A simple test could clearly illustrate the difference.
# yeting.txt
I love piano.
I love painting.
# Python
fr=open('yeting.txt')
fr,read() # 'I love piano.\nI love painting.\n'
fr=open('yeting.txt')
fr,readline() # 'I love piano.\n'
fr=open('yeting.txt')
fr,readlines() # ['I love piano.\n','I love painting.\n']