Practice English Reading Exercises for B1 – Adventure Holidays 7
Reading 1
For each question, choose the correct answer.
Walking the Camino de Santiago
Last summer, my parents and I decided to walk a section of the famous Camino de Santiago in Spain. I had seen some amazing photos on social media of beautiful Spanish villages and sunny paths. I thought it would just be a relaxing walking holiday. I imagined we would walk for a couple of hours each morning and then spend the rest of the afternoon eating delicious food and resting by a swimming pool. Because of this, I didn’t do much training before we left.
However, the reality of walking twenty kilometres every single day was a huge shock. By the afternoon of the third day, my legs were aching terribly. Worse still, my feet were completely covered in painful blisters. The sun was incredibly hot, and my heavy backpack felt like it was full of rocks. I remember sitting down on a large stone beside the dusty path, taking off my boots, and telling my parents that I simply couldn’t take another step. I was ready to call a taxi and go home.
Just as I was about to give up, a group of older walkers from different countries came along. When they saw me looking miserable, they immediately stopped to help. A kind Italian woman gave me some special bandages for my blisters, while a German man shared his fresh fruit and chocolate with us. We sat together for an hour, and they told us fascinating stories about their own journeys and the reasons why they were walking. Their incredible kindness and positive energy made me forget about my pain.
Thanks to those friendly strangers, I found the strength to put my boots back on and continue. For the rest of the trip, whenever my feet hurt, I remembered their encouraging words. We finally reached our destination a week later. Standing in front of the beautiful cathedral in Santiago de Compostela, I felt extremely proud of myself. The physical pain had completely disappeared, replaced by a huge sense of achievement.
Walking the Camino was definitely the hardest thing I have ever done, but it was also the most rewarding. It taught me that I am much stronger than I think. Even more importantly, I learned that a difficult journey is always better when you share it with wonderful people.
1 What did the writer expect the trip to be like before they left?
(A) They thought it would be an easy and comfortable holiday.
(B) They were worried they hadn’t done enough training for it.
(C) They believed it would be too hot to walk in the afternoons.
(D) They expected to meet a lot of interesting people on the path.
2 How did the writer feel on the third day of the walk?
(A) Annoyed because their heavy backpack was broken.
(B) Disappointed that the path was so dusty and boring.
(C) Ready to quit because of severe physical pain.
(D) Angry that their parents were walking too fast.
3 What happened when the other walkers saw the writer?
(A) They offered to carry the writer’s heavy backpack for a while.
(B) They stopped to provide medical help, food, and conversation.
(C) They complained about how difficult the journey was for everyone.
(D) They advised the writer to take a taxi to the next town.
4 How did the writer feel when they reached Santiago de Compostela?
(A) Relieved that their painful blisters had finally healed completely.
(B) Sad that they had to say goodbye to their new friends.
(C) Surprised by the size and beauty of the old cathedral.
(D) Proud of their success in finishing a difficult challenge.
5 What would the writer say in an email to a friend about the Camino?
(A) I should have done more training! The walk was terrible, and I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone unless they are an expert hiker.
(B) It was physically exhausting and painful, but the amazing people I met along the way made it an unforgettable and rewarding experience.
(C) The walking part was incredibly easy, but the best thing about the trip was definitely the delicious food we ate by the pool.
(D) I was so glad we took a taxi when my feet hurt. It meant we had more time to listen to the interesting stories of other travelers.
Answer Key & Explanations
1 A – In the first paragraph, the writer mentions expecting a “relaxing walking holiday” where they would walk a little and “rest by a swimming pool,” which matches expecting an easy and comfortable trip.
2 C – The second paragraph details how the writer’s legs were aching and their feet were “completely covered in painful blisters,” leading them to declare they “simply couldn’t take another step” and wanted to go home.
3 B – The third paragraph describes the strangers giving the writer “special bandages” (medical help), “fresh fruit and chocolate” (food), and telling “fascinating stories” (conversation).
4 D – In the fourth paragraph, the writer states, “I felt extremely proud of myself,” and mentions that the pain was “replaced by a huge sense of achievement.”
5 B – This option captures the global meaning and emotional arc of the text: acknowledging the severe physical struggle (blisters, wanting to quit) while highlighting the turning point (the kindness of strangers) that made it a positive, life-changing journey.
Reading 2
For each question, choose the correct answer.
A new way to see Vietnam
When my dad suggested exploring Vietnam with me riding as a passenger on his motorbike, I was terrified. I had seen documentaries showing millions of scooters filling the streets, and it looked incredibly dangerous. I argued that hiring an air-conditioned car would be a much safer option for our holiday. However, Dad is an experienced rider and insisted this was the only true way to experience the country. Reluctantly, I packed my helmet and prepared for the adventure.
Our journey began in Ho Chi Minh City, and my worst fears immediately came true. The traffic was absolutely chaotic. Motorbikes were everywhere, coming from all directions, and nobody seemed to be following normal rules. The continuous horns gave me a terrible headache. I sat frozen behind my dad, holding onto his jacket as tightly as I could, keeping my eyes squeezed shut for most of the first hour. I seriously wondered how we would survive the two-week trip.
However, as we finally left the crowded city streets behind, everything began to change. The tall buildings were replaced by bright green rice fields, and the heavy traffic disappeared. As the roads became peaceful, I finally felt brave enough to open my eyes and loosen my grip. Suddenly, the journey didn’t feel like a terrifying rollercoaster ride anymore. Instead, it felt like we were floating smoothly through a beautiful painting.
Out in the open countryside, I quickly realised why Dad had refused to rent a car. On the back of the motorbike, there were no windows to separate me from the world. I could feel the warm summer wind against my face and smell the fresh earth from the farms we passed. It gave me a wonderful sense of freedom that you simply cannot experience while sitting inside a closed vehicle.
By the time we arrived at our first guesthouse that evening, my attitude had changed completely. I was physically tired, but I was also incredibly happy. I realised that facing my fear had allowed me to discover a thrilling new way to travel. I actually couldn’t wait to see what the rest of our road trip would bring.
1 How did the writer feel about her dad’s plan before the trip?
(A) She was annoyed that she had to wear a motorcycle helmet.
(B) She thought travelling by car would be a better idea.
(C) She was excited to see the millions of scooters in the city.
(D) She doubted that her dad was an experienced rider.
2 What did the writer do during the first part of the journey?
(A) She complained to her dad about a headache.
(B) She tried to understand the local traffic rules.
(C) She refused to look at the traffic around her.
(D) She asked her dad to drive much slower.
3 What made the writer finally relax on the motorbike?
(A) The scenery became much more natural and quiet.
(B) Her dad started driving the motorbike more smoothly.
(C) She pretended she was on a rollercoaster ride.
(D) She saw a beautiful painting of the countryside.
4 What did the writer appreciate most about being on a motorbike?
(A) It allowed her to travel faster than a car.
(B) It gave her the chance to stop at local farms.
(C) It let her feel physically closer to her surroundings.
(D) It gave her the opportunity to speak with the locals.
5 What would the writer write in her diary at the end of the first day?
(A) The traffic in Vietnam is terrible, and my dad’s driving really scared me today. I’m going to ask if we can rent a car tomorrow.
(B) I was so frightened at the start of today’s ride, but being out in the open air is actually amazing. I’m so glad we didn’t get a car!
(C) Travelling through the countryside was beautiful, but I was so exhausted by the time we arrived that I wish we had stayed in the city.
(D) Riding on the back of a motorbike is much more comfortable than I expected. My legs don’t hurt at all, and I feel completely relaxed.
Answer Key & Explanations
1 B – In the first paragraph, the writer states she was terrified and “argued that hiring an air-conditioned car would be a much safer option,” which matches thinking a car was a better idea.
2 C – In paragraph 2, the writer explains that she sat frozen and was “keeping my eyes squeezed shut for most of the first hour” to avoid seeing the scary traffic.
3 A – Paragraph 3 explains that her fear went away and she opened her eyes when “tall buildings were replaced by bright green rice fields” and “the roads became peaceful.”
4 C – In paragraph 4, the writer appreciates that there were “no windows to separate me from the world,” allowing her to “feel the warm summer wind” and “smell the fresh earth.”
5 B – This option successfully captures the global narrative and emotional arc of the text: moving from terror in the city traffic to joy and a sense of freedom once out in the countryside, fully validating her dad’s choice to ride a motorbike.
Reading 3
For each question, choose the correct answer.
The Cave Hotel
Last month, my family and I travelled to Cappadocia in Turkey. My parents had booked a stay in a famous ‘cave hotel’, which meant our rooms were actually carved deep into the rocks. When we first arrived, I wasn’t very excited. My bedroom had thick stone walls and absolutely no windows. As soon as my parents closed the door, I felt quite nervous. It was completely dark and quiet, and the whole place seemed rather spooky to me.
During my first night, I couldn’t fall asleep easily. Because there was no natural light coming from outside, I didn’t know if it was midnight or morning. Every small sound echoed loudly around the stone walls. I kept imagining scary creatures hiding in the dark corners of the room. I remember wishing we had just booked a normal, modern hotel with large windows and a lovely view of the street.
However, everything changed the next morning after breakfast. The friendly hotel owner, a man named Ahmet, offered to show us around the building. He explained that these caves weren’t just made for tourists. Hundreds of years ago, local people carved these underground rooms to hide from dangerous enemies. Entire communities, including young children, lived safely inside these mountains for months at a time without going outside.
Learning this amazing history completely changed how I felt about my room. When I returned to my bedroom that afternoon, it didn’t feel like a scary, empty space anymore. Instead, I realised I was sleeping inside a real piece of history. I touched the cold stone walls and imagined the ancient people who had used the exact same space to protect their families. My fear was suddenly replaced by deep fascination.
By the end of our holiday, I actually loved my unusual room. Staying in the cave hotel was a completely unique experience that taught me a lot. I realised that sometimes, things that seem frightening at first only scare us because we don’t understand them. Now, whenever my friends ask me about my trip to Turkey, the cave hotel is always the first thing I talk about.
1 What was the writer’s initial reaction to the cave hotel?
(A) She was excited because she had never seen rocks like that.
(B) She felt uncomfortable because the room was dark and windowless.
(C) She was annoyed that her parents had chosen a busy hotel.
(D) She was amazed by how quiet the underground room was.
2 During her first night in the hotel, the writer
(A) was woken up by loud noises from the street outside.
(B) felt confused because she couldn’t tell what time it was.
(C) saw scary creatures hiding in the corners of her room.
(D) decided to ask her parents to move to a modern hotel.
3 What did Ahmet tell the family about the caves?
(A) They were recently built to attract more tourists to the area.
(B) They were originally created as safe hiding places for locals.
(C) They were used as playgrounds for children in the past.
(D) They were dangerous places because of enemies in the mountains.
4 How did the writer’s attitude change after the tour?
(A) She became interested in the historical importance of her room.
(B) She felt sorry for the ancient people who had to live there.
(C) She was still frightened of the dark, but tried to be brave.
(D) She wanted to spend all her time touching the ancient walls.
5 What would the writer say about her holiday in Turkey?
(A) The cave hotel was an interesting place, but I would prefer to stay in a normal hotel next time because of the dark rooms.
(B) I learned that learning about the history of a place can turn a frightening experience into a truly fascinating one.
(C) Although the cave hotel was very historical, I didn’t manage to get any sleep during the whole holiday because of the strange noises.
(D) My parents made a big mistake booking a hotel without windows, but luckily the friendly owner made the trip fun.
Answer Key & Explanations
1 B – The text states in the first paragraph that the writer felt “quite nervous” and thought it was “spooky” because the room had “thick stone walls and absolutely no windows.”
2 B – In the second paragraph, the writer explains that “Because there was no natural light coming from outside, I didn’t know if it was midnight or morning.”
3 B – In the third paragraph, the owner explains that “Hundreds of years ago, local people carved these underground rooms to hide from dangerous enemies.”
4 A – In the fourth paragraph, the writer mentions that she realised she “was sleeping inside a real piece of history,” and her fear was “suddenly replaced by deep fascination.”
5 B – This option perfectly captures the global meaning and emotional arc of the text: starting with fear of the spooky room, but transforming into fascination after discovering the ancient history of the cave.