Practice English Reading Exercises for A2 – Sports, Travel & Exploration

Exercises:   12345

Reading 1

For each question, choose the correct answer.

The Teenager Who Swam to Victory

Fifteen-year-old Leo has loved the water since he was a little boy. He was one of the fastest swimmers in his town. However, last year, something terrible happened. He fell off his mountain bike and broke his leg badly. The hospital doctor told him he couldn’t go in a pool for six months. Leo was very sad because he wanted to enter the National Junior Games.

After five months, his leg finally felt stronger. He returned to the swimming pool, but the training was extremely difficult. His coach, Mr. Barnes, told him to rest and swim slowly. Leo had to watch his teammates swim much faster than him. Some days he wanted to stop going to the pool, but his parents always told him to keep trying.

Last weekend, it was time for the national competition. When Leo stood next to the water, he felt quite nervous. His legs were shaking, but when he heard the whistle, he jumped in and felt amazing. He swam as fast as he could and completely ignored the other boys in the race.

When the race finished, Leo looked at the huge screen on the wall. He couldn’t believe the information! He was in first place and won the gold medal. Everyone in the building cheered loudly. Leo is now preparing for his next big race. He believes that if you work hard after a bad situation, you can still achieve your dreams.

1   Why was Leo unhappy last year?

     (A) He fell off his mountain bike in the National Junior Games.

     (B) He wasn’t allowed to swim for half a year because of an accident.

     (C) The hospital doctor wanted to enter the National Junior Games.

2   How did Leo feel during his first days back at the pool?

     (A) He found the practice very hard to do.

     (B) He was happy to watch his teammates stop going to the pool.

     (C) His coach, Mr. Barnes, told him to swim much faster.

3   What happened during the competition?

     (A) He felt quite nervous when he jumped in the water.

     (B) He stood next to the water and ignored the other boys.

     (C) He didn’t pay attention to the competitors during the race.

4   What do we learn about Leo at the end of the text?

     (A) Everyone in the building is now preparing for his next big race.

     (B) He is currently looking at the huge screen on the wall.

     (C) He thinks people can reach their goals if they put in the effort.

5   What is the best title for the article?

     (A) How to ride your mountain bike to the swimming pool

     (B) The teenager who became a champion after a difficult time

     (C) The fastest swimmer working in the local hospital

Reading 2

For each question, choose the correct answer.

The Teenager Testing the Best Places to Stay

Fifteen-year-old Oliver loves travelling around his country. His parents work hard, so they enjoy relaxing in beautiful four-star and five-star hotels during their summer holidays. Because his friends often asked him about his amazing trips, Oliver decided to start a travel blog to share his experiences.

When he visits a new hotel, Oliver is very busy. He always swims in the pool and tastes the breakfast food. He also takes pictures of the bedroom. At first, his photos were very dark, and he felt disappointed. However, his dad showed him how to use the light from the window, and now his pictures are fantastic.

Writing a blog is fun, but sometimes things go wrong. Last month, Oliver visited a famous hotel, but the elevator was broken and the staff were not polite. He wrote the truth about the bad service on his blog. The manager read the review, sent an email to say sorry, and invited the family back.

Now, thousands of people read Oliver’s blog every month. Because it is so popular, some big hotels invite him to stay for free. But Oliver usually says no. His parents believe he must finish his school homework before he goes on any trips. In the future, he hopes to visit other countries and work as a professional travel writer.

1   Why did Oliver begin writing his blog?

     (A) To enjoy relaxing in beautiful four-star and five-star hotels.

     (B) To give people information about his exciting journeys.

     (C) To help his parents because they work hard.

2   What was Oliver’s problem when he first reviewed hotels?

     (A) He always swims in the pool and tastes the breakfast food.

     (B) His dad showed him how to use the light from the window.

     (C) He was quite unhappy with the images he caught on camera.

3   What did the hotel manager do?

     (A) He wrote the truth about the bad service.

     (B) He contacted the teenager to apologize.

     (C) He visited a famous hotel last month.

4   Why does Oliver usually say no to free hotel trips?

     (A) He has to complete his school assignments first.

     (B) He hopes to visit other countries in the future.

     (C) Thousands of people read his blog every month.

5   What is the best title for the article?

     (A) How to become a professional travel writer

     (B) The schoolboy reviewing luxury hotels

     (C) The famous hotel with a broken elevator

Reading 3

For each question, choose the correct answer.

The Teenager Guiding Others into Nature

Sixteen-year-old Toby has always loved the outdoors. He often explores the local national park with his family. However, last year, he noticed that his classmates usually spent their weekends inside, playing video games or watching videos. Toby wanted to share his love for nature, so he decided to organise special hiking trips just for teenagers.

Before the first trip, Toby had to prepare carefully. He spent a whole week looking at maps and choosing a safe path. He also asked his parents to drive the group to the park. Toby sent messages to his friends, telling them that comfortable boots and lots of water were completely necessary for the long walk.

On the day of the hike, five teenagers arrived. At first, the walk was quite difficult. A few students complained about tired legs because they weren’t used to exercising. But when they finally reached the top of the hill, their feelings changed. The view was amazing, and everyone felt incredibly happy while they ate their sandwiches.

Now, Toby’s weekend trips are very popular at his high school. More than twenty students want to go on his next adventure. Toby feels extremely proud of what he has achieved. When he is older, he hopes to work in a national park and protect wild animals.

1   Why did Toby start organising the hiking trips?

     (A) He wanted other young people to enjoy the outside world.

     (B) He wanted to spend his weekends inside playing video games.

     (C) He wanted to explore the local national park with his family.

2   What did Toby do to get ready for the hike?

     (A) He asked his parents to look at maps.

     (B) He picked a route that was not dangerous.

     (C) He bought comfortable boots and lots of water.

3   How did the teenagers feel at the end of the walk?

     (A) They thought the journey was quite difficult.

     (B) They complained about tired legs.

     (C) They were glad after seeing the beautiful scenery.

4   What does Toby hope to do when he is older?

     (A) Have a career saving wildlife.

     (B) Be very popular at his high school.

     (C) Go on his next adventure with twenty students.

5   What is the best title for the article?

     (A) The teenager showing others the natural world

     (B) How to use maps in a national park

     (C) The best comfortable boots for a long walk

Exercises:   12345