Practice English Reading Exercises for B1 – Music, Singing & Audio Production
Reading 1
For each question, choose the correct answer.
Stepping into the Spotlight
For as long as I can remember, I have loved singing, but strictly in the shower. Although my friends knew I liked music, nobody had ever heard my actual voice. Then, a local café announced an ‘Open Mic Night’. My best friend, Maya, challenged me to put my name down. I was absolutely terrified, but a small part of me really wanted to share my hobby. I knew if I didn’t do it now, I never would, so I quickly signed up before I could change my mind.
The week before the performance was incredibly stressful. I practised my chosen song, an upbeat pop track, in my bedroom for hours every single day. However, every time I imagined singing in front of strangers, my stomach tied itself into knots. I even considered calling the café to cancel. If I pretended I was sick, I wouldn’t have to go. But Maya kept encouraging me, promising she would sit right in the front row to support me.
When Saturday evening finally arrived, the café was completely packed with people chatting and drinking coffee. When the host eventually called my name, my legs felt like heavy blocks of ice. Walking up to the small wooden stage, I was sure everyone could see how much my hands were shaking. I grabbed the microphone tightly and looked out at the dark room. It was so quiet that I thought everyone could hear my fast heartbeat.
I closed my eyes and started to sing. Initially, my voice was quite weak and a bit unsteady. But then, I opened my eyes and noticed Maya smiling at me. By the time I reached the chorus, something amazing happened. A few people in the crowd started clapping along to the happy beat of the song. That rhythm gave me energy, and suddenly, my intense fear completely disappeared. My voice grew much louder and more confident.
When I finished the final note, the whole café cheered loudly. I walked off the stage with a massive smile on my face, feeling like I was flying. It was definitely the scariest thing I had ever done, but also the most brilliant. I have already started looking for new songs to practise. I’ve realised that the shower is no longer the only place where I want to perform!
1 Why did the writer decide to sign up for the event?
(A) She wanted to show her friends how well she could sing.
(B) She felt secretly eager to let others hear her voice.
(C) She was forced to do it by the owners of the local café.
(D) She knew she would easily win the singing competition.
2 How did the writer feel in the days before the performance?
(A) Annoyed that Maya was sitting in the front row.
(B) Confident because she had practised for hours every day.
(C) Worried enough to think about making an excuse not to go.
(D) Stressed because she couldn’t find the right upbeat pop track.
3 What happened when the writer was called to the stage?
(A) She dropped the microphone because her hands were shaking.
(B) She was bothered by the loud talking in the packed café.
(C) She found it difficult to move her legs normally.
(D) She forgot the words to her song because of her heartbeat.
4 What made the writer’s fear go away during the song?
(A) Keeping her eyes closed for the entire performance.
(B) The audience joining in with the music.
(C) Maya singing the chorus of the song with her.
(D) Realising her voice was much louder than she thought.
5 What would the writer write in her diary that night?
(A) “I can’t believe I finally sang in public! I was terrified at first, but the crowd’s support made it an unforgettable experience.”
(B) “I’m so glad that’s over. I did my best, but my voice was too weak, and I don’t think I’ll ever go on a wooden stage again.”
(C) “Maya was right, singing is easy. I wasn’t nervous at all once I grabbed the microphone and saw all the people.”
(D) “The café was too noisy for anyone to hear me properly. Next time, I need to choose a much louder pop song to practise.”
Answer Key & Explanations
1 B – In the first paragraph, the writer states that despite being terrified, “a small part of me really wanted to share my hobby” indicating a secret desire to perform for others.
2 C – In the second paragraph, the writer mentions her stomach was tied in knots and she “even considered calling the café to cancel” and pretending she was sick to avoid going.
3 C – In the third paragraph, the writer describes her physical reaction to being called to the stage, stating “my legs felt like heavy blocks of ice.”
4 B – In the fourth paragraph, the writer explains that when people in the crowd “started clapping along to the happy beat” (joining in), the rhythm gave her energy and her fear “completely disappeared.”
5 A – This option correctly captures the global meaning and emotional arc of the text: the writer overcame her initial terror, was supported by the crowd (who clapped and cheered), and ended up loving the experience so much that she wants to do it again.
Reading 2
For each question, choose the correct answer.
Finding the Joy in Music Again
I have been playing the piano since I was seven years old, and for a long time, it was my favorite thing to do. However, a few months ago, everything changed. My teacher entered me for a high-level classical music exam. Suddenly, playing the piano wasn’t about having fun anymore; it was all about following strict rules and being absolutely perfect. I started to feel incredibly stressed every time I sat down to practice.
The biggest problem was the scales. To pass the exam, I had to play dozens of different scales perfectly. Every afternoon, I spent hours playing the same repetitive notes over and over again. My teacher was always correcting my mistakes, telling me my fingers were in the wrong position or my timing was too slow. I was so exhausted and bored that I actually started to hate the instrument. I even told my parents I wanted to quit after the exam.
One rainy Saturday, I decided I needed a break from classical music. I closed my piano books and turned on the television to watch my favorite movie. During an exciting scene, I noticed the background music for the first time. It was a beautiful, modern piano soundtrack. Without thinking, I walked back over to my piano. I didn’t look for the sheet music online. Instead, I just closed my eyes and tried to play the melody by ear, listening carefully to find the right notes.
It wasn’t easy at first, but after about twenty minutes, I managed to play the whole main theme. It sounded amazing. Because I wasn’t reading music or worrying about an exam, I could play with real feeling. At that moment, I remembered exactly why I had fallen in love with the piano in the first place. Music isn’t just about passing tests or playing traditional pieces perfectly; it is a way to express your emotions and be creative.
I am still going to take my classical exam next month, and I know I have to keep practicing my scales. However, my attitude has completely changed. I now make sure I spend at least twenty minutes a day playing modern songs just for fun. This balance has made me a much happier musician, and I know I will never want to quit again.
1 Why did the writer’s attitude towards the piano change a few months ago?
(A) He found a new teacher who was very strict.
(B) He realized he was no longer making any progress.
(C) He felt pressured by the demands of an upcoming test.
(D) He wanted to learn a different musical instrument.
2 What does the writer say about practicing for the exam?
(A) He enjoyed the challenge of learning difficult scales.
(B) He was annoyed by the continuous repetition and corrections.
(C) He struggled to understand the instructions his teacher gave.
(D) He thought his parents were pushing him too hard to succeed.
3 What did the writer do on a rainy Saturday?
(A) He searched the internet for the sheet music of a movie.
(B) He watched a film and tried to copy its music from memory.
(C) He decided to compose his own modern soundtrack for a film.
(D) He took a complete break from playing the piano for the day.
4 How did playing the modern song make the writer feel?
(A) It made him realize that reading music is unnecessary.
(B) It proved that modern music is easier to play than classical pieces.
(C) It showed him that he was already prepared for his classical exam.
(D) It reminded him that music should be an emotional experience.
5 What would the writer say in his blog about his piano playing?
(A) Classical exams are a complete waste of time, so I advise all young musicians to only play modern songs by ear.
(B) I was ready to give up the piano, but finding a balance between strict practice and playing for fun saved my passion.
(C) The best way to pass a difficult music exam is to take frequent breaks and watch movies to relax your mind.
(D) I’ve decided to stop playing classical music entirely and focus on becoming a professional movie soundtrack composer.
Answer Key & Explanations
1 C – The text states that “playing the piano wasn’t about having fun anymore” and he “started to feel incredibly stressed” because his teacher “entered [him] for a high-level classical music exam.”
2 B – The writer explains that he spent “hours playing the same repetitive notes” and his teacher “was always correcting [his] mistakes,” which made him “exhausted and bored.”
3 B – Paragraph 3 mentions that he watched his favorite movie, noticed the background music, and then “tried to play the melody by ear, listening carefully to find the right notes.”
4 D – After playing the song, the writer says he “could play with real feeling” and remembered that music is “a way to express your emotions and be creative.”
5 B – This captures the global meaning. The writer mentions in the final paragraph that he wanted to quit, but keeping a balance (practicing scales for the exam and playing modern songs for fun) has made him a “much happier musician.”
Reading 3
For each question, choose the correct answer.
My first day as a street musician
I’ve been playing the acoustic guitar since I was ten, mostly in my bedroom or for school concerts. But last month, I decided it was time to share my music with the public. I also hoped to earn some extra pocket money by busking – playing music on the street for tips. I chose a busy spot near the town square, opened my guitar case to catch the coins, and nervously started playing my favourite songs.
At first, things didn’t go the way I had planned. For the entire first hour, hundreds of people walked past me without even looking in my direction. Everyone seemed to be in a rush, staring at their phones or chatting with friends. I played as well as I could, but my guitar was no match for the noisy traffic and loud conversations. I started to feel quite miserable and embarrassed. My confidence disappeared, and I seriously thought about packing up my instrument and going home.
Just as I was finishing a rather sad song, I decided to play one last, energetic tune before leaving. Suddenly, a little girl, who looked about four years old, stopped in front of me with her mother. As soon as she heard the fast rhythm, she began jumping and dancing wildly to the beat. She didn’t care who was watching. Seeing her having so much fun completely changed my mood, and I couldn’t help but smile as I played.
Because the little girl was so entertaining to watch, a few people stopped to see what was happening. Before long, a small crowd had formed around us. When I finished the song, the crowd clapped loudly, and several people dropped coins into my guitar case. I continued playing for another hour, and people kept stopping to listen. The feeling of connecting with strangers through my music was absolutely incredible.
When I finally walked home, my fingers hurt and I was exhausted, but I was extremely happy. I did make enough money to buy a new guitar strap, but the money no longer felt like the most important thing. I realised that bringing a little joy to people’s daily lives is deeply rewarding, and I can’t wait to go back and do it again next weekend.
1 Why did the writer start playing music on the street?
(A) He was asked to perform for a special school concert.
(B) He wanted people to hear his music and to make some cash.
(C) He needed to earn enough money to buy a new acoustic guitar.
(D) He wanted to practice playing his favorite songs in public.
2 How did the writer feel during his first hour of busking?
(A) Annoyed because the street traffic was too loud.
(B) Disappointed because pedestrians were completely ignoring him.
(C) Embarrassed because he kept making mistakes while playing.
(D) Exhausted because he had been playing his guitar for so long.
3 What made the writer’s mood improve?
(A) He finally finished playing a very sad and slow song.
(B) A mother gave him a large tip for his performance.
(C) A young child stopped and enjoyed his music.
(D) He realized that it was almost time to go home.
4 When the crowd finally gathered around the writer, he
(A) decided it was a good time to stop playing and leave.
(B) asked the people to drop some coins into his guitar case.
(C) let the little girl play his acoustic guitar for the audience.
(D) experienced a wonderful shared moment with the audience.
5 What would the writer write in his diary that evening?
(A) Playing on the street was a disaster. People are too busy to appreciate real music, so I think I’ll just stick to school concerts from now on.
(B) I made so much money today that I don’t even care about the music anymore. Busking is definitely the best way to get rich quickly!
(C) It started out terribly, but seeing a child enjoy my music changed everything. The experience was amazing and I’m definitely going to busk again.
(D) I was so nervous that I couldn’t play my songs correctly. Luckily, a little girl started dancing and distracted everyone from my mistakes.
Answer Key & Explanations
1 B – In paragraph 1, the writer states he decided it was time “to share my music with the public” and “hoped to earn some extra pocket money”, which matches wanting people to hear his music and making cash.
2 B – In paragraph 2, the writer says “hundreds of people walked past me without even looking in my direction” and that he started to feel “miserable and embarrassed”, which paraphrases to being disappointed because pedestrians were ignoring him.
3 C – In paragraph 3, a little girl stops and begins jumping and dancing to his music. The writer notes, “Seeing her having so much fun completely changed my mood.”
4 D – In paragraph 4, after the crowd gathers, he plays for another hour and notes, “The feeling of connecting with strangers through my music was absolutely incredible.”
5 C – This captures the global meaning and emotional arc of the text: moving from an initial sense of failure to a turning point inspired by the dancing child, ending with a deep sense of reward and a plan to return.