Practice English Reading Exercises for A2 – Working Animals & Therapy Pets
Reading 1
For each question, choose the correct answer.
A Different Kind of Summer
Ten-year-old Toby usually spends his summer holidays on the beach with his friends. But this year, his parents had to work, so they sent him to his uncle’s farm in the countryside. At first, Toby felt very sad. He thought that spending two months without internet or video games would be really boring.
However, his feelings changed on the second day when he saw his uncle’s animals. They were not ordinary riding horses. They were huge, strong workhorses. Every morning, Toby watched these amazing animals pull heavy carts full of wood and vegetables across the fields. He couldn’t believe how much power they had.
Soon, Toby wanted to spend all his time with the horses, whose names were Buster and Star. His uncle told him he was too young to drive the heavy carts, but he could do other jobs. So, Toby woke up early every day to give them sweet apples and brush their long hair. He really enjoyed taking care of them.
When September arrived, it was time for Toby to go back to his home in the city. He didn’t want to leave the farm at all. He decided that he doesn’t want to work in an office like his parents. When he finishes school, he is going to become a farmer.
1 How did Toby feel about his summer holiday at first?
(A) He believed he would not have fun there.
(B) He wanted to spend two months without internet.
(C) He was sad because he had to work.
2 What amazed Toby about the horses?
(A) They were ordinary riding horses.
(B) He was surprised by their ability to move large objects.
(C) He enjoyed driving the heavy carts full of wood.
3 What did Toby do to help on the farm?
(A) He fed the animals and kept them clean.
(B) He decided to drive the heavy carts.
(C) He used all his time to do other jobs in the city.
4 What do we learn about Toby at the end of the story?
(A) He wants to work in an office like his parents.
(B) He hopes to stay and work on the land when he is older.
(C) He was happy to go back to his home in the city.
5 What is the best title for the article?
(A) How to drive a heavy cart
(B) The boy who hated the countryside
(C) A surprising and wonderful summer
ANSWER KEY
1 A 2 B 3 A 4 B 5 C
Reading 2
For each question, choose the correct answer.
The Cleverest Dog in the Countryside
My name is Ben, and I am a high school student. Last weekend, I visited my uncle’s farm in the beautiful countryside. I have a pet dog at home, and he just sleeps on my bed and plays with his ball all day. Because of this, I always thought all dogs were lazy. But my uncle showed me something truly amazing.
He has a special black and white sheepdog called Flash. On Saturday morning, my uncle opened the gate to the field. Suddenly, a huge flock of sheep ran out quickly. They were going in the wrong direction, straight towards the busy road! I felt very worried, but Flash ran extremely fast and stopped them perfectly.
I watched Flash carefully. He didn’t bark loudly at the sheep. Instead, he used his bright eyes. He just stared at the animals, and they understood exactly where to go. Flash moved all the sheep into the correct field in just five minutes. I couldn’t believe how clever he was.
I decided to write this article for my school magazine. I want to tell my classmates that sheepdogs are incredible. They are not just normal pets that live in our houses. They are fantastic workers, and farmers really need their help every single day.
1 What did Ben believe before he went to the farm?
(A) Dogs prefer to do very little.
(B) Every dog sleeps on his bed.
(C) He had a truly amazing pet.
2 What happened on Saturday morning?
(A) My uncle ran out quickly.
(B) Flash went straight towards the busy road.
(C) The animals almost went into a dangerous place.
3 How did Flash control the flock?
(A) He chose to bark loudly at the sheep.
(B) He directed the animals just by looking at them.
(C) He moved all the sheep in just five minutes.
4 Why is Ben writing this article?
(A) to show his classmates that these animals do an important job
(B) to say that sheepdogs are normal pets
(C) to teach farmers how to work every single day
5 What is the best title for the article?
(A) Playing with a ball all day
(B) The amazing dog that works on a farm
(C) A busy road in the beautiful countryside
ANSWER KEY
1 A 2 C 3 B 4 A 5 B
Reading 3
For each question, choose the correct answer.
My Life as a Puppy Trainer
My name is Mark and I am fifteen years old. I have a new and exciting weekend activity. I am a volunteer at a special training centre in my city. We help to prepare young puppies so they can become assistance animals for people who need them in the future.
I got my first puppy, a small yellow labrador called Buddy, two months ago. At first, the work was quite difficult. Buddy had a lot of energy and he didn’t want to listen to my instructions. I had to be very patient with him. Every day, I gave him small pieces of food when he learned how to sit and stay in one place.
Now, Buddy is doing really well. Every Saturday, I take him to the local supermarket or the busy train station. This is a very important part of his education. The puppy must learn to be calm and quiet in places with lots of people. Fortunately, Buddy is very brave and he isn’t afraid of loud noises anymore.
Next year, Buddy will go to a different school to finish his learning. After that, he will go to live with his new owner. I know I will be quite sad to say goodbye to my furry friend, but I am also very proud of him. I definitely want to train another young dog when Buddy leaves.
1 What does Mark say about his new weekend activity?
(A) He needs assistance animals in the future.
(B) He gives his time to prepare dogs for other people.
(C) He looks for a special training centre in his city.
2 Why was the work quite difficult two months ago?
(A) Mark had to sit and stay in one place.
(B) Mark did not have small pieces of food.
(C) The little dog didn’t want to do what the boy asked.
3 Why does Mark take Buddy to the supermarket?
(A) to help the animal learn to be relaxed in public
(B) to travel to the busy train station
(C) because he isn’t afraid of loud noises anymore
4 How does Mark feel about Buddy leaving next year?
(A) He wants to go to a different school with him.
(B) He will miss the dog but knows he did a great job.
(C) He is going to live with his new owner.
5 What is the best title for the article?
(A) How to shop at the local supermarket
(B) A teenager’s difficult new school
(C) Teaching a young dog to do an important job
ANSWER KEY
1 B 2 C 3 A 4 B 5 C