Reading A1 dành cho người bắt đầu học IELTS

Reading: A1

A poster at work
Read an invitation to an office event to practise and improve your reading skills.

Before reading
Do the preparation task first. Then read the text and do the exercises.

Preparation task

Match the phrases (a–h) with the times (1–8).
Times

Phrases

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.

h.

…… 2.30 p.m.
…… 6.25 p.m.
…… 12.00 p.m.
…… 12.30 a.m.
…… 7.45 p.m.
…… 3.55 p.m.
…… 9.15 a.m.
…… 1.40 a.m.

Twelve noon
Half past two in the afternoon
Quarter past nine in the morning
Five to four in the afternoon
Quarter to eight in the evening
Twenty to two in the morning
Twenty-five past six in the evening
Half past midnight

Reading text: A poster at work
Time to relax!
Come and join our lunchtime yoga class with experienced yoga teacher Divya Bridge!
When? Every Tuesday at 1.30 p.m.
Where? Meeting Room 7
How much? £10 for four 30-minute classes.
What to bring? Comfortable clothes. Divya will provide the yoga mats.
How to join? Write to Sam at
We can only take a maximum of 20 in the room, so book now!

© 2019 British Council

www.britishcouncil.org/learnenglish


Tasks
Task 1

Answer the questions with the words in the box.

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

An email

Tuesday

2.00 p.m.

Comfortable

Four

Now

Which day of the week does the yoga class take place? ………………………………

How many classes can you take for £10? ………………………………
What time will the class end? ………………………………
What kind of clothes do you need to wear to the class? ……………………………… clothes
What do you need to send to Sam if you want to join? ………………………………
When should you book if you want to join? ………………………………

Task 2

Are the statements true or false?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Sam Holden is the yoga teacher.
The yoga class is once a week.
The class is at lunchtime in room 7.
You need to bring yoga mats to the class.
The class can’t take 22 people.
You need to call Sam Holden if you want to join the class.

Answer
True
True
True
True
True
True

False
False
False
False
False
False

Discussion

Do you do any classes outside of your work?

© 2019 British Council

www.britishcouncil.org/learnenglish


Reading: A1

A poster for exam candidates
Read the poster outside an exam room to practise and improve your reading skills.

Before reading
Do the preparation task first. Then read the text and do the exercises.

Preparation task

Write the correct word below each picture.
book

pen

bag

notes

mobile phone

pencil

ID

water bottle

1. ……………………………

2. ……………………………

3. ……………………………

4. ……………………………

5. ……………………………

6. ……………………………

7. ……………………………

8. ……………………………

Reading text: A poster for exam candidates
Poster 1

FINAL EXAM INSTRUCTIONS
•

Doors close 5 minutes before the exam begins.

•

Show your student ID card to examiner when you enter the room.

ã

No phones, no books.

â 2019 British Council

www.britishcouncil.org/learnenglish


Poster 2

BEFORE THE EXAM
•

Have your ID card ready.

•

Listen to the instructions.

•

Arrive 10 minutes before exam.

IN THE EXAM
•

Mobile phones switched off and put away.

•

ID card visible on the desk.

•

No talking.

•

No food or drinks in exam room.

Poster 3
•

Follow the examiner’s instructions.

•

If you have a question, raise your hand.

•

No mobile phones, books or bags in the exam.

•

Please use a blue or black pen.

Tasks
Task 1

Circle all the posters that say something about …
1.

talking.
a. Poster 1

2.

b. Poster 2

c. Poster 3

b. Poster 2

c. Poster 3

b. Poster 2

c. Poster 3

arriving early.
a. Poster 1

4.

c. Poster 3

ID cards.
a. Poster 1

3.

b. Poster 2

phones.
a. Poster 1

© 2019 British Council

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5.

6.

the type of pen.

a. Poster 1

b. Poster 2

c. Poster 3

a. Poster 1

b. Poster 2

c. Poster 3

books.

Task 2

Circle the sentence that has the same meaning.
1. No talking.
a. You can talk.
b. You can’t talk.
2. ID card visible on desk.
a. You can see the ID card.
b. You can’t see the ID card.
3. Mobile phones switched off and put away.
a. Don’t have your mobile phone on the table.
b. It’s OK to have your mobile phone on the table.
4. Doors close five minutes before the exam.
a. You must arrive early.
b. You can be five minutes late.
5. If you have a question, raise your hand.

a. You can ask questions.
b. You can’t ask questions.

Discussion

Do you have a lot of exams? Do you like exams?

© 2019 British Council

www.britishcouncil.org/learnenglish


Reading: A1

A restaurant menu
Read a menu to practise and improve your reading skills.

Before reading
Do the preparation task first. Then read the text and do the exercises.

Preparation task

Match the definitions (a–f) with the vocabulary (1–6).
Vocabulary

Definitions

1.
2.
3.

4.
5.
6.

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.

…… dressing
…… served with
…… homemade
…… of the day
…… roast
…… vegetarian

cooked in the oven
a sauce to put on salad
without meat
not from a shop
comes with
changes every day

Reading text: A restaurant menu
Tony’s Kitchen

★★★★★☆ 231 reviews

Chicken, Pizzas, Vegetarian
17 Broad Street
Opening at 11:30

Meat and fish

Grilled fish of the day £8.00
Steak with chips or salad £12.00
Sausage and roast tomato pasta £7.00
Chicken salad with garlic yoghurt dressing £7.00

Vegetarian

Cheese and tomato pizza £7.00
Mushroom omelette £7.00

© 2019 British Council

www.britishcouncil.org/learnenglish


Vegetable chilli £7.00
Soup of the day with brown and white bread £4.00

Something sweet

Homemade carrot cake £3.50
Homemade banana cake £3.50
Chocolate ice cream with chocolate sauce £3.50
Fresh fruit salad with grapes, mango, melon and apple, served with cream or ice cream £3.50

Drinks

Cup of coffee £2.00
Cup of tea £1.50
Glass of wine, white or red £3.00
Beer £3.00
Water, still or sparkling £1.00
Orange juice £2.00

Tasks
Task 1

Write the words in the correct group.
grilled

sausage

roast
meat

© 2019 British Council

red wine

coffee

chicken
steak

drinks

homemade
juice

ways to prepare food

www.britishcouncil.org/learnenglish


Task 2

Are the sentences true or false?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

The fish is the same every day.
You can choose what comes with the steak.
The pizza has meat on it.
Soup is served with bread.
They make the ice cream themselves.
The cheapest drink is coffee.

Answer
True
True

True
True
True
True

False
False
False
False
False
False

Discussion

What would you like to have?

© 2019 British Council

www.britishcouncil.org/learnenglish


Reading: A1

A study timetable
Read a study timetable for a week in summer school in England to practise and improve your
reading skills.

Before reading
Do the preparation task first. Then read the text and do the exercises.

Preparation task

Match the definitions (a–f) with the vocabulary (1–6).
Vocabulary

Definitions

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.

…… local
…… preparation
…… a tournament
…… a project
…… an excursion
…… a skill

a visit to an interesting place
something you can learn to do

close to where you are
getting ready for something
a competition between many teams or people
a piece of work that takes time to finish

Reading text: A study timetable
Monday to Wednesday
Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

9.00

English level test

Vocabulary

10.00

English skills: Speaking

English skills: Reading

11.00

Preparation for
excursion

Preparation for excursion

12.00

Lunch

Lunch

13.00

Project class

Project class

15.00

Art

Basketball

17.00

Free time

Free time

18.00

Dinner

Dinner

Dinner

19.00

Swimming

Football tournament

Cinema

21.00

Free time

Free time

Free time

© 2019 British Council

Whole day excursion to
London or Oxford

www.britishcouncil.org/learnenglish


Thursday to Sunday
Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

9.00

Grammar

Vocabulary

Grammar

Late breakfast

10.00

English skills:
Speaking

English skills:
Listening

Progress test

English skills:
Writing

11.00

Games with English

Drama

Drama

Preparation for
excursion

12.00

Lunch

Lunch

Lunch

Lunch

13.00

Project class

Project class

15.00

Circus skills

Mountain biking

Theatre trip

Excursion to local
castle or museum

17.00

Free time

Free time

18.00

Dinner

Dinner

Dinner

Dinner

19.00

Bowling

Talent show

Disco

Free time / packing

21.00

Free time

Free time

Free time

Free time / packing

Tasks
Task 1

Match the days of the week (1–7) with the activities (a–g).
Days

Activities

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.

…… Monday
…… Tuesday
…… Wednesday
…… Thursday
…… Friday
…… Saturday
…… Sunday

© 2019 British Council

visiting a famous city
finding out what level you have in English
going to see a play or show
a sports competition
cycling
visiting a place near the school
learning a fun skill

www.britishcouncil.org/learnenglish


Task 2

Choose the best answer.
1. What kind of lessons are first thing in the morning?
a. Grammar and vocabulary
b. English skills
c. Project lessons
2. Which day do you spend all day away from school?
a. Wednesday
b. Saturday
c. Sunday
3. Which skill do you practise the most?
a. Reading
b. Speaking
c. Listening
4. Which day can you get up late?
a. Friday
b. Saturday
c. Sunday
5. What time do evening activities start?
a. 6 p.m.
b. 7 p.m.
c. 9 p.m.
6. When can you pack your bags to go home?
a. Sunday morning
b. Sunday afternoon
c. Sunday evening

Discussion

Would you like to go to a school like this? Why or why not?

© 2019 British Council

www.britishcouncil.org/learnenglish


Reading: A1

Business cards
Read four business cards to practise and improve your reading skills.

Before reading
Do the preparation task first. Then read the text and do the exercises.

Preparation task

Match the definitions (a–f) with the vocabulary (1–6).
Vocabulary

Definitions

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

a.
b.

c.
d.
e.

…… education
…… a head
…… marketing
…… international
…… telecommunications
…… a sales representative

a manager or leader of a group or department
connected to promoting or advertising a product
connected to teaching, training or schools
happening in more than one country
connected to exchanging information by telephone,
television, radio, the internet, etc.
f. someone who visits people to sell them products or
services

Reading text: Business cards
KPD Foods

Bruno Silva
Head of Marketing

Address: Avenida Paulista 53, Bela Vista, São Paulo, 01311-914, Brazil
Tel: (+55) 11 8134 7706
Email:

© 2019 British Council

www.britishcouncil.org/learnenglish


Getty Telecommunications
Ltd

Olivia Hoskins
International Project
Manager

Address: 700 Rockville Street, Monroe, New York 10950, USA
Tel: (+1) 845 228 8396
Email:

Orion Education Services

Park Ji-Yeon
Director

Address: South Korea, Seoul, Jongno-gu, Sajik-ro-3-gil 23, 30174
Tel: (+82) 2 235-6482
Email:

ABC Travel

Rashid Khan

Sales Representative

Address: Hajar Road, Dubai, UAE
Tel: (+971) 4 677 3355
Email:

© 2019 British Council

www.britishcouncil.org/learnenglish


Tasks
Task 1

Circle the best answer.
1.

Who should you contact to talk about teaching and schools?
a. Bruno

2.

c. Ji-Yeon

d. Rashid

b. Olivia

c. Ji-Yeon

d. Rashid

b. Olivia

c. Ji-Yeon

d. Rashid

c. Ji-Yeon

d. Rashid

c. Ji-Yeon

d. Rashid

Who works with people from different countries?
a. Bruno

6.

b. Olivia

Who should you see if you want to talk about promoting fruit and vegetables?
a. Bruno

5.

d. Rashid

Who should you see if you want to talk about mobile phone technology?

a. Bruno

4.

c. Ji-Yeon

Who should you see if you want to do a tour?
a. Bruno

3.

b. Olivia

b. Olivia

Who works in the United Arab Emirates?
a. Bruno

b. Olivia

Task 2

Are the sentences true or false?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

8.

Bruno’s job is making sure people know about KPD Foods.
The country code for calling Brazil is 971.
‘Hoskins’ is a first name.
In addresses in South Korea, you write the country first.
Ji-Yeon is the head of her company.
Rashid works in the United Arab Emirates.
When saying an email address, ‘.’ is pronounced ‘dot’.
When saying an email address, ‘@’ is pronounced ‘at’.

Answer
True
True
True
True
True
True
True
True

False
False
False
False
False
False
False
False

Discussion

In your country, do people put their surname first or at the end?
© 2019 British Council

www.britishcouncil.org/learnenglish


Reading: A1

Dictionary definitions
Read dictionary definitions for academic words and review parts of speech to practise and
improve your reading skills.

Before reading

Do the preparation task first. Then read the text and do the exercises.

Preparation task

Match the groups of words (a–f) with the parts of speech (1–6).
Parts of speech

Group of words

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

6.

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.

…… verb (v)
…… noun (n)
…… preposition (prep)
…… article (art)
…… adjective (adj)
…… adverb (adv)

teacher/car/university
go/study/work
quickly/quietly/sadly
good/happy/sad
a/an/the
for/in/on/at

Reading text: Dictionary definitions
attend (v)
to officially go to a place, like a school, university or class
You must attend 80 per cent of classes to pass the course.
dormitory plural dormitories (n)
1. a place where many people sleep
2. US: a big building at a university where students live (UK: hall of residence)

I know John. He lives in my dorm at university.
faculty plural faculties (n)
all the teachers who work at a university
Norman Brown was in the English faculty for twenty years.
teaching assistant (n)
a person who works to help a university teacher in a classroom
The teaching assistant has the exams for you at the end of class.
tuition fee (n)
an amount of money that you pay to go to university
Tuition fees are very high this year.
undergraduate (n)
A student at a college or university who is studying for a first degree
They met when they were undergraduates at Cambridge University.
© 2019 British Council

www.britishcouncil.org/learnenglish


Tasks
Task 1

Are the sentences true or false?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

(n) means the word is an adjective.
The words in the dictionary are in alphabetical order.

For each word there is an example.
Two words in the list change their spelling for the plural.
The dictionary does not tell you if a word has a different meaning in the
United Kingdom and the United States.
6. There are two verbs in the list.

Answer
True
True
True
True
True

False
False
False
False
False

True

False

Task 2

Complete the sentences with the words.
faculty

undergraduate

attend

teaching assistant

tuition fee

dormitory

1. It’s a small ……………………………… – we only have twelve teachers.
2. Students ……………………………… classes from Monday to Friday.
3. I’m an ……………………………… in my first year at university.
4. There are two students in every room in the ……………………………… .
5. Malek works as a ……………………………… at Oxford University.
6. The ……………………………… is £30,000 for foreign students.

Discussion

How often do you use a dictionary?

© 2019 British Council

www.britishcouncil.org/learnenglish


Reading: A1

Job adverts
Read the four job adverts to practise and improve your reading skills.

Before reading

Do the preparation task first. Then read the text and do the exercises.

Preparation task

Match the definitions (a–f) with the vocabulary (1–6).
Vocabulary

Definitions

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.

…… a driving licence
…… experience
…… marketing
…… an applicant
…… a salary
…… to chat

to talk informally
something you’ve done before
money you receive for working
the work of telling people about a product or service
a person who applies for a job
a document that shows you can drive

Reading text: Job adverts
Do you like cars? Are you friendly and do you like chatting with people? Would you like to
make £200 a day selling cars? If you answered yes to the above questions, we’d like you to be
on our team! (Driving licence required.)
Company
Motor Ground is a car sales company that buys and sells used cars.
Location
Chennai, India

We’re looking for a marketing manager to manage an international team. Ability to speak
English necessary. Salary is £50,000 a year.
Company
Groovy is a German clothes company that has shops in countries across Europe.
Location
Munich, Germany

© 2019 British Council

www.britishcouncil.org/learnenglish


French teacher wanted to teach children between the ages of 3 and 12. Applicants must have
teaching experience. £15 per hour.

Company
LinguaFun is a language school that offers modern language classes to students of all ages.
Location
Singapore

Nurse needed in private hospital. Must be registered to work in the UK. £25,000 per year.
Company
Private hospital with 50 years’ experience providing high-quality health care.
Location
London, UK

Tasks
Task 1

Are the sentences true or false?
1.
2.
3.
4.

You don’t need to talk to people to sell cars for Motor Ground.
Motor Ground sells new cars.
Groovy has shops in China and Japan.
The French teacher at LinguaFun will teach children above three years
old.
5. The nursing job pays better than the marketing manager job.
6. You must have 50 years’ experience to apply for the nursing job.

© 2019 British Council

Answer
True
True
True
True

False
False
False
False

True
True

False
False

www.britishcouncil.org/learnenglish


Task 2

Complete the sentences with words from the box.
an hour

salesperson

teacher

licence

marketing

registered

hospital

a year

1. As a car ……………………………… for Motor Ground you will earn £200 a day and you need a
driving ……………………………… .
2. As a ……………………………… manager for Groovy you will earn £50,000 ……………………………… and you
need to speak English.
3. As a French ……………………………… for LinguaFun you will earn £15 ……………………………… and you
need teaching experience.
4. As a nurse for a private ……………………………… you will earn £25,000 a year and you need to be
……………………………… to work in the UK.

Discussion

What jobs would you like to apply for?

© 2019 British Council

www.britishcouncil.org/learnenglish


Reading: A1

Notes at work

Read some short messages to practise and improve your reading skills.

Before reading
Do the preparation task first. Then read the text and do the exercises.

Preparation task

Match the definitions (a–h) with the vocabulary (1–8).
Vocabulary

Definitions

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
h.

…… noon
…… secretary
…… to call back
…… p.m.
…… ready for collection
…… a.m.
…… a drawer
…… to lock

to call a person who left you a message
someone who answers the phone and helps in an office
ready for you to get
12.00
before 12.00
after 12.00
to close with a key
a part of a desk where you can keep things

Reading text: Notes at work
Mario called.

Sales meeting this afternoon at 12 noon.

He wants you to call back before 7 p.m.

Meeting Room 2.

Pens ready for collection between 10 a.m.
and 3 p.m.

Jackie is leaving the office at 4 p.m. today.
Please remember to lock the doors. The
keys are in your drawer.

© 2019 British Council

www.britishcouncil.org/learnenglish


Tasks
Task 1

Write the times in the correct group.
4 p.m.

10 a.m.

8 p.m.

11 a.m.

1 p.m.

7 p.m.

3 p.m.

8 a.m.

10 p.m.

Morning

Afternoon

Evening/Night

Task 2

Circle the best answer.
1.

What time is your sales meeting?
a. 12 midnight

2.

b. Collect the pens.

c. Leave the office.

b. 2 p.m.

c. 4 p.m.

b. Give them to Jackie.

c. Lock the doors.

b. In your drawer.

c. In Jackie’s office.

What must you do with the keys?
a. Go to a meeting.

6.

c. In the office.

When can you collect the pens?
a. 9 a.m.

5.

b. In your drawer.

What must you do before 7 p.m.?
a. Call Mario.

4.

c. 12 noon

Where is the sales meeting?
a. In Meeting Room 2.

3.

b. 2 p.m.

Where are the keys?
a. In Meeting Room 2.

© 2019 British Council

www.britishcouncil.org/learnenglish


Task 3

Are the sentences true or false?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

You must call Mario tomorrow morning.
Mario will call you later today.
The sales meeting is at night.
Your secretary, Jackie, is leaving the office this afternoon.
You can collect the pens this evening.
The keys for the pens are in your drawer.

Answer
True
True
True

True
True
True

False
False
False
False
False
False

Discussion

How do you normally leave messages for people? Do you send text messages or do you leave
notes?

© 2019 British Council

www.britishcouncil.org/learnenglish