Practice English Reading Exercises for B1 – Local & Specialty Shops 3

Exercises:   123456

Reading 1

For each question, choose the correct answer.

The people below all want to find an independent record and vinyl shop to visit.

There are descriptions of eight record shops.

Decide which record shop would be the most suitable for the people below.

1   Tom loves collecting classic albums from the 1960s. He enjoys chatting with expert shop owners to get music recommendations and wants a place where he can also discover new independent bands.

2   Amy wants a shop that sells cheap, used vinyl records. She needs a place that stays open on Sunday evenings because of her busy work schedule, and she wants to buy colorful posters of rock groups.

3   Sam and Julia are looking for rare jazz recordings from the past. They want a quiet café inside the shop where they can sit and listen, and they need a store located near the central train station.

4   Chloe wants to buy a modern record player. She is looking for an online store to browse items before visiting, and she prefers a shop that hosts regular live music performances by local musicians in the evenings.

5   Ben is interested in heavy metal records from the 1980s. He wants to talk to a store manager who really understands the history of this style, and he hopes to find a shop that offers student discounts.

Best Independent Record Shops

A The Vinyl Cave

Step inside to explore an amazing collection of rock records from decades ago, especially the 1960s. The passionate owner has run the shop for years and loves giving deep advice to visitors. It is also the perfect spot to find CDs from excellent, modern underground artists who produce independent music.

B Retro Sounds

We specialize in previously owned records at very low prices, perfect for collectors on a budget. Our shop is open until 10 p.m. every weekend, including Sundays. Don’t leave without checking our back wall, which is covered with fantastic, large wall prints of famous rock bands that you can buy.

C Groove Corner

Located just a two-minute walk from the main city railway gates, this shop is a paradise for music lovers. We stock hard-to-find jazz albums from the last century. Grab a fresh coffee and a pastry at our peaceful indoor coffee bar while enjoying the smooth tunes playing in the background.

D The Sound Stage

We sell the newest electronic turntables to play your music perfectly. Customers can look through our entire stock on our official website before coming to the building. We also clear space on our small stage every Friday night for brilliant local bands to put on concerts for our shopping guests.

E Rock Relics

Our shelves are packed with loud heavy metal albums from the 1980s. The shop boss is an absolute expert on rock history and is always ready to share fascinating stories with customers. Make sure to show your school or university identification card at the counter to receive a twenty percent price reduction!

F Spin City

Come browse our huge crates of classic 1960s pop and rock records. We also have a great section dedicated to current independent music groups and underground bands. The shop operates entirely with automatic digital screens, so you can search and pay completely on your own without needing to speak to anyone.

G Music Box

We offer an incredible range of cheap, second-hand vinyl records that are in excellent condition. We also sell amazing merchandise, including t-shirts and colorful posters of legendary rock artists. Please note that we are only open from Monday to Saturday, and we are completely closed all day on Sundays.

H Wax Museum

This cozy store is situated right outside the central train station exits, making it highly convenient to visit. We have a world-class selection of rare, vintage jazz recordings from decades ago. While we do not serve any drinks or food inside, you will love exploring our historic musical shelves.

Reading 2

For each question, choose the correct answer.

The people below all want to find a pet supply store to visit.

There are descriptions of eight pet supply stores.

Decide which pet supply store would be the most suitable for the people below.

1   Lucas wants to buy some healthy, natural food for his puppy. He would like to take his little dog inside the shop with him. He also needs to purchase a new fun toy for the puppy to play with.

2   Sarah needs to get a comfortable new bed for her older cat. She has some questions about pet health and wants to speak to an expert. She is driving, so the shop must have a car park.

3   Max is looking for a large glass tank to keep some tropical fish. He works long hours, so he needs to visit late in the evening. He doesn’t drive, so the shop must be near a train station.

4   Emma wants to find a professional to wash and cut her dog’s hair. She also needs a warm winter coat for him. She would love to sit and drink a hot coffee while she waits.

5   David needs to find a safe travel box to carry his rabbit. He is a student with little money, so he wants cheap prices. He also needs to buy some natural, chemical-free shampoo to wash his pet.

Pet Supply Stores

A Happy Hounds

Your four-legged friends are completely welcome to walk around our aisles with you! Come and explore our huge wall of rubber bones, bouncy balls, and throwing rings. We also stock an excellent range of meals made completely from fresh meat and vegetables, ensuring your animal gets a perfectly balanced diet.

B The Pet Centre

We offer an amazing washing and styling service to make your animal look beautiful! While our busy team works, owners can relax in our lovely cafe with a hot drink and a slice of cake. However, we currently only sell animal food, so we don’t stock any clothing or blankets.

C City Paws

Keep your animal cozy with our fantastic selection of thick animal sweaters and weather-proof jackets. We also have a wonderful beauty room where our specialists will completely bathe and brush your animal. Owners can wait comfortably in our cozy tea room, enjoying a delicious hot espresso or warm latte.

D Aqua World & Pets

Situated right next to the city’s main underground railway platforms, reaching us without a vehicle is incredibly simple. We specialize in underwater environments and sell beautiful, large glass containers and water equipment. We remain open until ten o’clock at night every weekday, making it perfect for busy after-work visitors.

E Value Animal Supplies

If you are trying to save cash, check out our incredible discount section where everything is half price! We sell secure carrying cages perfect for taking small animals on journeys. You will also discover our fantastic cleaning liquids, produced entirely from plants without using any harsh, artificial chemical materials.

F Nature’s Pet

We specialize in top-quality, organic meals packed with vitamins to keep your animal in perfect health. You will also love our colourful play section full of jumping balls and chewing ropes. Please note that for hygiene and safety reasons, visiting animals must remain outside and cannot enter the building.

G The Animal House

Drivers will love our massive free visitor garage located right outside the front doors. If you are worried about your animal’s condition, our highly trained assistants are always ready to offer their professional knowledge. We also sell incredibly soft sleeping cushions to keep your feline friends warm at night.

H Pet Paradise

We sell everything from soft sleeping cushions for cats to secure carrying bags for your small furry friends. We also offer amazing plant-based washing liquids to keep their fur clean. However, this is a premium luxury boutique, so our items are quite expensive and we never offer price reductions.

Reading 3

For each question, choose the correct answer.

The people below all want to find a bicycle sales and repair shop.

There are descriptions of eight bicycle shops.

Decide which bicycle shop would be the most suitable for the people below.

1   Lucas is on a cycling trip but needs someone to repair a damaged wheel right away. He also wants to purchase protective headgear. Because he is travelling this weekend, the shop must be open on Sundays.

2   Maya is looking for a used bicycle for her daily journey to college. She is on a tight student budget and wants to find affordable options. She cannot carry it herself, so the store must offer a delivery service.

3   Tomas enjoys mountain riding and wants to buy a brand-new, specially designed off-road bicycle. He hopes to give his old bicycle to the shop to get a discount. He also wants guidance from experienced, professional cyclists.

4   Sarah and John want to hire two bicycles for an afternoon ride. They do not want to cycle through traffic, so the business must be located right next to the city park. They also need to buy security locks.

5   Elijah wants to learn how to maintain his own bicycle and is looking for a shop that teaches repair skills. He also needs to get some special cycling shoes. Since he works late, evening opening hours are essential.

Bicycle Sales and Repair Shops

A The Cycle Stop

Do you have a puncture? Our quick mechanics can patch up broken tyres in just a few minutes! We also sell a huge variety of safety hats to keep you secure on the road. We welcome customers seven days a week, making us the perfect weekend choice for emergency repairs.

B Green Wheels

If you want to save cash, check out our amazing collection of carefully checked, pre-owned bicycles! All our models are heavily discounted, making them ideal for anyone watching their spending. Once you choose your perfect ride, our staff will transport it straight to your front door at no extra cost.

C Peak Riders

We specialise in creating brand-new, off-road bicycles built exactly to your body’s shape. Bring in your current ride and we will reduce the price of your new one! Our team consists of former racing champions who are always happy to share their top tips and recommendations for your 

next adventure.

D Parkside Pedals

Situated directly opposite the city’s beautiful green gardens, our shop is the ideal starting point for a safe, traffic-free journey. You can easily borrow our modern bicycles for a few hours. We also have a great selection of security chains available to purchase so your transport is always kept safe.

E The Night Mechanic

We are open until 10 p.m. on weekdays, making it easy to visit after a long day at the office. We offer weekly evening workshops where you can practice fixing your own transport. While you are here, browse our fantastic range of specialist footwear designed specifically for serious cyclists.

F Quick Fix Hub

Did your daily journey go wrong? We can repair damaged wheels and tubes immediately! We also offer a massive selection of protective headgear and bright safety lights for sale. However, please remember that our busy workshop is closed on both Saturdays and Sundays, so weekday visits are strictly required.

G Bargain Bicycles

We offer the largest selection of used cycles in the city, ensuring you get the lowest prices possible without spending a fortune. We also sell strong metal chains for security. Unfortunately, customers must have their own car, as we do not offer any options to bring items to your home.

H Pro Gear & Go

Are you looking to upgrade your cycling equipment? We sell the best professional footwear for racing, and our expert staff are all ex-competitors ready to guide you. We also build custom road bikes from scratch! We lock our doors at 5 p.m. sharp every day, so plan your visit carefully!

Exercises:   123456