Practice English Reading Exercises for B1 – Mishaps & Resilience 3
Reading 1
For each question, choose the correct answer.
Finding My Way Out
When I go hiking in the local national park, I usually stick to the main marked paths. Last weekend, however, I felt like having a bit more adventure. I noticed a small, unofficial trail branching off into the woods and decided to explore it. I honestly thought it would just be a quick detour and that I could easily find my way back to the main route.
After walking along the narrow track for an hour, I suddenly realised the path had completely disappeared. I turned around to go back, but every direction looked exactly the same. Thick trees surrounded me. I checked my mobile phone, but there was absolutely no signal. As the sky began to turn orange and the sun started to set, my heart beat faster. I was genuinely terrified of spending the freezing night alone in the dark woods.
I forced myself to sit on a rock and take some deep breaths to calm down. I closed my eyes and tried to remember what I had read in a wilderness survival blog. Suddenly, I recalled a useful piece of advice: if you are lost, find a stream and follow the water downwards, because it usually leads to a road. Luckily, I could hear the faint sound of moving water nearby. I walked towards the noise and discovered a small stream.
I followed the water downwards as quickly as I could. It certainly wasn’t an easy walk. I had to climb over huge fallen trees and I frequently slipped on wet rocks. However, keeping close to the stream gave me a clear goal and stopped me from panicking. After forty-five minutes of tiring walking, I suddenly heard the wonderful sound of cars. The stream had led me straight to a bridge on the main road, where a park ranger eventually picked me up.
Sitting safely in the ranger’s truck, I felt a huge wave of relief. The experience was incredibly frightening, but it also changed how I see myself. I survived a scary situation by staying calm and using my knowledge. I will never leave the marked trails again, but I now know that I am much stronger and more independent than I ever imagined.
1 Why did the writer go off the main path?
(A) He wanted to experience a short adventure.
(B) He was looking for a specific, hidden trail.
(C) He wanted to find a faster way back to the start.
(D) He was following advice from a survival blog.
2 How did the writer feel as evening approached?
(A) Annoyed because his mobile phone was broken.
(B) Confused about why the sun was setting so early.
(C) Scared about having to sleep in the forest.
(D) Disappointed that the scenery looked exactly the same.
3 What helped the writer decide what to do next?
(A) He found a map left by another hiker on a rock.
(B) He remembered something he had learned online.
(C) He saw a road near a small stream.
(D) He heard a park ranger shouting in the distance.
4 What does the writer say about the walk beside the stream?
(A) It was physically difficult but kept him focused.
(B) It was very fast because the path was clear.
(C) It took much longer than he had originally expected.
(D) It made him panic more because he kept falling over.
5 What would the writer write in his diary about the day?
(A) I should have never read that survival blog. It gave me the terrible idea to leave the marked trails and explore the dangerous woods.
(B) Getting lost in the forest was absolutely terrifying, but finding my own way out proved to me that I am capable of looking after myself.
(C) Following the stream was such an easy and fun adventure. I think I will try exploring more unofficial trails in the national park next weekend!
(D) I am so angry at the park ranger for taking so long to find me. If I hadn’t found that road, I would have been stuck in the dark.
Answer Key & Explanations
1 A – In the first paragraph, the writer states he “felt like having a bit more adventure” and thought his exploration “would just be a quick detour.”
2 C – The second paragraph explains that as the sun started to set, he was “genuinely terrified of spending the freezing night alone in the dark woods.”
3 B – In the third paragraph, the writer says he “tried to remember what I had read in a wilderness survival blog” and recalled a “useful piece of advice” that told him what to do.
4 A – The fourth paragraph describes how the walk involved climbing over trees and slipping on rocks (physically difficult), but that following the stream “gave me a clear goal and stopped me from panicking” (kept him focused).
5 B – This option captures the global meaning and the emotional arc of the text: acknowledging the terrifying experience of being lost while highlighting the ultimate outcome of discovering his own strength and self-reliance.
Reading 2
For each question, choose the correct answer.
A Rough Ride to the Island
When my parents told me we were spending our summer holiday on a small island off the coast, I was really excited. I had always loved the beach and couldn’t wait to explore. The only problem was the journey. To reach our destination, we had to take a three-hour ferry ride. Standing at the port, the huge white boat looked completely safe, and the sky was clear. I felt confident that it would be a smooth and relaxing trip, so I bought a large sandwich and a hot chocolate before finding a seat inside.
However, my confidence quickly vanished as soon as the ferry left the protection of the harbour. Out on the open sea, the weather was completely different. Strong winds made the boat rock violently from side to side. Within twenty minutes, my stomach started turning. I felt incredibly dizzy and sick. Unable to bear it, I rushed into the small bathroom, locked the door, and sat on the cold floor. I felt so miserable that I genuinely wished we had just stayed at home for the holidays.
After about half an hour of hiding in the bathroom, I heard a gentle knock. A friendly crew member named Marco asked if I was alright. I opened the door and explained how terrible I was feeling. Marco smiled sympathetically and told me that hiding in a tiny, closed space was actually the worst thing I could possibly do for motion sickness. He helped me stand up and insisted that I follow him outside to the top deck of the ferry.
As soon as we stepped outside, the cold, fresh wind hit my face, and I immediately felt a tiny bit better. Marco taught me a practical trick: he told me to stop looking down at the moving boat or the crashing waves. Instead, he pointed to the distance and told me to focus entirely on the straight, unmoving line of the horizon.
To my surprise, his advice worked perfectly. Concentrating on the horizon stopped my brain from feeling confused by the movement. My stomach settled, and I actually spent the final hour of the trip enjoying the spectacular views of the approaching island. I learned that sometimes, facing the fresh air is much better than hiding away!
1 How did the writer feel before the ferry departed?
(A) Worried about the weather forecast for the island.
(B) Annoyed that the journey would take three hours.
(C) Sure that the boat ride would be easy and comfortable.
(D) Hungry because she hadn’t eaten anything at the port.
2 Why did the writer go to the bathroom?
(A) She wanted to eat her sandwich in a quiet place.
(B) She was suffering from the violent movement of the boat.
(C) She needed to find a crew member to help her.
(D) She was frightened by the strong winds on the deck.
3 What did the crew member explain to the writer?
(A) Staying inside a small room was a bad idea.
(B) Sitting on the cold floor would make her feel worse.
(C) She needed to drink some water to settle her stomach.
(D) The storm outside was getting much stronger.
4 What advice did Marco give the writer on the top deck?
(A) To close her eyes and breathe in the fresh air.
(B) To watch the huge waves crashing against the boat.
(C) To look straight ahead at the line where the sky meets the sea.
(D) To concentrate on the island appearing in the distance.
5 What would the writer text her best friend that evening?
(A) The ferry ride was totally fine! I sat in the bathroom the whole way and managed to avoid feeling sick.
(B) I felt so ill on the boat today, but a crew member taught me a brilliant trick. The fresh air completely saved me!
(C) We finally arrived on the island! The boat rocked a lot, so I couldn’t look at the beautiful views at all.
(D) I had a terrible journey today. The crew made me go outside in the cold wind, which made my stomach feel even worse.
Answer Key & Explanations
1 C – In paragraph 1, the writer states, “I felt confident that it would be a smooth and relaxing trip,” which means she was sure it would be easy and comfortable.
2 B – In paragraph 2, the writer explains that the boat rocked violently and her stomach started turning, making her feel dizzy and sick, which is why she rushed to the bathroom.
3 A – In paragraph 3, Marco tells the writer that “hiding in a tiny, closed space was actually the worst thing I could possibly do,” matching the idea that staying in a small room was bad.
4 C – In paragraph 4, Marco tells her to “focus entirely on the straight, unmoving line of the horizon,” which is a paraphrase of looking straight ahead at the line where the sky meets the sea.
5 B – This option successfully captures the global narrative and emotional arc of the text: moving from feeling extremely ill in the bathroom to learning a helpful trick and recovering out on the fresh-air deck.
Reading 3
For each question, choose the correct answer.
Lost and Found in Rome
When I travelled to Rome for a weekend trip, I felt completely confident about exploring the ancient city by myself. Before leaving home, I had downloaded various travel apps and saved dozens of maps on my smartphone. I had planned my route perfectly, marking all the famous historical sites and popular restaurants. I honestly believed that as long as I had my phone in my hand, I wouldn’t need to ask anyone for help. I was just going to follow the little blue dot on my screen everywhere.
However, my perfect plan disappeared completely on the second afternoon. I was walking down a quiet, narrow street, quite far from the main tourist areas, when my phone screen suddenly went completely black. The battery was dead. At first, I felt a wave of absolute panic. I hadn’t brought a paper map, I didn’t have a portable charger, and I hadn’t even written down the name of my hotel. I was alone in an unfamiliar city, and for a few minutes, I felt terrified.
After standing on the corner for ten minutes, I realised I had to do something brave. I walked into a small, traditional bakery. Because I didn’t speak a word of Italian, I had to use basic hand gestures and simply repeat the name of a famous monument located near my hotel. Fortunately, the elderly woman working behind the counter was incredibly kind. She laughed softly, took a pencil, and drew a simple map on a paper bag. She pointed down the street and smiled warmly at me.
As I followed her hand-drawn map, my experience of the city completely changed. Because I wasn’t staring down at a screen, I actually looked around. I noticed the beautiful architecture, listened to local musicians playing in a square, and even smelled fresh coffee from nearby cafés. I eventually found my way back to the hotel without any problems.
Looking back, my phone dying was actually the best part of the holiday. It taught me that while modern technology is extremely useful, it often stops us from paying attention to our surroundings. Connecting with local people and experiencing the city with my own eyes made the trip truly unforgettable.
1 How did the writer feel about his trip before his phone died?
(A) He was worried that he wouldn’t be able to find popular restaurants.
(B) He was confident because his digital device had all the information he needed.
(C) He was looking forward to practising his Italian with local people.
(D) He was anxious about exploring a large, ancient city completely alone.
2 When the writer’s phone battery died, he
(A) felt annoyed because his portable charger was broken.
(B) became angry that he had walked so far away from his hotel.
(C) felt extremely frightened because he had no other way to navigate.
(D) decided to buy a paper map from a nearby tourist shop.
3 How did the writer communicate with the woman in the bakery?
(A) He used a translation application on his smartphone.
(B) He spoke basic Italian sentences he had learned before the trip.
(C) He used physical movements and said a familiar name.
(D) He showed her a photograph of the monument near his hotel.
4 What happened as the writer walked back to his hotel?
(A) He got completely lost again and had to ask more people for help.
(B) He paid much more attention to the sights and sounds of the city.
(C) He stopped at a nearby café to drink some fresh Italian coffee.
(D) He walked much faster because he wanted to charge his phone quickly.
5 What would the writer write in his travel blog about the experience?
(A) Rome is a beautiful city, but it’s very dangerous if you don’t have a working smartphone to guide you safely through the narrow streets.
(B) I lost my smartphone in a traditional bakery, but luckily a kind old lady helped me find it by drawing a map on a paper bag.
(C) I thought it was a disaster when my battery died, but it actually forced me to interact with locals and enjoy the real city.
(D) If you travel abroad, always bring a paper map with you because local people in small shops are usually too busy to help tourists.
Answer Key & Explanations
1 B – The text states in the first paragraph that he felt “completely confident” because he had “downloaded various travel apps and saved dozens of maps” on his smartphone, believing he “wouldn’t need to ask anyone for help.”
2 C – In paragraph 2, the writer explains that when the battery died, he “felt a wave of absolute panic,” adding that he had no paper map or charger, and felt “terrified.”
3 C – In paragraph 3, the writer states, “Because I didn’t speak a word of Italian, I had to use basic hand gestures and simply repeat the name of a famous monument.”
4 B – In paragraph 4, the writer explains that “Because I wasn’t staring down at a screen, I actually looked around,” noticing the architecture, musicians, and the smell of coffee.
5 C – This option perfectly captures the global meaning and emotional arc of the text: moving from terror over a dead battery to the realization that losing digital navigation led to a richer, more connected travel experience.