Practice English Reading Exercises for A2 – Language Learning & Academic Skills

Exercises:   12345

Reading 1

For each question, choose the correct answer.

The Teenager Building a Better Way to Learn

Sixteen-year-old Leo loves learning new languages. Last year, he tried to learn Spanish on his phone, but he thought the lessons were very boring. Most programs just ask you to remember words. Leo wanted to create something much better for students, so he decided to build a completely new language system on his computer.

To make his program really useful, Leo used international language levels. This means his system puts learners into different groups, from beginners to advanced students. Leo noticed that beginners always have a lot of trouble understanding spoken words. Because of this, he decided to make a lot of listening exercises instead of just reading and writing.

After working on his project for two months, Leo showed the program to his classmates. He asked them to try it and tell him what they thought. Most of his friends thought it was brilliant, but a few students said the speakers were too fast. Leo listened to their advice and made the voices much slower.

Now, Leo’s language system is almost ready. He doesn’t want to sell his project to a big company to make money. Instead, he plans to put it on the internet for free so anyone can use it. Next year, he hopes to add French and German lessons to help even more young people around the world.

1   Why did Leo start making his own language program?

     (A) He wanted to try to learn Spanish on his phone.

     (B) He felt that existing study applications were uninteresting.

     (C) He wanted a computer that asks you to remember words.

2   Why did Leo focus on listening exercises for his project?

     (A) To put learners into different groups from beginners to advanced.

     (B) Because he wanted to teach just reading and writing.

     (C) Because new students find it hard to hear what people are saying.

3   What happened when Leo’s classmates tried his system?

     (A) Some of them needed the audio to be less quick.

     (B) Most of his friends said the speakers were too fast.

     (C) They worked on his project for two months.

4   What will Leo do with his project now?

     (A) Sell his project to a big company to make money.

     (B) Add French and German lessons around the world.

     (C) Let people use it online without paying any cash.

5   What is the best title for the article?

     (A) A schoolboy creates a smart system to study languages

     (B) Selling a new language project to a big company

     (C) How to learn Spanish on your phone

Reading 2

For each question, choose the correct answer.

Listening to Success

Fifteen-year-old Sofia loves studying foreign languages. At school, her favourite subject is Spanish. Last month, her classmates felt very worried about their summer language exams. They usually get good marks in writing, but they think listening to native speakers is incredibly difficult. Sofia wanted to do something to help them.

She decided to create some listening practice tests for her friends. Every weekend, she used her smartphone to record short conversations. Sometimes she spoke to her older cousin, Marco, who lives in Madrid. They talked about simple things like hobbies, food, and travel. After that, Sofia wrote three questions for each audio file.

In the beginning, creating the tests took a lot of time. Sofia’s friends listened to the first recordings, but they couldn’t understand them. They said that Marco spoke too fast. So, Sofia asked her cousin to talk more slowly and use easier words. The next week, the exercises were perfect.

Because of Sofia’s hard work, everyone in her class passed the Spanish exam with excellent marks. Her language teacher was very surprised and completely delighted. Now, Sofia has a big plan for the future. When she finishes high school, she hopes to become a teacher and write a book for language learners.

1   Why were Sofia’s classmates anxious?

     (A) They wanted to do something to help them.

     (B) They struggled to understand spoken Spanish.

     (C) They usually got bad marks in writing.

2   How did Sofia make the practice exercises?

     (A) She used her smartphone to write three questions.

     (B) She talked to a relative who visited Madrid.

     (C) She recorded audio chats with a family member.

3   What was the problem with the first recordings?

     (A) The conversations were not slow enough.

     (B) Creating the tests took a lot of time.

     (C) Marco decided to use easier words.

4   What is Sofia planning to do later in life?

     (A) Have a career in education and make learning materials.

     (B) Pass the Spanish exam with excellent marks.

     (C) Surprise her language teacher at high school.

5   What is the best title for the article?

     (A) A successful idea to help students with Spanish

     (B) How to record a conversation on your smartphone

     (C) The most difficult language exams for native speakers

Reading 3

For each question, choose the correct answer.

The Teenager Who Loves to Learn Italian

Fifteen-year-old Sam has a very unusual hobby. While his classmates spend their free time playing video games or watching videos on the internet, Sam prefers something completely different. He loves learning foreign languages. At the moment, his absolute favourite activity is studying Italian in his bedroom.

For Sam, the best way to learn is by doing grammar exercises. Most students think that learning grammar is boring and difficult. However, Sam believes it is just like a fun puzzle. Every afternoon, he opens his large notebook, studies the rules, and answers questions. He always tries to get a perfect score.

Sam also has a great method for remembering new vocabulary. He creates small paper flashcards for himself. He writes an English word on one side and the Italian word on the other. He puts the flashcards in his pocket and looks at them while he is travelling on the bus. This helps him learn words quickly.

Last week, Sam had a chance to test his skills. He met an Italian tourist in the town centre and helped him find the train station. The man understood everything! Sam felt incredibly proud of his hard work. Next summer, he hopes to fly to Rome with his family and practise speaking every day.

1   How does Sam spend his free time?

     (A) studying a new language

     (B) playing video games

     (C) watching videos on the internet

2   What is Sam’s opinion of grammar exercises?

     (A) He thinks they are boring and difficult.

     (B) He thinks it is hard to get a perfect score.

     (C) He thinks they are like an enjoyable game.

3   What does Sam do to remember new vocabulary?

     (A) He reads his flashcards while he is on a journey.

     (B) He creates small paper flashcards for his friends.

     (C) He writes an English word inside his pocket.

4   Why did Sam feel proud last week?

     (A) He flew to Rome with his family.

     (B) He met an Italian tourist at the train station.

     (C) A visitor from Italy understood what he said.

5   What is the best title for the article?

     (A) Playing video games and watching videos

     (B) A schoolboy’s passion for learning languages

     (C) How to help an Italian tourist find the train station

Exercises:   12345