Practice English Reading Exercises for A2 – Heritage & Cultural Sightseeing
Reading 1
For each question, choose the correct answer.
Lucas’s Ancient Temple Adventure
Sixteen-year-old Lucas got a new camera for his birthday last month. He loves taking pictures of nature and old buildings. When his teacher told the class about a national student photography competition, Lucas knew he wanted to enter immediately. He decided to photograph the ancient temples in a dark forest near his city.
On Saturday morning, Lucas woke up very early. He caught the first bus to the forest because he wanted to be there before it got too busy with other tourists. When he arrived, the temples were completely quiet. The morning sun was just starting to shine through the tall trees. Lucas thought the view was absolutely beautiful and started preparing his equipment.
He spent three long hours walking around the old stone buildings. At first, it was difficult to get a good picture because the sky suddenly became quite cloudy. He had to wait patiently for the sun to come out again. Finally, he found the perfect spot next to a small lake and took some fantastic photos of the temples.
Yesterday, Lucas chose his favorite picture and sent it to the competition. He doesn’t know if he will win first prize, but he doesn’t mind. He feels incredibly proud of his hard work. Next weekend, he plans to show his classmates how to take great photos outside and explore the forest again.
1 Why did Lucas decide to visit the old buildings?
(A) He wanted to participate in a photo contest.
(B) He got a new camera for his birthday last month.
(C) His teacher told the class to go to a dark forest.
2 Why did Lucas travel early in the day?
(A) He wanted to avoid large crowds of people.
(B) He needed to catch the first bus to the forest.
(C) The morning sun was just starting to shine.
3 What problem did Lucas have while taking photos?
(A) The weather was not good at the beginning.
(B) He had to spend three long hours walking.
(C) He couldn’t find the perfect spot next to a small lake.
4 How does Lucas feel about his entry?
(A) He is very happy with what he achieved.
(B) He thinks that he will win first prize.
(C) He wants to show his classmates his favorite picture.
5 What is the best title for the article?
(A) How to take great photos outside
(B) A teenager’s photography adventure
(C) The dark forest near the city
ANSWER KEY
1 A 2 A 3 A 4 A 5 B
Reading 2
For each question, choose the correct answer.
A Surprising Museum Trip
Fourteen-year-old Ben usually hates museums. Last Saturday, his father decided to take the family to the City History and Science Museum. Ben wasn’t excited. He prefers spending his weekends playing football in the park with his friends. He thought that walking around a quiet building looking at old things sounded extremely boring.
For the first hour, Ben was right. His dad stopped to look at every old pot and read all the long information on the walls. Ben’s legs started to hurt, and he felt very sleepy. He asked his dad if they could go home or go to the café to buy a cold drink.
Then, they walked through some large doors into a different area. There was a sign that said ‘Interactive Science Zone’. Suddenly, it wasn’t quiet anymore. There were bright lights and lots of fun activities. Ben ran to a big glass ball. When he put his hands on it, his hair stood up on his head! He laughed loudly with his little sister.
Ben spent over an hour building small bridges and playing with magnets in that room. When his dad finally said it was time to catch the bus home, Ben didn’t want to leave. He had an amazing time. Now, Ben thinks that learning about science is actually quite fun!
1 Before arriving at the museum, Ben
(A) expected the visit to be uninteresting.
(B) decided to take the family there.
(C) wanted to look at old things.
2 During the first hour at the museum, Ben
(A) went to the café to buy a cold drink.
(B) felt pain in his body from standing.
(C) read all the long information on the walls.
3 In the ‘Interactive Science Zone’, Ben
(A) carried a big glass ball.
(B) saw his hair change when he touched an object.
(C) laughed loudly at a sign on the door.
4 When it was time to go home, Ben
(A) wanted to catch the bus home quickly.
(B) was sad that he had to leave the building.
(C) spent an hour playing with magnets.
5 What is the best title for the article?
(A) Playing football in the park
(B) How to build small bridges
(C) A surprising day at a museum
ANSWER KEY
1 A 2 B 3 B 4 B 5 C
Reading 3
For each question, choose the correct answer.
A Holiday Full of History
Fourteen-year-old Sarah is on holiday in Scotland with her parents and younger brother. On Tuesday morning, they visited a famous ruined castle. Sarah usually thinks visiting historic buildings is quite boring. However, the man showing them around, Mr Brody, was wearing traditional clothes and had a very loud, friendly voice. He made everything sound exciting.
Mr Brody didn’t just talk about dates and facts. Instead, he told the group amazing legends. First, he told a story about a brave king who lived in the castle hundreds of years ago. According to the legend, the king hid a heavy gold cup somewhere in the castle walls before a big battle. People are still looking for it today!
Next, they walked up to the tallest tower. Here, Mr Brody shared a scary story about a ghost. He said that on dark nights, you can hear a young woman crying because she lost her beautiful silver ring. Sarah felt a bit frightened, but she couldn’t stop listening. Her brother hid behind their dad!
When the tour finished, Sarah didn’t want to leave. She went straight to the gift shop and bought a large book full of old Scottish stories. Before this trip, she didn’t like history very much. But now, she thinks she would like to become a tour guide in the future and tell exciting legends to visitors.
1 What do we learn about Sarah in the first paragraph?
(A) She liked how the guide made the place seem interesting.
(B) She usually thinks visiting historic buildings is an exciting holiday.
(C) She has a younger brother with a very loud, friendly voice.
2 What did the king do according to the first legend?
(A) He spent a lot of time talking about dates and facts.
(B) He kept something valuable safe from other people.
(C) He looked for a heavy gold cup after a big battle.
3 In the tallest tower, Sarah
(A) lost her beautiful silver ring on a dark night.
(B) heard a young woman crying loudly.
(C) liked the scary story even though it made her afraid.
4 What is Sarah planning to do when she is older?
(A) get a job sharing interesting stories with tourists
(B) write a large book full of old Scottish stories
(C) tell her parents that she doesn’t want to leave
5 What is the best title for the article?
(A) A girl who changed her mind about history
(B) How to find a hidden gold cup in a castle
(C) The scary ghost in the tallest Scottish tower
ANSWER KEY
1 A 2 B 3 C 4 A 5 A