B1_Test Practice_Reading Comprehension January 2024

Task 1_For each question, choose the correct answer.

The people below all want to celebrate their birthdays on Saturday. There are descriptions of eight places they could

go to. Decide which place would be the most suitable for the people below.
1 Carlos wants a big day out with about 20 friends. He’s looking for an inexpensive activity where they can have a meal
cheaply, too.
2 Gemma’s planning to celebrate by going out for a meal with a small group of friends. She wants to go to a lively place
and doesn’t want to spend too much.
3 Jessica and Lucy are sisters and they’re going out with their family. They want to go to a restaurant that has
entertainment. Their parents are paying, so it doesn’t have to be too cheap.
4 Amelia is spending the day with a friend, her parents and her little sister. They’re looking for a place that’s good for
all the children and will take their own food with them.
5 Adam is meeting three friends. He wants to do an activity but he isn’t interested in sport and he doesn’t have much
money. He’s eating at home later, but would like to get a snack.

GREAT BIRTHDAY VENUES

Moody’s is a modern pizza café in the centre of town. It’s Have fun at a Mega-ride theme park surrounded by
very popular with teenagers and plays great music every beautiful countryside. Teenagers can enjoy the amazing
afternoon. Prices are reasonable and this Saturday rides while younger children can visit the play area.
includes our new ‘two for one’ offer. Leave your parents Tickets are expensive, but save money by bringing
behind and have fun at Moody’s! sandwiches and having lunch at the picnic area.

B Museum Madness F ABC Cinema

Teenagers will love this latest party offer. Spend the night Every Saturday afternoon this month, tickets to films
at the museum! Have a guided tour when all the other starting before 4 p.m. in ABC Cinemas are half price.
visitors have gone. Enjoy party food, music and dancing. There’s also an extra discount for groups of four or more.
You must have one adult with you and a maximum of ten You can buy drinks and snacks at great prices, too.
friends. Don’t forget your sleeping bag!

C Oasis G Pablo’s

Oasis is the most exciting place for swimming in town and Enjoy wonderful Italian cooking at Pablo’s! This
Saturday afternoons are just for teenagers! Special offer restaurant is quite expensive, but the food is fantastic.
this Saturday only: pay for eight tickets and get two free. Children and teenagers will love the regular live shows.
Visit the café after your swim for pizzas, burgers and Meet a mystery music guest this Saturday afternoon.
chips at low prices.

D Animal Magic H The Palace Hotel

Visit your local farm this Saturday and receive half-price Fine food in beautiful surroundings – The Palace Hotel is
tickets for your next visit. Young children will love the perfect for a special meal. Children are welcome in the
rabbits and the farm animals. Older brothers and sisters dining room. The prices are high, but the food is excellent
are more likely to enjoy one of the Sunday afternoon and there is a small discount for guests staying at the
talks. Bring lunch with you and spend a day at the farm. hotel.

1 _____ 2 _____ 3_____ 4_____ 5_____ Mark: ____/5

A Helping Hand
Lee Newton was sitting on a station platform under an old blanket when he saw a young couple talking. (1)………… It
was a freezing night in January, and the couple were clearly cold. Lee called to them and asked them if they wanted
to share his blanket. The three of them started chatting, and Lee learned that their names were Karen and Mark.

(2)………… Lee told them that he’d lost his job and then his flat when he could no longer pay the rent. He had no
family to help him, and nowhere to go. (3)………… Karen and Mark felt terrible. They couldn’t imagine sleeping on the
icy platform for even one night. As they spent their night in the station chatting to Lee, they realized that anyone
could end up in his situation. (4)…………

When morning came, Karen and Mark bought an extra train ticket and invited Lee to come home with them. Lee
accepted, and gratefully moved into Karen and Mark’s spare bedroom. Once he had an address, Lee was able to apply
for jobs. (5)………… He saved up to buy a small motorbike, then got an evening job delivering pizzas. After a few
months, Lee had saved up enough money to rent a small flat of his own.

‘When times get tough, you need friends and family,’ Lee says. ‘Karen and Mark became that for me.’ An act of
kindness was all Lee needed to help him get his life back.

A He offered to drive them home.

B He’d been sleeping in the train station for three months.

C They’d missed the last train, and they seemed upset.

D They enjoyed living together, so Lee decided to stay.

E He soon found work in a local factory.

F They felt very lucky to have jobs and a home.

G It wasn’t a big problem because he bought a flat.

H Karen explained that they lived two hours away and they couldn’t afford a taxi home.

Mark: ____/5
Task 3_For each question, choose the correct answer.

Jessica Hail – Comedian

I’ve always enjoyed performing and making people laugh. When I was at school, I used to annoy some of my teachers
as I was always telling jokes in class. All my classmates used to laugh a lot and I had a great time.

When I left school, I got a job in a fast food restaurant during the day and took acting classes in the evening. I also
started performing in theatres at the weekends. Sometimes the audience loved me, but other times nobody laughed
at my jokes. That was the worst feeling in the world.

After two or three years, I appeared on TV a few times and became better known. I finally got a part in a TV comedy
show and I’ve worked on TV ever since. I still do theatre work, and although it’s harder than being on TV, I enjoy it
much more. During those years when I performed in theatres, I learned so much. It was great to start performing
while I was still young. It gave me a lot of experience and it helped me become confident on stage.

It isn’t easy to keep on being successful because it’s so difficult trying to think of new ideas all the time. When I can’t
think of anything to write about, I get very miserable. Then I usually go for a walk. Walking is a great way to relax and
it also helps you to think. I can go out for a walk in the morning with no ideas in my head. When I return, my head is
full of them and I can’t wait to write them down!

As well as walking, mountain climbing and diving help me to relax, too. I’m planning a climbing trip to Nepal soon,
which I’m really looking forward to! I’m sure I’ll come back with a lot of new jokes and ideas. Inspiration is very
important in my profession. If I’m inspired, I can create new performances and make people laugh out loud! It’s
fantastic. I think comedy is the cure for many things. It can take away your worries and help you relax.

1 What does Jessica say about her life at school? 4 Why does Jessica like walking?
A Her friends were very funny.
B She enjoyed performing for her classmates. A It makes her laugh.
C She disliked the teachers. B It helps her to get ideas.
D Her jokes were bad. C It takes away her worries.
D It allows her to empty her mind.

2 What did Jessica do when she left school? 5 Which of the following is the best description of the
writer?
A She trained to be a teacher.
B She started performing in a restaurant. A The comedian who never stops laughing herself.
C She got a job and studied acting. B The funny person who loves her work but never
D She got a job in a theatre. has time to relax.
C The successful comedian who is always looking for
3 What does she say about her working life? new ideas.
D The popular star who loves being on TV more than
A People have always enjoyed her performances. anything else.
B Being on TV is the most difficult thing she’s done.
C Her first job was in a theatre.
D She’s worked in a variety of places.

Mark: ____/5
ANSWER KEY:

TASK 1s. 1 C 2 A 3 G 4 E 5 F

TASK 2. 1 C 2 H 3 B 4 F 5 E

TASK 3 1 B 2 C 3 D 4 B 5 C