Practice English Reading Exercises for B1 – Extracurricular Activities & Clubs 8
Reading 1
For each question, choose the correct answer.
Discovering Hidden Chapters
I joined the local library’s teen book club a few months ago because I wanted to make new friends who shared my love for reading. Usually, we choose exciting modern fantasy or science fiction stories. However, last month, our club president, Sarah, announced that we were going to read a famous classic novel from the nineteenth century. When I saw the thick book with its tiny text, I immediately felt disappointed. I thought reading it would feel just like doing a boring school assignment.
My negative feelings didn’t change when I started reading the novel at home. The language was incredibly old-fashioned, and the characters seemed to spend chapters sitting around drinking tea and talking about the weather. There was absolutely no action, and I couldn’t connect with anyone in the story. I struggled to finish the first hundred pages and went to the next club meeting feeling quite angry. I was ready to tell everyone how much I hated Sarah’s choice.
As soon as the discussion began, I complained loudly. I argued with Sarah, saying the book was terribly slow and irrelevant to teenagers today. I expected the rest of the group to agree with me. Instead, the room went quiet. Then, a boy named Leo gently explained that he actually loved the slow pace. He pointed out that the conversations about the weather were clever ways for the characters to hide their true emotions.
Other members started sharing their favourite quotes, explaining how the author was actually criticizing the society of that time. As I listened to their different viewpoints, my frustration slowly disappeared. I realised that because I was looking for a fast-paced adventure, I had missed the hidden meanings. I felt a little embarrassed about my quick judgment and my argument with Sarah. I promised the group that I would go back and read the rest of the book carefully.
By the next meeting, I had finished the entire novel, and to my surprise, I really enjoyed it. This experience completely changed my attitude towards reading. It taught me that keeping an open mind is incredibly important. If we only look at things from our own perspective, we might miss out on something wonderful. Now, I am actually the one suggesting that we read another classic next month!
1 Why was the writer disappointed at the beginning?
(A) She realised she wouldn’t have time to make new friends.
(B) The club president chose a book she thought would be dull.
(C) She had already read the famous nineteenth-century novel.
(D) The library didn’t have any modern fantasy stories left.
2 How did the writer feel about the book while reading it at home?
(A) annoyed because the characters were always arguing
(B) worried that the language was too difficult to understand
(C) bored because the story lacked exciting events
(D) confused about why the characters were drinking tea
3 What happened when the writer shared her opinion at the meeting?
(A) Sarah agreed that the book was too slow for teenagers.
(B) Leo explained that the boring conversations had a secret purpose.
(C) The other members loudly defended the club president’s choice.
(D) The group decided to stop reading the classic novel.
4 Listening to the other club members made the writer
(A) regret her initial negative reaction to the book.
(B) want to write her own fast-paced adventure story.
(C) realise that she had read the wrong chapters.
(D) feel angry that nobody shared her favourite quotes.
5 What would the writer write in her diary that evening?
(A) I had a huge argument with Sarah today. I still think the book is terrible, but I promised to finish it just to please the group.
(B) Today’s book club meeting was interesting. I realised that listening to how other people see a story can completely change your own opinion of it.
(C) I am so embarrassed that I couldn’t understand the old-fashioned language. I think I’ll leave the book club and read science fiction instead.
(D) The classic novel was a great choice, but I wish Leo hadn’t disagreed with me about the hidden meanings in the text.
Answer Key & Explanations
1 B – In the first paragraph, the writer states that the president chose a classic novel and the writer felt disappointed because she thought reading it “would feel just like doing a boring school assignment” (dull).
2 C – In the second paragraph, the writer complains that “There was absolutely no action” and the characters just sat around, matching the idea that she was bored because the story lacked exciting events.
3 B – Paragraph three explains that Leo “pointed out that the conversations about the weather were clever ways for the characters to hide their true emotions,” meaning the conversations had a secret purpose.
4 A – In the fourth paragraph, after listening to the others, the writer notes, “I felt a little embarrassed about my quick judgment and my argument with Sarah,” which shows she regretted her initial negative reaction.
5 B – This option successfully captures the global meaning and emotional arc of the text: transitioning from hating the book to realising that hearing different perspectives can open your mind to hidden meanings and change your attitude.
Reading 2
For each question, choose the correct answer.
The Mock Trial
Ever since I started secondary school, I’ve been fascinated by courtroom dramas on television. So, when my history teacher announced a new school law club, I immediately signed up. For our final project, we organised a mock trial, which is a fake court case. I was chosen to play the role of the main witness. I thought it would be a fun acting job and an easy way to get good marks.
I spent weeks preparing. I had to memorise a long statement containing details about where my character was on the night of the ‘crime’. On the day of the trial, our school hall was set up exactly like a real courtroom. During the first half, a friend asked me questions for our side. Because we had practised together so often, I felt completely relaxed and answered confidently.
However, things suddenly changed during the cross-examination, when the opposing student lawyer gets to question you. The boy playing this role, an older student named Liam, walked right up to me. He started asking extremely complicated questions at a very fast speed. He seemed quite aggressive, trying to catch me making a mistake. My heart started beating wildly. My mind went completely blank, and I just froze in my chair, unable to speak.
As the silence in the room grew, I felt my face turning red. Then I remembered the advice my teacher had given us: never rush your answers. I closed my eyes for a second and took a long, deep breath. Instead of panicking, I calmly asked Liam to repeat his question. This time, I answered slowly and clearly. I didn’t let him push me around anymore, and I managed to explain exactly what my character had seen.
In the end, the judge decided that our team had won the case, mainly because my evidence was so believable. The whole experience taught me a valuable lesson. I realised that performing well isn’t just about memorising lines; it is about keeping your head clear when people challenge you. Now, I feel much more confident about speaking in public, whatever the situation.
1 What was the writer’s attitude towards playing the witness at first?
(A) They thought it would be an enjoyable and simple task.
(B) They were worried about remembering all their lines.
(C) They wanted to prove they were the best actor in school.
(D) They hoped it would help them become a real lawyer.
2 How did the writer feel during the first half of the trial?
(A) Nervous because the hall looked exactly like a real courtroom.
(B) Confident because they were questioned by someone they knew well.
(C) Bored because they had already memorised their statement.
(D) Surprised by the difficult questions their own team asked them.
3 What problem did the writer face during the cross-examination?
(A) Liam asked them questions about the wrong crime.
(B) They were unable to understand the judge’s instructions.
(C) Liam’s fast and forceful style caused them to freeze in panic.
(D) They realised their character had made a terrible mistake.
4 How did the writer successfully deal with the difficult situation?
(A) They closed their eyes and refused to look at the opposing lawyer.
(B) They asked their teacher to explain the difficult questions to them.
(C) They paused to calm down and then spoke at a slower pace.
(D) They told the judge that Liam was acting too aggressively.
5 What would the writer text to a friend after the trial?
(A) I played a witness in the law club today! The other lawyer was so aggressive that I cried, and unfortunately, my team lost the case.
(B) The mock trial was actually really stressful. I forgot all my lines, but luckily my friend helped me answer the questions and we won!
(C) I was a witness in our mock trial today. I froze when the other lawyer questioned me, but I managed to stay calm, and we won!
(D) I joined the law club to get easy marks, but it was too hard. Next time, I’m going to be the judge instead of a witness.
Answer Key & Explanations
1 A – In paragraph 1, the writer states, “I thought it would be a fun acting job and an easy way to get good marks,” matching the idea of an enjoyable and simple task.
2 B – In paragraph 2, the text explains that a friend asked the questions and “Because we had practised together so often, I felt completely relaxed and answered confidently.”
3 C – In paragraph 3, the writer describes how Liam “started asking extremely complicated questions at a very fast speed” and “seemed quite aggressive,” which caused their mind to go blank and freeze.
4 C – In paragraph 4, the writer explains they “took a long, deep breath” (paused to calm down) and “answered slowly and clearly” (spoke at a slower pace).
5 C – This option successfully captures the global meaning and the writer’s emotional arc: acknowledging the scary moment of freezing under pressure, but highlighting their ability to regain calm and help their team win the case.
Reading 3
For each question, choose the correct answer.
The Magic of a Mistake
When my school announced the annual talent show, I immediately signed up to perform a magic act. I had been practicing a highly complex card trick for weeks in my bedroom. I was completely confident that my performance would be flawless. I imagined the audience gasping in amazement as I magically revealed the correct card, and I even dreamed of holding the first-place trophy. I stepped onto the stage that evening feeling like a professional magician, ready to amaze my classmates.
However, the reality of performing live in front of hundreds of people quickly ruined my confidence. As I asked a teacher to pick a card, my hands started shaking under the bright stage lights. When it was time for the grand reveal, I confidently pulled a card from the deck and held it high in the air. The teacher looked confused and shook his head; it was the completely wrong card. My face turned bright red. I felt incredibly foolish and seriously considered running off the stage and hiding in the changing rooms.
Just as the awkward silence in the hall became unbearable, I took a deep breath and looked at the audience. Instead of panicking, I threw the wrong card over my shoulder and smiled. “Well,” I said loudly into the microphone, “it seems my magic wand is broken today, or perhaps the teacher forgot his own card!” I dramatically dropped the rest of the deck onto the floor and took an exaggerated, silly bow.
To my absolute surprise, the entire crowd erupted into loud laughter and applause. They absolutely loved the joke. I walked off the stage feeling incredibly proud instead of embarrassed. The experience taught me a highly valuable lesson about performing. Audiences don’t always need to see a perfect act; they mostly just want to be entertained. I realised that learning to handle your own mistakes with confidence and humour is actually the best magic trick of all.
1 What did the writer expect before going on stage?
(A) He was worried that his hands would shake under the lights.
(B) He expected to impress everyone with a perfect magic trick.
(C) He believed the teacher would choose the right card for him.
(D) He thought he would need more time to practice the trick.
2 How did the writer feel immediately after showing the wrong card?
(A) Annoyed because the teacher had lied about the card.
(B) Surprised that the audience started laughing at him so quickly.
(C) Angry that the stage lights were too bright for him to see.
(D) Embarrassed and wanting to escape from the situation.
3 What did the writer do instead of running off the stage?
(A) He used his magic wand to make the deck of cards disappear.
(B) He asked the teacher to choose a completely different card.
(C) He turned the embarrassing mistake into a funny moment.
(D) He blamed the audience for making him feel nervous.
4 What did the writer learn from the talent show?
(A) Handling failures with humour is a great way to entertain people.
(B) Magic is too difficult to perform in front of large crowds.
(C) Winning a trophy is the most important part of any talent show.
(D) It is important to buy professional magic equipment.
5 What would the writer say in a text message to a friend?
(A) My card trick was flawless! The audience gasped in amazement and I easily won the first-place trophy.
(B) The magic trick was a disaster, but making a joke out of it completely won the crowd over. It was actually a great night!
(C) I was so embarrassed when the trick went wrong that I ran off the stage. I am never doing magic again.
(D) I made a joke about the teacher, but nobody laughed. I really wish I had practiced the trick more in my bedroom.
Answer Key & Explanations
1 B – In the first paragraph, the writer states, “I was completely confident that my performance would be flawless” and “imagined the audience gasping in amazement.”
2 D – The second paragraph explains that after showing the wrong card, his face turned red, he “felt incredibly foolish,” and he “seriously considered running off the stage and hiding.”
3 C – In the third paragraph, the writer describes how, instead of panicking, he threw the card over his shoulder, smiled, and made a joke into the microphone, taking an exaggerated bow.
4 A – The final paragraph reflects on the lesson learned: “Audiences don’t always need to see a perfect act… learning to handle your own mistakes with confidence and humour is actually the best magic trick of all.”
5 B – This option captures the global meaning and emotional arc of the text: transitioning from the embarrassment of a failed magic trick to the surprising success and pride of saving the act with a well-timed joke.