Practice English Reading Exercises for A2 – Transitions & Future Plans

Exercises:   12345

Reading 1

For each question, choose the correct answer.

A Special Year Before Studying

Eighteen-year-old Mia has just finished her exams at high school. Most of her friends are getting ready to start university in September. However, Mia has a different plan. She wants to take a gap year and travel around the world before she continues her studies. At first, her parents were a bit worried, but now they think it is a great idea.

Travelling to different countries is expensive, so Mia needs to save a lot of money. Since January, she has worked in a busy café in her town every weekend. She doesn’t buy new clothes or go to the cinema anymore. She puts all her money in the bank to pay for her flight tickets.

Mia has planned an exciting journey. She is going to start in Europe and travel by train through France and Italy. After that, she wants to fly to Japan. She doesn’t want to stay in expensive hotels or spend all day relaxing on the beach. Instead, she hopes to meet local people, eat new food, and visit famous museums.

Mia’s flight leaves next month. She feels quite nervous because she has never travelled alone before. However, she is also extremely excited. She believes that seeing the world will help her learn about herself. She knows she will have some amazing stories to tell her new classmates when she finally begins university next year.

1   How do Mia’s parents feel about her plan now?

     (A) They are worried about her starting university.

     (B) They want her to travel with her friends in September.

     (C) They are very happy with her decision.

2   What is Mia doing to pay for her travels?

     (A) She is working a job on Saturdays and Sundays.

     (B) She is going to the cinema more often.

     (C) She is putting flight tickets in the bank.

3   During her journey, Mia wants to

     (A) stay in some very expensive hotels.

     (B) learn about life in other countries.

     (C) spend all day relaxing on the beach.

4   Why is Mia feeling slightly afraid?

     (A) She has to tell stories to her new classmates.

     (B) She is making a trip without anyone else.

     (C) She doesn’t want to begin university next year.

5   What is the best title for the text?

     (A) Mia’s terrible university experience

     (B) How to find a job in a busy café

     (C) A great adventure before studying

Reading 2

For each question, choose the correct answer.

Saying Goodbye to Sam

My name is Leo, and yesterday was a very difficult day for me. My best friend, Sam, is moving to a different city because his parents have new jobs. Sam and I met on our first day of primary school, and we have done everything together since then. When he told me the news last month, I felt terrible.

Yesterday was Sam’s last day at our school. During the lunch break, we played football with our classmates for the last time. Sam scored a fantastic goal, and everyone was very happy. Our teacher, Mr. Harris, brought a large cake into the classroom, and we all ate a piece. Everyone wanted to wish Sam good luck.

After school finished, we walked slowly to the school gate. Sam’s mother was waiting there in her car. When I looked at Sam, I couldn’t stop crying. I felt so sad because I won’t see my best friend every day anymore. Sam gave me a small present to remember him. It was a beautiful photo of us from our favorite school trip.

Although Sam is going to a new school far away, we have a plan. We are going to play our favorite video games online every Saturday evening. Sam also promised to come back and visit me during the summer holidays. I am still unhappy that he is leaving, but I know we will always be best friends.

1   Why did Leo feel terrible last month?

     (A) His parents have new jobs in a different city.

     (B) He heard that Sam was going to live somewhere else.

     (C) He had a bad time on his first day of primary school.

2   What happened on Sam’s last day?

     (A) Sam brought a large cake into the classroom.

     (B) Mr. Harris scored a fantastic goal during the break.

     (C) The students enjoyed a special sweet snack together.

3   At the end of the school day, Leo cried because

     (A) he was upset about losing his daily time with his friend.

     (B) Sam’s mother was waiting there in her car.

     (C) he didn’t want to give Sam a small present.

4   What are the boys’ plans for the future?

     (A) Leo will travel to see Sam during the summer holidays.

     (B) They will share an online hobby once a week.

     (C) They are going to a new school far away together.

5   What is the best title for the article?

     (A) How to make friends at primary school

     (B) The best video games to play online

     (C) A difficult goodbye to a best friend

Reading 3

For each question, choose the correct answer.

A Special Graduation Day

Today was the most important day of 18-year-old Mia’s life. It was her high school graduation ceremony. She stood in front of the mirror in her bedroom, looking at her special clothes. She was wearing a long dark blue gown and a matching square cap on her head. She smiled because she felt extremely proud of herself.

Four years ago, when Mia first started high school, everything seemed very difficult. The school building was huge, and she didn’t know anyone in her classes. She often stayed up late doing a lot of hard homework and studying for terrible math exams. But today, she knew that all that hard work was definitely worth it.

In the afternoon, Mia and her classmates walked into the school hall together. There was beautiful music playing. When the head teacher finally called her name, Mia walked carefully across the big stage. Her parents were sitting in the front row, taking hundreds of photos. They were smiling and cheering loudly for her.

After the ceremony finished, everyone went outside into the warm sunshine. Mia threw her cap high into the air with her best friends. They took more photos, laughed, and ate some delicious chocolate cake. Next month, Mia will start packing her bags for university, but today, she just wants to enjoy celebrating her amazing success.

1   How did Mia feel when she looked in her mirror?

     (A) very pleased with what she had achieved

     (B) worried about wearing her special clothes

     (C) sad to wear a dark blue gown and cap

2   What was Mia’s problem when she began high school?

     (A) She often failed her terrible math exams.

     (B) She didn’t have any friends there.

     (C) She couldn’t find the huge school building.

3   What did Mia’s parents do during the ceremony?

     (A) They played beautiful music in the front row.

     (B) They walked carefully across the big stage.

     (C) They took many pictures of their daughter.

4   What is Mia going to do next month?

     (A) eat some delicious chocolate cake

     (B) prepare to go to her next school

     (C) throw her cap high into the air

5   What is the best title for the article?

     (A) A fantastic day to remember

     (B) How to study for difficult exams

     (C) The girl who takes great photos

Exercises:   12345