Updated 2026-09-12easy

New TOEFL Reading: Read in Daily Life Practice #023 — Cinema Times, an Online Order, a Uniform Change, and a Lost Phone

Free practice for the new TOEFL Reading section's short daily-life texts: 4 everyday texts and 12 questions with an answer key.

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How to use this practice: Each text is something you could actually receive — an email, a notice, a memo, a post. Read it once at normal speed, then answer the three questions under it. Watch the options that reuse a word from the text: matching words are the most common trap in this part.
1

Text 1 — Schedule

Read the text, then answer the three questions below it.

This week at Orion Cinema

Friday 8 to Thursday 14 March

Tickets: $11 adults, $7 children. Tuesday is $6 for everyone.

  • The Long Road (2h 10m): 13:00, 16:00, 19:30 daily
  • Sky Kitchen (1h 35m): 11:00 and 14:30, weekends only
  • Night Train (2h 00m): 20:00 daily, not for under 15s

Doors open 20 minutes before each film.

The 11:00 show on Saturday and Sunday is a quiet show: the lights stay a little on and the sound is lower. Families are welcome to move around.

Food from outside is not allowed. Water is fine.

Screen 2 has no lift. Please ask at the desk and we will move you to Screen 1, which is on the ground floor.

Q1 · Detail
When can someone watch Sky Kitchen?
  1. A. Every day at 13:00
  2. B. On weekends at 11:00 or 14:30
  3. C. Every evening at 20:00
  4. D. Only on Tuesday
Answer
Correct: B
Q2 · Detail
How much does an adult pay on Tuesday?
  1. A. $6
  2. B. $7
  3. C. $11
  4. D. Nothing
Answer
Correct: A
Q3 · Inference
A family with a young child wants a calm screening. Which show suits them?
  1. A. The 20:00 show
  2. B. The 19:30 show
  3. C. The 16:00 show
  4. D. The 11:00 weekend show
Answer
Correct: D
2

Text 2 — Email

Read the text, then answer the three questions below it.

Subject: Order 5512 is on the way

From: Hale Home Store

To: J. Mbeki

Thank you for your order. Two of your three items have been sent today.

Sent: the desk lamp and the blue rug. They should arrive on Thursday.

Not sent: the small table. It is out of stock until the end of the month. You do not have to do anything; we will send it as soon as we have it, at no extra cost.

If you do not want to wait, you can cancel the table on our website. You will get that money back in five days.

The driver will leave the parcel with a neighbour if you are out. If you do not want this, write a note in the Delivery Notes box on your account today.

You can follow the parcel with the link in this email.

Q4 · Detail
Which item was not sent?
  1. A. The desk lamp
  2. B. The blue rug
  3. C. The small table
  4. D. All three items
Answer
Correct: C
Q5 · Inference
What happens if the customer does nothing about the missing item?
  1. A. The order is canceled after a month
  2. B. It is sent later with no extra charge
  3. C. The money is returned in five days
  4. D. It is left with a neighbour
Answer
Correct: B
Q6 · Expected Action
What should the customer do to stop the parcel going to a neighbour?
  1. A. Call the driver on Thursday
  2. B. Cancel the order online
  3. C. Reply to this email
  4. D. Write in the Delivery Notes box today
Answer
Correct: D
3

Text 3 — Workplace Memo

Read the text, then answer the three questions below it.

Memo: New shirts from 1 September

To: Shop floor staff

From: Store manager

From 1 September we have new work shirts. They are dark green instead of white.

You will get two shirts free. Come to the office this week and tell me your size.

You may wear your own black or dark trousers as before. Trainers are still fine if they are plain.

Please keep one old white shirt until 15 September. If the new ones are late, we will wear the old ones for a few days.

Name badges stay the same. Put the badge on the left side of the new shirt.

If your shirt does not fit, bring it back within two weeks and we will change the size. After that we can only order one more for you, and you pay half.

Q7 · Detail
What must staff do this week?
  1. A. Buy dark trousers
  2. B. Move their name badge
  3. C. Return the old white shirts
  4. D. Tell the manager their shirt size
Answer
Correct: D
Q8 · Purpose
Why should staff keep one old shirt until 15 September?
  1. A. In case the new shirts arrive late
  2. B. Because white is worn on weekends
  3. C. To give it to a new member of staff
  4. D. Because badges do not fit the new shirts
Answer
Correct: A
Q9 · Inference
A shirt is the wrong size and is brought back after three weeks. What happens?
  1. A. It is changed free of charge
  2. B. Nothing can be done
  3. C. One more can be ordered, half paid by the worker
  4. D. Two more shirts are given free
Answer
Correct: C
4

Text 4 — Message Thread

Read the text, then answer the three questions below it.

Lost phone

Hugo (21:04): I think I left my phone at the restaurant. I am writing from my laptop.

Nadia (21:06): The one on Pine Street? They close at 10.

Hugo (21:07): Yes. I cannot call them because my number list is on the phone.

Nadia (21:09): Their number is online. I will call now.

Nadia (21:16): They have it. A waiter found it under the table. They will keep it behind the bar.

Hugo (21:17): Thank you. Can I get it tonight?

Nadia (21:19): They said no, they are closing. Tomorrow after 11 AM. Bring something with your name on it.

Hugo (21:21): Fine. I will go before work.

Q10 · Detail
Where is the phone now?
  1. A. Under a table
  2. B. Behind the bar
  3. C. With a waiter at home
  4. D. At Nadia's flat
Answer
Correct: B
Q11 · Detail
Why can Hugo not call the restaurant himself?
  1. A. The restaurant has no phone
  2. B. He does not know the street
  3. C. His contacts are on the lost phone
  4. D. The restaurant is already closed
Answer
Correct: C
Q12 · Expected Action
What should Hugo bring tomorrow?
  1. A. Something with his name on it
  2. B. The receipt from dinner
  3. C. His laptop
  4. D. Nadia, who made the call
Answer
Correct: A