Practice English Reading Exercises for B1 – Local & Specialty Shops

Exercises:   12345

Reading 1

For each question, choose the correct answer.

The people below all want to find local butchers or fishmongers.

There are descriptions of eight food shops.

Decide which shop would be the most suitable for the people below.

1   Mark is hosting a dinner party and wants to serve fish caught from nearby seas. He isn’t very confident in the kitchen, so he needs preparation tips. He also wants to reserve his items on the internet before collecting them.

2   Sarah is organizing a weekend barbecue and needs to buy ready-made sausages. She prefers eating meat that comes from farms in the region. Since she is busy all week, the shop must be open on Sunday mornings.

3   Leo is looking for excellent quality steaks for a special family meal. He also wants to buy delicious sauces to flavour his food. As he doesn’t drive, he needs the business to bring his purchases directly to his house.

4   Emily and Dan want to buy a large, whole fish for a special celebration. They need the staff to prepare and clean it for them. Because they work late, they must find a place that stays open into the evening.

5   John is looking for affordable meat to feed his large family on a budget. He wants to arrange his purchases over the phone a few days early. He always drives to the shops, so nearby parking is absolutely essential.

Local Butchers and Fishmongers

A The Ocean’s Best

We sell incredible seafood brought straight from boats on the regional coast. If you aren’t sure how to prepare your dish, our friendly staff will gladly share simple recipes and frying steps. Customers can easily secure their favourite catches through our website to guarantee they are ready for collection.

B Green Valley Meats

We pride ourselves on selling beef and chicken raised on fields just a few miles away. Planning an outdoor grill? Try our huge variety of hand-mixed sausages! We welcome customers every day of the week, including early weekend mornings, so you can always get what you need for your Sunday lunch.

C Harbour Fresh

Our market offers the most impressive, giant seafood caught by local sailors. If you don’t want to do the hard work, we will happily wash and slice your whole catches perfectly. We stay open until 9 p.m. every weekday, making us perfect for after-work visits. No internet reservations accepted.

D Prime Cuts

Are you looking for premium slices of beef for a luxury dinner? We offer top-grade meats alongside a fantastic selection of rich liquids and spices to add extra flavour to your cooking. Best of all, we offer a fast transport service, bringing your delicious groceries straight to your front door!

E The Family Butcher

Feeding your household doesn’t have to be expensive! We offer fantastic reductions and low prices on all our chicken and pork. You can ring us days ahead to request your items so everything is packed when you arrive. Drivers will love our massive free garage right behind the building.

F Riverside Farms

If you want beef and lamb from regional farmers, this is the place to shop. We also mix our own special sausages, which are brilliant for cooking outside with friends. We are open Monday to Friday, but please note our doors are completely locked on weekends, so shop early!

G City Center Meats

We provide wonderful cuts of lamb and beef at prices that will keep your wallet happy. We also offer a highly rated delivery service, dropping groceries directly at your house. Unfortunately, our central street location means there is absolutely nowhere to leave your vehicle if you choose to drive here.

H Global Catch

Do you want to try something exotic? We import frozen salmon and tuna from across the world! Our expert team is always ready to explain exactly how to fry or bake your chosen meals. You can easily use our digital system to reserve your groceries days before you visit us.

Reading 2

For each question, choose the correct answer.

The people below all want to find a stationery and office supply shop.

There are descriptions of eight stationery shops.

Decide which shop would be the most suitable for the people below.

1   Anna wants to buy a beautiful pen as a special gift for her friend. She also needs a shop where she can print some documents for work. She is very busy during the week, so it must be open on Sundays.

2   Mark needs to get colourful cardboard and glue for a big school project. He doesn’t have much money, so he is looking for a place with student discounts. He needs a shop located very close to the main train station.

3   Chloe loves writing stories and wants to look at a large collection of notebooks. She needs friendly staff who can give her advice on the best paper. She would also like to buy a hot drink while she is shopping.

4   David is setting up a room to work at home and needs to buy a comfortable desk chair. Because he cannot carry heavy items, the shop must offer delivery. He wants to go shopping very early in the morning.

5 Lisa and Tom want to buy some high-quality paints and brushes. They are also interested in joining a weekend class to learn new art skills. They plan to drive, so they need a store with a free car park.

Stationery and Office Supply Shops

A The Writing Room

Welcome to The Writing Room! We sell premium ink writing tools that are perfect for surprising someone special. We also offer a fast document copying and scanning service. We welcome customers seven days a week, making it the perfect place for a weekend visit when other stores are closed.

B Silver & Gold Stationery

At Silver & Gold Stationery, you will discover the finest luxury writing tools in the city. Our items make fantastic presents for loved ones. We are proudly open all weekend, including Sundays. Please note that we only sell goods, so we do not have any machines for making paper copies.

C Paper World

Paper World is situated directly opposite the city’s railway platforms, making it incredibly easy to reach. We stock everything a teenager needs for their classroom assignments, from bright display boards to sticky tape. Best of all, if you show your college card, you will pay less for all your items!

D Creative Kids

Creative Kids has amazing prices on all materials for classroom presentations, including markers, scissors, and coloured cards. We are proud of our budget-friendly prices which help teenagers save their pocket money. We are located far out in the countryside, so you will definitely need a car to visit us.

E The Journal Boutique

The Journal Boutique offers a massive variety of blank diaries with beautiful covers. Our incredibly knowledgeable workers love discussing paper types and will gladly guide you to the perfect choice. You can even enjoy a delicious coffee and a slice of cake at our indoor snack bar while you decide.

F Office Comforts

Office Comforts has an excellent range of seating options and large tables for your study room. Don’t worry about transporting large pieces yourself, as our drivers will bring everything to your house. Our doors open at midday every day, so we are strictly a destination for afternoon and evening shoppers.

G The Professional Desk

The Professional Desk opens its doors at 7 a.m. every morning, perfect for those who like to shop before work. We sell premium seating and large wooden tables for your business. Because our items are large, our team will transport your purchases straight to your front door at no extra charge.

H The Artist’s Corner

The Artist’s Corner is the perfect place to pick up brilliant watercolours and professional drawing tools. Every Saturday, we host a creative lesson where experts teach you how to improve your masterpieces. Visitors don’t need to pay for their vehicles, as we provide a large, complimentary area outside for cars.

Reading 3

For each question, choose the correct answer.

The people below all want to find a music instrument shop to visit.

There are descriptions of eight music instrument shops.

Decide which music instrument shop would be the most suitable for the people below.

1   Leo wants to test some new electric guitars before buying one. He needs a completely private, quiet space in the shop so he doesn’t disturb others while playing. Because of his job, he can only visit on Sunday mornings.

2   Maria is looking for printed notes for classical piano pieces to learn. She hopes to speak with highly knowledgeable staff to get some recommendations. She also needs to purchase a beautiful musical gift box for her best friend’s birthday.

3   Julian is searching for a place that can fix his broken violin. He loves collecting old, previously owned instruments and wants to see what is available. He doesn’t drive, so the store must be right next to a bus stop.

4   Sarah wants to borrow a drum kit for four weeks to practice at home. Because the equipment is heavy, she needs the shop to transport it to her house. She also hopes to buy passes for upcoming local music shows.

5   Tom wants to start a new hobby and is looking for a basic acoustic guitar. He would like to join group classes to learn how to play. Afterwards, he wants to sit and enjoy a hot drink inside the building.

Music Instrument Shops

A The Guitar Hub

We specialize in all types of string instruments, including the latest electric models. Customers can take any item into our special noise-blocking cabins to play as loud as they want! We welcome visitors seven days a week, opening our doors bright and early at 9:00 a.m. every weekend.

B Melody Makers

Come browse our huge library of written compositions and songbooks for keyboards. Our team consists of former professional musicians who love sharing their deep knowledge and guiding your choices. We also sell a wonderful selection of beautifully wrapped presents, which are absolutely perfect for treating the special music lovers in your life.

C Classic Strings

Did you damage your equipment? Our talented mechanics can mend any classical instrument quickly. Besides brand-new items, we have a wonderful collection of cheap, used equipment for careful buyers to explore. You will find us extremely easy to reach, as we are located exactly opposite the main town coach terminal.

D Beat & Rhythm

We offer flexible long-term hire services for all our percussion sets. There is no need to carry large items yourself, as our vans will drop your chosen gear right at your front door. While you are here, don’t forget to purchase entry seats for fantastic live performances happening around town!

E Harmony House

Perfect for people just starting out, we offer plenty of simple wooden string instruments. Improve your skills by signing up for our weekly shared teaching sessions with other students. After your practice, relax at our lovely indoor snack bar with a nice cup of coffee and a piece of cake.

F String Central

We have a massive range of electric and acoustic instruments for you to hold and strum. Enjoy a hot tea in our comfortable lounge area while you make your choice. Please note that we are closed all day on Sundays, and all testing happens on the main, open shop floor.

G The Music Room

Whether you need printed classical songs or modern pop chords, our paper library is excellent! We also have skilled workers who can mend broken violins and cellos. Unfortunately, we do not stock any souvenirs or birthday items, and visitors must drive here as there is no public transport nearby.

H City Sounds

We are the best place in town to borrow percussion sets or keyboards for a few weeks. You can also grab entry passes for exciting live weekend gigs straight from our counter. Please remember that customers must bring their own large vehicle to transport any hired equipment back home themselves.

Exercises:   12345