Practice English Reading Exercises for A2 – Pet Adoption & Animal Shelters

Exercises:   12345

Reading 1

For each question, choose the correct answer.

Lily’s Warm Idea

Thirteen-year-old Lily loves dogs very much. She does not have a pet at home, so she often visits the local animal shelter on weekends to help. The shelter is a place for dogs that do not have a family. Last month, winter arrived, and the weather became extremely cold. Lily noticed that the animals were sleeping on the hard floor and felt very sad.

She decided she had to do something to keep the dogs warm. She wanted to buy some thick blankets for them, but she didn’t have enough money in her money box. So, Lily had a great idea. She asked her headteacher if she could organise a special event at her school.

The headteacher agreed, so Lily planned a big cake sale. She spent all evening baking delicious chocolate cakes and biscuits with her mother. The next day, she sold them to her classmates and teachers during the lunch break. Her friends also brought some drinks to sell. Everyone loved the sweet food, and Lily collected a lot of cash.

At the weekend, Lily and her father went to a large supermarket and bought twenty warm blankets. When they gave them to the shelter manager, he was incredibly happy. The dogs immediately went to sleep on their new beds. Lily felt very proud and is going to do another cake sale next winter.

1   Why did Lily feel sad at the animal shelter?

     (A) The dogs did not have a comfortable place to rest.

     (B) She could not keep a pet at home.

     (C) The animals did not have a family.

2   What was Lily’s problem when she wanted to help?

     (A) She lacked the cash to get what the animals needed.

     (B) She could not find her money box.

     (C) She had to ask her headteacher for thick blankets.

3   How did Lily get the money?

     (A) Students and staff paid for the snacks she made.

     (B) Her friends gave her a lot of cash for the drinks.

     (C) Her mother bought the delicious chocolate cakes.

4   What happened when Lily took the gifts to the shelter?

     (A) The animals started using the items straight away.

     (B) The shelter manager bought twenty warm blankets.

     (C) She went to a large supermarket with the manager.

5   What is the best title for the article?

     (A) A schoolgirl’s project to keep animals warm

     (B) How to bake chocolate cakes and biscuits

     (C) The best animal shelter for homeless dogs

Reading 2

For each question, choose the correct answer.

A Clever Plan for a Special Pet

Fifteen-year-old Leo helps out at his local animal shelter every Saturday. He enjoys taking care of all the animals, but his absolute favourite is a cat named Barnaby. Unfortunately, Barnaby is not a beautiful cat. He has one ear missing and very little fur on his back. Because he looks a bit strange, people visiting the shelter usually choose other cats to take home.

However, Leo knows that Barnaby is extremely special. While the pretty kittens often hide under the beds, Barnaby immediately walks up to visitors to say hello. He absolutely loves sitting on people’s knees and plays with any toy you give him. Leo thinks he is the kindest pet in the whole shelter.

Last week, Leo decided he had to do something to help his favourite cat. He took a brilliant photo of Barnaby and wrote a short article for his school newspaper. In the text, he didn’t talk much about the cat’s face. Instead, he explained what a lovely and friendly animal he was.

Two days after the newspaper came out, a classmate’s family visited the shelter. They read Leo’s story and wanted to meet Barnaby. As soon as they saw how sweet the cat was, they decided to take him home. Leo misses his friend, but he is extremely happy that Barnaby finally has a warm house and a loving family.

1   Why does Barnaby have a problem finding a home?

     (A) He enjoys taking care of all the animals.

     (B) Visitors prefer pets that have better looks.

     (C) People visiting the shelter usually choose him.

2   What does Barnaby do when visitors arrive?

     (A) He often hides under the beds.

     (B) He thinks he is the kindest pet.

     (C) He is brave and goes to welcome them.

3   What information did Leo put in his newspaper story?

     (A) He described the cat’s wonderful character.

     (B) He talked a lot about the cat’s face.

     (C) He took a brilliant photo of Barnaby.

4   What happened because of Leo’s article?

     (A) Leo decided to take him home.

     (B) A family from his school adopted the cat.

     (C) A classmate’s family visited the newspaper.

5   What is the best title for the article?

     (A) The prettiest kittens in the animal shelter

     (B) A teenager’s perfect idea to help a cat

     (C) How to write for your school newspaper

Reading 3

For each question, choose the correct answer.

My New Best Friend

Fourteen-year-old Mia has always loved animals. For years, she asked her parents for a pet, but they always said she was too young. Last month, they finally agreed. On Saturday morning, the family drove to the local animal shelter. Mia felt incredibly excited, but also a little nervous because she didn’t know what to expect.

When they arrived, the shelter was very noisy. A friendly worker named Ben showed them around. Before they went inside, Mia told Ben that she really wanted a small, quiet cat. She thought a cat was a good idea because she doesn’t have a very big bedroom.

First, Ben took them to the cat room. However, most of the cats were sleeping and didn’t want to play with her. After that, they walked past the dogs. Suddenly, a medium-sized black dog with big ears looked at Mia and jumped up. Ben said his name was Buster and he loved teenagers.

Mia spent twenty minutes playing with Buster in the shelter’s garden. He was quite active, but he was also very gentle. Mia knew immediately that Buster was the perfect pet for her. She forgot all about wanting a cat! Her parents filled out the forms, and they took Buster home. Mia is so happy and can’t wait to take him for long walks.

1   How did Mia feel on the way to the animal shelter?

     (A) She was excited but a bit worried.

     (B) She was angry because she was too young.

     (C) She knew exactly what to expect.

2   What kind of pet did Mia plan to get at first?

     (A) an animal that didn’t make much noise

     (B) a dog that could fit in her bedroom

     (C) a noisy cat to play with

3   What happened when Mia visited the cat room?

     (A) They jumped up to see her.

     (B) They just rested and didn’t play.

     (C) They walked past the dogs.

4   What did Mia discover about Buster in the garden?

     (A) He was too active to be a good pet.

     (B) He had a lot of energy but was kind.

     (C) He wanted to go home and sleep.

5   What is the best title for the article?

     (A) How to get a job at an animal shelter

     (B) Finding the right pet at the shelter

     (C) Why small cats are the best pets

Exercises:   12345