Read the passage carefully before attempting Exercise 1 (Multiple Choice) and Exercise 2 (Fill in the blanks dropdown) below.
Priya was standing in her kitchen on a Friday afternoon, writing a long list. Her neighbour’s birthday was the next day, and she was planning a surprise party for him. His name was Marco, and he had just moved to Bristol from Italy six months ago. Priya knew that Marco felt a little lonely sometimes because he did not know many people in the city yet. She wanted to make him feel welcome.
Priya sent messages to twelve people from their street and from Marco’s evening language class. She asked everyone to arrive at her flat by 6 o’clock on Saturday evening — before Marco arrived. She also called a local bakery and ordered a chocolate cake with orange frosting, because Marco once said that orange was his favourite colour. On Saturday afternoon, Priya and her friend Deepa decorated the living room with yellow and blue balloons and a big handmade banner that said “Welcome to the neighbourhood, Marco!”
At exactly half past six, Marco knocked on Priya’s door. When she opened it, everyone shouted “Surprise!” Marco’s face went completely red. He looked shocked, then happy, and then his eyes filled with tears. It was the first birthday party he had ever had outside Italy. He said it was the best gift anyone had ever given him. Priya smiled. Keeping the secret for three weeks was hard, but it was absolutely worth it.
Exercise 1
Read the passage about a surprise birthday party carefully, then choose the correct answer for each question based on the text.
Example: Where did the friends plan the surprise birthday party?
Answer: They planned the surprise birthday party at Sara's house.
A Surprise Birthday Party
Have you ever kept a secret from someone you love? Imagine planning something special for weeks without saying a word. Before you read, think about these two questions: Who do you think is organising the party, and why might keeping a surprise secret be difficult? Keep these questions in mind as you read the passage below.
Reading Passage: The Best Secret in the Street
Priya was standing in her kitchen on a Friday afternoon, writing a long list. Her neighbour's birthday was the next day, and she was planning a surprise party for him. His name was Marco, and he had just moved to Bristol from Italy six months ago. Priya knew that Marco felt a little lonely sometimes because he did not know many people in the city yet. She wanted to make him feel welcome.
Priya sent messages to twelve people from their street and from Marco's evening language class. She asked everyone to arrive at her flat by 6 o'clock on Saturday evening — before Marco arrived. She also called a local bakery and ordered a chocolate cake with orange frosting, because Marco once said that orange was his favourite colour. On Saturday afternoon, Priya and her friend Deepa decorated the living room with yellow and blue balloons and a big handmade banner that said "Welcome to the neighbourhood, Marco!"
At exactly half past six, Marco knocked on Priya's door. When she opened it, everyone shouted "Surprise!" Marco's face went completely red. He looked shocked, then happy, and then his eyes filled with tears. It was the first birthday party he had ever had outside Italy. He said it was the best gift anyone had ever given him. Priya smiled. Keeping the secret for three weeks was hard, but it was absolutely worth it.
Key Vocabulary in Context
| Word / Phrase | Part of Speech | Definition | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| neighbour | noun | a person who lives very close to you, often next door or on the same street | My neighbour always says hello when I leave for work in the morning. |
| lonely | adjective | feeling unhappy because you are not with other people or do not have friends nearby | She felt lonely in her new city because she did not know anyone yet. |
| decorate | verb | to add things to a place to make it look more attractive or festive | We decorated the classroom with colourful paper stars for the end-of-year celebration. |
| banner | noun | a long piece of cloth or paper with words or pictures on it, often used at events | There was a big banner outside the hall that said "Happy New Year!" |
| frosting | noun | a sweet, soft covering on top of a cake, usually made from sugar | The birthday cake had thick pink frosting and small sugar flowers on top. |
| shocked | adjective | feeling very surprised, often in a way that takes a moment to understand | He was shocked when he opened the door and saw all his friends inside. |
| neighbourhood | noun | the area around where someone lives, including nearby streets and buildings | It is a friendly neighbourhood where people often help each other. |
| worth it | phrase | something that has a good result, so the effort or difficulty was acceptable | The walk to the top of the hill was tiring, but the view was worth it. |
Reading Strategies & Comprehension Tips
Skimming for the Main Idea
Read the first sentence of each paragraph quickly before you read all the details. This helps you understand what each paragraph is about. For example, the first paragraph introduces Priya and her plan. The second gives details of her preparations. The third describes what happened at the party.
Scanning for Specific Information
If a question asks for a specific fact — such as a time, a name, or a colour — do not reread the whole passage. Look quickly for key words. For example, to find what time guests had to arrive, scan for the word "arrive" or a time expression like "6 o'clock."
Using Context to Understand New Words
If you do not know the word "frosting," look at the words around it: "chocolate cake with orange frosting." You can guess it is something on top of a cake. The reason for choosing orange is also explained nearby, which helps confirm your idea.
Understanding Feelings and Reactions
The passage describes Marco's reaction in detail: "His face went completely red. He looked shocked, then happy, and then his eyes filled with tears." These physical descriptions help you understand how he felt without the writer saying it directly. Practice reading these clues carefully.
Common Reading Pitfalls & Traps
Confusing Characters and Their Actions
The passage mentions two people who help prepare the party: Priya and Deepa. Some students may think Deepa organised the party. Be careful — it is clear that Priya planned everything. Deepa only helped with the decoration on Saturday afternoon.
Misreading Dates and Times
The passage says Marco's birthday was "the next day" after Friday, which means it was Saturday. Some readers may think the party happened on Friday because Priya was writing her list on a Friday. Always read time expressions carefully and in order.
Assuming Why Marco Cried
Marco's eyes filled with tears, but this does not mean he was sad. The passage makes it clear he felt happy and moved. At A2 level, it is important not to assume that tears always mean sadness — look at the full context of the sentence.
The Cake Colour Trap
The cake had orange frosting because orange was Marco's favourite colour. Some students may incorrectly think orange is his favourite flavour. Re-read that sentence closely: "because Marco once said that orange was his favourite colour."
Quick Summary
In this passage, we read about Priya, a woman in Bristol who secretly organised a surprise birthday party for her Italian neighbour Marco. She invited people from their street and his language class, ordered a special cake, and decorated her flat with balloons and a banner. When Marco arrived and saw everyone, he was deeply moved. The story shows how a thoughtful act can help someone feel at home in a new place.
Now read the passage carefully and complete Exercise 1 (Multiple Choice) and Exercise 2 (Fill-in-the-gap dropdown) below.
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