A first invitation to read in English

English A2 reading practice with questions and answers

Ellis is visiting a shared garden for the first time. When should they arrive, what should they bring and how long can they stay? Read the invitation and find the details before checking your answers.

Try the reading, word translations and explained answers on this page without an account.

A2 reading level105 words in the reading3 questions with explained answers

Make your first reading count

Read to understand the situation. Then make your choice.

Read the text once. Translate a word if it holds you up, then answer the three questions. The feedback points you to the details that matter.

Reading lesson · Level A2

An invitation to the garden

Identify the welcome session for new members and confirm attendance.

Tap any word or select a phrase to translate it.

Hi Ellis,

You said you would like to try gardening. Our small shared garden in Bristol has a welcome session this Saturday. New members meet at the blue gate at ten. The regular group starts at nine, but you do not need to come that early. We will show you the beds and find a small task together. Bring a drink and an old jacket. We have tools and gloves to lend you. If you want to join us, please reply by Thursday evening. You can stay for one hour or until lunch. There is no charge for this first visit.

See you soon,

Jo

Original Lira text. Characters, service locations and arrangements are fictional.

Your turn to decide

Three questions to check what you understood.

1What time should Ellis arrive for the welcome session?
2You can come, but only for one hour. Which reply confirms both details?
3What should Ellis bring for the first visit?

Words worth meeting again

Vocabulary makes more sense in a reading.

Here are six useful expressions from this reading. Reread their sentence, then save the words you need in Lira to review them later.

shared garden
a garden used by a group
gate
an entrance in a fence
gloves
covers that protect your hands
lend
let someone use something and return it
by Thursday
no later than Thursday
no charge
no payment required

Keep reading with Lira

Keep reading as Ellis finds a place in the garden.

After the invitation, read the task board, a change of plan when it rains and notes to pass on to another member. The shared-garden guide gives you everyday English messages with a clear reason to read each one.

  • Find the right time and place in an invitation.
  • Distinguish a reply deadline from the day of a visit.
  • Understand what to bring and what is provided.

A place for your next reading and your words.

Keep your place in the guide, choose words to save and review them with spaced repetition. The Free plan includes two new guided lessons a day, with unlimited word translations.

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Your reading path

Join a shared garden

Prepare your first session, follow garden tasks and hand over to another person.

3 chapters · 12 lessons

  1. Prepare your first session
  2. Follow garden tasks
  3. Hand over and continue

Before you start: Understand simple messages, days, times and numbers.

Before your next reading

Another reading to try

Comfortable with this invitation? Try the B1 text to compare two itineraries, a budget, work hours and preferences.

Try the B1 reading

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Keep following the characters. Read, understand your answers and meet the words that matter to you again.

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