English Reading Practice

English Reading Texts for Beginners(Past,Present, Future, Present Perfect)

Reading practice is a great way to learn new vocabulary and you can even use reading to improve your grammar. 

In these 4 English readings for beginners, you can practice verb tenses in the past, present and future. The last dialogue uses real examples of the present perfect if you are ready to move to a more difficult verb tense!

Simple Past 

Last weekend

What did you do last weekend?

I had a great weekend last weekend. On Friday I went to a bar with my friends. I ate a delicious hamburger and french fries. I entered a pool tournament and I played really well. I won the tournament and won 15 euro. I was very happy. I met new people from Germany and they showed me a popular drink in Germany that is similar to a Bloody Mary.

On Saturday I was a bit tired. I stayed in bed until 11 o’clock in the morning and then I had a nice brunch. I ate toast with tomatoes and mushrooms and I drank coffee. I went out and walked around the town where I live with my girlfriend. We went to the supermarket and bought a lot of vegetables. My bags were heavy and we walked home up the hill. My girlfriend made Lasagna for dinner and then we watched a movie.

On Sunday I woke up late again. I had a very lazy weekend! I had a nice brunch again (beans on toast this time). We went to a nice hotel and used their spa facilities. I went swimming but the water in the jacuzzi was too hot so I didn’t use the jacuzzi. I love reading a book beside the swimming pool. I spent about 4 hours there. When I arrived home I called my friend on Whatsapp and we talked for one hour. I had a great weekend.

Reading Comprehension questions

  1. How much did I win in the pool tournament?
  2. What did I do on Saturday evening?
  3. Why didn’t I use the Jacuzzi?
  4. How long did I talk to my friend?

Answers at the bottom of the page. Please write full answers.


English Reading Practice: Present tenses


Peter: Hey Sarah! How are you today?

Sarah: I am fine. How are you?

Peter: I am ok. I am a bit tired.

Sarah: Are you working a lot Peter?

Peter: Yes. My company is very busy at the moment. We are working on a new project for Google. It is very exciting.

Sarah:  Oh wow! That is exciting Where are you working now?

Peter: I am working in the Software Development department. It is a lot of work and the hours are long but I really enjoy my job. What about you? Where are you working now?

Sarah: That is great!… I am working with Microsoft. It is a lot of work too but my boss is very nice so I am very happy there. 

Peter: Cool! And how is Mark? 

Sarah: He is great. He is training a lot. He wants to run a marathon. 

Peter: Wow. That is amazing. I am trying to go to the gym more often but I am a bit lazy. I just don’t have the motivation after a long day at work!

Sarah: I know, I know. I can’t move from the couch when I get home from work!

Peter: haha I know that feeling! Well.. it was nice to see you again Sarah. Let’s talk soon.

Sarah: Yes, Definitely! Bye!!

Peter: Bye!! 

Reading Comprehension questions

  1. Where does Sarah work?
  2. Does Sarah like her boss?
  3. Do you think Mark is fit?
  4. Why is Peter working a lot? 


English Reading Practice: Future tenses

What are you going to do after university?

When I finish university I want to do lots of things! I am going to travel abroad to spend some time in France. I want to improve my French and I think I will improve if I spend a few months living in a small town in the South of France. I am going to practice guitar every day because I won’t have to study every day. It is going to be so great! I am going to go to the beach every morning and swim in the sea. I am going to spend a lot of money there but I think I will be okay. 

When I come back from France I will get a job in my area here in Dublin. I would like to work for a big company and I will make a lot of money. I am going to rent a big apartment and have big parties with all my friends. We are going to have so much fun. I am going to miss my family when I go to France so I am going to invite my parents to my new apartment for dinner every weekend. It is going to be so cool!

Reading Comprehension questions

What is the first thing I am going to do after I finish university?

What are some bad things about going to France?


English Reading Practice: Present perfect dialogue


John: Hey Jessica! How are you? What have you been doing recently?

Jess: Hey John! I am great! I have been very busy recently. I have been working a lot.

John: That is great! Where are you working now?

Jess: I am working for Intel.

John: Oh… How long have you been working there?

Jess: I have been working there for 9 months.

John: That is great. Do you like your job?

Jess: Yes I do…. But … since my coworker got fired in April, I have been doing her job too. It is very tiring.

John: I understand. Have you received more money for doing more work?

Jess: No, I haven’t They haven’t even given me holidays since I started. I think I need a holiday soon. I have been very stressed. 

John: Yes, I think you need a holiday. I have been on holiday from work for one month. It has been so good. I have been playing a lot of golf and I have been feeling a lot more relaxed.

Jess: Oh.. That sounds so good. 

Reading Comprehension questions

  1. Does Jess like her job?
  2. How long has she been working there?
  3. What is tiring for her?

Answers to Reading Comprehension Test

Past tenses

  1. I won 15 euro.
  2. I had dinner with my girlfriend and watched a movie.
  3. The water was too hot.
  4. I talked to my friend for one hour.

Present tenses

  1. Sarah works in Microsoft.
  2. Yes, He is very nice.
  3. Yes, He wants to run a marathon
  4. Mark is working a lot because his company is very busy.

Future tenses

  1. I am going to travel to France
  2. I am going to spend a lot of money and miss my family

Present Perfect

  1. Yes, Jess likes her job
  2. She has been working there for 9 months.
  3. Her job is tiring because she has to do the work of two people

If you want more examples of verb tenses in use, check out my grammar courses on Skillshare