Practice English Reading Exercises for A2 – Smart Devices & Digital Life

Exercises:   1234567

Reading 1

For each question, choose the correct answer.

1   Which person had trouble giving the restaurant their money?

     (A) Sam   (B) Mia   (C) Liam

2   Which person enjoys looking at photos of the dishes?

     (A) Sam   (B) Mia   (C) Liam

3   Which person is sad they do not speak to the staff as much?

     (A) Sam   (B) Mia   (C) Liam

4   Which person’s mobile device failed to read the square picture at first?

     (A) Sam   (B) Mia   (C) Liam

5   Which person believes they don’t have to wait as long for their meal?

     (A) Sam   (B) Mia   (C) Liam

6   Which person would rather read a traditional menu?

     (A) Sam   (B) Mia   (C) Liam

7   Which person says the new system is better for nature?

     (A) Sam   (B) Mia   (C) Liam

Ordering Food with QR Codes

Sam

Scanning a QR code at a café is a brilliant idea because places aren’t printing on so much paper anymore. That is definitely a positive thing for our planet and the trees! However, when I went out for lunch yesterday, my smartphone wouldn’t scan the black and white box on the table immediately because the room was quite dark. I had to try three times! Once I was inside the system, it was easy to choose what to eat. Still, I really miss talking to the waiters and waitresses. Asking them what they recommend is always fun, but now we just do everything online.

Mia

I absolutely love using my mobile to order my dinner! The best part is that you can see beautiful images of every meal on your screen before you decide what to have. Old cardboard lists never show you that! Also, as soon as you tap what you want, the kitchen gets the information and starts cooking. This means your food arrives at your table much quicker than before. You never have to sit around for someone to come and take your order. Paying online is completely simple too, and I never have an issue doing it on the website.

Liam

Many of my friends prefer scanning a code, but I don’t really like it. I actually enjoy holding a real paper book or card in my hands to see what I can eat. Looking at a tiny screen hurts my eyes. Some people say this new way saves trees, which is true, but the technology isn’t always perfect. Last weekend, I tried to complete my order, but the website just wouldn’t accept my bank details. I couldn’t buy my lunch for ten minutes! I still chat with the staff when they bring my drinks, but the ordering part is sometimes too difficult.

Reading 2

For each question, choose the correct answer.

1   Who needs to plug a wire into their phone to make the screen work?

     (A) Harry   (B) Emma   (C) Finn

2   Who says their car reads their messages out loud to them?

     (A) Harry   (B) Emma   (C) Finn

3   Who had to ask a family member for help to set it up?

     (A) Harry   (B) Emma   (C) Finn

4   Who got a different vehicle recently?

     (A) Harry   (B) Emma   (C) Finn

5   Who uses the screen to choose the best roads for their journey?

     (A) Harry   (B) Emma   (C) Finn

6   Who enjoys listening to their favourite songs while travelling?

     (A) Harry   (B) Emma   (C) Finn

7   Who often forgets to take their phone when they leave the car?

     (A) Harry   (B) Emma   (C) Finn

Connecting Smartphones to Car Screens

Harry

I’ve had my old car for years, but I recently bought a special screen for it. At first, I didn’t understand how to make my mobile talk to the machine. My teenage son had to sit inside and show me exactly what to do. Now, it connects through the air, so I don’t need to look for any cables. I really enjoy hearing my top bands on the big speakers while I drive. It makes long trips much less boring, and I never leave my device behind because it stays safely in my pocket!

Emma

I finally bought a brand new car last month, and it has a fantastic computer inside. When I get in, my smartphone immediately links to the dashboard. The best part is that I don’t need to look at my screen when my friends text me. The vehicle actually speaks the words to me, so my eyes stay on the road ahead. It is very safe! I know the local streets well, so I don’t usually look at maps on the display. I also prefer listening to the daily news rather than playing pop music.

Finn

I love using the big display in my car, but it doesn’t connect through the air. I always have to push a special cable into my smartphone to make it work. It is brilliant for finding my way around the city. The digital map shows me the quickest streets to get to my office without getting stuck in traffic. I set everything up by myself without asking anyone for advice. The only bad thing is that I often park, walk to my house, and realise my device is still sitting on the front seat!

Reading 3

For each question, choose the correct answer.

1   Who takes photos of the 3D animals with their family?

     (A) Leo   (B) Maya   (C) Sam

2   Who says the app is useful for their school homework?

     (A) Leo   (B) Maya   (C) Sam

3   Which person likes to see what their own pet does when it sees the app?

     (A) Leo   (B) Maya   (C) Sam

4   Who wants to have new animals added to the app?

     (A) Leo   (B) Maya   (C) Sam

5   Which person says the app uses up their phone’s battery very fast?

     (A) Leo   (B) Maya   (C) Sam

6   Who sometimes feels afraid when looking at the screen?

     (A) Leo   (B) Maya   (C) Sam

7   Who uses the app to learn words in a different language?

     (A) Leo   (B) Maya   (C) Sam

Seeing 3D Animals in Your Room

Leo

I downloaded a fantastic 3D animal app last week. You just look through your mobile camera, and suddenly there is a huge computer rhino sitting on your bed! I really enjoy calling my parents into my room. We stand next to the digital tiger, smile, and keep the picture on my phone. It’s great fun. The only problem is that I’ve already seen everything it has to offer. I really hope the makers include some different beasts soon. I don’t use the app for my biology lessons, but I do use it every afternoon to relax. The battery lasts a long time too, which is perfect.

Maya

This new augmented reality app is incredible! It puts life-size wild animals right in your bedroom. I often open it when I am working on my science projects. Seeing how a lion moves from every side makes understanding nature so much simpler than reading a textbook. It also teaches you what the creatures are called in French and German! However, you can’t play with it for very long. My screen goes completely black after just twenty minutes because the software needs so much power to run. I usually sit safely on my sofa to use it, so I never jump or feel scared.

Sam

I love having a computer zoo in my house. I usually take my tablet out to the grass behind our building because there is much more room for a 3D elephant there. It is so funny to put the digital monkey next to my real dog. I always watch him closely when he barks at it! The graphics are amazing, but they can be a bit too good. If I turn around and a giant crocodile is suddenly looking at me, it actually makes me jump and my heart beats fast! I have hundreds of creatures to choose from, so I never get bored.

Exercises:   1234567