Reading Comprehension
Texts and Exercises


Jump to the List of Lessons


Welcome to our Reading Comprehension section!

To help you make the most of these lessons, make sure you study the Barriers to Study booklet first. It is available online, free of charge.



Use a good and simple dictionary while reading and answering questions.

Reading comprehension is an important skill, and it is not acquired by skimming over content and guessing the meanings of words and sentences.

It is acquired by reading and understanding the words and concepts in your text.

See also: Building Vocabulary and Some Common Mistakes

Click Here for Step-by-Step Rules, Stories and Exercises to Practice All English Tenses

Click Here for Step-by-Step Rules, Stories and Exercises to Practice All Tenses

Jump to the List of Lessons

Using These Lessons

Here you can find many interesting lessons with reading texts (and photos for illustration) in intermediate English, followed by reading comprehension exercises.

Exercises include:

  • Vocabulary Questions
  • Collocation Questions
  • Wh Questions (who, what, when, where, how, etc.)
  • Evaluating Statements
  • True or False Questions

An important part of practice is collocation practice.


Collocation Practice

Do you sometimes ask yourself if you have used the best word for what you want to say, or is another one more suitable? 

For example: do you want to say "He came in quietly" or "He came in silently"?

Check collocations

collocation is a combination of words that is used together frequently. It's actually a common phrase.

For example: "commit a crime" is a typical combination of words in English. You could say "make a crime," and it wouldn't be incorrect, but many people tend to use these words together, and it sounds right to a native. So "commit a crime" is a collocation.

Another example: we say "heavy traffic" not "strong traffic," and so forth.

Here are some more examples of collocations:

  • Fully aware ("We are fully aware of the problem.")
  • Do homework ("I will do my homework later.")
  • Give a speech ("He gave a very good speech at the conference.")

There are many collocations in English. The better you use them, the more NATURAL your English becomes.

Most of the lessons in this section include collocation practice to help students practice this vital skill.


List of Lessons

Places around the World

Europe

Asia and Africa

Americas and the Pacific Ocean

Customs and Traditions

Food and Cooking

Animals

Earth and the Universe

Words

Finance

Places around the World

The World's Most Beautiful Islands – Five Wonders of Nature

The World's Most Beautiful Islands – Five Wonders of Nature

Delicious Desserts from Four Continents, Some of the World's Most Famous Desserts

Can You Guess Where These Beautiful Natural Places Are?

Can You Guess Where These Beautiful Natural Places Are?

The Oldest Cities in the World

The Oldest Cities in the World

The World's Most Beautiful Natural Wonders

The World's Most Beautiful Natural Wonders

World's Largest Countries

World's Largest Countries

Can You Guess Where These Beautiful Natural Places Are? (Part 2)

Can You Guess Where These Beautiful Natural Places Are? (Part 2)

The Coldest Places Where People Live

Can You Guess Where These Beautiful Natural Places Are? (Part 2)

Europe's Smallest Countries

The World's Most Beautiful Natural Wonders

 


Europe

Rome, the Eternal City

Rome, the Eternal City

Budapest, the Hidden Gem of Europe

Budapest, the Hidden Gem of Europe

Vienna, the City of Culture

Vienna, the City of Culture

Lisbon, the City of Explorers

https://www.really-learn-english.com/english-reading-comprehension-lisbon.html

London, the Crown of Europe

London, the Crown of Europe

Belfast, the Street Art Harbor

Belfast, the Street Art Harbor

Barcelona, Gaudi's Masterpiece

Barcelona, Gaudi's Masterpiece

Bucharest, the Little Paris

Bucharest, the Little Paris

Dublin, the Fair City

Dublin, the Fair City

Dusseldorf, Japan on the Rhine

Dusseldorf, Japan on the Rhine

Kiev, Eastern Europe's Secret

Kiev, Eastern Europe's Secret

Thessaloniki, the Aegean Secret

Thessaloniki, the Aegean Secret

Berlin, the Reunited City

Berlin, the Reunited City

Monaco, the Casino City

Tbilisi, the Food Capital

Tbilisi, the Food Capital

Caucasus, the Border of Europe and Asia

Tbilisi, the Food Capital

Sarajevo, the Jerusalem
of Europe

Berlin, the Reunited City

Saint Petersburg, the Capital of Imperial Russia

Berlin, the Reunited City

Venice, the City of Canals

Tbilisi, the Food Capital

Marseille, the City of 111 Districts

Marseille, the City of 111 Districts

Bristol, the Capital of the South West

Bristol, the Capital of the South West

Valletta – Superbissima ("Most Proud" in Latin)

Comprehension Text and Exercises: Valletta – Superbissima ("Most Proud" in Latin)

Oslo, the Tiger City

Oslo, the Tiger City



Asia and Africa

Taipei, the New and the Old

Taipei, the New and the Old

Shanghai, Gateway to the West

Shanghai, Gateway to the West

Phnom Penh, Capital of Cambodia

Phnom Penh, Capital of Cambodia

Vientiane, the Buddhist Gem

https://www.really-learn-english.com/english-reading-comprehension-vientian.html

South Korea Travel Advice

South Korea Travel Advice

Istanbul, Between Europe and Asia

Israel, the Holy Land

Israel, the Holy Land

Israel, the Holy Land, Part 2

Israel, the Holy Land, Part 2

Tokyo, the City of Cherry Blossoms

Tokyo, the City of Cherry Blossoms

Cairo, the City of Contrasts

Tokyo, the City of Cherry Blossoms

Alexandria, the Pearl of the Mediterranean

Alexandria, the Pearl of the Mediterrane

Kathmandu, the City of Temples

Kathmandu, the City of Temples

Dar es Salaam, the House of Peace

Dar es Salaam, the House of Peace

Beijing, the Celestial City

Beijing, the Celestial City

Johannesburg, the City of Gold

Johannesburg, the City of Gold



Americas and the Pacific Ocean

Canada Fun Facts

Canada Fun Facts

New York, the Empire State

New York, the Empire State

Boston, the Home of US History

Rio de Janeiro, the Marvelous City

Rio de Janeiro, the Marvelous City

Oceania

Oceania

Perth, the City of Lights

Perth

Vancouver, Rain City

Vancouver, Rain City

Detroit, the Motor City

Detroit, the Motor City

Los Angeles, the City of Angels

Los Angeles, the City of Angels

Brasilia, the Isle of Fantasies

Brasilia, the Isle of Fantasies


Customs and Traditions

Japanese Kimono

Japanese Kimono, History & Facts

Flamenco Dresses

Flamenco Dresses

Interesting Traditional Marriage Customs around the World

Interesting Traditional Marriage Customs around the World, Part 2

Interesting Traditional Marriage Customs around the World, Part 2

Beauty Rituals around the World

Beauty Rituals around the World

Interesting Dining Manners in Different Cultures

Interesting Dining Manners in Different Cultures

Winter Holidays Around the World

Winter Holidays Around the World

Unique Holidays People Celebrate Around the World

Unique Holidays People Celebrate Around the World

Interesting Festivals around the World

Unique Holidays People Celebrate Around the World

 


Food and Cooking

A Guide to South American Cuisine

A Guide to South American Cuisine

Types of Cookies and Their Special Names

Types of Cookies and Their Special Names

Types of Cookies and Their Special Names, Part 2

Types of Cookies and Their Special Names, Part 2

Some of the World's Most Famous Desserts

Some of the World's Most Famous Desserts

Famous Cakes from Around the World

Types of Cookies and Their Special Names, Part 2



Animals

Cats, Our Curious and Fluffy Pets

A Guide to South American Cuisine

Dogs, Our Loyal Friends, Part 1

Dogs, Our Loyal Friends, Part 2

Dogs, Our Loyal Friends, Part 2

Dogs, Our Loyal Friends, Part 3

Dogs, Our Loyal Friends, Part 3


Earth and the Universe

Types of Climate

Types of Climate

Winter Solstice

Types of Climate

 

Summer Solstice

Dogs, Our Loyal Friends, Part 2

Planets of Our Solar System

Dogs, Our Loyal Friends, Part 2

Vegetation Regions

Dogs, Our Loyal Friends, Part 2


The Strongest Army in the World: Your Immune System (Health Related Vocabulary and Grammar Practice)

The Strongest Army in the World: Your Immune System, Health Related Vocabulary and Grammar Practice

 


Words

Interesting Word Origins in the English language

Interesting Word Origins in the English language, Part 2

Interesting Word Origins in the English language, Part 2

 

Finance

Bitcoin, the Currency of the Future

Bitcoin, the Currency of the Future

 

 

We add many new lessons, so come back and visit this section!



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