Practice English Reading Exercises for B1 – Everyday Social Responsibility & Sustainable Living
Reading 1
For each question, choose the correct answer.
Taking Control of Our Energy
In my science class, we recently learned how much energy homes waste on heating. I realised our house was always too warm, even when nobody was at home. I wanted to help the environment, so I suggested buying a smart thermostat. This device connects to the internet and controls the temperature automatically. At first, my parents weren’t sure because it was quite expensive, but I promised them it would lower our electricity bills, so they finally agreed.
When the small device arrived, I excitedly offered to set it up myself. I watched a few online video tutorials and thought it looked incredibly easy. However, when I removed our old thermostat from the wall, I was shocked. There were several different coloured wires, and they didn’t match the ones in the videos at all. I felt quite confused, but I decided to just guess where each wire should go instead of asking for advice.
That was a terrible mistake. As I pushed two wires together, I heard a loud ‘pop’ sound, and suddenly, the entire house went completely dark. I had accidentally blown a fuse because I had forgotten to turn off the main electricity before starting. My parents came running into the hall with a torch, looking quite worried. I was extremely embarrassed and worried that I had broken our heating system completely.
Fortunately, my dad helped me find the fuse box and we got the lights back on. This time, I decided to do things properly. I carefully read the instruction manual that came with the thermostat instead of relying on internet videos. We turned off the power, matched the wires correctly, and attached the screen to the wall. When we turned the electricity back on, the digital screen lit up beautifully, and the house quickly became warm and comfortable.
It has been a month since that stressful afternoon, and the new system is working perfectly. By using an app on my phone, I can see that we have already reduced our carbon footprint by fifteen percent. My parents are absolutely delighted because our heating bills are much lower, too. Although the installation didn’t go exactly as planned, doing something positive for the planet has made me feel incredibly proud.
1 Why did the writer want to get a smart thermostat?
(A) To complete a science project about home heating.
(B) To help the planet and save his parents money.
(C) Because his parents asked him to reduce their electricity bills.
(D) Because his house was always too cold when he got home.
2 How did the writer feel when he started the installation?
(A) Annoyed that his parents refused to help him.
(B) Surprised that the online videos were so easy to find.
(C) Shocked that the new thermostat was so small.
(D) Confused because the wires were different from what he expected.
3 What happened when the writer tried to connect the wires?
(A) He caused all the lights in the house to go out.
(B) He broke the main electricity box.
(C) He dropped his dad’s torch in the dark hall.
(D) He burned his hands on the heating system.
4 How did the writer finally solve the installation problem?
(A) He paid a professional to fix the heating system.
(B) He watched more internet videos to find the answer.
(C) He followed the printed information that arrived with the device.
(D) He made his dad finish the installation alone.
5 What would the writer write in his diary now?
(A) I can’t believe I broke our heating system! I should have let my parents install it instead of trying to be clever.
(B) The new thermostat is saving us a lot of energy, but my parents are still annoyed about what happened to the lights.
(C) Installing the device was definitely a challenge, but seeing our energy usage drop makes it totally worth the effort!
(D) I’m so proud that I managed to install the thermostat perfectly on my first try, just by watching a few videos!
Answer Key & Explanations
1 B – The first paragraph states that the writer “wanted to help the environment” (help the planet) and promised his parents “it would lower our electricity bills” (save money).
2 D – In the second paragraph, the writer mentions he was shocked and “felt quite confused” because the coloured wires “didn’t match the ones in the videos at all.”
3 A – The third paragraph describes that when he pushed the wires together, “the entire house went completely dark” because he blew a fuse.
4 C – The fourth paragraph explains that he decided to do things properly and “carefully read the instruction manual that came with the thermostat.”
5 C – This option accurately captures the global meaning of the text: it acknowledges the stressful/challenging installation process (blowing the fuse) but ends with the positive result of a 15% drop in carbon footprint and lower bills, making him feel proud.
Reading 2
For each question, choose the correct answer.
Making Eco-Friendly Pet Toys
I have always loved spoiling my dog, a golden retriever named Buster. Whenever we visited the pet shop, I used to buy him colourful, squeaky toys made of plastic. However, Buster is an energetic dog, and he usually destroyed these expensive items within a week. I suddenly realised how wasteful this habit was. Not only was I spending most of my pocket money, but I was also throwing away a huge amount of plastic. I decided I needed to find a more environmentally friendly solution.
I searched online for eco-friendly pet products, but they were surprisingly expensive. Then, I found an article about making homemade dog toys using old clothes. It sounded perfect. I searched through my wardrobe and found several old, ripped t-shirts that I couldn’t wear anymore. According to the instructions, I had to cut the material into long strips and then braid them tightly together to create a thick rope. Although my fingers hurt a bit at first, I soon got used to the technique and produced a bright, multi-coloured toy.
I was extremely excited to show Buster my creation. As soon as I held up the new rope, his tail started wagging. We played a great game of pull in the living room, and he seemed to love the soft cotton material much more than his hard plastic toys. However, my excitement didn’t last long. Once I let him play with it alone, he managed to chew through the knots and completely destroy the toy in just ten minutes. My beautiful braided rope was just a pile of torn material on the floor.
At first, I felt quite disappointed that my hard work had disappeared so quickly. But then I thought about it differently. Unlike the plastic toys from the shop, this homemade rope hadn’t cost me a single penny. Furthermore, I had successfully recycled old clothes instead of throwing them in the rubbish bin. If I make a new one, it will also be completely free! Now, whenever my t-shirts get too old, I know exactly what to do with them. Making these toys is actually very relaxing, and Buster is always thrilled to get a brand new one.
1 Why did the writer decide to stop buying toys from the pet shop?
(A) They were too hard for her energetic dog to play with.
(B) She wanted to save her pocket money to buy new clothes.
(C) She felt bad about the high cost and the plastic waste.
(D) She could not find any squeaky toys that Buster liked.
2 How did the writer make her first homemade dog toy?
(A) She bought some thick cotton rope from an online shop.
(B) She cut up unwanted t-shirts and twisted the pieces together.
(C) She asked someone online to braid some colourful material for her.
(D) She repaired her dog’s ripped toys using material from her wardrobe.
3 What happened when the writer gave the toy to Buster?
(A) He refused to play with it because it didn’t make a sound.
(B) He broke it into pieces after a very short amount of time.
(C) He preferred playing with his old hard plastic toys instead.
(D) He hurt his teeth on the tight knots in the cotton rope.
4 How does the writer feel about making the toys now?
(A) Glad that it gives her a free way to reuse her old clothes.
(B) Disappointed that she has to keep replacing the broken ones.
(C) Worried that she won’t have enough old t-shirts to use.
(D) Annoyed that Buster destroys them faster than plastic toys.
5 What would the writer say in her blog about this experience?
(A) I’m upset that I wasted so much time making a toy for my dog. Next time, I’ll just buy an eco-friendly one online.
(B) Making dog toys out of old t-shirts is a brilliant idea! Even though Buster ruins them quickly, they don’t cost anything and it’s great for the environment.
(C) I finally taught my dog to stop destroying his toys. It took some time, but he is much gentler with my homemade cotton ropes.
(D) If you want to save money, you should stop buying plastic dog toys. I sell my homemade braided ropes online, and people love them!
Answer Key & Explanations
1 C – In paragraph 1, the writer states, “Not only was I spending most of my pocket money, but I was also throwing away a huge amount of plastic,” matching the high cost and plastic waste in option C.
2 B – Paragraph 2 explains that she found “old, ripped t-shirts” (unwanted t-shirts) and had to “cut the material into long strips and then braid them tightly together” (twisted the pieces together).
3 B – Paragraph 3 describes how Buster “managed to chew through the knots and completely destroy the toy in just ten minutes,” which means he broke it into pieces very quickly.
4 A – In paragraph 4, the writer is pleased because the toy “hadn’t cost me a single penny” and she had “successfully recycled old clothes,” showing she is glad about reusing her clothes for free.
5 B – This option captures the global meaning and attitude of the text: it acknowledges the fast destruction of the toys by her dog, but highlights the main positive takeaways—that the toys are free and eco-friendly.
Reading 3
For each question, choose the correct answer.
The Toy Library
My little brother Leo absolutely loves toys. He was always asking our parents to buy him new ones. As a result, our house was completely full of plastic cars, action figures, and building blocks. I recently realised that buying new toys all the time was not only expensive, but it was also bad for the environment. When toys broke or Leo got bored of them, they just ended up in the rubbish bin. I wanted to find a better solution for our family.
One day, I was looking on the internet and read an article about a ‘toy library’ in our town. It works exactly like a normal library, but instead of books, you borrow toys! You pay a small amount of money every month, and you can take home three different toys at a time. I explained the idea to my parents, and we decided to sign up the following weekend.
At first, Leo was absolutely thrilled. On our first visit, he chose a huge wooden train set, a colourful puzzle, and an electronic robot. He played with them every single day for two weeks. However, a major problem started when it was time to take them back. When I told Leo we had to return the toys, he started crying loudly. He didn’t understand the rules and thought we were giving away his own personal things.
I sat down next to him and gently explained how the toy library actually worked. I told him that if we kept the robot forever, another little boy or girl wouldn’t be able to experience playing with it. I explained that sharing our things with the community is a wonderful thing to do. Then, I reminded him of the best part: returning these toys meant he could choose three completely new ones today.
Suddenly, his tears stopped. He wiped his eyes and smiled, asking if the library had a dinosaur toy he could borrow next. Now, visiting the toy library is our favourite weekend activity. We save money, we have fewer old toys lying around the house, and Leo is learning an important lesson about sharing with others.
1 Why did the writer want to find a new solution for getting toys?
(A) He wanted to save space in his own bedroom.
(B) He was concerned about the cost and the environment.
(C) He wanted to stop his brother from playing with plastic cars.
(D) His parents asked him to throw away all the old toys.
2 How does the toy library work?
(A) You have to buy the toys after you borrow them.
(B) You can take as many toys as you want for free.
(C) You pay a regular fee to borrow a limited number of toys.
(D) You bring your own old books and exchange them for toys.
3 Why did Leo start crying in the third paragraph?
(A) He had accidentally broken the electronic robot.
(B) He didn’t like the three toys he had chosen.
(C) He didn’t want to leave the house to go to the library.
(D) He believed he was losing toys that belonged to him.
4 What made Leo feel better about returning the toys?
(A) Realising he could get different toys to play with that day.
(B) Discovering that he was allowed to keep the robot forever.
(C) Hearing that the library had just bought a new dinosaur.
(D) Knowing he would get pocket money for sharing his things.
5 What would the writer say about the toy library?
(A) “It’s a great idea, but my little brother still cries every time we have to go there.”
(B) “I’m glad we joined because it’s cheaper, greener, and teaches my brother a good value.”
(C) “It is too expensive for our family, so we will probably go back to buying toys from the shop.”
(D) “I wish I could borrow toys for myself instead of just getting things for my little brother.”
Answer Key & Explanations
1 B – The first paragraph states that the writer realised buying new toys all the time was “not only expensive, but it was also bad for the environment,” which directly paraphrases being concerned about the cost and the environment.
2 C – In the second paragraph, the text explains that “You pay a small amount of money every month” (a regular fee) and “you can take home three different toys at a time” (a limited number).
3 D – The third paragraph describes Leo crying because he “thought we were giving away his own personal things”, which means he believed he was losing toys that belonged to him.
4 A – Paragraph four explains that the writer reminded Leo of the best part: “returning these toys meant he could choose three completely new ones today.” This made him stop crying and smile, showing he felt better about getting different toys.
5 B – This option captures the global meaning and outcome of the story. The final paragraph summarizes that they “save money” (cheaper), have “fewer old toys lying around” ending up in the bin (greener), and Leo is “learning an important lesson about sharing” (teaches a good value).