Practice English Reading Exercises for B1 – Adventure Holidays 6
Reading 1
For each question, choose the correct answer.
Backpacking in the Alps
Last summer, my two best friends and I decided to go backpacking in the beautiful French Alps. I had always loved walking in the countryside near my home, but I wanted to try something much more challenging. We planned a long route that involved walking from one mountain hut to another over five days. I knew I would have to carry everything I needed, including my clothes and sleeping bag, in a large backpack. Although my parents warned me that the mountains would be extremely difficult, I felt confident and excited to start the adventure.
However, on the second day, I quickly realised how right my parents were. The path became incredibly steep, and my backpack felt heavier with every step. My shoulders hurt, and I was completely exhausted. At one point, we were climbing a narrow, rocky track, and my legs were shaking. I honestly wanted to stop, take off my bag, and go back down to the valley. It was a huge test of my mental strength. I had to force myself to keep moving because I didn’t want to disappoint my friends or ruin their holiday.
After hours of struggling, we finally reached the wooden mountain hut where we were spending the night. As soon as I walked through the door, my negative mood completely changed. Inside, there was a warm fire and dozens of other hikers relaxing after their long journeys. Everyone was incredibly friendly, and we spent the evening sharing hot food and telling funny stories about our day. Despite the freezing weather outside, the atmosphere inside the hut was so welcoming that it made all the physical pain totally worthwhile. I forgot about my tired legs immediately.
By the end of the five-day trip, I felt incredibly proud of myself. The views of the snowy mountain peaks were brilliant, but the real reward was knowing I hadn’t given up when things got tough. Backpacking in the Alps taught me that I am much stronger, both physically and mentally, than I ever thought. I am already planning my next mountain holiday for next summer. If I go again, though, I will definitely pack fewer clothes so my bag is a bit lighter!
1 Why did the writer decide to go backpacking in the Alps?
(A) He wanted to prove to his parents that he was strong.
(B) He was looking for a harder physical experience than his usual walks.
(C) He needed to test a new large backpack he had recently bought.
(D) He wanted to spend five days sleeping outside in a tent.
2 How did the writer feel during the climb on the second day?
(A) annoyed that his friends were walking too fast
(B) worried that they had chosen the wrong track
(C) ready to quit because it was so physically demanding
(D) surprised by how light his backpack felt
3 What made the difficult climb worthwhile for the writer?
(A) the delicious hot food prepared by the hut owners
(B) the chance to sit alone quietly by the warm fire
(C) the beautiful views of the valley from the wooden hut
(D) the friendly and social environment among the hikers
4 What does the writer say about his future plans?
(A) He intends to take less luggage on his next trip.
(B) He hopes to climb a snowy peak without his friends.
(C) He plans to buy a more comfortable backpack.
(D) He will go back to walking in the countryside instead of mountains.
5 What would the writer write in his diary at the end of the holiday?
(A) The mountains were beautiful, but I wish I had listened to my parents. I am never carrying a heavy backpack again!
(B) I nearly gave up when the climbing got steep, but the amazing evenings in the huts and finishing the trip made me feel so strong.
(C) Sharing stories with the other hikers was fun, but I was so disappointed that we didn’t manage to reach the final mountain hut.
(D) Carrying the heavy bag was easier than I expected, and I can’t wait to show my friends how physically fit I have become.
Answer Key & Explanations
1 B – The text states in the first paragraph that the writer loved walking in the countryside but “wanted to try something much more challenging.”
2 C – In paragraph two, the writer describes being “completely exhausted” with shaking legs, and admits, “I honestly wanted to stop, take off my bag, and go back down.”
3 D – Paragraph three explains that everyone was incredibly friendly and the “atmosphere inside the hut was so welcoming that it made all the physical pain totally worthwhile.”
4 A – In the final paragraph, the writer states, “If I go again, though, I will definitely pack fewer clothes so my bag is a bit lighter!”
5 B – This option successfully synthesizes the writer’s overall experience: acknowledging the intense mental and physical struggle of the cli
Reading 2
For each question, choose the correct answer.
Staying in a Desert Yurt
Last summer, my parents announced that our family holiday would be a trip to Mongolia. We weren’t going to stay in a comfortable hotel in the capital city, though. Instead, we were travelling deep into the desert to live in a traditional round tent, called a yurt. As someone who has grown up in a noisy, crowded city, I was far from thrilled. I couldn’t imagine anything worse than spending two weeks in the middle of nowhere without shopping centres, cinemas, or a reliable internet connection.
When we finally arrived at our campsite after a long, bumpy car journey, my worst fears seemed to come true. The landscape was incredibly flat and empty, stretching out endlessly in every direction. Our yurt was simple and cosy, but the silence outside was actually quite uncomfortable for me. For the first two days, I spent most of my time sitting inside, reading books and complaining about how bored I was. I just couldn’t understand why my parents had chosen such an isolated destination.
However, things completely changed on the third morning when I met a group of local teenagers. They lived in the neighbouring yurts and were looking after their families’ animals. Even though we didn’t speak the same language, they were very friendly and invited me to join them outside. Through a mix of hand signals and laughter, they asked if I wanted to learn how to ride a horse. Having never even touched a horse before, I was nervous, but I was also desperate for something to do, so I agreed.
Learning to ride wasn’t easy. I almost fell off several times, which made the local kids laugh out loud, but they were incredibly patient and helped me correct my posture. Once I finally felt confident on the horse, we rode together across the wide, open plains. Suddenly, the vast desert didn’t seem boring or empty anymore. With the wind in my hair, it felt like an enormous, exciting playground.
By the end of the holiday, I was actually sad to pack my bags. The experience taught me that you don’t need a shared language to make friends, and that stepping outside your comfort zone can completely change your perspective. I am so grateful I had the chance to experience the Mongolian desert, and I would love to return one day.
1 Why wasn’t the writer excited about the holiday to Mongolia at first?
(A) They were worried about the lack of modern entertainment.
(B) They had already spent too much time staying in traditional tents.
(C) They did not want to spend their holiday in the capital city.
(D) They felt nervous about travelling so far from their parents.
2 How did the writer feel during their first few days at the campsite?
(A) Upset because the yurt was not comfortable enough to sleep in.
(B) Anxious about the long, bumpy car journey back home.
(C) Unhappy because the area was just too quiet and lonely.
(D) Angry that they had forgotten to bring enough books to read.
3 When the writer met the local teenagers, they
(A) were able to communicate easily using a shared language.
(B) felt too anxious to accept their invitation to go outside.
(C) decided to try a new activity because they wanted to be busy.
(D) showed the local children how to look after the farm animals.
4 What happened when the writer learned to ride the horse?
(A) They realised the desert was actually a highly enjoyable place.
(B) They fell off and hurt themselves on the open plains.
(C) They felt annoyed because the other children laughed at them.
(D) They decided they wanted to teach other tourists how to ride.
5 What would the writer text to a friend about the trip?
(A) The Mongolian desert is huge and empty. There is absolutely nothing to do here, so I spend all my time reading inside the yurt.
(B) I wasn’t looking forward to this trip at all, but making friends with the locals and learning to ride horses has made it incredible!
(C) The local kids are great, but the language barrier makes it impossible to have fun together. I can’t wait to come back to the city.
(D) I loved staying in the capital city, but I really wish my parents hadn’t forced me to ride horses in the desert.
Answer Key & Explanations
1 A – In paragraph 1, the writer states they “couldn’t imagine anything worse” than being “without shopping centres, cinemas, or a reliable internet connection,” which paraphrases to a lack of modern entertainment.
2 C – In paragraph 2, the writer explains that the “silence outside was actually quite uncomfortable” and they complained about being bored in such an “isolated destination” (quiet and lonely).
3 C – In paragraph 3, the writer mentions they were “desperate for something to do” so they agreed to try riding a horse, despite being nervous.
4 A – In paragraph 4, the writer states that while riding the horse, the desert “didn’t seem boring or empty anymore” and instead “felt like an enormous, exciting playground.”
5 B – This option captures the global meaning and emotional arc of the text: beginning with a strong dread of the trip due to the emptiness, but ending with a deeply positive attitude after connecting with the locals and learning to ride.
Reading 3
For each question, choose the correct answer.
A Week on the Water
I’ve loved the ocean since I first learned to swim, and I finally got my scuba diving licence last year. So, when my parents suggested spending our summer holiday on a ‘liveaboard’ boat in the Red Sea, I was absolutely thrilled. A liveaboard means you actually eat and sleep on the boat for a whole week, which allows you to dive in amazing places every single day. I couldn’t wait to explore the famous coral reefs, although I had never spent more than a few hours on a boat before.
However, my excitement quickly disappeared when I saw our accommodation. The boat looked huge from the outside, but my bedroom was tiny. I had to share a very small cabin with my older brother, and there was hardly enough space to stand up or unpack my clothes. The ceiling was incredibly low, and I felt quite trapped in such a confined area. That first night, as the boat rocked heavily from side to side in the dark, I couldn’t sleep. I lay in my narrow bed, seriously wondering if agreeing to this trip was a massive mistake.
Everything changed on the second morning, when the captain announced we were diving at the site of a sunken shipwreck. As soon as I jumped into the warm water and swam down, I forgot all about my uncomfortable bedroom. The enormous ship was resting silently on the ocean floor, completely covered in colourful corals and surrounded by thousands of bright fish. Swimming through the broken doors of the old ship was like entering a completely different world. It was the most incredible thing I had ever seen, and suddenly, living in a tiny cabin didn’t matter at all.
The rest of the week was just as magical. We did up to four dives a day, seeing turtles, rays, and even a peaceful little shark. I actually got used to the small boat, too. Because everyone spent their time outside on the deck sharing diving stories, we only used our cabins for sleeping anyway. The liveaboard experience taught me that dealing with a little discomfort is completely worth it for such amazing rewards. I am already saving my pocket money to go on another diving adventure next year!
1 Why was the writer excited about the holiday?
(A) He wanted to get his scuba diving licence.
(B) He had always wanted to sleep on a boat.
(C) He would have the chance to dive daily in great locations.
(D) He was looking forward to seeing the Red Sea from the beach.
2 How did the writer feel about his cabin?
(A) He was annoyed that he had to share it with his parents.
(B) He felt uncomfortable because it lacked space.
(C) He was pleased that he could unpack his clothes easily.
(D) He liked the gentle rocking motion of the bed at night.
3 Exploring the shipwreck made the writer realise that
(A) swimming through old doors can be quite dangerous.
(B) the ocean floor was much colder than he expected.
(C) he preferred diving near coral reefs instead of ships.
(D) his complaints about the boat’s accommodation were unimportant.
4 What does the writer say about the rest of the week?
(A) He spent most of his time relaxing inside his cabin.
(B) He decided to become a professional diving instructor.
(C) He found the living conditions much easier to accept.
(D) He realised that everyone else on the boat was a better diver.
5 What would the writer text his best friend about the trip?
(A) I’ve finally got my diving licence! The boat is huge, but I’m a bit bored because we only dive once a day.
(B) The small cabin drove me crazy all week. Even though the dives were okay, I don’t think I’ll ever sleep on a boat again.
(C) Living on a boat was tough at first, but seeing a real shipwreck made me forget about the tiny room. It was awesome!
(D) Exploring the shipwreck was terrifying because it was so dark. Next time, I think I’ll just stick to swimming near the beach.
Answer Key & Explanations
1 C – In paragraph 1, the writer states he was thrilled because a liveaboard “allows you to dive in amazing places every single day.” (Option A is incorrect because he got his licence last year).
2 B – Paragraph 2 explains that there was “hardly enough space to stand up” and he felt “quite trapped in such a confined area,” mapping to feeling uncomfortable due to lack of space.
3 D – In paragraph 3, the writer says that after seeing the incredible shipwreck, “suddenly, living in a tiny cabin didn’t matter at all,” meaning his previous complaints were no longer important to him.
4 C – Paragraph 4 details that the writer “actually got used to the small boat, too,” showing that the once-uncomfortable living conditions became easier for him to accept.
5 C – This option accurately captures the global meaning and the writer’s emotional arc: beginning the trip feeling miserable about the cramped cabin, but ultimately finding the experience completely worthwhile after the magical shipwreck dive.