Reading Comprehension ESL Worksheets - Free Printable
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Show Answer Key & Explanations
Step-by-step solution for: Reading Comprehension ESL Worksheets
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Show Answer Key & Explanations
Step-by-step solution for: Reading Comprehension ESL Worksheets
To solve this, we need to read the two short texts carefully and match each sentence in Part B with the correct person: Hailey (the hairdresser) or William (the waiter).
Let’s go through each sentence one by one.
---
1. ___ has worked in their job the longest.
- Hailey says: “I produced as a qualified hairdresser 2 years ago.” → So she’s been working as a qualified hairdresser for 2 years.
- William says: “I’ve been working in restaurants for nearly ten years... I started as a part-time waiter...” → He’s been in the restaurant industry for almost 10 years, even if not always as a full-time waiter.
→ William has worked longer in his field.
✔ Answer: William
---
2. ___ likes the people they work with.
- Hailey says: “Some of them have become close friends.” → She likes her colleagues.
- William doesn’t mention liking his coworkers — he talks about customers and money.
→ Hailey mentions enjoying her coworkers.
✔ Answer: Hailey
---
3. ___ trained for two years.
- Hailey says: “After two years of training, I graduated as a qualified hairdresser.”
- William doesn’t mention any formal training period — he started part-time while at school.
→ Only Hailey mentions 2 years of training.
✔ Answer: Hailey
---
4. ___ enjoys getting to know customers.
- Hailey says: “I enjoy chatting to a customer and making people feel good about themselves.” → That’s getting to know customers.
- William says: “I like being able to talk to my earning and overpay them.” Wait — that seems like a typo. Probably meant “talk to my customers and serve them well.” But he also says: “We also have to make sure our shirts are always clean... we get tips...” — he focuses more on service and tips, not necessarily *getting to know* customers emotionally.
But let’s look again: Hailey explicitly says she enjoys chatting and making people feel good — that’s clearly enjoying getting to know customers.
William says: “I like being able to talk to my [customers]...” — but it’s cut off or mistyped. Still, Hailey’s statement is clearer and more emotional.
Actually, re-reading William: “I like being able to talk to my earning and overpay them.” — This must be a typo. Likely meant “talk to my customers and serve them well” or similar. But even then, Hailey’s quote is more directly about enjoying interaction.
Wait — actually, looking back at the text:
> Hailey: “I enjoy chatting to a customer and making people feel good about themselves.”
> William: “I like being able to talk to my earning and overpay them.” — This is definitely garbled. Probably meant “talk to my customers and serve them well” or “earn tips from them”.
Given that, Hailey is the one who clearly expresses enjoyment of interacting with customers personally.
✔ Answer: Hailey
*(Note: If the original text had said William likes talking to customers, we’d reconsider — but based on what’s written, Hailey is clearer.)*
---
5. ___ is given free food at work.
- Hailey: No mention of free food.
- William: “We also have to make sure our shirts are always clean, as we get free meals every shift.”
→ William gets free meals.
✔ Answer: William
---
6. ___ likes waking up late.
- Hailey: “I start work in the morning.” → Implies early start.
- William: “My day starts at noon.” → That’s late! And he says: “I don’t mind starting late — in fact, I prefer it!”
→ William likes waking up late / starting late.
✔ Answer: William
---
7. ___ loves their job all day.
- Hailey: “The worst thing is standing around all day... Standing all day and looking down at people’s heads means there isn’t much conversation.” → She complains about standing all day.
- William: “Although most customers are polite, we get a few who aren’t. And no matter what they say, we must always be polite... We also have to make sure our shirts are always clean...” → He lists downsides too.
Wait — neither says they love their job *all day*. But let’s check:
Hailey: “As well as the good things, there are a few things that aren’t great about my job.” → So she acknowledges negatives.
William: Same — he lists negatives too.
But look at Hailey’s last line: “I don’t know what the future holds... but I’m happy right now, so I’ll keep doing this job until I can afford something else.” → She’s content but not necessarily loving every moment.
William: “I’m quite happy serving and eating good food and sleeping in a bit.” → He’s happy, especially because he sleeps in.
Neither says “loves their job all day” — but perhaps we’re to infer who is more consistently positive?
Wait — reread Hailey: “I really like my job... I enjoy chatting... making people feel good...” — very positive.
William: “I’m quite happy...” — also positive, but mentions stress from rude customers.
Actually, the phrase “loves their job all day” might be tricky. Let’s see if either implies constant joy.
Hailey says: “There are a few things that aren’t great” — so not *all day*.
William says: “no matter what they say, we must always be polite” — implies some days are hard.
Hmm. Maybe neither? But we have to choose.
Wait — look at William’s first sentence: “I’ve been working in restaurants for nearly ten years... I still haven’t taken full time since I graduated.” — He’s stuck in part-time, which might imply dissatisfaction.
Hailey: “I’m happy right now” — more satisfied.
But the question is “loves their job all day” — which suggests uninterrupted enjoyment.
Actually, let’s look again at Hailey: “I really like my job... I enjoy chatting... making people feel good...” — these are active enjoyments during work.
William: “I’m quite happy serving and eating good food and sleeping in a bit.” — His happiness includes non-work elements (sleeping in, free food).
Perhaps Hailey is more focused on enjoying the actual work itself.
But wait — there’s another clue. In William’s section: “I like being able to talk to my earning and overpay them.” — again, garbled. Probably meant “talk to my customers and earn tips from them.” So he likes the financial reward.
Still, I think Hailey is the better fit for “loves their job all day” because she describes enjoying the interactions throughout the day, whereas William’s joys are mixed with complaints and external perks.
Actually, let’s flip it: William says “I’m quite happy serving...” — present tense, ongoing. Hailey says “I’m happy right now” — temporary.
This is ambiguous.
Wait — look at the exact wording in the text:
Hailey: “I really like my job... I enjoy chatting... making people feel good...”
William: “I’m quite happy serving and eating good food and sleeping in a bit.”
“Serving” is part of the job, “eating good food” is perk, “sleeping in” is before work.
So William’s happiness includes non-job elements.
Hailey’s happiness is tied directly to job activities.
Therefore, Hailey is more likely to “love their job all day” — meaning during work hours.
✔ Answer: Hailey
*(Note: This one is debatable, but based on textual evidence, Hailey’s enjoyment is more integrated into the work itself.)*
---
8. ___ has to dress in a particular way.
- Hailey: “not nothing worse than having to wear a uniform.” → She hates uniforms, implying she has to wear one.
- William: “we also have to make sure our shirts are always clean” → Implies a dress code (clean shirts), possibly uniform.
Both have dress codes? But Hailey explicitly says “having to wear a uniform” — that’s a particular way.
William says “shirts are always clean” — could be just cleanliness, not specific style.
But in context, waiters often have uniforms too.
However, Hailey’s statement is stronger: “nothing worse than having to wear a uniform” — confirms she wears one.
William doesn’t use the word “uniform” — just “shirts clean”.
So Hailey is explicitly required to wear a uniform.
✔ Answer: Hailey
Wait — let’s double-check William: “we also have to make sure our shirts are always clean, as we get free meals every shift.” — The “as” suggests the clean shirts are related to getting free meals? That doesn’t make sense. Probably a punctuation error. Likely: “We also have to make sure our shirts are always clean. As we get free meals every shift...” — separate ideas.
Still, no mention of uniform for William.
Whereas Hailey: “not nothing worse than having to wear a uniform.” — clear.
So Hailey has to dress in a particular way (uniform).
✔ Answer: Hailey
---
Now, let’s compile all answers:
1. William
2. Hailey
3. Hailey
4. Hailey
5. William
6. William
7. Hailey
8. Hailey
Wait — for #7, I’m second-guessing. Let me re-read both endings.
Hailey: “I don’t know what the future holds... but I’m happy right now, so I’ll keep doing this job until I can afford something else.” → She’s happy but plans to leave when she can afford it — so not forever, and not necessarily loving every day.
William: “I’m quite happy serving and eating good food and sleeping in a bit.” → He’s happy with the current situation, including job aspects.
But “loves their job all day” — William’s day starts at noon, and he serves until night? Not specified.
Hailey works mornings — “start work in the morning”, “standing all day” — so long hours.
Perhaps William is happier overall? But the phrase “all day” might refer to duration of enjoyment during work.
I think I made a mistake earlier.
Let’s look for direct quotes about loving the job.
Hailey: “I really like my job” — strong.
William: “I’m quite happy” — less strong.
Also, Hailey says she enjoys chatting and making people feel good — which happens throughout the day.
William complains about rude customers and having to be polite — which suggests not loving every moment.
So I’ll stick with Hailey for #7.
Final list:
1. William
2. Hailey
3. Hailey
4. Hailey
5. William
6. William
7. Hailey
8. Hailey
But let’s verify #4 again: “enjoys getting to know customers”
Hailey: “I enjoy chatting to a customer and making people feel good about themselves.” — yes, that’s getting to know them.
William: “I like being able to talk to my earning and overpay them.” — probably “talk to my customers and earn tips from them” — so he likes talking, but for transactional reasons, not necessarily “getting to know” them personally.
So Hailey is better for #4.
All set.
──────────────────────────────────────
Final Answer:
1. William
2. Hailey
3. Hailey
4. Hailey
5. William
6. William
7. Hailey
8. Hailey
Let’s go through each sentence one by one.
---
1. ___ has worked in their job the longest.
- Hailey says: “I produced as a qualified hairdresser 2 years ago.” → So she’s been working as a qualified hairdresser for 2 years.
- William says: “I’ve been working in restaurants for nearly ten years... I started as a part-time waiter...” → He’s been in the restaurant industry for almost 10 years, even if not always as a full-time waiter.
→ William has worked longer in his field.
✔ Answer: William
---
2. ___ likes the people they work with.
- Hailey says: “Some of them have become close friends.” → She likes her colleagues.
- William doesn’t mention liking his coworkers — he talks about customers and money.
→ Hailey mentions enjoying her coworkers.
✔ Answer: Hailey
---
3. ___ trained for two years.
- Hailey says: “After two years of training, I graduated as a qualified hairdresser.”
- William doesn’t mention any formal training period — he started part-time while at school.
→ Only Hailey mentions 2 years of training.
✔ Answer: Hailey
---
4. ___ enjoys getting to know customers.
- Hailey says: “I enjoy chatting to a customer and making people feel good about themselves.” → That’s getting to know customers.
- William says: “I like being able to talk to my earning and overpay them.” Wait — that seems like a typo. Probably meant “talk to my customers and serve them well.” But he also says: “We also have to make sure our shirts are always clean... we get tips...” — he focuses more on service and tips, not necessarily *getting to know* customers emotionally.
But let’s look again: Hailey explicitly says she enjoys chatting and making people feel good — that’s clearly enjoying getting to know customers.
William says: “I like being able to talk to my [customers]...” — but it’s cut off or mistyped. Still, Hailey’s statement is clearer and more emotional.
Actually, re-reading William: “I like being able to talk to my earning and overpay them.” — This must be a typo. Likely meant “talk to my customers and serve them well” or similar. But even then, Hailey’s quote is more directly about enjoying interaction.
Wait — actually, looking back at the text:
> Hailey: “I enjoy chatting to a customer and making people feel good about themselves.”
> William: “I like being able to talk to my earning and overpay them.” — This is definitely garbled. Probably meant “talk to my customers and serve them well” or “earn tips from them”.
Given that, Hailey is the one who clearly expresses enjoyment of interacting with customers personally.
✔ Answer: Hailey
*(Note: If the original text had said William likes talking to customers, we’d reconsider — but based on what’s written, Hailey is clearer.)*
---
5. ___ is given free food at work.
- Hailey: No mention of free food.
- William: “We also have to make sure our shirts are always clean, as we get free meals every shift.”
→ William gets free meals.
✔ Answer: William
---
6. ___ likes waking up late.
- Hailey: “I start work in the morning.” → Implies early start.
- William: “My day starts at noon.” → That’s late! And he says: “I don’t mind starting late — in fact, I prefer it!”
→ William likes waking up late / starting late.
✔ Answer: William
---
7. ___ loves their job all day.
- Hailey: “The worst thing is standing around all day... Standing all day and looking down at people’s heads means there isn’t much conversation.” → She complains about standing all day.
- William: “Although most customers are polite, we get a few who aren’t. And no matter what they say, we must always be polite... We also have to make sure our shirts are always clean...” → He lists downsides too.
Wait — neither says they love their job *all day*. But let’s check:
Hailey: “As well as the good things, there are a few things that aren’t great about my job.” → So she acknowledges negatives.
William: Same — he lists negatives too.
But look at Hailey’s last line: “I don’t know what the future holds... but I’m happy right now, so I’ll keep doing this job until I can afford something else.” → She’s content but not necessarily loving every moment.
William: “I’m quite happy serving and eating good food and sleeping in a bit.” → He’s happy, especially because he sleeps in.
Neither says “loves their job all day” — but perhaps we’re to infer who is more consistently positive?
Wait — reread Hailey: “I really like my job... I enjoy chatting... making people feel good...” — very positive.
William: “I’m quite happy...” — also positive, but mentions stress from rude customers.
Actually, the phrase “loves their job all day” might be tricky. Let’s see if either implies constant joy.
Hailey says: “There are a few things that aren’t great” — so not *all day*.
William says: “no matter what they say, we must always be polite” — implies some days are hard.
Hmm. Maybe neither? But we have to choose.
Wait — look at William’s first sentence: “I’ve been working in restaurants for nearly ten years... I still haven’t taken full time since I graduated.” — He’s stuck in part-time, which might imply dissatisfaction.
Hailey: “I’m happy right now” — more satisfied.
But the question is “loves their job all day” — which suggests uninterrupted enjoyment.
Actually, let’s look again at Hailey: “I really like my job... I enjoy chatting... making people feel good...” — these are active enjoyments during work.
William: “I’m quite happy serving and eating good food and sleeping in a bit.” — His happiness includes non-work elements (sleeping in, free food).
Perhaps Hailey is more focused on enjoying the actual work itself.
But wait — there’s another clue. In William’s section: “I like being able to talk to my earning and overpay them.” — again, garbled. Probably meant “talk to my customers and earn tips from them.” So he likes the financial reward.
Still, I think Hailey is the better fit for “loves their job all day” because she describes enjoying the interactions throughout the day, whereas William’s joys are mixed with complaints and external perks.
Actually, let’s flip it: William says “I’m quite happy serving...” — present tense, ongoing. Hailey says “I’m happy right now” — temporary.
This is ambiguous.
Wait — look at the exact wording in the text:
Hailey: “I really like my job... I enjoy chatting... making people feel good...”
William: “I’m quite happy serving and eating good food and sleeping in a bit.”
“Serving” is part of the job, “eating good food” is perk, “sleeping in” is before work.
So William’s happiness includes non-job elements.
Hailey’s happiness is tied directly to job activities.
Therefore, Hailey is more likely to “love their job all day” — meaning during work hours.
✔ Answer: Hailey
*(Note: This one is debatable, but based on textual evidence, Hailey’s enjoyment is more integrated into the work itself.)*
---
8. ___ has to dress in a particular way.
- Hailey: “not nothing worse than having to wear a uniform.” → She hates uniforms, implying she has to wear one.
- William: “we also have to make sure our shirts are always clean” → Implies a dress code (clean shirts), possibly uniform.
Both have dress codes? But Hailey explicitly says “having to wear a uniform” — that’s a particular way.
William says “shirts are always clean” — could be just cleanliness, not specific style.
But in context, waiters often have uniforms too.
However, Hailey’s statement is stronger: “nothing worse than having to wear a uniform” — confirms she wears one.
William doesn’t use the word “uniform” — just “shirts clean”.
So Hailey is explicitly required to wear a uniform.
✔ Answer: Hailey
Wait — let’s double-check William: “we also have to make sure our shirts are always clean, as we get free meals every shift.” — The “as” suggests the clean shirts are related to getting free meals? That doesn’t make sense. Probably a punctuation error. Likely: “We also have to make sure our shirts are always clean. As we get free meals every shift...” — separate ideas.
Still, no mention of uniform for William.
Whereas Hailey: “not nothing worse than having to wear a uniform.” — clear.
So Hailey has to dress in a particular way (uniform).
✔ Answer: Hailey
---
Now, let’s compile all answers:
1. William
2. Hailey
3. Hailey
4. Hailey
5. William
6. William
7. Hailey
8. Hailey
Wait — for #7, I’m second-guessing. Let me re-read both endings.
Hailey: “I don’t know what the future holds... but I’m happy right now, so I’ll keep doing this job until I can afford something else.” → She’s happy but plans to leave when she can afford it — so not forever, and not necessarily loving every day.
William: “I’m quite happy serving and eating good food and sleeping in a bit.” → He’s happy with the current situation, including job aspects.
But “loves their job all day” — William’s day starts at noon, and he serves until night? Not specified.
Hailey works mornings — “start work in the morning”, “standing all day” — so long hours.
Perhaps William is happier overall? But the phrase “all day” might refer to duration of enjoyment during work.
I think I made a mistake earlier.
Let’s look for direct quotes about loving the job.
Hailey: “I really like my job” — strong.
William: “I’m quite happy” — less strong.
Also, Hailey says she enjoys chatting and making people feel good — which happens throughout the day.
William complains about rude customers and having to be polite — which suggests not loving every moment.
So I’ll stick with Hailey for #7.
Final list:
1. William
2. Hailey
3. Hailey
4. Hailey
5. William
6. William
7. Hailey
8. Hailey
But let’s verify #4 again: “enjoys getting to know customers”
Hailey: “I enjoy chatting to a customer and making people feel good about themselves.” — yes, that’s getting to know them.
William: “I like being able to talk to my earning and overpay them.” — probably “talk to my customers and earn tips from them” — so he likes talking, but for transactional reasons, not necessarily “getting to know” them personally.
So Hailey is better for #4.
All set.
──────────────────────────────────────
Final Answer:
1. William
2. Hailey
3. Hailey
4. Hailey
5. William
6. William
7. Hailey
8. Hailey
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of free adult reading worksheet.
