Practice English Reading Exercises for A2 – Eco-friendly & Personal Transport
Reading 1
For each question, choose the correct answer.
1 Who bought their electric bicycle with their own money?
(A) Leo (B) Maya (C) Toby
2 Who says that using an electric bicycle is good for the environment?
(A) Leo (B) Maya (C) Toby
3 Who brings their electric bicycle indoors at the end of the day?
(A) Leo (B) Maya (C) Toby
4 Who takes less time to travel to school now?
(A) Leo (B) Maya (C) Toby
5 Who lets someone in their family ride their electric bicycle?
(A) Leo (B) Maya (C) Toby
6 Who says the electric bicycle makes it easier to carry big things?
(A) Leo (B) Maya (C) Toby
7 Who has more energy when they get to their classes?
(A) Leo (B) Maya (C) Toby
Riding Electric Bicycles to School
Leo
I love my electric bicycle. I didn’t ask my parents to buy it for me. Instead, I used the cash from my Saturday job to get it. It was expensive, so I never let anyone else ride it! It is actually quite light, so at night, I carry it up the stairs into my bedroom so it is totally safe. Before I got this bike, I rode a normal one. I always arrived in class needing to sit down and rest. Now, the motor helps me peddle, so I feel completely awake and ready for my lessons!
Maya
My dad gave me my electric bicycle for my birthday last year. I don’t bring it inside the house because the wheels get dirty; I just lock it safely in our garage. For me, the best thing about riding it is that it is fantastic for nature. Cars make so much dirty air, but my bike doesn’t do that at all. It is very popular in my house. Actually, when I am not at school, my older sister often uses it to travel to the sports centre on Sundays!
Toby
I always cycle to school. My journey used to be forty minutes on my old bike, but with my new electric one, it is only fifteen! Even though I still feel a little sleepy in the early mornings, I love feeling the wind on my face. Every day, my backpack is full of large dictionaries and thick folders. With a normal bike, this was a huge problem. Now, the battery does the hard work for me, so I don’t feel the weight on my back anymore.
ANSWER KEY
1 A 2 B 3 A 4 C 5 B 6 C 7 A
Reading 2
For each question, choose the correct answer.
1 Which person says the cycling lanes are sometimes too busy?
(A) Leo (B) Maria (C) Sam
2 Which person uses the cycle paths to carry things they buy?
(A) Leo (B) Maria (C) Sam
3 Which person feels safe because cars cannot enter the cycle paths?
(A) Leo (B) Maria (C) Sam
4 Which person thinks it is difficult to see on the paths in the evenings?
(A) Leo (B) Maria (C) Sam
5 Which person loves the plants and trees next to the paths?
(A) Leo (B) Maria (C) Sam
6 Which person travels to their classes using the cycle paths?
(A) Leo (B) Maria (C) Sam
7 Which person does not own the bicycle they ride?
(A) Leo (B) Maria (C) Sam
Cycling in our eco-friendly city
Leo
Our city is amazing for riders. I go to my office every morning using the special roads just for bicycles. I feel completely protected because vans and taxis are kept far away behind a tall wall. It is never full of other riders, so my journey is very relaxing. I really enjoy looking at all the beautiful green spaces and colorful flowers along the way. I actually don’t have my own bike; I just rent one of the yellow public ones using an app on my phone. It’s so simple!
Maria
I recently spent some of my savings on a beautiful new bicycle. I use it every day to get to university, which is much cheaper than taking the bus. The paths in our town are great, especially when I need to go to the supermarket. My bike has a large basket, so getting my groceries home is really easy. My brother thinks the paths are too dark at night, but I disagree. The street lamps shine brightly, so I never have a problem finding my way home after the sun goes down.
Sam
Everyone in my family loves cycling. I ride my bike everywhere, but the special paths have a few problems. Because our city is so environmentally friendly, almost everyone rides a bike. This means there are often too many people on the same road, and you have to ride very slowly. Also, when I ride home from football practice after sunset, I really wish they would put up more lights. It gets very dark out there! I only carry my sports bag, but I often see people struggling with heavy shopping bags.
ANSWER KEY
1 C 2 B 3 A 4 C 5 A 6 B 7 A
Reading 3
For each question, choose the correct answer.
1 Which person says their health has improved?
(A) Oliver (B) Maria (C) Thomas
2 Who spends the cash they kept on different things?
(A) Oliver (B) Maria (C) Thomas
3 Which person arrives at their job faster than before?
(A) Oliver (B) Maria (C) Thomas
4 Who likes taking pictures while they are outside?
(A) Oliver (B) Maria (C) Thomas
5 Which person has a job that is not far from their house now?
(A) Oliver (B) Maria (C) Thomas
6 Who says they can talk to people who live near them?
(A) Oliver (B) Maria (C) Thomas
7 Which person is more relaxed because there are no traffic jams?
(A) Oliver (B) Maria (C) Thomas
Why We Sold Our Cars
Oliver
I used to drive to my office every day, but the streets were always full of waiting vehicles. It made me feel very stressed before I even started working! Now, going on foot means my mind is calm. Surprisingly, I reach my desk quicker than when I drove because I don’t have to sit in line. I also love saying hello to the families on my street as I pass their gardens. Walking costs nothing, but I still keep my extra money in the bank instead of spending it.
Maria
Last year, my doctor told me I needed to exercise more. I decided to get rid of my vehicle and travel everywhere on my own two feet. Now, my body is much stronger and I have lost five kilos! My office is quite a long way away, so it takes me an hour to arrive, but I really enjoy the journey. I always bring my camera with me to get lovely images of the trees and birds. I sometimes see people from work in their cars, but I never chat with them.
Thomas
I loved my car, but petrol and repairs were very expensive. When I sold it, I had a lot of extra cash. Now, I use those savings to go to nice restaurants and buy new clothes! I didn’t walk much in the past because my workplace was in another city. However, I recently started at a new company just down the road, so walking is very easy. I don’t think I am any fitter, though. Also, I walk quite fast, so I never stop to look at nature or use a camera.
ANSWER KEY
1 B 2 C 3 A 4 B 5 C 6 A 7 A