Practice English Reading Exercises for A2 – Teachers, Mentors & Community
Reading 1
For each question, choose the correct answer.
1 Which person’s relative teaches them how to fix things that break?
(A) Leo (B) Maya (C) Finn
2 Which person says their relative helps them learn about different types of food?
(A) Leo (B) Maya (C) Finn
3 Which person’s relative helps them stay fit?
(A) Leo (B) Maya (C) Finn
4 Which person says their relative gives them advice on how to behave?
(A) Leo (B) Maya (C) Finn
5 Which person gets help with their school subjects from their relative?
(A) Leo (B) Maya (C) Finn
6 Which person’s relative helped them learn a new hobby?
(A) Leo (B) Maya (C) Finn
7 Which person’s relative is good at making things using wood?
(A) Leo (B) Maya (C) Finn
Learning from Our Relatives
Leo
My uncle, Mr. Harris, is very important to me. He is a professional builder, so he knows everything about mending broken things. If my bike has a problem, he always knows how to get it working again. I also struggle with some of my science homework, and he always takes time to explain the hardest parts to me. He isn’t interested in cooking, so he never shows me how to make meals, but he is always ready to help me if I have a problem with my studies.
Maya
My aunt, Sarah, is amazing. She loves to experiment in the kitchen, and she has taught me how to prepare delicious pasta and healthy salads. She is also a marathon runner, so she often takes me for long jogs in the park to make sure I am healthy and strong. Sometimes, if I am being silly or rude to my younger brother, she talks to me quietly and explains why I should be kinder. She is very helpful with my life skills, even if she doesn’t help with my school projects.
Finn
My grandfather taught me how to paint beautiful pictures, which has become my favourite hobby. He has a big shed in his garden where he makes chairs and tables from wood; he is incredibly talented! He doesn’t know much about schoolwork, so he can’t help with my algebra or history projects. However, he always gives me great guidance on how to be a good person when I am confused about my friends. He doesn’t show me how to cook meals, but his help with my painting is the best.
ANSWER KEY
1 A 2 B 3 B 4 B 5 A 6 C 7 C
Reading 2
For each question, choose the correct answer.
1 Which person says their role model does a lot for people who need help?
(A) Leo (B) Mia (C) Toby
2 Who hopes to have the same career as their role model one day?
(A) Leo (B) Mia (C) Toby
3 Which person first heard about their role model from a relative?
(A) Leo (B) Mia (C) Toby
4 Who enjoys doing the same free-time activity as their role model?
(A) Leo (B) Mia (C) Toby
5 Which person has actually spoken to the famous person they admire?
(A) Leo (B) Mia (C) Toby
6 Who mentions that their role model kept trying when things went wrong?
(A) Leo (B) Mia (C) Toby
7 Which person learned more about their role model by reading something?
(A) Leo (B) Mia (C) Toby
Our Role Models
Leo
My favorite role model is Carlos, a famous tennis player. My uncle showed me a video of him playing a match last year, and I immediately became a huge fan. I wanted to find out more about his life, so I borrowed a long biography from the library and finished it in two days! He is amazing on the court. I love playing tennis at the weekend, but I certainly do not want to play sports for a living. I prefer computers. Carlos makes a lot of money from winning competitions, but I am not sure if he shares it with charities.
Mia
I really admire a young inventor named Dr. Sarah Lin. She creates machines that clean plastic from the ocean. I actually saw her at a university science fair last month, and I was so lucky to say hello and ask her a question! When she started her project, her early experiments were a disaster. However, she refused to quit, and eventually, she succeeded. My parents don’t really know who she is, but I think she is incredible. Because of her, I am planning to become an environmental scientist myself when I finish university. I haven’t bought any books about her yet, but I follow her blog.
Toby
The person I look up to the most is a famous movie star called David Vance. He is a fantastic actor, but that is not why he is my hero. He uses his fame for good and gives millions of dollars to build hospitals for sick children. He also visits them to make them smile. I would absolutely love to see him face-to-face, but unfortunately, he lives in America and I live in the UK. We do have one thing in common, though. When he is not acting, he paints beautiful landscapes, and I also love creating art on Saturdays! I definitely don’t want to be an actor, though.
ANSWER KEY
1 C 2 B 3 A 4 C 5 B 6 B 7 A
Reading 3
For each question, choose the correct answer.
1 Which person says their club’s activities happen in the open air?
(A) Kevin (B) Julia (C) Martin
2 Which person finds it less difficult to talk to their classmates now?
(A) Kevin (B) Julia (C) Martin
3 Which person started going to the club because a relative told them to?
(A) Kevin (B) Julia (C) Martin
4 Which person met a friend who is not the same age as them?
(A) Kevin (B) Julia (C) Martin
5 Which person had absolutely no experience with the activity before they started?
(A) Kevin (B) Julia (C) Martin
6 Which person made something for a group of people to share?
(A) Kevin (B) Julia (C) Martin
7 Which person explains that they are still a bit nervous sometimes?
(A) Kevin (B) Julia (C) Martin
Overcoming Shyness at a Club
Kevin
I was always very quiet and didn’t have many friends. I decided to join a photography group to change that. We never sit inside a room. Instead, we always walk around the city parks and streets to take pictures. It is much easier to talk to people when you are looking at trees and nature! At the club, I met an amazing guy called Tom. I am fifteen, but he is twenty. Even though we have different birthdays, we chat all the time. My sister wanted me to try sports, but I am glad I chose this. Now, I am never afraid to say hello to new people.
Julia
I used to hate speaking because I felt so shy. Last year, I started going to a drama group at school. Before my first day, I didn’t know anything about acting on a stage. It was completely new to me! We practise inside the school hall every Thursday. Learning to perform really changed my life. Now, chatting with the other students in my lessons is simple, and I have lots of mates. However, if I have to stand in front of a really big crowd, I still get a little worried. It takes time to change! Last week, I bought a cake to share with my new drama friends.
Martin
Making friends was always hard for me. I spent all my time at home alone. Then, my uncle suggested the local cooking club. He thought it would be a great way to meet teenagers, so I followed his advice. I already knew how to bake, so it wasn’t a new skill, but doing it with others was fantastic! Last weekend, I prepared a huge bowl of pasta with tomato sauce, and all the club members ate it together. They loved my food! Everyone in the kitchen is exactly my age, so we talk about school and music. I feel so much happier now.
ANSWER KEY
1 A 2 B 3 C 4 A 5 B 6 C 7 B