Practice English Reading Exercises for A2 – Culinary Arts & Spicy Flavors
Reading 1
For each question, choose the correct answer.
The Teenager Learning to Cook
Fifteen-year-old Jamie had always wanted to help in the kitchen, but his parents were worried that he might get hurt with the knives. During the summer holidays, Jamie decided to join a local cooking class for teenagers. He wanted to surprise his family by preparing a full dinner all by himself before his older sister returned from university.
At the start of the course, the teacher, Mrs. Miller, taught everyone how to keep their workspace clean and safe. Jamie was a little nervous during the first lesson, especially when he had to use a sharp knife to cut onions. He followed the instructions carefully, and soon he was chopping vegetables like a professional.
The hardest part of the class was making the sauce for the main course. Jamie had to watch the pot constantly and mix it at the right time. He nearly burned the food because he forgot to check the heat, but Mrs. Miller helped him save the dish. By the end of the lesson, the kitchen smelled delicious, and Jamie felt much more confident.
On the last day, the students had to prepare a meal for their parents. Jamie made a tasty pasta dish and a fresh salad. His parents were very impressed and said it was the best meal they had eaten all month. Jamie is now planning to practice his new skills by making breakfast for his family every weekend.
1 Why did Jamie decide to go to a cooking class?
(A) He wanted to learn how to use sharp knives safely.
(B) He hoped to prepare a meal for his family on his own.
(C) His parents asked him to help out in the kitchen.
2 How did Jamie feel during his first lesson?
(A) He was anxious about using the equipment.
(B) He was happy to see the teacher, Mrs. Miller.
(C) He was bored because he already knew how to cut vegetables.
3 What happened when Jamie was making the sauce?
(A) He asked the teacher to cook the dish for him.
(B) He spent too much time mixing the ingredients.
(C) He almost ruined the meal by not watching the temperature.
4 What is Jamie going to do now that the course is over?
(A) Cook a full dinner for his sister every day.
(B) Prepare the morning meal for his family on Saturdays and Sundays.
(C) Study to become a professional chef at university.
5 What is the best title for the article?
(A) Why parents should let teenagers use knives
(B) A summer holiday well spent in the kitchen
(C) How to make the perfect pasta sauce at home
ANSWER KEY
1 B 2 A 3 C 4 B 5 B
Reading 2
For each question, choose the correct answer.
The Teenager Who Cooked a Secret Dinner
Fifteen-year-old Toby wanted to do something special for his parents’ wedding anniversary. Usually, they went out to eat at an expensive restaurant in town. But this year, Toby decided to prepare a big dinner for them at home. He wanted it to be a wonderful surprise.
On Saturday morning, while his parents were shopping, Toby quickly walked to the local supermarket. He bought some fresh vegetables, ginger, and a lot of chili powder. His dad really loves fiery dishes, so Toby decided to make his favourite meal: spicy fried chicken.
Toby spent three hours in the kitchen. First, he washed and cut all the vegetables. Then, he prepared the meat. He used his laptop to watch a cooking video on the internet to learn how to do it perfectly. It was quite difficult, and he made a huge mess on the table, but the food smelled fantastic.
When his parents returned, they were totally amazed. The dining room looked beautiful. They sat down and ate the meal together, and his dad actually asked for more chicken! Toby was extremely tired at the end of the evening, but he felt incredibly proud. Next year, he plans to bake a large chocolate cake for them too.
1 Why did Toby want to cook dinner?
(A) He wanted to give his parents a wonderful surprise.
(B) He wanted to eat at an expensive restaurant in town.
(C) He wanted to do something special for his 15-year-old friend.
2 What did Toby do on Saturday morning?
(A) He got the things he needed for his dad’s favourite meal.
(B) He went shopping with his parents.
(C) He bought a lot of chili powder for the local supermarket.
3 How did Toby know the right way to cook the meal?
(A) He got help from an online clip.
(B) He spent three hours in the kitchen.
(C) He washed and cut all the vegetables.
4 What happened when Toby’s parents came home?
(A) They were very surprised by what Toby did.
(B) They baked a large chocolate cake.
(C) They were extremely tired at the end of the evening.
5 What is the best title for the article?
(A) The teenager who cooked a special anniversary meal
(B) How to make your favourite spicy fried chicken
(C) The most expensive restaurant in town
ANSWER KEY
1 A 2 A 3 A 4 A 5 A
Reading 3
For each question, choose the correct answer.
Saving Grandmother’s Secret Recipes
Fifteen-year-old Sofia loves eating delicious food. Her grandmother, Rosa, is the best cook in the family. Rosa makes wonderful dishes, but she has a lot of secret recipes. She never writes them on paper; she just keeps them in her head. Sofia worried that the family would forget these amazing meals one day.
Last month, Sofia went to the bookshop and bought a beautiful red notebook. She asked her grandmother to teach her how to cook. Now, every Sunday afternoon, Sofia goes to Rosa’s kitchen. They spend hours cooking together, and Sofia writes everything in her new book.
However, the project is sometimes quite difficult. Rosa never weighs her ingredients! She just uses an old tea cup or her hands to add things like sugar and flour. Because of this, Sofia has to watch her grandmother very carefully. Then, Sofia measures the food herself to get the correct numbers for the recipe.
The red notebook is already full of amazing meals. Last week, Sofia’s parents used it to bake Rosa’s famous chocolate cake, and it tasted perfect. Sofia feels incredibly proud of her project. When she leaves school, she hopes to print the notebook and give a copy to everyone in her family.
1 Why was Sofia worried at the beginning of the story?
(A) Rosa is the best cook in the family.
(B) Her relatives might not remember how to make the dishes.
(C) She never writes them on paper.
2 What does Sofia do every Sunday afternoon?
(A) She learns to prepare food with an older relative.
(B) She goes to the bookshop.
(C) She buys a beautiful red notebook.
3 What makes the task hard for Sofia?
(A) Rosa adds things like sugar and flour.
(B) She has to watch her grandmother very carefully.
(C) Her grandmother does not use exact amounts of food.
4 What does Sofia want to do in the future?
(A) Bake Rosa’s famous chocolate cake.
(B) Share the recorded meals with her relatives.
(C) Leave school and feel incredibly proud.
5 What is the best title for the article?
(A) A teenager’s project to save family cooking instructions
(B) How to use an old tea cup in the kitchen
(C) The best beautiful red notebook from the bookshop
ANSWER KEY
1 B 2 A 3 C 4 B 5 A