Daily News Article
About this practice test
Practice B2 English reading with Daily News Article.
What you’ll practice
Finding detail
Locate specific information and evidence.
Interpreting ideas
Connect main points and inferences.
Evaluating arguments
Assess claims, evidence, and limitations.
What to expect:
10 questions with explanations to review after submission.
Study the questions and tasks
Work through the material below, or start the interactive practice above to complete an attempt. Try the exercises before opening any answer or transcript sections, then use them to review your work.
- Practice level
- B2. Try this level if you can follow the instructions and understand most of the language; choose an earlier level if you need more support.
- Question formats
- Single choice
How to approach this practice
Read the passage for its main idea, then return to the relevant sentence or paragraph for each question. Base answers on the passage.
Cities Turn to Pocket Parks to Beat the Heat
Cities Turn to Pocket Parks to Beat the Heat As summer temperatures rise, city governments around the world are looking for small ways to make crowded neighborhoods cooler. One increasingly popular solution is the pocket park: a small public green space created on land that might otherwise be unused, such as an empty corner, a former parking area, or a narrow space between buildings. Unlike traditional parks, pocket parks do not require large areas of land. This makes them especially attractive to city planners working in densely populated neighborhoods. In several cities, officials have converted small paved areas into spaces with trees, benches, plants, and shaded walkways. Some projects have also included drinking fountains and areas where residents can sit or meet their neighbors. Researchers say the benefits can go beyond appearance. Trees and other vegetation provide shade and can help reduce surface temperatures. Plants also absorb rainwater, which may reduce pressure on drainage systems during heavy storms. In addition, green spaces can give residents a nearby place to exercise, relax, or spend time outdoors without traveling to a large park. However, creating a pocket park is not always simple. City officials must decide how the land should be used, and some residents may prefer parking spaces or other facilities. Maintenance is another concern. Young trees need water, plants need care, and public spaces must be kept clean and safe. Without a clear maintenance plan, a newly created park can quickly lose its appeal. For this reason, some communities are involving residents in the planning process. In one recent project, local people helped choose the plants and suggested how the space should be used. Officials say this approach has increased community support because residents feel that the park belongs to them as well. Experts caution that pocket parks are not a complete solution to extreme heat. A small green space cannot replace large parks, better public transport, or changes to buildings and streets. Nevertheless, urban planners say pocket parks can be a practical part of a wider strategy. By transforming small unused spaces into useful public areas, cities can make neighborhoods more comfortable while also creating opportunities for people to connect with one another.
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Question 1 · Single choice
Choose one answer.
What is the main purpose of the article?
Return to the passage, recording or visual- A. To explain how pocket parks can help cities and what their limitations are
- B. To argue that traditional parks should be replaced completely
- C. To compare the costs of public transport in different cities
- D. To describe the history of urban parks
Check answers and explanations
- Answer
- A. To explain how pocket parks can help cities and what their limitations are
The article explains why pocket parks are being used in cities, their benefits, their challenges, and their role in a wider response to urban heat.
urban planners say pocket parks can be a practical part of a wider strategy
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Question 2 · Single choice
Choose one answer.
Why are pocket parks particularly attractive to planners in densely populated neighborhoods?
Return to the passage, recording or visual- A. They can be built without requiring a large area of land
- B. They are cheaper to maintain than all other public spaces
- C. They can provide more parking than traditional parks
- D. They completely eliminate the need for large parks
Check answers and explanations
- Answer
- A. They can be built without requiring a large area of land
They can be created on small pieces of land, which are easier to find in crowded areas.
pocket parks do not require large areas of land
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Question 3 · Single choice
Choose one answer.
According to the article, how can plants help during heavy storms?
Return to the passage, recording or visual- A. By increasing the amount of water entering drainage systems
- B. By absorbing some of the rainwater
- C. By preventing storms from reaching cities
- D. By replacing underground drainage systems
Check answers and explanations
- Answer
- B. By absorbing some of the rainwater
The article says plants absorb rainwater, which can reduce pressure on drainage systems.
Plants also absorb rainwater, which may reduce pressure on drainage systems
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Question 4 · Single choice
Choose one answer.
What does the phrase “lose its appeal” mean in the fourth paragraph?
Return to the passage, recording or visual- A. Become less attractive to people
- B. Become more expensive to build
- C. Become larger than planned
- D. Become difficult to locate
Check answers and explanations
- Answer
- A. Become less attractive to people
In context, a park that is not maintained may become less attractive or desirable to the public.
Without a clear maintenance plan, a newly created park can quickly lose its appeal.
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Question 5 · Single choice
Choose one answer.
Why are some communities involving residents in the planning of pocket parks?
Return to the passage, recording or visual- A. To reduce the number of trees in the park
- B. To increase community support and a sense of ownership
- C. To allow residents to replace city planners
- D. To make the park available only to local residents
Check answers and explanations
- Answer
- B. To increase community support and a sense of ownership
Resident involvement has increased community support because people feel a sense of ownership.
residents feel that the park belongs to them as well
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Question 6 · Single choice
Choose one answer.
Which problem is mentioned as a possible disadvantage of creating a pocket park?
Return to the passage, recording or visual- A. Residents may disagree about how the land should be used
- B. Trees make neighborhoods significantly noisier
- C. Pocket parks require large amounts of land
- D. Green spaces prevent people from meeting their neighbors
Check answers and explanations
- Answer
- A. Residents may disagree about how the land should be used
The article notes that some residents may prefer parking spaces or other facilities, creating disagreement over how land should be used.
some residents may prefer parking spaces or other facilities
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Question 7 · Single choice
Choose one answer.
What can be inferred about the role of residents in the successful pocket-park project?
Return to the passage, recording or visual- A. Their involvement may make them more willing to support the project
- B. They were responsible for paying all construction costs
- C. They were required to work as park employees
- D. They decided to remove all public facilities
Check answers and explanations
- Answer
- A. Their involvement may make them more willing to support the project
Because residents helped make decisions, they developed a stronger sense that the park belonged to the community.
residents feel that the park belongs to them as well
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Question 8 · Single choice
Choose one answer.
Why does the article mention large parks, public transport, and changes to buildings and streets?
Return to the passage, recording or visual- A. To show that pocket parks are more expensive than these alternatives
- B. To emphasize that pocket parks alone cannot solve the problem of extreme heat
- C. To argue that cities should remove all small green spaces
- D. To explain why public transport is becoming less popular
Check answers and explanations
- Answer
- B. To emphasize that pocket parks alone cannot solve the problem of extreme heat
These examples show that pocket parks should be considered one part of a broader strategy rather than a complete answer to extreme heat.
A small green space cannot replace large parks, better public transport, or changes to buildings and streets.
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Question 9 · Single choice
Choose one answer.
Which of the following is NOT presented as a benefit of pocket parks?
Return to the passage, recording or visual- A. Providing shade
- B. Helping absorb rainwater
- C. Creating places for exercise and relaxation
- D. Increasing the amount of parking available
Check answers and explanations
- Answer
- D. Increasing the amount of parking available
The article mentions shade, lower surface temperatures, rainwater absorption, recreation, relaxation, and social connection, but not increased parking capacity.
Trees and other vegetation provide shade and can help reduce surface temperatures.
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Question 10 · Single choice
Choose one answer.
Which statement best reflects the experts' view in the final paragraph?
Return to the passage, recording or visual- A. Pocket parks are useful, but they should be combined with other measures
- B. Pocket parks are ineffective and should be removed
- C. Pocket parks can solve all problems caused by extreme heat
- D. Pocket parks are mainly designed to increase property prices
Check answers and explanations
- Answer
- A. Pocket parks are useful, but they should be combined with other measures
The experts see pocket parks as useful but limited: they should form part of a broader urban strategy.
pocket parks can be a practical part of a wider strategy
What to review next
Find the words that support each answer. For a mistake, compare the question with the evidence and identify the detail or inference you missed.
A focused practice result shows how you did on these tasks. Use several activities across skills to decide what to study next; one practice score does not certify an overall CEFR level.
Before you practise: a worked example
Look for evidence in the text. Separate what the writer says from what you already know about the topic.
The library normally closes at six, but on Fridays it stays open until eight. When does it close on Friday?
The answer is eight. But introduces an exception to the normal closing time, so the first time mentioned is not the answer.
This teaching example is separate from the scored questions. After your test, compare any mistakes with the explanation and revisit the topic before trying again.