets on weekday evenings.
5 Ben wants to improve his skills in composing professional emails to clients. He would also like to learn how to deliver confident business presentations. He doesn’t have much free time, so he is looking for a short one-day workshop.
Business English Courses
A Weekend Career Builder
Prepare for your future every Saturday and Sunday! This course focuses on composing excellent electronic messages for corporate environments. You will also participate in role-plays with our teachers to get ready for hiring meetings and secure that dream job. It is the perfect choice for busy students.
B Digital Office Language
Study from your own laptop anywhere in the world. This web-based program is specially designed to upgrade your everyday speaking into highly professional workplace language. After successfully finishing all the training modules, we will email you an official document to prove your new qualifications to hiring managers.
C Global Business Prep
Do you want to perform well when meeting company bosses for the first time? We teach amazing techniques to help you get hired. You will also discover how office customs and manners change across different countries. Sponsored by local charities, this helpful program costs absolutely nothing to attend.
D After-Hours Professional
Join us after work from Monday to Thursday! Starting at 7 p.m., we help young adults transform their casual chatting into serious corporate terminology. You will also spend plenty of time practicing how to format and send polite electronic messages to your future supervisors and international colleagues.
E The One-Day Executive
Don’t have weeks to study? Join our fast Friday seminar! In just eight hours, we will teach you how to stand up and speak confidently in front of an audience. We also cover the best ways to construct clear, polite electronic correspondence for sending to your important business customers.
F Morning Office Skills
This intensive daily course meets every weekday morning at 9 a.m. It is excellent for unemployed young adults. You will learn highly advanced corporate terminology and practice composing proper electronic messages to managers. Please note we do not provide any official certificates or hiring meeting training here.
G The Hiring Workshop
Learn how to impress managers during important meetings to get the job you really want! This highly useful online seminar is totally free of charge for all students. However, it focuses purely on local companies, so we do not discuss international traditions or foreign business customs during our sessions.
H Digital Speaker Series
Learn to deliver amazing speeches to large groups in this quick, one-day internet workshop. You will connect from your personal laptop and practice talking to a virtual audience. While you will become a better speaker, we do not cover electronic message writing or provide documents for your CV.
ANSWER KEY
1 A 2 B 3 C 4 D 5 E
Reading 3
For each question, choose the correct answer.
The people below all want to find a language exchange cafe meetup.
There are descriptions of eight cafe meetups.
Decide which meetup would be the most suitable for the people below.
1 Carlos wants a very relaxed environment to practice his speaking without any pressure. He hopes to connect with native residents of the city to learn about their culture, and he needs a meetup that happens on Saturday afternoons.
2 Anna is on a tight budget, so she wants an event where she only pays for what she drinks. She prefers structured group games rather than free conversation, and she needs a venue located close to the central train station.
3 David wants to improve his French in a casual, stress-free setting. He doesn’t want to pay an entrance fee, just buy a coffee. Because he works long hours, the meetup must take place late in the evening.
4 Mei wants to practice her English with people who actually live in the area, not just tourists. She is looking for an event that includes a proper meal, and she prefers it to be strictly for advanced language learners.
5 Ali wants to attend an event that costs nothing to enter, as long as he orders a beverage. He enjoys completely unstructured, friendly talking, and he needs a place with a quiet atmosphere because he finds it hard to hear.
Language Exchange Cafe Meetups
A The Weekend Blend
Join our easy-going weekend gatherings! Every Saturday at 2:00 PM, we welcome language learners to chat without any strict rules. It is a fantastic opportunity to make friends with people who were born and raised in this town, sharing stories about their daily lives and local traditions over coffee.
B Board Game Babel
Located just two minutes walking from the main railway terminal, this group is perfect for those who like organized fun. Instead of regular chatting, we use fun vocabulary quizzes and team competitions. There is no ticket price; simply purchase a cup of tea or juice at the counter.
C Night Owl Chatter
Do you finish your job late? We meet every Tuesday at 9:00 PM for completely pressure-free, casual discussions. You do not need to buy a ticket to join our circle; the cafe only asks that participants order a warm drink while they sit, relax, and practice their chosen languages together.
D Fluent Feasts
This event is strictly designed for high-level speakers who want to perfect their skills. We sit down for a delicious three-course dinner, which is included in your booking price. While eating, you will have deep conversations with actual city residents, giving you real insight into the community and neighborhood.
E Whispering Words
If loud music makes learning difficult, our peaceful cafe environment is perfect. There are no planned activities or lessons—just find a comfortable sofa, introduce yourself, and enjoy a friendly, natural conversation. You won’t pay any admission fees; just grab a cappuccino or soda from the bar before you sit.
F Saturday Speak-Easy
Come down this Saturday at 3:00 PM for our popular weekend language exchange! The atmosphere is totally relaxed and informal, allowing everyone to speak freely without any pressure. Please note that there is a €15 entry ticket required at the door, which goes towards the private venue rental.
G Party Polyglots
Meet people who have lived in this city their whole lives at our lively language nights! We play loud pop music and host a crowded, energetic party. You do not have to pay to get inside, but everyone must buy at least one soft drink from the busy bar.
H Midnight Grammar
If you are awake late, join our 10:00 PM sessions. We don’t charge any money for the class—you just need to purchase a hot beverage. However, this is not a place for casual talking; our teachers lead strict grammar exercises and vocabulary tests to prepare you for exams.
ANSWER KEY
1 A 2 B 3 C 4 D 5 E