Practice English Reading Exercises for A2 – Heritage & Cultural Sightseeing
Reading 1
For each question, choose the correct answer.
An Amazing Piece of History
Last Friday, a fifteen-year-old student named Mark went on a school trip with his class. Their teacher took them to see the famous Stone Bridge in the centre of the city. Mark usually prefers looking at modern skyscrapers, so he was not very excited when they got on the bus.
However, when Mark saw the bridge, he immediately changed his mind. The bridge was built 400 years ago, and it was huge. Mark was amazed by the beautiful tall towers at each end. There were also thick walls made of dark grey stone. He could not believe how strong it looked after so many years.
While the class was walking across the bridge, Mark took lots of photos with his phone. He asked his teacher, Mr. Jones, how people made such a wonderful bridge without any modern machines. Mr. Jones explained that hundreds of workers spent ten years building it. Mark felt a deep respect for those hard workers.
Now, Mark is back at home, but he is still thinking about the trip. He has decided that he wants to study architecture at university when he is older. He is going to spend this weekend drawing a picture of the Stone Bridge for his bedroom wall.
1 How did Mark feel at the beginning of the trip?
(A) He didn’t think the journey would be very interesting.
(B) He usually prefers looking at the famous Stone Bridge.
(C) He went on the bus to see modern skyscrapers.
2 What did Mark think about the bridge’s architecture?
(A) He changed his mind 400 years ago.
(B) He built thick walls made of dark grey stone.
(C) He thought the high structures on the bridge were wonderful.
3 What did Mark do while he was on the bridge?
(A) He took lots of photos without any modern machines.
(B) He wanted to know how the bridge was created in the past.
(C) He found out that Mr. Jones spent ten years building it.
4 What is Mark planning to do next?
(A) He is going to spend this weekend at university.
(B) He wants to create a piece of art showing the bridge.
(C) He has decided to study architecture for his bedroom wall.
5 What is the best title for the article?
(A) How to build a bridge without modern machines
(B) Mark’s favourite modern skyscrapers
(C) A school trip to a beautiful old bridge
ANSWER KEY
1 A 2 C 3 B 4 B 5 C
Reading 2
For each question, choose the correct answer.
Maya’s Musical Surprise
Fifteen-year-old Maya loves modern pop music. She always listens to it on her phone. Last Saturday, her parents took her to a cultural festival in their city. Her mother wanted to see a special traditional music performance. Maya felt unhappy because she thought the old songs would be extremely boring.
When they arrived at the large park, it was very busy. Maya saw many different food tents and a big wooden stage. Soon, the musicians walked onto the stage carrying some unusual wooden instruments. Maya expected slow, quiet music, but the band started playing very fast and loudly. The rhythm was actually fantastic!
After a few songs, the band stopped playing. One of the musicians asked people in the crowd to come up and learn a traditional dance. Maya felt quite shy, but her older brother pulled her hand. They danced together in a large circle. Maya couldn’t stop laughing and she had an amazing time.
The performance finished late in the evening. Before going home, Maya used her pocket money to buy the band’s new CD. She told her parents that she really wants to return to the festival next summer. She learned that trying new things can be a great adventure.
1 Why was Maya unhappy about going to the event?
(A) She believed the concert wouldn’t be interesting.
(B) She wanted to see a special traditional music performance.
(C) She always listens to it on her phone.
2 What surprised Maya about the band?
(A) The musicians walked onto the stage.
(B) Their sound had a lot of speed and volume.
(C) They played slow, quiet music.
3 What did Maya do during the show?
(A) She asked people in the crowd to come up.
(B) She pulled her hand and stopped playing.
(C) She took part in a group activity.
4 What did Maya do before leaving the park?
(A) Her parents used her pocket money to buy the band’s new CD.
(B) She purchased something that the musicians made.
(C) She finished late in the evening.
5 What is the best title for the article?
(A) Discovering a new style of music
(B) How to learn a traditional dance
(C) The unusual wooden instruments
ANSWER KEY
1 A 2 B 3 C 4 B 5 A
Reading 3
For each question, choose the correct answer.
Leo’s Secret Roman Adventure
Fourteen-year-old Leo loves history. Last month, his class went on a school trip to Rome. Their teacher gave everyone a tourist map and told them to visit the famous places in the city centre. However, there were thousands of people everywhere. Leo doesn’t like crowds, so he decided to look for something different.
He left the busy square and walked down a quiet, narrow street. Suddenly, he noticed an old wooden door that was open. He looked inside and saw some beautiful floor tiles. He walked down some stairs and found an ancient Roman bathhouse! It was completely empty and very peaceful.
While he was taking photos, an old man walked in. He was a scientist. He explained that they found the bathhouse just a few months ago. He said that people cannot find it on a normal tourist map yet because it is a secret. He was happy to tell Leo all about the building’s history.
When Leo returned to the hotel, he showed the photos to his history teacher and his classmates. They couldn’t believe his amazing story! They all wanted to visit the secret place too. Before this trip, Leo wanted to be a doctor. Now, he wants to study the past when he goes to university.
1 Why did Leo walk away from the main areas?
(A) His teacher gave everyone a tourist map.
(B) He wanted to visit the famous places.
(C) He prefers to avoid large groups of people.
2 What was the ancient Roman bathhouse like?
(A) It didn’t have any other people inside it.
(B) It was a quiet, narrow street.
(C) It had an old wooden door that was open.
3 What did the old man tell Leo?
(A) He cannot find it on a normal tourist map.
(B) Ordinary holidaymakers don’t know the place exists.
(C) He was taking photos of the building’s history.
4 How did the discovery change Leo?
(A) He couldn’t believe his amazing story.
(B) He wanted to be a doctor.
(C) He decided to choose a new career.
5 What is the best title for the article?
(A) A student’s surprising find in the city
(B) How to read a normal tourist map
(C) A terrible school trip to Rome
ANSWER KEY
1 C 2 A 3 B 4 C 5 A