Practice English Reading Exercises for A2 – Homework, Exams & Study Habits
Reading 1
For each question, choose the correct answer.
A Great Idea for Studying
Fifteen-year-old Sophie usually got good marks in school, but she had a big problem last week. She had a biology exam about the human body on Friday. She read her textbook every evening, but she couldn’t remember all the difficult facts. She felt very worried. Her older brother, Tom, saw her looking sad and suggested drawing a mind map.
On Wednesday afternoon, Sophie decided to try Tom’s idea. She walked to the local shop and bought a huge piece of paper and a new box of coloured pens. When she got home, she put all her books on the floor so her desk was completely empty. Then, she wrote the word ‘body’ right in the middle of the paper.
Sophie spent three hours drawing lines and circles. She used a different colour for each part of the body. For example, she wrote information about the heart in red and the brain in blue. When her dad saw it, he said it looked like a messy painting. But for Sophie, it was the perfect way to connect her ideas.
On Friday morning, Sophie took her biology exam. When she looked at the questions, she closed her eyes and saw the colourful mind map in her head. She knew all the answers! A few days later, Mr. Miller gave her the best mark in the class. Now, Sophie is making another big map for her history test next week.
1 Why was Sophie worried last week?
(A) She had to read her textbook every evening.
(B) She found it difficult to learn things for an exam.
(C) She was looking sad because of her older brother, Tom.
2 What did Sophie do before she started drawing?
(A) She completely cleared the space where she works.
(B) She put a huge piece of paper on the floor.
(C) She wrote the word ‘body’ on her books.
3 What did Sophie’s dad think about her work?
(A) He believed it was the perfect way to connect her ideas.
(B) He spent three hours drawing lines and circles.
(C) He felt her picture wasn’t very tidy.
4 During the exam, Sophie
(A) gave Mr. Miller the best mark in the class.
(B) pictured her drawing to answer the questions.
(C) made another big map for her history test.
5 What is the best title for the article?
(A) A successful new way to study
(B) How to draw a messy painting
(C) Sophie’s terrible biology exam
ANSWER KEY
1 B 2 A 3 C 4 B 5 A
Reading 2
For each question, choose the correct answer.
A Perfect Place to Study
Fifteen-year-old Kevin has a big problem. Next month, he has some important school exams, so he needs to study every evening. However, his house is always very noisy. He has two younger brothers, five-year-old twins, who love playing loud games. They also share a bedroom with Kevin, so he can’t study there.
Last Tuesday, Kevin tried to do his homework in the kitchen. He sat at the big table with his books. But his mother was making dinner and listening to the radio. Also, the family dog kept jumping around and barking. Kevin couldn’t learn anything because there was too much noise.
The next day, Kevin talked to his dad about his problem. His dad had a great idea. At the back of the house, there was a small, dark room where the family kept old boxes. On Saturday morning, Kevin and his dad cleaned the room together. They painted the walls white and put a small desk, a comfortable chair, and a bright lamp inside.
Now, Kevin finally has a quiet place to do his schoolwork. When his little brothers are playing loudly in the living room, Kevin goes to his new ‘office’ and closes the door. He feels much more relaxed now, and he is sure he will get fantastic marks in his exams.
1 Why is it difficult for Kevin to study in his bedroom?
(A) He sleeps in the same room as his brothers.
(B) He plays loud games with his brothers there.
(C) He has to study there every evening.
2 What happened when Kevin tried to work in the kitchen?
(A) He listened to the radio while he worked.
(B) He was not able to focus on his studies.
(C) He helped his mother make dinner.
3 How did Kevin get a new study space?
(A) His dad built a new room at the back of the house.
(B) He bought a small desk and a comfortable chair.
(C) He and his father changed an old room into an office.
4 How does Kevin feel about his new space?
(A) It makes him feel less stressed.
(B) He can finally play loudly in the living room.
(C) He gets fantastic marks in his exams there.
5 What is the best title for the article?
(A) How to look after noisy brothers
(B) A great solution for a student
(C) The most difficult school exams
ANSWER KEY
1 A 2 B 3 C 4 A 5 B
Reading 3
For each question, choose the correct answer.
A Tidy Desk, A Clear Mind
Toby is fifteen years old and he has important school exams next week. On Saturday morning, he went to his bedroom to study. However, he felt very stressed when he looked at his desk. It was completely full of old magazines, dirty cups, and winter clothes. There was no space for his computer or his school books.
Toby decided that he had to tidy up first. He took all the dirty cups down to the kitchen and put his clothes in the wardrobe. Then, he started organizing his school papers. While he was putting away his maths homework, he found his blue history notebook. He lost it two weeks ago, so he was extremely happy!
After an hour of hard work, the desk was completely empty and clean. Toby put his pens in a cup and turned on his lamp. He also brought a small green plant from the living room and placed it next to his computer. The room suddenly looked like a perfect place for learning.
Finally, Toby sat down to prepare for his exams. He usually hates studying on weekends, but the clean desk made a big difference. He thought cleaning would make him tired, but he actually felt fantastic. He read his books for three hours without stopping. Now, he feels ready for his tests!
1 What was Toby’s problem on Saturday morning?
(A) He didn’t have enough clear area to work.
(B) He wanted to read his old magazines.
(C) He had no space for his winter clothes.
2 What happened while Toby was sorting his papers?
(A) He lost his blue history notebook.
(B) He put away his maths homework two weeks ago.
(C) He discovered a missing school item.
3 What did Toby add to his study area?
(A) a cup for his small green plant
(B) an object from another part of the house
(C) a perfect place for learning
4 How did Toby feel when he finally sat down?
(A) tired because he hates studying on weekends
(B) he thought cleaning would make him read his books
(C) full of energy and able to focus on his work
5 What is the best title for the article?
(A) How a clean bedroom desk helped Toby study
(B) Toby’s difficult maths and history exams
(C) Why Toby hates studying on the weekends
ANSWER KEY
1 A 2 C 3 B 4 C 5 A