In praise of the unmapped hour
A reflective essay on navigation apps and attention. Practise reading for implication, attitude and fine shades of meaning.
15 questions · 30 min
C2 Reading Practice
Read a short text, then answer questions to check your understanding.
5 lessons
Pears for a fortnight
An original short story extract about a woman, an orchard and a neighbour. Practise reading for subtext, understatement and what characters leave unsaid.
15 questions · 30 min
A short treatise on standing in line
An ironic column on the unwritten rules of queueing. Practise recognising mock-solemn tone, exaggeration and the point behind the joke.
15 questions · 30 min
The long memory of wood
A popular-science article on tree rings and how they are used to date the past. Practise reading for argument, hedging and the writer's purpose.
15 questions · 30 min
A museum of nothing in particular
A review of an invented museum of everyday objects. Practise judging tone, balance and the writer's real opinion.
15 questions · 30 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.