Test in Reading

Task 1 Read the texts about how three different people celebrate their friends’ birthdays.

 For each question, choose     A, B or C.

A Ralph

Often in my town, if one of my friends has a birthday, their parents find a special place to have it. It could be on the beach or in their garden. Or sometimes they hire somewhere like a swimming pool or a room in a sports centre, so that we can do sport. That’s nice – but I like the smaller parties too. There are usually great things to eat, like pizza or burgers – things that everyone likes. The main thing is that the person who’s having their birthday has a really good time – and we all work hard to make that happen.

B Dennis

Most of my friends prefer to have everyone at their house for their birthdays. That means we can just listen to music, eat our favourite foods, and sit and chat. Their parents usually organise it all, and then leave an older brother or sister in charge, watching TV! And if it’s during the summer, we can be outside, which is better because then we can have barbecues in the garden! We all try to take a present that our friend really wants. It doesn’t need to be something expensive. It just shows that we thought about them on their special day.

C Christopher

My friends usually like to meet everyone in a favourite cafe and have a meal together for their birthdays. Parents and older brothers and sisters come too, and it’s a lovely atmosphere. We all give each other something special as a present – sometimes people make things themselves, which I think is actually better than buying a present from a shop because your friend will probably keep the thing you made for a very long time. I always look forward to other people’s parties – and my own, of course!       



Which person …

goes to birthday celebrations where the parents don’t stay during the party?

Which person …

says that it isn’t just friends who join in with the party? 

Which person …

says he doesn’t mind what sort of place the birthday party is held in?

Which person …

has friends who don’t usually go out to celebrate their birthday?

Which person …

tries their best to make sure their friend enjoys their birthday? 

Which person …

says the cost of the present isn’t the most important thing? 

Which person …

thinks that presents which someone made are nicer than ones bought in a shop? 

Task 2 Decide if each sentence is True (T) or False (F).



Ralph likes not only big special birthday parties, but the smaller parties too.

Dennis friends’ parents usually organise the party, and then leave a smaller brother or sister in charge, watching TV!

Dennis and his friends always organise very expensive birthday parties.

Christopher prefers special handmade presents or something people make  themselves.

Christopher  always looks forward to his own parties and other people’s parties,too.   

Task 3. Choose the correct answer to the questions

What great things, according to Ralph, does everyone like?

Can Dennis with his friends listen to music, eat their favourite food, and sit and chat on the parties?

Who can come to Christopher’s parties?