Practice English Reading Exercises for B1 – Music, Singing & Audio Production
Reading 1
For each question, choose the correct answer.
Making My Own Beats
I’ve always listened to electronic dance music, so last month I decided to try making my own. I went online and downloaded a free music production program, often called a DAW. I was incredibly excited while it was installing. However, the moment I opened the program on my computer, my excitement disappeared. The screen was completely covered in tiny buttons, sliders, and strange menus. It looked exactly like the cockpit of an airplane! I had absolutely no idea what any of it meant.
For the first few days, I just clicked on things randomly, hoping something would happen. I managed to make a few terrible noises, but nothing that sounded like actual music. I felt completely lost. I started to think that producing music was only for experts and that maybe I should just stick to listening to it. I was very close to deleting the software and giving up completely.
Then, one Saturday afternoon, I decided to watch a video tutorial for beginners. The teacher in the video explained things simply and told me to ignore most of the buttons for now. Following his instructions, I found the drum sounds. I placed a kick drum and a clap in a pattern and set it to repeat over and over. When I pressed play, I heard a real, steady rhythm. It was just a simple drum loop, but I had created it myself!
Once I had the drums playing, I felt much more confident. I opened a synthesizer instrument in the program and started pressing keys on my computer keyboard. After a few tries, I discovered a catchy melody that matched my drum beat perfectly. I recorded it and played both parts together. I sat back in my chair, listening to the speakers. It actually sounded like the beginning of a real dance track. I couldn’t stop smiling.
Since that day, I spend almost all my free time making music. I still don’t know what half the buttons do, but it doesn’t matter. Every time I open the program, I learn something new. I’ve even started sharing my short tracks with my friends, and they actually like them. I now know that with a bit of patience, anyone can create their own music.
1 What was the writer’s first reaction to the music software?
(A) He was surprised by how much it cost.
(B) He was confused by how complicated it looked.
(C) He was disappointed that it took so long to install.
(D) He was worried that it wouldn’t work on his computer.
2 How did the writer feel during his first few days of using the program?
(A) ready to ask a professional for help
(B) pleased with the strange noises he created
(C) sure that he would soon understand it
(D) ready to stop trying to make music
3 What helped the writer make his first drum beat?
(A) He copied a famous drum pattern.
(B) He watched an online lesson.
(C) He read the instructions that came with the software.
(D) He clicked all the buttons on the screen.
4 How did the writer feel after recording the synthesizer?
(A) proud that he had made a complete song
(B) frustrated that it took so many tries
(C) amazed that his work sounded like real music
(D) confused about how to play the two parts together
5 What would the writer say in his blog about his experience?
(A) Electronic music is great, but the software is too difficult for ordinary people to use.
(B) If you want to make music, you must learn what every single button on the screen does first.
(C) Learning to produce music takes some patience, but it is a very rewarding hobby.
(D) I regret spending so much time on my computer when I should be hanging out with my friends.
Answer Key & Explanations
1 (B) – The text in paragraph 1 states that the screen was “completely covered in tiny buttons… It looked exactly like the cockpit of an airplane! I had absolutely no idea what any of it meant,” which paraphrases being confused by how complicated it looked.
2 (D) – In paragraph 2, the writer says, “I was very close to deleting the software and giving up completely,” which shows he was ready to stop trying.
3 (B) – Paragraph 3 explains that the writer “decided to watch a video tutorial for beginners” and followed the teacher’s instructions to make the drum loop.
4 (C) – In paragraph 4, the writer listens to the drums and synthesizer together and says, “It actually sounded like the beginning of a real dance track. I couldn’t stop smiling,” demonstrating his amazement at creating something that sounded like real music.
5 (C) – This option captures the global meaning and the writer’s final attitude in paragraph 5. He explains that despite the initial difficulty, he enjoys making music, shares it with friends, and believes that “with a bit of patience, anyone can create their own music.”
Reading 2
For each question, choose the correct answer.
Finding my rhythm
I’ve always loved music, especially hip-hop, but I’ve never been able to play a traditional instrument. A few months ago, I was watching some online videos and discovered beatboxing. The performers were making incredible drum beats and musical sounds using nothing but their mouths. It looked like a fun and cheap way to make music, so I immediately decided I wanted to learn how to do it. I thought it would be quite easy to just copy the noises I heard.
However, my first attempts at beatboxing were a complete disaster. Whenever I tried to make loud drum sounds, I just ended up spitting everywhere. It was actually quite embarrassing. I sounded more like a broken engine than a cool musician, which made my younger sister laugh at me constantly. My mouth got tired very quickly, and after a few days, I was beginning to think I should just give up and buy a real drum kit instead.
Luckily, before I quit, I found a fantastic tutorial for beginners. The teacher explained that you shouldn’t just make random noises. Instead, you need to learn the basic “boots and cats” technique. By repeating these two words, you naturally create the sounds of a basic drum kit: the ‘b’ is the heavy bass drum, the ‘t’ is the high-hat, and the ‘c’ or ‘k’ sound acts as the snare drum. I practised saying “boots and cats” slowly over and over again. I finally understood that beatboxing is actually about controlling your breath and tongue.
After a couple of weeks of daily practice, I could finally lay down a solid, fast rhythm without stopping. Last Friday, I decided to show my friends what I had learned while we were hanging out after school. I started performing a beat, and they were absolutely amazed. A few of them even started rapping along to my rhythm.
Now, I feel really proud of my new skill. I’m spending my free time learning how to add musical notes while making a beat at the same time. It’s definitely harder than the basics, but if I keep practising, I hope to perform in our school talent show next spring.
1 Why did the writer decide to start beatboxing?
(A) He wanted to avoid paying for a traditional musical instrument.
(B) He was inspired by some performers he saw on the internet.
(C) He wanted to join a hip-hop band that his friends had started.
(D) He thought it would be a quick way to become famous online.
2 How did the writer feel about his early attempts at beatboxing?
(A) Upset that his sister told him to buy real drums.
(B) Frustrated that he couldn’t play a broken engine sound.
(C) Embarrassed because he was making a mess and sounding awful.
(D) Exhausted from practising for several days without sleep.
3 What did the writer learn from the tutorial?
(A) He needed to buy a drum kit with a snare and high-hat.
(B) He should practise saying random words as fast as he could.
(C) He had to take private breathing lessons from a teacher.
(D) He could produce drum sounds by repeating a specific phrase.
4 What happened when the writer showed his friends his new skill?
(A) They were very impressed and joined in with his music.
(B) They thought he was playing a recorded beat.
(C) They laughed at him for making silly noises.
(D) They asked him to teach them how to do it.
5 What would the writer say about his beatboxing experience?
(A) I really want to beatbox, but I just can’t stop spitting and sounding silly. I think I’ll buy a drum kit instead.
(B) My friends loved my performance so much that we are starting a hip-hop band to play in the school talent show.
(C) I’m so glad I didn’t give up. Learning the right techniques helped me create great beats, and now I’m excited to learn more.
(D) Beatboxing is incredibly easy. All you have to do is say certain words and you immediately sound like a professional.
Answer Key & Explanations
1 B – The writer states in paragraph 1 that he “was watching some online videos and discovered beatboxing” and because the performers made incredible sounds, he “immediately decided I wanted to learn”.
2 C – In paragraph 2, the writer explains that he “just ended up spitting everywhere”, that it was “embarrassing”, and that he “sounded more like a broken engine”, which matches making a mess and sounding awful.
3 D – Paragraph 3 explains that the tutorial taught him the “boots and cats” technique, where repeating these two words creates the sounds of a basic drum kit.
4 A – In paragraph 4, the writer mentions that when he performed for his friends, they “were absolutely amazed” and “a few of them even started rapping along”.
5 C – This option perfectly captures the global meaning and emotional arc of the text: moving from wanting to give up, to successfully learning the technique, and looking forward to learning more difficult skills.
Reading 3
For each question, choose the correct answer.
Finding the Rhythm
Ever since I went to my first rock concert last year, I’ve wanted to play the drums. I asked my parents for months until they finally surprised me with a second-hand drum kit for my birthday. I was absolutely thrilled! I set it up in the garage, sat on the small stool, and picked up the heavy wooden sticks. Looking at the shiny cymbals, I confidently imagined I was going to sound like a professional rock star immediately.
However, my excitement quickly turned into frustration. Hitting a single drum was easy, but playing a full beat was an incredible challenge. The biggest problem was trying to coordinate my hands and feet. My right hand had to play one rhythm, my left hand had to hit another drum at a different time, and my right foot had to press a pedal. Whenever I focused on my foot, my hands would completely forget what they were supposed to be doing! It felt like my brain couldn’t handle it all.
I spent the next few weeks feeling quite miserable. Some days, I just wanted to leave the drums in the garage and never look at them again. But then I decided to search for some online tutorials for beginners. The teacher in the video advised playing extremely slowly at first and counting out loud. I started practising for just twenty minutes a day. Gradually, my brain and my body started to work together.
Then, last Saturday, everything finally clicked. I managed to play a simple rock beat without stopping or making a mistake. It felt amazing! My older brother, who plays the electric guitar, heard me and came into the garage. He plugged in his instrument and started playing along with my beat. For the first time, I experienced the raw power of percussion. I wasn’t just making noise anymore; I was actually making music.
We jammed together for over an hour, and my arms were aching by the end of it. I know I still have a huge amount to learn, and I can’t play any fast or complicated songs yet. However, that feeling of keeping the rhythm for another musician was incredible. I’m going to keep practising, and maybe one day we can form our own band!
1 How did the writer feel when he first sat down at his new drum kit?
(A) He expected to play extremely well straight away.
(B) He was worried about waking up his neighbours.
(C) He felt disappointed that the drum kit wasn’t new.
(D) He was nervous about breaking the wooden sticks.
2 What was the hardest thing for the writer at the beginning?
(A) Remembering the names of the different drums.
(B) Hitting the drums hard enough to make a loud sound.
(C) Making his arms and legs do different things at the same time.
(D) Keeping his foot on the bass drum pedal without slipping.
3 How did the writer improve his drumming skills?
(A) He asked his brother to give him daily lessons.
(B) He followed some advice he found on the internet.
(C) He started practising for several hours every day.
(D) He decided to stop counting while he was playing.
4 What happened when the writer finally played a rock beat correctly?
(A) He realised he preferred the electric guitar.
(B) His brother asked him to join his rock band.
(C) He was able to play music with someone else.
(D) He decided to learn more complicated songs immediately.
5 What would the writer say about his experience of learning the drums?
(A) It was much easier than I expected, and I’m ready to perform on stage next week!
(B) Learning to play was very frustrating at first, but playing together with my brother made it all worth it.
(C) I wish I had chosen a different instrument because coordinating my hands and feet is still impossible.
(D) You don’t really need to practise much if you have a good drum kit; you just need to feel the rhythm.
Answer Key & Explanations
1 A – The text states the writer “confidently imagined I was going to sound like a professional rock star immediately,” meaning he expected to be very good right away.
2 C – The writer explains that the “biggest problem was trying to coordinate my hands and feet,” noting that his hands, left hand, and right foot all had to do different things at different times.
3 B – The text mentions that he decided to “search for some online tutorials” and that the teacher in the video gave him advice which he followed.
4 C – When he finally played the beat correctly, his brother came in and “started playing along with my beat,” meaning the writer was able to play music with another person.
5 B – This option captures the global narrative of the text: the writer experienced initial struggle and misery with coordination, but pushing through allowed him to experience the “raw power of percussion” and the joy of jamming with his brother.