CEFR B1 Reading Practice: A Short Text with Questions [2026]

Reading at B1 level means following a longer, more natural text: a short story, a personal account, an everyday article. You are expected to follow a sequence of events, understand reasons and feelings, and sometimes work out something the writer only suggests. This guide gives an original text at the right level, comprehension questions, answers, and the reading skills worth building at B1. Read the passage once for the general idea, then again for the details.

A short reading passage

When Daniel lost his job at the factory, he was worried at first. He had worked there for almost ten years, and he did not know what to do next. For a few weeks he stayed at home and felt low. Then a friend suggested that he try repairing bicycles, something Daniel had always enjoyed doing in his spare time.

At first it was only a hobby. He fixed bikes for neighbours and friends, and he did not charge much. But word spread quickly, because he was honest and his prices were fair. Within six months, he was so busy that he decided to rent a small shop near the station. Today, Daniel says that losing his old job was the best thing that ever happened to him, even though it did not feel that way at the time.

Comprehension questions

Answer these, then check below.

1. How long had Daniel worked at the factory?
2. How did he feel in the first few weeks after losing his job?
3. Who gave him the idea of repairing bicycles?
4. Why did his repair business grow so quickly?
5. Where did he open his shop?
6. How does Daniel feel now about losing his old job?

Answers

1. For almost ten years.
2. Worried and low.
3. A friend.
4. Because he was honest and his prices were fair, so word spread.
5. In a small shop near the station.
6. He thinks it was the best thing that ever happened to him.

Notice that question six asks about a feeling that the text states directly at the end, while question four asks you to connect two ideas, his honesty and fair prices with the growth of the business. Making that kind of small connection is part of reading at B1.

Reading skills to build at B1

Three skills matter most here. Read for the overall story or argument before worrying about details. Work out unknown words from context, using the sentences around them, rather than stopping at each one. And practise light inference: noticing what the writer suggests, such as Daniel's growing confidence, even when it is not stated outright. Strengthening your vocabulary supports all three, and our guide to B1 vocabulary covers the words that appear most in texts like this.

Regular reading at the right level is what carries you up the scale. The level below is A2 reading practice. Our English levels guide explains what each stage involves, so you can choose texts that stretch you without discouraging you.