Practice English Reading Exercises for A2 – Daily Shopping & Supermarkets 2
Reading 1
For each question, choose the correct answer.
The Perfect Birthday Gift
My name is Lily, and I am twelve years old. Next week is my best friend Emma’s birthday. She is turning thirteen, and I really wanted to buy her a special present. Usually, my mom buys a small gift for me to give her, but this year, I wanted to use my own money.
The problem was that I only had a little bit of pocket money in my room. So, I decided to do some jobs at home to earn more. On Wednesday, I washed my dad’s dirty car, and on Thursday, I spent two hours cleaning the kitchen. My parents were very pleased and gave me ten extra pounds.
On Saturday morning, I took the bus to the shopping centre. First, I looked at some clothes. I found a nice blue t-shirt, but Emma already has too many t-shirts. Next, I went to the bookshop. Emma loves reading stories about history, but I wanted to get her something different. Finally, I saw a beautiful silver necklace with a small star in a jewellery shop.
The necklace cost exactly the amount of money I had in my purse. I bought it immediately and put it in a nice box. When I gave the present to Emma at her party on Sunday, she was amazed. She put it on her neck right away. I felt incredibly proud because I worked hard to buy it for her.
1 What was different about Emma’s birthday present this year?
(A) Lily paid for it with her own money.
(B) Lily’s mother bought a small gift for her.
(C) Lily’s best friend wanted to buy it for her.
2 How did Lily get extra money?
(A) She asked her parents for ten extra pounds.
(B) She spent two hours cleaning her dad’s car.
(C) She did some work around her house.
3 Why didn’t Lily buy a book for her friend?
(A) Emma already has too many books.
(B) Lily wanted to find a more unusual gift.
(C) Emma doesn’t like reading about history.
4 What happened at the birthday party on Sunday?
(A) Emma put the present into a nice box.
(B) Emma was amazed by the amount of money it cost.
(C) Emma wore the new piece of jewellery immediately.
5 What is Lily doing in this text?
(A) explaining how to earn pocket money at home
(B) giving advice on the best shops for birthday presents
(C) describing how she got a special gift for a friend
ANSWER KEY
1 A 2 C 3 B 4 C 5 C
Reading 2
For each question, choose the correct answer.
Finding the Best Price for Trainers
My name is Mark, and I am fifteen years old. Next month, I want to join my school’s basketball team. However, I need a new pair of sports shoes before I can play. My grandparents gave me some cash for my birthday, but I know trainers are often very expensive. I decided to visit different shops to find the best price.
On Saturday morning, I walked to the large sports shop in the town centre. I quickly saw some fantastic blue trainers. I tried them on, and they were very comfortable, but they cost £80! The friendly shop assistant showed me some green ones for £60. Unfortunately, I didn’t like the colour at all.
After that, I went to a small shoe shop on the high street. I looked in the window and saw the exact same blue shoes! In this shop, the price was £70. It was cheaper than the first shop, but I still didn’t buy them. I sat on a bench and used my smartphone to look on the internet.
I visited a famous website and saw that they had a big sale. The blue trainers were only £50 there! I ordered them immediately. I am so glad I didn’t buy them in the first shop. Because I saved my money, I can now buy a new basketball too!
1 Why is Mark looking for new shoes?
(A) He requires footwear for a sport he plans to do.
(B) His grandparents gave him a new pair of sports shoes.
(C) He wants to visit different shops for his birthday.
2 What happened in the town centre shop?
(A) He rejected a cheaper option because of how it looked.
(B) The friendly shop assistant showed him some blue trainers for £60.
(C) He decided to buy some fantastic blue trainers for £80.
3 What did Mark do after visiting the shop on the high street?
(A) He went back to the first shop to look on the internet.
(B) He used his phone to search for a better deal.
(C) He bought the exact same blue shoes for £70.
4 Why is Mark so happy at the end of the story?
(A) He bought the trainers in the first shop for £50.
(B) A famous website had a big sale on a new basketball.
(C) He spent less cash than expected and got extra equipment.
5 What is the best title for the article?
(A) Shopping around to save money on trainers
(B) The friendly shop assistant on the high street
(C) How to buy a new basketball online
ANSWER KEY
1 A 2 A 3 B 4 C 5 A
Reading 3
For each question, choose the correct answer.
City Centre Shopping Madness
Hi everyone! I’m Sam. Last Saturday, my best friend Mia and I went to the city centre. We wanted to buy some new clothes for a school party. When we arrived at the main square, I couldn’t believe my eyes. There were thousands of people everywhere. It was really noisy, but we were very excited to start looking in the shops.
First, we visited a huge department store. I needed a warm jacket, so we went to the second floor. It was difficult to walk because it was so crowded! While I was looking at jackets, Mia tried on some funny hats. She made me laugh a lot. Finally, I found a lovely blue jacket, but it cost too much money, so I left it there.
By one o’clock, we felt extremely hungry. We walked to our favourite café, but there were no empty tables. We had to wait outside for twenty minutes to get some burgers. When we finally sat down, I accidentally dropped my glass of cola on the floor. I felt so embarrassed, but the waiter was really kind and brought me another one.
In the afternoon, we left the busy streets and found a small shop on a quiet corner. I didn’t get a jacket, but I bought an awesome black T-shirt there instead. We returned home exhausted, but it was a brilliant day out!
1 How did Sam feel when he arrived in the city?
(A) eager to check out the stores
(B) angry because there were thousands of people everywhere
(C) sad that he couldn’t believe his eyes
2 What did Sam do in the big department store?
(A) He tried on some funny hats.
(B) He decided not to purchase a piece of clothing.
(C) He bought a lovely blue jacket.
3 What happened at the café?
(A) Sam sat down outside for twenty minutes.
(B) The waiter dropped a glass of cola on the floor.
(C) Sam spilt his drink on the ground.
4 At the end of the shopping trip, Sam
(A) left the busy streets to get a jacket.
(B) returned home exhausted without buying anything.
(C) got a top from a quiet place.
5 What is the best title for this blog post?
(A) How to Buy a Blue Jacket
(B) A Busy but Brilliant Shopping Trip
(C) The Best Cafés in the City Centre
ANSWER KEY
1 A 2 B 3 C 4 C 5 B