Practice English Reading Exercises for B1 – Outdoors & Animals 6
Reading 1
For each question, choose the correct answer.
More Than Just Cleaning Glass
When I got a weekend job at the city aquarium, I was absolutely thrilled. I have always been fascinated by sea creatures, so I imagined I would spend my shifts feeding penguins or helping the biologists take care of the sharks. However, the reality of my new position was completely different. For the first month, my only responsibility was walking around with a cloth and a spray bottle, cleaning the glass of the massive fish tanks. The work was incredibly repetitive, and I quickly started to feel that my job was quite boring and unimportant.
My attitude changed during a busy Saturday morning. I was wiping the glass of the stingray pool when a young boy tapped my arm. He pointed at a stingray hiding under the sand and asked me how it could breathe without getting sand in its mouth. Because I was wearing the official aquarium uniform, he clearly expected me to be an expert. I felt my face turn red with embarrassment. I had absolutely no idea what the answer was, and I felt terrible for disappointing him.
Instead of inventing a silly answer, I honestly admitted that I didn’t know. However, I promised him that I would find out. During my lunch break, I went straight to the staff room. I used my smartphone to research stingrays, and I also asked our senior biologist, Sarah, for some extra details. I learned that stingrays have special breathing holes called spiracles behind their eyes, which allow them to take in water safely while buried.
Later that afternoon, I was delighted to spot the same boy walking past the shark tunnel with his parents. I rushed over and explained exactly how the stingrays breathe. His eyes went wide with amazement, and his parents thanked me warmly for taking the time to find the answer.
That simple interaction completely transformed how I view my part-time job. I realised that I am not just a cleaner; I am part of an educational team. More importantly, I discovered that work is a continuous learning process. Even though I still spend hours washing fingerprints off the glass, I now use that time to observe the animals and learn something new every day.
1 How did the writer feel about his job at the beginning?
(A) He was worried about having to feed the dangerous sharks.
(B) He was disappointed because his daily tasks were unexciting.
(C) He was pleased that he could spend all day learning about penguins.
(D) He was angry that the biologists refused to help him clean.
2 When the little boy asked a question, the writer felt embarrassed because
(A) he couldn’t see the stingray hiding under the sand.
(B) his uniform was dirty from cleaning the glass all morning.
(C) he did not know the answer despite looking like an expert.
(D) he accidentally gave the boy the wrong information.
3 What did the writer do during his lunch break?
(A) He made up an interesting story to tell the boy later.
(B) He went to the stingray pool to observe the animals breathing.
(C) He tried to find the boy’s parents in the staff room.
(D) He gathered information using his phone and a colleague.
4 What valuable lesson did the writer learn from this experience?
(A) That educating visitors is an important part of his job.
(B) That he needs to become a senior biologist to answer questions.
(C) That cleaning the fish tanks is the most important job in the aquarium.
(D) That he should avoid talking to visitors if he doesn’t know the answer.
5 What would the writer write in his diary that evening?
(A) The boy’s question today made me realise I hate cleaning. I am going to ask the manager to let me feed the penguins instead.
(B) I felt so silly today when I couldn’t answer a simple question. I hope I never see that boy and his parents again!
(C) Today proved that my job is about more than just washing glass. Admitting I didn’t know something actually helped me learn and teach someone else!
(D) I finally learned how stingrays breathe today! It’s a shame the little boy had already gone home before I could tell him the answer.
Answer Key & Explanations
1 B – In the first paragraph, the writer mentions that his only responsibility was cleaning glass, which was “incredibly repetitive,” making him feel his job was “quite boring and unimportant.” This matches being disappointed by unexciting tasks.
2 C – The second paragraph states that because the writer was wearing the official uniform, the boy “expected me to be an expert,” but the writer “had absolutely no idea what the answer was,” causing him to feel embarrassed.
3 D – In the third paragraph, the writer explains that he “used my smartphone to research” and “asked our senior biologist… for some extra details,” which paraphrases to gathering information using a phone and a colleague.
4 A – The final paragraph describes how the writer’s view transformed, realising “I am not just a cleaner; I am part of an educational team,” which aligns with the idea that educating visitors is a key part of the job.
5 C – This option accurately captures the global meaning and emotional arc of the text: moving from feeling like a mere cleaner to realizing the value of honesty, continuous learning, and educating the aquarium’s visitors.
Reading 2
For each question, choose the correct answer.
Keeping the Game Fair
When I saw an advertisement for a weekend job as a referee at ‘Forest Paintball’, I applied immediately. I had played the game several times with my friends and loved the excitement. I needed a part-time job to save up for a new laptop, and I assumed that standing in the woods watching people play would be a simple, entertaining way to earn some extra cash. I genuinely expected my main tasks would simply be handing out equipment and blowing a whistle to start the matches.
However, my relaxed attitude disappeared completely during my second weekend. I was refereeing a match between two large groups of adults who were taking the game very seriously. Suddenly, two players from opposite teams started arguing aggressively in the middle of the field. They were shouting loudly at each other, both claiming that they had shot the other person first. As a sixteen-year-old, I felt incredibly anxious. My hands were shaking, and my initial reaction was to wait for my manager to come and solve the problem for me.
Instead of walking away, I took a deep breath and stepped between the two angry players. I knew I had to take control of the situation before it got worse. I spoke to them calmly but firmly, reminding them of the strict safety rules. Because I had been watching closely from a good position, I knew exactly what had happened. I explained clearly that they had actually fired at the exact same time, which meant both of them were out of the game.
To my surprise, they immediately stopped arguing. They could see that I was being completely unbiased and confident in my decision, so they accepted the ruling and walked off the field. That stressful afternoon completely changed my view of the job. I realised that being a referee isn’t just about blowing a whistle; it is about managing people and handling conflict professionally. I now feel much more self-assured when dealing with difficult situations, and I know these communication skills will be incredibly useful for whatever career I choose in the future.
1 Why did the writer want to work at ‘Forest Paintball’?
(A) He wanted to learn how to play the game properly.
(B) He thought it would be an enjoyable way to make money.
(C) He was asked by his friends to join the referee team.
(D) He wanted to buy new paintball equipment.
2 How did the writer feel when the players started arguing?
(A) Angry that they were ignoring the safety rules in the woods.
(B) Surprised because adult players usually play quietly.
(C) Worried and tempted to let someone else handle it.
(D) Confident that he could solve the problem quickly.
3 How did the writer resolve the argument?
(A) By asking the manager to make the final decision.
(B) By letting both players stay in the match.
(C) By making a strict ruling based on what he saw.
(D) By telling the players to calm down and restart the game.
4 What does the writer think about his job now?
(A) He believes it is providing him with valuable life skills.
(B) He wants to leave because dealing with aggressive people is too stressful.
(C) He thinks blowing the whistle is the most important part of the role.
(D) He prefers playing paintball to refereeing adult matches.
5 What would the writer write in his diary that evening?
(A) The players were so aggressive today that I just walked away. I hope the manager doesn’t fire me for not doing my job.
(B) I used to think refereeing was just about starting matches, but today I learned how to calmly manage a difficult conflict between players.
(C) Today was great! I finally managed to buy my new laptop with the money I earned from telling players the rules.
(D) I had to eliminate two players today because they wouldn’t stop shouting at me. I really hate working with adults at the weekend.
Answer Key & Explanations
1 B – The text states in paragraph 1 that he wanted to save up for a laptop and assumed it would be a “simple, entertaining way to earn some extra cash,” which matches thinking it would be an enjoyable way to make money.
2 C – Paragraph 2 explains that the writer “felt incredibly anxious” (worried) and his “initial reaction was to wait for my manager to come and solve the problem for me” (tempted to let someone else handle it).
3 C – In paragraph 3, the writer notes that because he had been watching closely, he “explained clearly that they had actually fired at the exact same time, which meant both of them were out of the game,” showing he made a strict ruling based on what he saw.
4 A – Paragraph 4 details how the writer realises these “communication skills will be incredibly useful for whatever career I choose in the future,” meaning the job is providing him with valuable life skills.
5 B – This option captures the global meaning and emotional arc of the text: transitioning from expecting an easy job to facing a stressful argument, and ultimately finding confidence in making unbiased, calm decisions.
Reading 3
For each question, choose the correct answer.
The Invisible Work on the Clay Court
When I first applied for a weekend job at our local tennis club, I was just looking for a way to earn enough money to buy a new mountain bike. I had imagined myself sitting in the sunshine, handing out clean towels or selling cold drinks to the players. However, the manager assigned me to court maintenance instead. My main responsibility was sweeping the red clay courts and brushing the white lines after the matches. I quickly realised this was going to be much harder than I had expected.
The reality of working on clay courts is extremely messy. No matter how careful I was, the fine red dust got absolutely everywhere. By the end of my shift, my shoes, clothes, and even my hair were covered in a thick layer of orange dirt. Sweeping the entire court with a heavy brush was also physically exhausting, especially during the hot summer afternoons. There were many times when I felt like giving up and looking for a clean, indoor job instead.
Everything changed during the first week of July, when our club hosted an important regional tournament. The manager told me that two professional players were coming to use the main court for their morning practice. He asked me to make sure the surface was completely perfect. I felt incredibly nervous as I dragged the heavy brush across the clay, carefully removing every footprint. I spent extra time sweeping the white lines until they were shining brightly in the sun.
When the players finally arrived, I stood quietly by the fence to watch. They didn’t speak to me or even look at me, but as they started hitting the ball, I noticed how perfectly it bounced on the smooth surface. Watching them slide across the red clay without any problems, I suddenly felt a deep sense of satisfaction. I realised that their amazing performance was partly possible because of the hard work I had done.
I still go home covered in red dust every weekend, and my arms still ache from sweeping. But I no longer want to quit. Knowing that I am making a real contribution, even if no one else notices it, has given me a quiet feeling of pride that makes the difficult work completely worth it.
1 What did the writer think when he started his new job?
(A) He was disappointed because he could not afford a mountain bike.
(B) He was surprised by the type of work he was given to do.
(C) He felt happy to be working outside in the warm sunshine.
(D) He was worried about making mistakes on the clay courts.
2 What was the writer’s biggest problem with the maintenance job?
(A) The brush he used was too old to clean the white lines properly.
(B) The hot weather made the clay courts too dry to sweep.
(C) He disliked how dirty the red clay dust made him.
(D) He was annoyed that he had to work indoors instead of outside.
3 How did the writer feel before the professional players arrived?
(A) He was annoyed that he had to do extra work for the tournament.
(B) He was anxious about preparing the court correctly for them.
(C) He was excited to finally meet his favourite tennis players.
(D) He was confident because he was the best worker at the club.
4 While watching the professionals play, the writer
(A) understood the value of his unseen efforts on the court.
(B) felt upset that the players didn’t thank him for his work.
(C) wished he could play tennis as well as they did.
(D) noticed that the ball was bouncing badly on the white lines.
5 What would the writer write in his diary about his job?
(A) I’m going to resign tomorrow. I can’t stand having red dust in my hair and clothes anymore, and the pay isn’t worth it.
(B) The players thanked me for my hard work today! It feels great to be recognised by professionals at the tennis club.
(C) Sweeping the courts is tiring and messy, but seeing the professionals play on a perfect surface makes me proud of what I do.
(D) I finally bought my mountain bike! Now that I have what I want, I can ask the manager to let me sell cold drinks instead.
Answer Key & Explanations
1 B – The writer says he imagined “handing out clean towels or selling cold drinks” but was assigned to court maintenance instead, and quickly realised it was “much harder than I had expected.”
2 C – The text states that “No matter how careful I was, the fine red dust got absolutely everywhere” and that his clothes and hair were “covered in a thick layer of orange dirt,” making him want to look for a clean job.
3 B – The writer says, “I felt incredibly nervous as I dragged the heavy brush across the clay,” showing he was anxious about making the surface completely perfect for the professionals.
4 A – The text explains that watching the perfect bounce of the ball gave him a “deep sense of satisfaction” because he “realised that their amazing performance was partly possible because of the hard work I had done.”
5 C – This option accurately captures the global meaning and the writer’s shift in attitude: acknowledging the dirty, hard nature of the job, but finding a quiet sense of pride in preparing the stage for professional players.