A1 Reading - My next summer holiday plan

​My next summer holiday plan

Read about the summer plans of three different people.



The answer the questions.

Emma

I usually teach English at a language school in the summer. I often can’t enjoy the summer because I am so busy. So this summer, I’m not planning to work. Instead, I’m going to have a proper summer holiday. I’m going to buy a campervan and drive around Ireland. I’m going to visit lots of beautiful beaches and learn to surf! I’m mostly going to travel alone, but I will visit friends. One friend, Cathy, is a school teacher, so she has a long summer holiday, so hopefully, we will spend a week or two together. Another Irish friend, Joe, has a new house there, so I’ll stay with him for a few days and help him paint the rooms.

Jayden

Last year, I did a surfing instructor course, and I spent the summer teaching people to surf. It was great! I was in the sea and sun all day, and every evening, my friends and I had a barbecue on the beach. The surf school asked me to return this summer, but I’m not going to do that. Last autumn, I learned to scuba dive, and I’m going to do a diving instructor course soon. Then, I plan to teach diving all summer to earn some money. I don’t want to stay in the UK. It’s too cold here! I want to fly to Greece or Egypt. I’ll go there alone. I’m sure I will meet lots of cool people there!

Pamela

Well, last month, my friend Alfie and I had a crazy idea. We decided to cycle from the south of England to the north of Scotland, from Land’s End to John o’Groats. It’s an 874-mile trip! It takes ten to fourteen days. But I’m not a fast cyclist, and I want to enjoy visiting different places, so we plan to ride for four weeks. We will visit historic cities like Bath and Edinburgh, cycle through the pretty countryside and visit museums and castles on the way. Alfie wanted to camp, but I’d like a comfortable bed at the end of each day, so we are going to stay in guest houses. I hope it doesn’t rain a lot, but I hope it’s not too hot either!

Multiple Choice

Which person is going to work this summer?

• Emma

• Jayden

• Pamela

Multiple Choice

Which person is going to stay in the UK?

• Emma

• Jayden

• Pamela

Multiple Choice

Which person wants to learn a new sport during the summer?

• Emma

• Jayden

• Pamela

Multiple Choice

Which person is going to visit a friend’s house?

• Emma

• Jayden

• Pamela

Multiple Choice

Which person will not spend much time at the beach?

• Emma

• Jayden

• Pamela

Multiple Choice

Which person will not travel alone?

• Emma

• Jayden

• Pamela

Multiple Choice

Which person hopes to make new friends?

• Emma

• Jayden

• Pamela

Multiple Choice

Which person hopes to visit some old buildings?

• Emma

• Jayden

• Pamela

Multiple Choice

Which person is going to sleep in a different room each night?

• Emma

• Jayden

• Pamela

Multiple Choice

Which person wants hot weather during the summer?

• Emma

• Jayden

• Pamela

​Tips for travelling alone

Read the text, then answer the questions.

Tips for travelling alone

Travelling alone seems scary if it’s the first time you are going to leave the comfort of home. You will probably think about the potential risks or difficult situations. What happens if I get ill, or have an accident? Isn’t it dangerous to go out alone at night? What happens if I get attacked? Isn’t it strange to eat at restaurants alone all the time?

Most travellers have these worries and more before their first trip alone, but all these fears disappear when they see all the benefits of this great experience. Here I’m going to give you 3 tips on how to travel alone and have a good time.

Speak the language

Humans are sociable creatures. We all need to talk to other people. If you are travelling alone, it’s a good idea to go somewhere you speak the language.

Sleep with locals

Hotels are comfortable but very lonely, and hostels are perfect for people who travel alone, but you will only speak with other tourists. Try to rent a room in an apartment. This will give you a connection with local residents and they can give you a lot of tips on what you can do.

Don't be shy

Don’t be afraid of asking. Ask for directions in the street, or ask about the place, the culture or the customs to the local people that you find in bars, parks, etc. You will be surprised how much people like to talk about their town or their culture. Remember you are alone. Asking can be an effective way to start a conversation and meet new people.

Multiple Choice

The writer thinks that travelling alone is...

• worse than staying at your comfortable home.

• dangerous.

• a good idea.

Multiple Choice

The writer wants to...

• help people who want to travel alone.

• talk about the possible risks of travelling alone.

• talk about his or her experiences travelling.

Multiple Choice

If you travel alone, it’s a good idea...

• to learn the language of the place before you go there.

• to go to a place where you can speak their language.

• to speak to other tourists.

Multiple Choice

The writer thinks that if you travel alone, hostels are...

• the best option.

• very good but not the best option.

• worse than hotels.

Multiple Choice

The local residents can help you...

• to find a good hotel or hostel.

• by giving you ideas for your trip.

• to find a cheap room that you can rent.

Multiple Choice

The best thing about asking is that...

• you get the information you need.

• you can find the places where you are going.

• you can talk to the local people.

​A trip around the USA

Read the text about travelling around the USA and then decide if the sentences are true or false.

A trip around the USA

Dear Family,

Everything has been so much fun here in the US. I am sorry that it has taken me so long to write. When we arrived yesterday, we immediately went to our hotel in New York City, took showers, and began our sightseeing trip! We saw the Statue of Liberty, Wall Street, and Times Square, all in just one day.

Unfortunately, we could only spend that one day in New York because we had to take the train to see the Niagara Falls. I am riding the train now as I write. We should arrive in a few hours. I think we’ll go straight to bed as it will be past midnight when we arrive.

After Niagara Falls, we’re going to visit Toronto in Canada as it is only a little further north. I’ve never been to Canada, so that will be exciting. From Toronto, we’re going to take a flight to Los Angeles. That’s where we’re going to stay for the rest of the trip. I think Sam wants to go to Disneyland, so I’m sure we’ll do that. And of course, we’re going to surf in the Pacific Ocean!

I will try to write again soon, but we are doing so much that I can’t make any promises. Take care.

We love you both,

Francis and Sam

Multiple Choice

Francis forgot to write because the trip was too long.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

Francis isn’t happy about only spending one day in NYC.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

They get off the train very late at night.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

They are going to visit another country apart from the USA.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

Francis really wants to go to an amusement park.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

Francis will certainly write again.

• True

• False