Reading
Reading is the fastest way to grow vocabulary, because you meet words in context rather than on a list. These free reading lessons pair a short text at a set CEFR level with comprehension questions, a glossary of the words worth keeping, and notes on the grammar the writer used. Texts cover everyday life, work, culture, science and current issues.
A1 (Beginner)
25Chloe’s Day
Read about Chloe, her family and her day. A simple A1 story about daily life, with key words to learn.
A1 House and homeOur New Home
Read about Michael and his new house. A simple A1 text about rooms and home, with key words and questions.
A1 Food and drinkI Love Food
Read about Robert and the food his family eats. A simple A1 text about meals and food, with key words and questions.
A1 School and educationMy School Day
Read about Mark and his day at school. A simple A1 text about school and subjects, with key words and questions.
A1 Free time and hobbiesMy Free Time
Read about Thomas and his hobbies. A simple A1 text about free time and hobbies, with key words and questions.
A1 Weather and seasonsThe Four Seasons
Read about the four seasons and the weather. A simple A1 text about seasons, with key words and questions.
A1 Animals and petsMy Pet Cat
Read about Luna the cat. A simple A1 text about pets and animals, with key words and questions.
A1 Festivals and celebrationsA Happy Birthday
Read about a boy's birthday party. A simple A1 text about celebrations, with key words and questions.
A1 Food and drinkReading a Café Menu
Read a simple café menu and find prices and opening times. An A1 real-world reading text with key words and questions.
A1 Free time and hobbiesReading Text Messages
Read text messages between two friends and find the details. An A1 real-world reading text with key words and questions.
A1 ShoppingA Note and a Shopping List
Read a note and a shopping list and find the details. An A1 real-world reading text with key words and questions.
A1 Travel and transportReading a Bus Timetable
Read a bus timetable and find times and stops. An A1 real-world reading text with key words and questions.
A1 Travel and transportA Trip to the Beach
Read about a family day at the beach. A simple A1 story about a trip, with key words and questions.
A1 Places and townsMy Town
Read about a small town and the places in it. A simple A1 text about places, with key words and questions.
A1 School and educationReading a Poster
Read a school poster and find the key information. An A1 real-world reading text with key words and questions.
A1 Health and fitnessReading an Appointment Card
Read a dentist appointment card and find the details. An A1 real-world reading text with key words and questions.
A1 Weather and seasonsReading a Weather Forecast
Read a weekly weather forecast and find the details. An A1 real-world reading text with key words and questions.
A1 Family and friendsMy Best Friend
Read about a boy and his best friend. A simple A1 text about friends and people, with key words and questions.
A1 Weather and seasonsA Rainy Day
Read about a happy day indoors when it rains. A simple A1 story with key words and questions.
A1 Jobs and workJobs People Do
Read about different jobs and how they help people. A simple A1 text about jobs, with key words and questions.
A1 Festivals and celebrationsReading a Party Invitation
Read a birthday party invitation and find the details. An A1 real-world reading text with key words and questions.
A1 Food and drinkReading a Food Label
Read a food label and find the weight, price and dates. An A1 real-world reading text with key words and questions.
A1 School and educationReading a Short Email
Read a short email about a school trip and find the details. An A1 real-world reading text with key words and questions.
A1 People and appearanceMy Clothes
Read about the clothes a boy wears on different days. A simple A1 text about clothes, with key words and questions.
A1 Health and fitnessStaying Healthy
Read about simple ways to stay healthy. A simple A1 text about the body and health, with key words and questions.
A2 (Elementary)
25A Trip to Penang
Read about a family holiday in Penang. An A2 reading story in the past tense, with key words and comprehension questions.
A2 Health and fitnessGetting Healthy
Read how James changed his life to become healthy. An A2 reading story with past, present and future, key words and questions.
A2 Places and townsThe City Library
Read about a city library and how to use it. An A2 informational reading text with key words and comprehension questions.
A2 School and educationThe First Day at a New School
Read about Olivia's nervous first day at a new school. An A2 reading story with key words and comprehension questions.
A2 ShoppingMarket Day
Read about a busy Saturday market. An A2 descriptive reading text with key words and comprehension questions.
A2 Culture and customsThe Lost Phone
Read a story about a lost phone and a kind stranger. An A2 reading story with key words and comprehension questions.
A2 Free time and hobbiesReading a Film Review
Read a short film review and understand the opinion. An A2 real-world reading text with key words and comprehension questions.
A2 Jobs and workReading a Job Advert
Read a job advertisement and find the key details. An A2 real-world reading text with key words and comprehension questions.
A2 Festivals and celebrationsThe Festival
Read about a family festival celebrated every spring. An A2 reading text with key words and comprehension questions.
A2 Family and friendsMy Grandfather
Read about a grandfather who was once a fisherman. An A2 reading story with past and present, key words and questions.
A2 Food and drinkLearning to Cook
Read how someone learned to cook step by step. An A2 reading story with key words and comprehension questions.
A2 Travel and transportReading a Train Ticket
Read a train ticket and find times, seats and prices. An A2 real-world reading text with key words and questions.
A2 Culture and customsReading a Noticeboard
Read community noticeboard notices and find the details. An A2 real-world reading text with key words and questions.
A2 Free time and hobbiesA New Hobby
Read how a gift led to a love of photography. An A2 reading story with key words and comprehension questions.
A2 Family and friendsThe Kind Neighbour
Read a story about a misunderstood neighbour. An A2 reading story with key words and comprehension questions.
A2 Places and townsMy Favourite Place
Read about a special hill and why it matters. An A2 descriptive reading text with key words and comprehension questions.
A2 Food and drinkReading a Recipe
Read a simple recipe and follow the steps. An A2 real-world reading text with key words and comprehension questions.
A2 Travel and transportReading a Hotel Booking
Read a hotel booking confirmation and find the details. An A2 real-world reading text with key words and questions.
A2 Places and townsReading a News Report
Read a short local news report and find the facts. An A2 real-world reading text with key words and comprehension questions.
A2 Weather and seasonsThe Rainy Adventure
Read about a bike ride that turned into an adventure. An A2 reading story with key words and comprehension questions.
A2 ShoppingReading a Product Review
Read a customer product review with good and bad points. An A2 real-world reading text with key words and questions.
A2 Culture and customsReading Signs and Instructions
Read common public signs and understand the rules. An A2 real-world reading text with key words and questions.
A2 School and educationA Difficult Decision
Read about a young woman's hard choice between music and science. An A2 reading story with key words and questions.
A2 Science and technologyLife Before Phones
Read how life was different before mobile phones. An A2 reading text comparing past and present, with key words and questions.
A2 Culture and customsThe Volunteer Day
Read about a class that spent a day helping the community. An A2 reading story with key words and questions.
B1 (Intermediate)
25Working From Home
Read about the rise of remote work and its pros and cons. A B1 reading text with key words and comprehension questions.
B1 Environment and natureThe Plastic Problem
Read about plastic pollution and what can be done about it. A B1 reading text with key words and comprehension questions.
B1 School and educationStudying in a New Country
Read about a student's challenging first year studying abroad. A B1 reading story with key words and comprehension questions.
B1 Health and fitnessThe Power of Sleep
Read about why sleep matters so much for health. A B1 reading text with key words and comprehension questions.
B1 School and educationLearning a Language as an Adult
Read about the myth that only children can learn languages. A B1 reading text with key words and questions.
B1 House and homeReading a Formal Notice
Read a formal building notice and understand the key information. A B1 real-world reading text with key words and questions.
B1 Science and technologySocial Media: A Blessing or a Curse?
Read a balanced look at the good and bad sides of social media. A B1 reading text with key words and questions.
B1 Culture and customsThe Art of Saying Thank You
Read about how different cultures show gratitude. A B1 reading text with key words and comprehension questions.
B1 Science and technologyComparing Two Products
Read a consumer article comparing two phones and weigh the options. A B1 real-world reading text with key words and questions.
B1 Free time and hobbiesThe Benefits of Reading
Read about why reading books is still a valuable habit. A B1 reading text with key words and comprehension questions.
B1 Jobs and workA Second Chance
Read the story of a man who followed his dream later in life. A B1 reading story with key words and comprehension questions.
B1 Travel and transportA Customer Complaint
Read a complaint email and the hotel's reply. A B1 real-world reading text with key words and comprehension questions.
B1 Science and technologyThe Rise of Electric Cars
Read about how electric cars are changing the way we drive. A B1 reading text with key words and comprehension questions.
B1 Culture and customsVolunteering Changed My Life
Read how volunteering gave a young man a sense of purpose. A B1 reading story with key words and comprehension questions.
B1 Health and fitnessFast Food and Health
Read a balanced discussion of fast food and its effects on health. A B1 reading text with key words and questions.
B1 Culture and customsThe Story of Coffee
Read the fascinating history of how coffee spread around the world. A B1 reading text with key words and questions.
B1 Jobs and workReading a Job Application
Read a formal job application email and understand it. A B1 real-world reading text with key words and questions.
B1 Environment and natureThe Importance of Water
Read about why water is so vital and why we must protect it. A B1 reading text with key words and questions.
B1 School and educationThe Woman Who Never Gave Up
Read the inspiring story of a girl who fought for her education. A B1 reading story with key words and questions.
B1 Places and townsCity Life or Country Life?
Read a balanced comparison of city and country living. A B1 reading text with key words and comprehension questions.
B1 Food and drinkA Food Blog Recipe
Read a food blog recipe post and follow the method. A B1 real-world reading text with key words and comprehension questions.
B1 Science and technologyWhy We Dream
Read about the science and mystery of why we dream. A B1 reading text with key words and comprehension questions.
B1 Culture and customsThe Power of Music
Read about how music affects our brains, emotions and health. A B1 reading text with key words and questions.
B1 Science and technologyReading a News Article
Read a local news article with quotes and find the facts. A B1 real-world reading text with key words and questions.
B1 School and educationThe Value of Failure
Read why failure can be one of our greatest teachers. A B1 reading text with key words and comprehension questions.
B2 (Upper-Intermediate)
25How We Listen to Music
Read a balanced B2 article on how streaming changed music, for artists and listeners. With key words and comprehension questions.
B2 Environment and natureRethinking City Traffic
Read a B2 article arguing that cities should be designed for people, not just cars. With key words and comprehension questions.
B2 Jobs and workShould You Follow Your Passion?
Read a B2 article weighing both sides of the "follow your passion" debate. With key words and comprehension questions.
B2 Science and technologyThe Truth About Multitasking
Read a B2 science article on why multitasking is largely a myth. With key words and comprehension questions.
B2 Culture and customsReading a Film Review
Read a B2 documentary film review and follow the reviewer's opinion. A real-world reading text with key words and questions.
B2 Science and technologyThe Psychology of First Impressions
Read a B2 article on how and why we judge people in seconds. With key words and comprehension questions.
B2 Culture and customsA Short Story: The Letter
Read a B2 short-story extract and explore character and feeling. With key words and comprehension questions.
B2 Money and businessRemote Work and the Future of Cities
Read a B2 article on how remote work may reshape our cities. With key words and comprehension questions.
B2 Science and technologyWhy We Find It Hard to Change Our Minds
Read a B2 psychology article on confirmation bias and changing our views. With key words and questions.
B2 Environment and natureThe Hidden Cost of Fast Fashion
Read a B2 article on the environmental and human cost of cheap clothing. With key words and comprehension questions.
B2 Money and businessReading a Workplace Report
Read a B2 staff survey report with findings and recommendations. A real-world reading text with key words and questions.
B2 Health and fitnessThe Science of Habits
Read a B2 article on how habits work and how to change them. With key words and comprehension questions.
B2 Science and technologyIs Space Exploration Worth the Cost?
Read a B2 debate article weighing the costs and benefits of space exploration. With key words and questions.
B2 Culture and customsReading a Letter to the Editor
Read a B2 persuasive letter to a newspaper and follow the argument. A real-world reading text with key words and questions.
B2 Science and technologyThe Bystander Effect
Read a B2 psychology article on why crowds sometimes fail to help. With key words and comprehension questions.
B2 Culture and customsThe Languages That Disappear
Read a B2 article on why languages die and why it matters. With key words and comprehension questions.
B2 Science and technologyThe Ethics of Artificial Intelligence
Read a B2 article on the ethical challenges of AI. With key words and comprehension questions.
B2 Travel and transportThe Slow Travel Movement
Read a B2 magazine article on the slow travel trend and its appeal. A real-world reading text with key words and questions.
B2 Animals and petsShould Zoos Exist?
Read a B2 debate article weighing the arguments for and against zoos. With key words and comprehension questions.
B2 Health and fitnessThe Problem With Perfect
Read a B2 article on social media, perfectionism and mental health. With key words and comprehension questions.
B2 Family and friendsReading an Email from a Friend
Read a B2 informal email from an old friend and understand the news and tone. A real-world reading text with key words and questions.
B2 Money and businessThe Four-Day Week
Read a B2 debate article on the four-day working week. With key words and comprehension questions.
B2 Environment and natureThe Return of the Wolf
Read a B2 article on how returning wolves transformed Yellowstone. With key words and comprehension questions.
B2 Science and technologyWhy Do We Procrastinate?
Read a B2 article on the real psychology behind procrastination. With key words and comprehension questions.
B2 Free time and hobbiesA Life Changed by a Book
Read a B2 reflective narrative about how one book changed a life. With key words and comprehension questions.
C1 (Advanced)
3The Paradox of Choice
A C1 article on why more choice can reduce our wellbeing. Advanced reading with implicit meaning, tone and inference questions.
C1 Science and technologyThe Woman Who Mapped the Ocean Floor
A C1 biography of geologist Marie Tharp. Advanced reading with inference, tone and implicit-meaning questions.
C1 Science and technologyThe Erosion of Attention
A C1 article debating whether technology is destroying our attention. Advanced reading with inference and tone questions.
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