Practice English Reading Exercises for A2 – Planning, Packing & Preparation
Reading 1
For each question, choose the correct answer.
Leo’s Important Travel Lesson
Sixteen-year-old Leo was very excited. Next week, he was travelling to Hanoi for a summer holiday. He worked in a café at weekends to save money for the journey. When he bought his plane ticket, the website asked if he wanted travel insurance. Leo said no, because he wanted to keep his cash for eating in restaurants and buying souvenirs.
However, his parents did not agree with his decision. They said insurance was extremely important. They took him to see a friendly insurance agent called Thoa. She explained how it can help people when they have a problem. Leo finally listened to her advice and used some of his pocket money to buy the insurance. But he still thought it was a bad idea.
A week later, Leo flew to the city. The flight was long but comfortable. Unfortunately, when he waited at the airport, his suitcase did not arrive. It was completely lost! All his summer clothes and his phone charger were inside the bag. At first, Leo felt incredibly worried and angry about his bad luck.
Then, Leo remembered the piece of paper in his backpack. He telephoned the insurance company immediately. They were very helpful and gave him money to buy new clothes and a charger. Leo was surprised and very happy. He enjoyed the rest of his fantastic holiday. Now, he always tells his friends to buy insurance before they go abroad!
1 Why didn’t Leo want to pay for travel insurance at first?
(A) He planned to spend his money on other things.
(B) He wanted to save money for the journey.
(C) He worked in a café at weekends.
2 What made Leo change his mind?
(A) He spoke to a helpful professional.
(B) He thought it was a bad idea.
(C) He used some of his pocket money.
3 What problem did Leo have on his holiday?
(A) The flight was long but comfortable.
(B) His luggage went missing.
(C) He forgot his backpack at the airport.
4 How did the insurance company help Leo?
(A) They found the piece of paper in his backpack.
(B) They provided cash to replace his items.
(C) They told his friends to buy insurance.
5 What is the best title for the article?
(A) The boy who lost his summer clothes
(B) An important lesson about travelling
(C) How to save money in a café
ANSWER KEY
1 A 2 A 3 B 4 B 5 B
Reading 2
For each question, choose the correct answer.
Packing for a Safe Adventure
Sixteen-year-old Sam loves spending his free time walking in the tall mountains near his home. Next Friday, he is going on a long three-day hiking trip with his older sister, Lily. He is very excited about the journey, but he knows he must pack his backpack very carefully.
Last summer, Sam had a small accident during a mountain walk. He fell over a rock and got a bad cut on his leg. Unfortunately, he didn’t have anything in his bag to clean it, and they had to walk home early. Because of that negative experience, he decided to prepare a small medical kit for this adventure.
On Tuesday afternoon, Sam went to the local pharmacy. He didn’t want his backpack to be too heavy, so he only looked for the most important items. He bought a box of plasters, a little bottle of special liquid to clean dirty cuts, and some medicine for headaches. The friendly shop assistant also gave him a useful tiny pair of scissors.
When Sam returned home, he put all the medical supplies into a bright red bag. This special bag keeps the water out, so the things inside won’t get wet if it rains. Sam feels completely ready for his trip now. He hopes he won’t need to use his new kit, but he feels much safer having it!
1 What is Sam planning to do soon?
(A) take a walk in the mountains with a relative
(B) spend his free time walking near his home
(C) pack his backpack very carefully
2 Why did Sam decide to make a medical kit?
(A) He wanted to walk home early last summer.
(B) He lacked the right supplies when he was hurt in the past.
(C) He fell over a rock and cleaned his bag.
3 When Sam was at the pharmacy, he
(A) purchased a very heavy backpack.
(B) paid for a useful tiny pair of scissors.
(C) chose to get just a few essential things.
4 What is good about Sam’s bright red bag?
(A) It will protect his health items from bad weather.
(B) He hopes he won’t need to use his new kit.
(C) It makes him feel completely ready to go home.
5 What is the best title for the article?
(A) A dangerous accident in the mountains
(B) How to work in the local pharmacy
(C) A teenager prepares for a healthy trip
ANSWER KEY
1 A 2 B 3 C 4 A 5 C
Reading 3
For each question, choose the correct answer.
A Special Holiday Plan
Fourteen-year-old Sam loves family holidays. Last December, his parents told him about their summer trip to the mountains. Sam looked online and found an exciting hot-air balloon ride there. He really wanted to do it, but his parents said it was too expensive. They told him they could not pay for the ticket.
Sam decided to get the cash himself. He had six months before the summer trip. Usually, he spent his weekly pocket money on sweet snacks and video games. He stopped buying these things immediately. He also started washing his neighbours’ cars every Saturday afternoon. By doing all this hard work, he slowly filled a large glass jar with money in his bedroom.
Finally, July arrived. The family packed their bags and got ready for the mountains. Before they left, Sam counted the money in his glass jar. He was delighted because he had exactly enough for the hot-air balloon ride! When he showed the cash to his parents, they were incredibly surprised and proud of him.
On the second day of the holiday, Sam went up in the hot-air balloon. The view of the green mountains and fast rivers was fantastic. He took lots of beautiful photos with his camera. Saving his pocket money for half a year was difficult, but the amazing experience was definitely worth it. Next year, he is going to save up for a new surfboard.
1 Why did Sam’s parents refuse to buy the balloon ride?
(A) They wanted a summer trip to the mountains.
(B) It cost too much money for them.
(C) He needed to look online for a ticket.
2 How did Sam get the money for his plan?
(A) He spent his weekly pocket money on sweet snacks.
(B) He asked his neighbours to buy a large glass jar.
(C) He bought fewer things and did extra jobs.
3 What happened just before the family left for their holiday?
(A) Sam realized he was able to buy the ticket.
(B) Sam’s parents packed the glass jar in their bags.
(C) Sam asked his parents for the hot-air balloon ride.
4 What did Sam think about his hot-air balloon trip?
(A) Taking beautiful photos with his camera was difficult.
(B) It was a wonderful reward for all his effort.
(C) He wished he had a new surfboard instead.
5 What is the best title for the article?
(A) Working Hard for a Dream Experience
(B) How to Fly a Hot-Air Balloon
(C) The Best Way to Wash a Car
ANSWER KEY
1 B 2 C 3 A 4 B 5 A