Making Plans for the Future A2 Reading Practice Tests Rules & Examples

Making Plans for the Future

Do you ever dream about what your life will look like in a few years? Many young people have big ideas about their future — but turning those ideas into real plans takes thought and courage. Before you read, think about these two questions: What are your plans for the next year? And what do you think is the hardest part of planning for the future? Keep your answers in mind as you read about Priya and her exciting new plans.

Reading Passage: Priya's Big Decision

Priya is twenty-three years old and she works in a small bookshop in Bristol, England. She enjoys her job, but lately she has been feeling restless. For the past few months, she has been thinking about a big change. Last week, she finally made her decision: she is going to study graphic design at college next September.

Priya is very excited, but she also feels a little nervous. The course is expensive, so she is going to save as much money as possible over the next few months. She already has some savings, and her parents have offered to help her too. She is also going to keep working at the bookshop on weekends so she can pay her rent. "It will be hard," she told her friend Kofi, "but I think it will be worth it."

After she finishes the course, Priya wants to start her own small design business. She hopes to work with local shops and restaurants to create logos and menus. She is not sure exactly how everything will work out, but she is making a clear plan step by step. She believes that if she works hard and stays focused, she can make her dream a reality. Priya is already looking forward to her first day of college.

Key Vocabulary in Context

Reading Strategies & Comprehension Tips

Skimming for the Main Idea

Before reading every word carefully, skim the passage quickly. Read the first sentence of each paragraph only. After skimming, ask yourself: What is this text mainly about? You should be able to say in one sentence: "It is about a woman called Priya who is planning to study graphic design and start her own business." This helps you focus on the key information when you read more carefully.

Scanning for Specific Information

When a question asks for a specific detail — for example, where does Priya work? or what does she want to study? — do not re-read the whole passage. Instead, scan quickly for key words like bookshop, graphic design, or Bristol. Move your eyes quickly down the page until you find those words, then read that sentence carefully.

Understanding the Sequence of Events

This passage describes Priya's plans in a time order: her current situation → her immediate plans (saving money, working weekends) → her future goal (starting a business). Look for time words like lately, last week, next September, over the next few months, and after she finishes. These words help you understand when things happen.

Inferring Feelings and Opinions

The text tells us that Priya is "excited" but also "nervous." Look for evidence in the passage that supports both feelings. For example, she uses the phrase "It will be hard, but I think it will be worth it." This sentence shows us that she understands the challenge but still feels positive. This is inference — finding meaning beyond just the words.

Common Reading Pitfalls & Traps

Trap 1: Confusing "going to" plans with definite facts

The passage says Priya is going to study graphic design. This means it is her plan — it has not happened yet. Be careful not to confuse this with something that is already true. For example, she already works at the bookshop — that is a fact. But studying at college is a future plan. Questions may try to test if you know the difference.

Trap 2: Misreading who is helping Priya financially

The text mentions that Priya has her own savings and that her parents have offered to help. Some students only remember one source of money. Be careful — there are two sources: her personal savings and her parents' help. Also note that she is continuing to work to pay her rent — this is a third way she manages money.

Trap 3: Thinking Priya is unhappy in her job

The passage says she "enjoys her job" but feels restless. These are two different things. She does not hate her work — she simply wants more from her life. A question might ask how Priya feels about her job, and the correct answer is that she likes it, even though she wants a change.

Trap 4: Misunderstanding Priya's future business

Priya wants to work with local shops and restaurants, not big companies. She wants to create logos and menus — small design projects. Do not confuse "graphic design course" (what she will study) with "graphic design business" (what she wants to do after the course). These are two different but connected things.

Quick Summary

In this passage, you read about Priya, a young woman from Bristol who works in a bookshop but is planning a big change. She is going to study graphic design next September, and she is already saving money and making practical plans. After finishing her course, she hopes to start her own small design business. The text shows how Priya balances excitement with realistic thinking — a relatable and inspiring situation for many readers. Now read the passage carefully and complete Exercise 1 (Multiple Choice) and Exercise 2 (Fill-in-the-gap dropdown) below.