Practice English Reading Exercises for A2 – Community Events & Festivals 2
Reading 1
For each question, choose the correct answer.
A Special Dance for My Town
My name is Maya, and I am thirteen years old. Next month, our town is having a big cultural festival. People from different countries will share their food and music. My grandmother decided to teach me a traditional dance from our home country so I could perform it there. I felt very happy because I love dancing.
The dance is not easy to learn. I have to move my feet very fast, and the music is quite quick. I practise for two hours every evening in our living room. Sometimes, my legs hurt after a long practice, and I feel extremely tired. But I always continue because I want to be perfect on the big day.
Last week, my mother finished making my special dress for the festival. It is long, with beautiful red and gold colours. When I put the dress on for the first time, I looked in the mirror and felt a little worried. I suddenly thought about all the people who were going to watch me.
When the day of the festival finally arrived, I stood on the stage and started to dance. I did not make any mistakes! When the music stopped, everybody in the crowd clapped loudly. I felt incredibly proud of my performance and my family’s culture. Next year, I am going to teach the same dance to my younger sister.
1 Why is Maya learning a traditional dance?
(A) To show it at a local celebration.
(B) Because she wants to share her food and music.
(C) Because her grandmother is having a big cultural festival.
2 What does Maya say about her practice?
(A) She does it for two hours every morning.
(B) It requires a lot of hard work and energy.
(C) She stops when her legs hurt.
3 How did Maya feel when she tried on her clothes for the event?
(A) She felt tired of the beautiful red and gold colours.
(B) She was happy to finish making her special dress.
(C) She was anxious about dancing in front of a large audience.
4 At the end of the text, we learn that Maya
(A) plans to show her sibling how to do the routine.
(B) clapped loudly when the music stopped.
(C) made some mistakes on the stage.
5 What is the best title for the article?
(A) How to make a beautiful dress
(B) A proud moment for my family
(C) The best food and music festival
ANSWER KEY
1 A 2 B 3 C 4 A 5 B
Reading 2
For each question, choose the correct answer.
A Sweet Way to Read More
Jamie is a high school student who loves reading. He usually reads two novels every week. However, the newest books in the local bookshop are quite expensive, and his parents cannot buy them all for him. When Jamie heard about the neighborhood fair on Saturday, he had a great idea. He decided to make and sell lemonade to earn some extra money.
On Friday afternoon, Jamie started his preparations. He walked to the supermarket with his older sister to buy the things he needed. They got bags of lemons, sugar, and a hundred plastic cups. Back home, it took them two hours to prepare the delicious drink. Jamie also painted a big, colorful sign to put in front of his table.
The day of the fair was incredibly hot and sunny. Because of the beautiful weather, many people felt thirsty. Jamie’s lemonade was very popular! Soon, there was a long line of customers. But at two o’clock, Jamie had a problem. He had no more cups left. Luckily, his friend Sam lived near the park and quickly brought him some more.
When the fair finished, Jamie counted the money in his box. He was surprised because he had enough to buy six thick novels! He felt exhausted but really proud of his hard work. He is already planning to return next summer, but he will bake some chocolate cakes to sell, too.
1 Why did Jamie decide to sell lemonade at the fair?
(A) to get some cash for something he enjoys doing
(B) because he usually reads two novels every week
(C) because his parents cannot buy the neighborhood fair
2 What did Jamie do on Friday?
(A) He walked to the supermarket to buy a big, colorful sign.
(B) He spent time getting everything ready with a relative.
(C) He took two hours to put plastic cups in front of his table.
3 What happened in the middle of the afternoon?
(A) Sam lived near the park and felt thirsty.
(B) A long line of customers brought him some more lemons.
(C) Jamie ran out of the things he used to serve drinks.
4 How did Jamie feel at the end of the event?
(A) surprised because he felt exhausted
(B) very tired but pleased with what he achieved
(C) ready to bake some chocolate cakes in his box
5 What is the best title for this article?
(A) The Most Expensive Books in the Bookshop
(B) How to Bake Chocolate Cakes for a Fair
(C) Earning Money for a Favourite Hobby
ANSWER KEY
1 A 2 B 3 C 4 B 5 C
Reading 3
For each question, choose the correct answer.
The Midnight Sky Show
My name is Leo, and I am fourteen years old. Every year, my family and I do something special for New Year. Last week, we didn’t stay at home to watch TV. Instead, we travelled into the city centre to join the big celebration. I was very excited because I love staying up late.
When we arrived at the main square, there were thousands of people. It was a very cold evening, so everyone wore heavy coats and scarves. To keep warm, my dad bought us some hot chocolate from a small market stall. The atmosphere was amazing. People were laughing, playing music, and singing songs while we waited for midnight.
At one minute before midnight, the crowd started to count down loudly. Ten, nine, eight… and then everyone cheered! Suddenly, the dark sky was full of bright light. The fireworks were absolutely beautiful. They were red, green, and gold. They made a really loud noise, but nobody minded. We all looked up and watched the fantastic show for twenty minutes.
After the fireworks finished, people started walking back to the train station. The journey home took a long time because the streets were so busy. When I finally got to bed, my ears were still ringing, and I was extremely tired. However, it was the best New Year’s Eve ever, and I cannot wait to do it again!
1 Why did Leo go to the city centre with his family?
(A) to take part in a large public event
(B) to stay at home and watch TV
(C) to buy heavy coats and scarves
2 How did the family stay warm while waiting?
(A) They got a small market stall.
(B) They drank something hot.
(C) They played music and sang songs.
3 What does Leo say about the fireworks display?
(A) It began exactly at one minute before midnight.
(B) The crowd watched it for ten minutes.
(C) The high volume was not a problem for the people.
4 What happened after the event finished?
(A) Their travel back was quite slow.
(B) People started walking to the main square.
(C) Leo’s ears were still ringing at the train station.
5 What is the best title for the article?
(A) The loud noise at the train station
(B) A wonderful New Year celebration
(C) How to buy fireworks in the city
ANSWER KEY
1 A 2 B 3 C 4 A 5 B