Practice English Reading Exercises for B1 – Beaches & Waterfront Activities

Exercises:   12345

Reading 1

For each question, choose the correct answer.

The people below all want to find a remote, untouched beach to visit.

There are descriptions of eight untouched beaches.

Decide which untouched beach would be the most suitable for the people below.

1   Tom doesn’t mind a very long car journey to finally reach the sea. He hopes to catch some fish from the rocks, and he plans to bring a large box of his own sandwiches and cold drinks for lunch.

2   Elena is looking for a completely wild coastal area with absolutely no modern buildings, shops, or toilets. She wants to photograph wild animals, and she is carrying her own heavy tent and sleeping bag to use overnight.

3   Marcus wants to discover a totally empty beach where he won’t see a single tourist all day. He enjoys collecting beautiful stones from the sand, and he is happy to drive for at least three hours to get there.

4   Sophia hopes to ride the big ocean waves on her board. She is looking for a completely natural spot with zero cafes or shops, and she plans to bring her own outdoor cooking equipment to prepare a hot dinner.

5   David is an amateur artist who wants to sit and paint the quiet ocean. He doesn’t mind travelling a long distance by road, but he must pack his own large umbrella because there are no trees for shade.

Untouched Beaches

A Black Rock Cove

It takes almost four hours behind the wheel to reach this hidden spot, but it is definitely worth it. The deep waters off the cliffs are perfect for dropping your line and catching sea life. There is nowhere to buy meals, so packing your own cold snacks and beverages is absolutely essential.

B Whispering Dunes

You will not find a single washroom, cafe, or human-made structure on this pristine stretch of sand. Nature lovers will be thrilled by the rare seals and seabirds posing for their cameras. Visitors are welcome to stay the night, provided they pack their own canvas shelters and warm blankets for sleeping.

C Moonstone Bay

Be prepared for a lengthy road trip of several hours to arrive at this isolated paradise. Because of the difficult journey, you are guaranteed to have the entire coastline completely to yourself. The shoreline is covered in colourful pebbles and unique minerals, making it a brilliant location for picking up natural souvenirs.

D Echo Point

This untouched bay receives extremely strong ocean winds, creating fantastic conditions for water sports enthusiasts to ride their boards. This area is completely undeveloped without any businesses, restrooms, or restaurants. However, visitors are actively encouraged to carry in their own portable grills and fuel to make a hot meal safely.

E Artists’ End

After travelling for many miles on the highway away from the city, you will discover this breathtaking, peaceful landscape. It is highly recommended for creative individuals wanting to capture the beautiful scenery on canvas. The beach is totally exposed to the hot sun, so carrying your own parasol is definitely required.

F Gull’s Rest

This rocky beach is fantastic for catching fresh fish and is conveniently located just a five-minute walk from the local railway station. Visitors must remember to bring their own homemade sandwiches and drinks, as the nearest seaside cafe recently closed down. It is a brilliant spot for a quick, easy afternoon trip!

G Silver Sands Reserve

Experience nature at its finest at this completely undeveloped coastal reserve. There are zero washrooms or modern buildings, making it an incredible place to take pictures of dolphins playing in the waves. Please note that for environmental reasons, staying overnight and setting up temporary shelters or sleeping bags is strictly forbidden.

H Wave Rider Beach

You will not see many tourists at this quiet coastal spot, and the tall ocean waves make it absolutely perfect for active teenagers with surfboards. You do not even need to pack heavy bags, because our friendly wooden beachside restaurant serves wonderful hot lunches and rents out all the sports equipment.

Reading 2

For each question, choose the correct answer.

The people below all want to find an urban city beach.

There are descriptions of eight city beaches.

Decide which city beach would be the most suitable for the people below.

1   Lucas wants to visit a lively beach with lots of people and loud music. He specifically wants to relax on artificial sand, and he loves taking photos of tall buildings right next to the water.

2   Sarah enjoys dancing to loud music among large crowds, but she dislikes being surrounded by huge city buildings. She also prefers to walk on completely natural sand rather than anything man-made while enjoying the sunshine.

3   The Rossi family wants a peaceful day by the water without huge crowds or noisy speakers. They want a beach constructed with artificial sand, located directly under the city’s highest skyscrapers for spectacular urban views.

4   Emma is looking for a quiet, relaxing spot without many people around so she can read her book. She wants to sit in the shadow of the city’s skyscrapers, but it must have completely natural sand.

5   David wants to party at a busy beach with top DJs playing loud music. He enjoys beaches with artificial sand, but he wants an open view of the sky, completely away from the city’s tall buildings.

Urban City Beaches

A Skyline Shores

If you want a vibrant atmosphere, this is the place! DJs play energetic tracks all day long to huge groups of dancers. You can feel the imported, specially-made grains under your feet while looking straight up at the spectacular glass business towers that stand right on the edge of the water.

B Central Oasis

Take a break from the busy streets at this peaceful riverside spot. We brought in tons of artificial beach material to create a soft resting area. It is wonderfully quiet here, and because it is located in the historical district, there are absolutely no huge modern office blocks blocking your view.

C Sunset Party Point

This energetic destination is famous for its massive beach parties and powerful sound systems. Unlike many city spots, the ground here is completely real, washed in from the ocean. Furthermore, it is situated in a flat parkland area, so you won’t see any massive glass structures hiding the beautiful sunshine.

D Financial District Cove

Located right beneath the incredible towers of the business center, this hidden gem is wonderfully peaceful and rarely gets busy. There are no DJs or concerts here, just the sound of the waves. Best of all, the ground is formed by nature, meaning you can enjoy a truly authentic seaside feeling.

E Downtown Bay

Situated exactly where the ocean meets the city’s highest glass structures, this is a popular place for teenagers. Huge speakers pump out dance tracks to the energetic visitors from morning until night. You can enjoy the completely natural, ocean-made beach while taking in the magnificent views of the modern urban center.

F Glass Tower Sands

This relaxing retreat sits right at the bottom of the city’s tallest modern structures. It is carefully managed to prevent large groups, ensuring a completely silent and calm environment without any noisy entertainment. The soft ground is entirely human-made, providing a perfect, clean surface for spreading out your picnic blanket.

G Horizon Beach

This lovely man-made beach was constructed using specially transported stones and shells to give a seaside feel. It is located in the low-rise historical quarter, so your view remains entirely free of giant modern towers. It’s an incredibly calm destination, attracting mostly older couples seeking a silent afternoon by the water.

H Festival Coast

Get ready to dance! This lively destination is packed with teenagers enjoying the energetic tunes pumping from giant speakers. Although the soft yellow ground was completely constructed by city planners, it feels amazing. Located on the edge of town, the skyline is completely flat, meaning absolutely no massive office blocks nearby.

Reading 3

For each question, choose the correct answer.

The people below all want to find a dog-friendly winter beach.

There are descriptions of eight beaches.

Decide which beach would be the most suitable for the people below.

1   Marcus wants to take his energetic dog somewhere it can run freely without a lead. He hates walking up hills, so he needs flat ground. He also wants to buy a warm coffee or tea from a vehicle while he walks.

2   Elena is looking for a dog-friendly coast with a forest nearby, so she can hide from the freezing winter winds. She loves drinking hot chocolate after a long walk, so she needs a mobile stall selling warm drinks.

3   David wants to keep warm in the freezing weather by doing a fast, long walk. He prefers quiet places with very few people. It is important that he can let his pet run free, without being attached to him.

4   Sarah enjoys watching her dog swim in the icy winter water safely. She doesn’t want to carry her heavy bags far, so she needs a car park right next to the sand. She also wants to buy hot drinks from a truck.

5   The Taylor family want to photograph beautiful snow and ice on the coastal rocks. They want their puppy to meet lots of other dogs to play with, and it must be allowed to explore the area without a leash.

Winter Beaches

A Frosty Bay

This is an incredibly popular spot, meaning your pet will find dozens of furry friends to chase around the beach. They don’t need to be tied up either! The huge cliffs are often covered in frozen white layers during winter, providing a stunning background for taking amazing outdoor pictures.

B Whispering Sands

To beat the icy temperatures, you can march quickly for kilometres along this huge, empty coastline. It is a very peaceful location, so you will hardly see another person all day. Furthermore, animals are permitted to roam entirely off their ropes, giving them total freedom to explore the huge space.

C Gull Point

This completely level stretch of sand is incredibly easy to walk along, making it perfect if you dislike climbing. There is a wonderful little truck parked near the entrance selling delicious heated beverages. Your four-legged friends are totally welcome to sprint around unattached and burn off all their extra energy!

D Pebble Reach

This straight, even beach has absolutely no hills, so it is a very relaxing journey. Animals can run wildly without being tied to their owners. However, the nearest place to get a warm beverage or a snack is in the village, which is a five-kilometre drive away from the coast.

E Harbour Beach

Drive right up to the shore and leave your vehicle just steps away from the waves. The shallow, calm sea is excellent for pets that enjoy splashing around, even in freezing temperatures! Afterwards, grab a steaming cup of coffee from the mobile cafe parked right next to the shoreline.

F Pine Cove

When the icy gales blow in from the sea, step back into the thick trees right next to the shore to stay warm. Pets are very welcome here. At the edge of the woods, you will find a small van offering steaming mugs of cocoa and tea to heat you up.

G Hunters Wood Coast

Step into the beautiful trees right beside the freezing ocean and escape the bitter winds. You can always buy an amazing hot tea from the little green truck parked near the path. Unfortunately, to protect the local wildlife, no pets are allowed anywhere on the sand or in the forest.

H Sailor’s Drop

Watch your brave pets dive into the cold, gentle winter waves for a wonderful swim. Once they are out, you can buy a hot chocolate from the seller’s van on the sand. Please note that the only parking area is at the top of a very long, steep staircase.

Exercises:   12345