Practice English Reading Exercises for A1 – School, Learning & Friends
Reading 1
Read the story. Write words to complete the sentences about the story.
You can use 1, 2 or 3 words.
The Long Walk to School
Last Tuesday morning, it was very cold and there was a lot of deep snow outside. Nick and his sister, May, stood at the bus stop. They waited for a long time, but the school bus was very late. “I am very cold!” said May. “We can’t wait here,” Nick said. “Let’s walk to school today.”
Examples
On Tuesday morning, there was a lot of ………deep snow……… outside.
Nick and May stood at the ………bus stop……… .
Questions
1 The children waited for a long time because the ………………………… was late.
2 May felt ………………………… while they waited.
3 Nick wanted to ………………………… today because they couldn’t wait for the bus.
The children put on thick scarves. They started to walk down the hill. They walked very carefully because the snow was deep. Suddenly, they saw their friend, Ben. He was outside his house with his mother. “Hello, Nick and May!” Ben shouted. “Are you walking to school?” Nick said, “Yes, we are.” Ben’s mother smiled and said, “Ben can walk with you.”
4 Nick and May put on ………………………… before walking down the hill.
5 The children walked ………………………… because the snow was deep.
6 They saw their friend, Ben, who was ………………………… with his mother.
7 Ben’s mother ………………………… and said Ben could walk with them.
The three friends walked slowly through the snow. They talked and laughed a lot. Finally, they arrived at school. Their teacher, Mr. Green, was at the door. “Well done, children,” he said. “Go inside and have some hot milk.” They drank their milk and felt very happy. It was a good morning!
8 The three friends talked and laughed while they walked ………………………… through the snow.
9 When they arrived at school, their teacher, ………………………… , was at the door.
10 The children went inside, drank some ………………………… , and felt very happy.
ANSWER KEY
1 school bus 2 very cold 3 walk to school
4 thick scarves 5 very carefully 6 outside his house 7 smiled
8 slowly 9 Mr. Green 10 hot milk
Reading 2
Read the story. Write words to complete the sentences about the story.
You can use 1, 2 or 3 words.
Sam’s clever robot
Last Thursday, Sam got a new toy from his parents. It was a clever silver robot. The robot could walk and say simple words. Sam was very happy. On Friday morning, he put the robot in his school bag. He wanted to show it to his friends in class.
Examples
Sam’s parents gave him a ………new toy……… last Thursday.
The toy was a clever ………silver robot……… .
Questions
1 The robot could walk and say some ………………………… .
2 On Friday morning, Sam put the toy in his ………………………… .
3 Sam wanted to show the robot to his ………………………… .
In the classroom, Sam showed the robot to his best friend, Ben. “Wow!” said Ben. “That is a great toy.” Then, their teacher, Mr. Kite, walked into the room. Sam put the robot on the teacher’s desk. The robot walked across the desk and said, “Hello, everyone!” All the children laughed loudly. Mr. Kite smiled and asked the robot some questions.
4 Sam showed his new toy to his ………………………… , Ben.
5 The boys’ teacher is called ………………………… .
6 Sam put the robot on the ………………………… .
7 The robot said “Hello” and the children ………………………… .
The robot helped the children with their maths lesson. When Mr. Kite asked, “What is two and two?”, the robot said, “Four!” The children thought it was fantastic. At the end of the day, Sam carried his robot home carefully. He wanted to bring it to school again next week.
8 The robot helped the class with their ………………………… .
9 The children thought the robot was ………………………… .
10 Sam wanted to bring his toy to school again ………………………… .
ANSWER KEY
1 simple words 2 school bag 3 friends
4 best friend 5 Mr. Kite 6 teacher’s desk 7 laughed loudly
8 maths lesson 9 fantastic 10 next week
Reading 3
Read the story. Write words to complete the sentences about the story.
You can use 1, 2 or 3 words.
Lily’s cold day
It was a cold and windy morning. Lily got up and put on her favourite skirt and a thin yellow T-shirt. “Take a warm sweater,” her mother said. But Lily forgot the sweater on her bed and walked to school with her friend, Vicky.
Examples
The weather was ………cold and windy……… that morning.
Lily wore her favourite skirt and a ………yellow T-shirt……… .
Questions
1 Lily’s mother told her to take a …………………… .
2 Lily left the sweater on …………………… .
3 Lily went to school with her friend, …………………… .
The girls’ first lesson was maths. The classroom was very cold because a window was open. Lily sat next to the window and tried to do her work. After twenty minutes, she started to cough and sneeze. Her face was white, and she felt terrible. Her teacher, Mr White, looked at her. “Are you OK, Lily?” he asked. “No, I am very cold,” she answered.
4 The girls’ first lesson was …………………… .
5 The room was very cold because …………………… was open.
6 Lily started to cough and sneeze after …………………… .
7 The teacher, …………………… , asked Lily a question.
Mr White closed the window and gave Lily his big brown jacket. Then, he phoned Lily’s mother. Her mother came to the school and drove Lily home. Lily had to stay in bed. She ate some hot chicken soup and slept all afternoon. Next time, she will remember her warm clothes!
8 Mr White gave Lily his …………………… to wear.
9 Lily’s mother went to the school and …………………… .
10 In bed, Lily ate some …………………… .
ANSWER KEY
1 warm sweater 2 her bed 3 Vicky
4 maths 5 a window 6 twenty minutes 7 Mr White
8 big brown jacket 9 drove Lily home 10 hot chicken soup