Practice English Reading Exercises for A2 – Volunteering & Community Service 3

Exercises:   123456

Reading 1

For each question, choose the correct answer.

Keeping Our Local Park Clean

My name is Oliver, and I am fifteen years old. I live opposite a beautiful, large park. I usually go there to play football with my friends. However, a few months ago, I noticed a big problem. After busy Saturdays, the grass was always full of empty plastic bottles and food boxes. I felt quite sad and wanted to do something about it.

So, I decided to start a new weekend routine. Every Sunday morning, I wake up at seven o’clock. I put on some old clothes, take two big plastic bags and some strong gloves from the kitchen. I spend about two hours walking around the park, putting all the rubbish into my bags.

At first, it was hard work and I was completely alone. Some people just watched me. But after three weeks, my classmate Chloe asked if she could help. Then, a few older neighbours started coming too. We talk and laugh while we work, so it is actually a lot of fun. We always have a hot drink together at the local café when we finish.

Now, our local park looks fantastic again. The grass is clean and safe for children to play on. I feel extremely proud of our hard work. Next month, I am going to ask my teachers if we can start an environmental club at my high school. I hope more students will join us!

1   Why did Oliver decide to do something about the park?

     (A) He was unhappy about the rubbish left on the grass.

     (B) He needed a place to play football with his friends.

     (C) He wanted to live opposite a beautiful, large park.

2   What does Oliver do on Sunday mornings?

     (A) He removes the waste from the ground outside.

     (B) He washes his two big plastic bags in the kitchen.

     (C) He spends about two hours sorting his old clothes.

3   What changed after Oliver worked for a few weeks?

     (A) Other people began to assist him with the job.

     (B) He stayed completely alone because it was hard work.

     (C) He just watched people at the local café.

4   What is Oliver planning to do next?

     (A) He would like to open a nature group at his school.

     (B) He wants to make the grass clean and safe for children.

     (C) He hopes his teachers will join his hard work.

5   What is the best title for this article?

     (A) Making a Difference in the Community

     (B) Playing Football on Busy Saturdays

     (C) How to Start a High School Club

Reading 2

For each question, choose the correct answer.

Making Math Fun for Everyone

My name is Lucas, and I am fifteen years old. Math is my favourite subject at school, and I always get excellent marks. However, I noticed that many younger children on my street hate math. They think it is too difficult and they often get bad marks. I wanted to do something to help them.

Last month, I made some posters and put them on the wall in the local supermarket. I offered free math lessons for children every Saturday morning at the city library. I didn’t want any money. I just wanted to help. I thought that maybe one or two kids would come to the first lesson.

On the first Saturday, I was very surprised. Five children arrived at the library! One little boy, Tommy, was very quiet and didn’t want to open his book. I knew that boring exercises wouldn’t help them. Instead, we played fun math games with playing cards and small sweets. Soon, everyone was laughing and learning.

I have taught the group for a month now, and their parents are incredibly happy. Last week, Tommy got a top mark in his school test! He isn’t afraid of numbers anymore. I feel really proud of all the children. Now, I am sure that I want to become a math teacher in the future.

1   Why did Lucas decide to help the younger children?

     (A) He saw that they had problems with a school subject.

     (B) He wanted to get excellent marks at school.

     (C) He thinks math is too difficult.

2   What did Lucas do to find students?

     (A) He asked for money at the city library.

     (B) He put an advertisement in a shop.

     (C) He asked one or two kids to come.

3   What happened during the first lesson?

     (A) Tommy wanted to open his book.

     (B) Lucas gave them some boring exercises.

     (C) Lucas used entertaining activities to teach the children.

4   How does Tommy feel about math now?

     (A) He is more confident with the subject.

     (B) He is incredibly happy for his parents.

     (C) He wants to become a math teacher in the future.

5   What is Lucas doing in this text?

     (A) complaining about the bad marks at his school

     (B) describing his experience of teaching young people

     (C) explaining how to play math games with playing cards

Reading 3

For each question, choose the correct answer.

Free Haircuts for the Community

My name is Sam, and I am sixteen years old. Last year, my grandfather became very sick and had to stay in his bedroom. He couldn’t go to the town centre to visit the hairdresser. Because his hair was getting too long, I decided to cut it for him. I used my mum’s scissors, and I actually did a really good job!

After that, I thought about other older people in my town. Many of them cannot leave their houses easily. I wanted to help, so I made a poster and put it in the local supermarket window. It said that I could visit their homes and give them a free haircut.

Now, I am very busy every Saturday and Sunday. I carry my combs and a special mirror in a small black bag. Cutting hair is fun, but the best part of the day is talking to the people. Many of them live alone, so they love telling me long stories about their past. I always listen carefully.

Last week, a local newspaper reporter wrote an article about me. She took a photo of me with an old lady. I felt incredibly proud when I saw it. When I finish high school next year, I hope to get a job in a real salon. I love making people feel happy and look great.

1   Why did Sam cut his grandfather’s hair?

     (A) He wanted to go to the town centre.

     (B) His relative was not well enough to leave the house.

     (C) He needed to use his mum’s scissors.

2   How did Sam tell people about his free haircuts?

     (A) He left a paper message in a store.

     (B) He went to visit their homes to tell them.

     (C) He waited by the local supermarket window.

3   What does Sam enjoy most at the weekends?

     (A) Carrying his combs and a special mirror.

     (B) Telling long stories about his past.

     (C) Having conversations with the men and women he visits.

4   What do we learn about Sam in the final paragraph?

     (A) He wants to write an article for a local newspaper reporter.

     (B) He would like to cut hair as a profession in the future.

     (C) He is going to take a photo with an old lady.

5   What is the best title for the article?

     (A) A kind teen uses his skills to help older neighbors

     (B) How to get a job in a real salon

     (C) The boy who cuts his grandfather’s hair

Exercises:   123456