Unassuming survivors: the partnership beneath the crust
A popular-science article about lichens: what they are, how they live and what they can tell us about the air.
16 questions · 25 min
C1 Reading Practice
Read a short text, then answer questions to check your understanding.
5 lessons
The tyranny of the perfect itinerary
An opinion column that questions the habit of planning every hour of a holiday and asks what planning really costs us.
16 questions · 25 min
Maps, names and what gets left off
A book review of an invented novel, with questions on the reviewer's balanced judgement and implied criticism.
16 questions · 25 min
The four-minute clock
An original short story extract in which much of the meaning is implied: a council visitor, an old clock and a private reason.
16 questions · 25 min
More than a mended toaster
A feature article about a volunteer repair event, asking what such gatherings achieve beyond fixing objects.
16 questions · 25 min
A1, A2, C1 and C2 texts are original. B1 and B2 texts are excerpts from VOA Learning English (public domain); questions and notes are by Joy English. Levels are suggestions.