Practice English Reading Exercises for B1 – Historic Sites & Castles 5
Reading 1
For each question, choose the correct answer.
The people below all want to find a historic church or cathedral to visit.
There are descriptions of eight cathedrals and historic churches.
Decide which cathedral or church would be the most suitable for the people below.
1 Mario loves art and wants to see beautiful stained glass windows. He also enjoys high places and wants to climb a tower for a city view. Afterwards, he needs a place to buy a hot meal for lunch.
2 Chloe and Sam are looking for a completely quiet atmosphere where they can sit and think. They also love listening to traditional church music. Because they don’t drive, the building must be very close to a train or bus station.
3 Dieter is an art student who wants to sit inside and draw the building’s architecture. He is fascinated by history and wants to see where famous kings are buried. He has no money, so he needs a place that costs nothing.
4 Aisha wants to learn about the church’s history from an expert who can show her around. She loves plants and wants to explore beautiful gardens outside. Before leaving, she hopes to buy some small presents for her family back home.
5 The Lin family wants to see a historic church that has ancient books on display. They are bringing young kids, so they need fun, interactive activities to keep them busy. They are driving their own car and require a large parking area.
Cathedrals and Historic Churches
A St. Peter’s Cathedral
Admire the incredibly colourful glass artworks that decorate our walls, catching the sunlight perfectly. Visitors can walk up the hundreds of steps to the roof to enjoy breathtaking sights of the town. When you feel hungry, our fantastic indoor restaurant serves delicious hot food and drinks all day.
B Holy Trinity Church
Step away from the noisy streets into a completely silent and peaceful space. Guests can enjoy the magical sounds of our talented singing group performing traditional songs every afternoon. We are conveniently located right next to the central underground stop, making it incredibly easy to reach without a vehicle.
C St. John’s Abbey
Explore the resting places of ancient queens and important historical figures under the stone floors. We encourage visitors to bring pencils and paper to sketch our amazing ceilings and arches. You won’t have to pay a single penny to walk through our doors, making it a great budget-friendly visit.
D Christ Church
Join one of our knowledgeable staff members for a fascinating walk through the building, learning all its secrets. Outside, you can wander through stunning green spaces filled with bright flowers. Don’t forget to stop by our visitor store to pick up postcards and lovely items for your friends!
E St. Mary’s Minster
Discover our amazing collection of thousand-year-old texts and reading materials in the library. Little ones will love the special touch-screen games and puzzles designed just for them. It is an easy trip for drivers, as we provide a massive space outside where you can leave your vehicle safely during your visit.
F St. Stephen’s Dome
Come see our beautifully painted windows that show amazing scenes from the past. Fit visitors will love going up the narrow stairs to the very top for amazing photographs. Please note that we do not sell any food or drinks on site, so you must bring your own snacks.
G The Old Chapel
Listen to our expert historians as they guide you around the ancient walls and explain the building’s deep past. Before you leave, browse our wonderful shop for unique gifts and memories. Since we are located in the busy city centre, we have no outdoor planting areas or green spaces.
H St. Mark’s Basilica
Walk through the quiet halls and discover the historic stone beds where famous leaders were buried centuries ago. It costs absolutely nothing to enter this wonderful building. To protect the historic atmosphere, we strictly forbid visitors from bringing in paints, pencils, or any art supplies to copy the designs.
ANSWER KEY
1 A 2 B 3 C 4 D 5 E
Reading 2
For each question, choose the correct answer.
The people below all want to find a castle with modern interactive apps to visit.
There are descriptions of eight castles.
Decide which castle would be the most suitable for the people below.
1 Tom wants to use his own mobile phone to explore the site. He hopes to see digital images of how the ruined walls originally looked. He also needs a grassy space to sit and eat his own sandwiches.
2 Maria loves wearing headphones to listen to historical facts while she explores. She is fascinated by old paintings of the families who lived there. She uses a wheelchair, so the castle must be completely flat without any steps.
3 David works all day and can only visit a castle during the evening. He wants to see computer-generated pictures of the original building. He also needs a place to sit down and buy a hot meal.
4 The Smith family want to download a guide onto their smartphones. They need a place with fun games to keep their young children entertained. They also want to buy a present to take home with them.
5 Lucas wants to borrow an audio device to hear stories about the castle’s past. He is very interested in historical swords and metal fighting equipment. As a student, he needs a place that doesn’t cost anything to enter.
Castles with Modern Interactive Apps
A The Digital Ruins
Download our free application to your personal device and watch the broken stones magically transform into a complete fortress from 500 years ago! We do not sell meals here, but visitors are always welcome to relax in our beautiful gardens and enjoy the packed lunches they have brought from home.
B Kingswood Keep
Borrow our electronic listening equipment to hear amazing stories as you explore. You will discover beautiful historic pictures of the early royal residents hanging on the walls. We welcome everyone, as the entire ground floor and all exhibition rooms have been designed to be perfectly flat and easy to access.
C Silverlake Palace
Experience the past by borrowing one of our special computer tablets. Hold it up to see exactly how the ruined towers were built centuries ago! We close promptly at 4 p.m. daily. After exploring, families love finding a quiet spot on the grass to eat their own homemade snacks.
D The Midnight Fortress
We stay open late until 10 p.m., making us the perfect destination after a busy day. Put on our digital glasses to experience a brilliant 3D recreation of the ancient, unbroken castle. When you get hungry, head to our large restaurant to enjoy delicious cooked dishes and warm drinks.
E Eagle’s Rock Castle
Parents can easily access our interactive guide using their personal mobiles to read about the site. Little ones will have a fantastic time doing the special treasure hunt and building wooden towers. Before leaving, don’t forget to visit our fantastic store to purchase some wonderful historical reminders of your trip.
F The Warrior’s Tower
Put on our supplied ear pieces to hear terrifying tales of historical battles as you walk. Inside, you will see an impressive collection of authentic knives, spears, and protection worn by early soldiers. Tickets cost £15 per person, and we advise booking your afternoon visit online before you arrive.
G Ironhold Keep
You don’t have to pay a single penny to come inside our incredible historical building! Grab a digital listening device at the entrance to discover the secrets behind our massive collection of ancient spears, shields, and fighting tools. Please note that there is no cafe or shop on the site.
H Moonlit Towers
Use your personal mobile to scan codes and read fascinating facts about the antique paintings displayed in our halls. We open from 6 p.m. to midnight for romantic night walks under the stars. Please note that we do not have a cafe, and the site isn’t suitable for young children.
ANSWER KEY
1 A 2 B 3 D 4 E 5 G
Reading 3
For each question, choose the correct answer.
The people below all want to find a historic prison or dungeon to visit.
There are descriptions of eight historic prisons and dungeons.
Decide which historic prison or dungeon would be the most suitable for the people below.
1 Leo wants to hear frightening tales about the prisoners who lived there. He hopes to experience the freezing, wet conditions of the underground cells, and he requires a tour that takes place late in the evening.
2 Maya uses a wheelchair, so she needs a completely flat site with lifts. She is studying the justice system and wants to learn how criminals were disciplined long ago. She also hopes to buy a history book.
3 Sam is taking his young children, so the museum must not tell terrifying stories. They want to see the actual wooden tools used for disciplining criminals. He also needs a green outdoor space to eat their sandwiches.
4 Chen wants to feel the realistic icy and wet atmosphere of an original dungeon. He doesn’t drive, so it must be near a railway station. He prefers exploring alone using an electronic device to listen to facts.
5 Anna loves terrifying historical tales and wants to hear about ghosts that still walk the halls. She prefers having an expert person explain things rather than reading. Afterwards, she wants to sit down for a warm meal.
Historic Prisons and Dungeons
A Shadow Keep
For a truly terrifying experience, join our special 9 p.m. walks after the sun goes down! You will hear horrifying accounts of the desperate people kept here. Deep underground, the walls are always dripping with water and the temperature is freezing, making it incredibly realistic. Please note, we do not serve any food.
B The Justice Tower
Find out exactly what happened to rule-breakers in the past. Our displays of historic discipline methods will shock you! The entire building has wide paths and large elevators, making it incredibly easy for everyone to explore. Before heading home, visit our excellent boutique to purchase detailed texts about the prison’s past.
C Castle Lock-Up
Discover the fascinating history of law and order. We display genuine antique equipment once used to correct bad behaviour, but we focus on education rather than terrifying myths, making it a perfectly relaxed trip for youngsters. While we lack a café, our lovely lawns are ideal for enjoying your own snacks.
D Blackwater Dungeons
Located just two minutes from the main passenger platforms, this is a very convenient trip. Grab our complimentary digital headset to hear fascinating details as you walk around at your own pace. Be sure to wear a thick coat, as our underground basements remain bitterly cold and soaked with moisture all year!
E The Dark Fortress
Are you brave enough to hear about the terrifying spirits that still haunt our corridors? Our highly knowledgeable staff lead brilliant walks, bringing the horrifying past to life so you won’t need to read any signs. After your adventure, relax in our fantastic restaurant which serves freshly cooked soups and pies.
F Traitor’s Gate
Walk through our incredibly chilly and dripping wet cell blocks. It feels just like the 1800s! You can read dozens of terrifying myths about the poor souls locked inside on our helpful information boards. We are open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily, and there is a large car park outside.
G The King’s Prison
Join our expert guides as they explain the severe ways that criminals were treated centuries ago. You will hear fascinating facts and see the old discipline tools in the high tower. Visitors must climb a hundred steps to reach the top. Afterwards, you can buy some great books in our store.
H Old City Jail
This site offers a completely peaceful look at history, focusing on the daily routines of guards rather than frightening myths or nasty correction methods. Everyone will love our famous cafeteria, offering delicious warm dishes all afternoon. Just remember that our outdoor garden is currently closed for repairs, so eat inside!
ANSWER KEY
1 A 2 B 3 C 4 D 5 E