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Reading Comprehension – Test 2

A2 Elementary ReadingEnglish

This A2 reading comprehension test has three short original texts: a magazine article about a zookeeper, a campsite information notice and a story about a birthday cake. The 20 multiple-choice questions check gist, detail, inference and vocabulary in context. It suits elementary learners and teachers who need a ready-to-print reading assessment.

Questions
20
Time
30 min
PDF
4 pages
Answer key
Included
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Read each text carefully and choose the best answer (A, B, C or D) for each question. Choose your answers, then press “Check my answers”.

Part 1: Magazine article

Read the article about a zookeeper. Then answer questions 1-7.

Meet Daniel Osei, Zookeeper

Daniel Osei works at Greenfield Zoo. He looks after the giraffes and the zebras. His day starts very early. He gets up at half past five and arrives at the zoo at half past six, before the visitors come.

First, Daniel cleans the animals' houses. This is hard work, but he doesn't mind. Then he gives the animals their breakfast. Giraffes eat a lot of leaves – about 30 kilos every day! After that, he checks that all the animals are healthy. If an animal is sick, he calls the zoo doctor.

In the afternoon, Daniel talks to visitors. He tells them interesting facts about the animals, and children often ask him lots of questions. 'That's my favourite part of the job,' he says.

Daniel finishes work at four o'clock. He is often tired, but he is never bored. 'Every day is different,' he says. 'I can't imagine doing anything else.'

  1. What is the article mainly about?

  2. What time does Daniel arrive at the zoo?

  3. What is the first thing Daniel does at work?

  4. What does Daniel do when an animal is sick?

  5. Which part of the job does Daniel like best?

  6. "This is hard work, but he doesn't mind." Here, "he doesn't mind" means:

  7. What can we guess about Daniel?

Part 2: Information notice

Read the notice from a campsite. Then answer questions 8-14.

Welcome to Sunny Hill Campsite!

Reception: Open every day from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. If you arrive later, please call the number on the door.

Shop: Our small shop sells bread, milk, fruit and other food. Fresh bread arrives every morning at 7.30. The shop closes at 6 p.m.

Showers: The shower block is next to the playground. Hot water is free, but please don't stay longer than ten minutes.

Quiet time: Please be quiet between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. Other guests are sleeping!

Fires: Campfires are not allowed. You can use the barbecue area near the lake.

Bikes: You can rent bikes at reception for €5 a day. Children's bikes and helmets are also available.

Pets: Dogs are welcome, but they must stay on a lead at all times.

Rubbish: Please put your rubbish in the green bins near the car park.

Have a great stay!

  1. Who is this notice for?

  2. The Garcia family arrive at the campsite at 9 p.m. What should they do?

  3. Priya wants fresh bread for breakfast. When should she go to the shop?

  4. Where can guests cook food outside?

  5. Sam wants to bring his dog. Which sentence is true?

  6. "Children's bikes and helmets are also available." Here, "available" means:

  7. Which sentence is TRUE according to the notice?

Part 3: Short story

Read the story. Then answer questions 15-20.

The Birthday Cake

Nadia's brother, Omar, was going to be eighteen on Saturday. Nadia wanted to give him something special, but she didn't have much money. Then she had an idea: she could make him a chocolate cake.

On Friday evening, while Omar was at football practice, Nadia found a recipe online and started baking. Unfortunately, she forgot to set the timer. When she opened the oven, the cake was black and the kitchen was full of smoke.

Nadia almost cried. Just then, someone knocked on the door. It was Mrs Kowalski, their neighbour. 'I smelled the smoke,' she said. 'Is everything OK?' Nadia explained the problem. Mrs Kowalski smiled. 'Come to my flat. I have everything we need.'

Together they made a new cake, and this time it was perfect. The next day, Omar's eyes opened wide when he saw it. 'You made this?' he asked. Nadia looked at Mrs Kowalski and laughed. 'Well, I had a little help.'

  1. Why did Nadia decide to make a cake for Omar?

  2. Where was Omar when Nadia started baking?

  3. What went wrong with the first cake?

  4. How did Mrs Kowalski know there was a problem?

  5. "Omar's eyes opened wide when he saw it." This shows that Omar was:

  6. What does Nadia mean when she says, "I had a little help"?

Preview

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About this test

This A2 reading comprehension test has three short original texts: a magazine article about a zookeeper, a campsite information notice and a story about a birthday cake. The 20 multiple-choice questions check gist, detail, inference and vocabulary in context. It suits elementary learners and teachers who need a ready-to-print reading assessment.

Topics covered

Reading comprehensionMagazine articlePublic noticeShort storyVocabulary in contextInference

How to use this test

  1. Download the PDF and print it, or take the test online below.
  2. Answer every question without a dictionary or time pressure.
  3. Check your answers and note the topics you need to review.

Notes for teachers

Give students about 10 minutes per text and encourage them to read the whole text once for gist before answering. The questions test whether students can locate specific details, such as times and places, and whether they can avoid distractors that repeat words from the wrong part of the text. Vocabulary questions focus on phrases like 'doesn't mind' and 'available'. As follow-up, students can write a short notice for their school or a 'day in the life' article about someone they know.