Practice English Reading Exercises for B1 – Mishaps & Resilience 7
Reading 1
For each question, choose the correct answer.
Driving on the Other Side
When my family planned a trip to Australia last summer, I was extremely excited. We wanted to explore the coast, so my parents decided to rent a car. Back home, my dad is an excellent driver who easily drives long distances without getting tired. Because of this, he was completely confident about driving abroad. However, when we picked up the rental car at the airport, he suddenly realised the huge challenge ahead: in Australia, you have to drive on the left side of the road!
The problems started before we even left the car park. Dad accidentally walked to the right side of the car, only to find there was no steering wheel! Once we were finally on the road, the tension in the car was high. Dad was incredibly stressed and drove much slower than usual. Every time he wanted to turn, he turned on the windscreen wipers instead of the lights. My mum was so nervous she just closed her eyes, and nobody said a word.
I quickly realised that if we wanted to survive this holiday, Dad needed some serious help. Since Mum was too frightened to look at the road, I decided to take charge. I grabbed the GPS and my phone map and became the official navigator. I didn’t just tell him where to go; I constantly reminded him to stay on the left. Whenever we approached a corner, I would call out clear instructions to make sure he didn’t turn into the wrong lane.
After a couple of days, things completely changed. Dad finally got used to the new driving rules and stopped using the wipers to turn. We even managed to drive through a massive roundabout without anyone panicking! The stressful silence in the car was replaced by laughter and music. Dad could finally relax and actually enjoy the beautiful ocean views while driving.
Looking back, I am really glad we had that experience. The beginning of our road trip was definitely a nightmare, but it taught me a lot. I discovered that I am actually quite good at staying calm in stressful situations. More importantly, it proved that when my dad and I work together, we make a brilliant team.
1 What did the writer’s dad think about driving before they arrived?
(A) He was worried about driving on the left side of the road.
(B) He was sure that he would have no problems driving.
(C) He wanted to rent a different type of car for the trip.
(D) He thought driving long distances would be too tiring.
2 How did the writer’s mum react to the journey from the airport?
(A) She gave the dad instructions on how to drive carefully.
(B) She complained about the dad driving too slowly.
(C) She shut her eyes because she was very scared.
(D) She got annoyed when the wipers were turned on.
3 Why did the writer decide to help with the driving?
(A) His dad asked him to hold the GPS for him.
(B) He knew his mum was unable to do it.
(C) He wanted to learn how to drive in Australia.
(D) He enjoyed telling his parents what to do.
4 What happened after a few days?
(A) The family decided to take the bus instead of driving.
(B) The dad let the writer drive the car on a roundabout.
(C) The dad drove closer to the ocean to see the views.
(D) The family began to have a good time on their journeys.
5 What would the writer write in his diary about the trip?
(A) Renting a car was a terrible mistake. Next time we travel, I’ll tell my parents to use public transport from the start.
(B) I was terrified when Dad drove on the wrong side of the road, but thankfully Mum was there to guide us safely to our hotel.
(C) It was a stressful start, but helping Dad navigate the Australian roads showed me how well we work together.
(D) Although I was a great navigator, Dad never got used to the rules and was stressed for the whole holiday.
Answer Key & Explanations
1 B – In the first paragraph, the writer states that his dad “was completely confident about driving abroad,” which means he was sure he would have no problems.
2 C – The second paragraph explains that “My mum was so nervous she just closed her eyes,” matching the option that she shut her eyes because she was scared.
3 B – The third paragraph says, “Since Mum was too frightened to look at the road, I decided to take charge,” showing he stepped up because she couldn’t.
4 D – The fourth paragraph describes how the “stressful silence in the car was replaced by laughter and music,” showing that they began to have fun on the road.
5 C – This option captures the global meaning and emotional arc of the text: acknowledging the stressful beginning, the teen’s active role as a navigator, and the final reflection that they make a great team.
Reading 2
For each question, choose the correct answer.
A Lesson in Local Customs
When my family planned a trip to Thailand last summer, I was incredibly excited about everything, especially the weather. Leaving behind the freezing rain of my hometown, I was looking forward to two weeks of bright sunshine. On our third day, we scheduled a visit to a famous ancient temple in the middle of Bangkok. Because the temperature was well over thirty degrees, I put on my favourite summer clothes: a pair of short denim shorts and a light tank top. I thought I had dressed perfectly for a long, hot morning of sightseeing.
However, my confidence disappeared as soon as we reached the huge wooden doors of the monument. There was a long queue of tourists waiting to go inside. When it was finally our turn, a security guard stepped in front of me and shook his head. He politely explained that my shoulders and knees needed to be covered to show respect in a religious place. While my parents and brother walked right through because they were wearing long trousers and shirts, I was told to wait outside. I felt my face turn bright red with embarrassment.
My dad quickly came back and told me we needed to find a solution. We walked over to a busy row of small shops opposite the temple entrance. The sellers knew exactly what tourists like me needed. I was forced to buy a huge, bright pink scarf covered in pictures of cartoon elephants. I wrapped it awkwardly around my waist like a long skirt and bought a second matching scarf to hide my shoulders. The items were quite expensive, and I looked absolutely ridiculous.
Despite my ugly new outfit, the guards smiled and finally allowed me inside. For the first twenty minutes, I felt incredibly self-conscious, constantly pulling at the cheap material. But as I started looking at the stunning gold statues and the peaceful gardens, I forgot about what I was wearing. The experience actually taught me a very valuable lesson. Now, I always make sure to research the cultural rules and local traditions before I pack my bags for a foreign country. Looking good is much less important than showing respect.
1 Why did the writer choose her outfit that morning?
(A) She wanted to copy the local fashion in Bangkok.
(B) She dressed for the very high temperatures.
(C) She knew they would be doing a lot of walking.
(D) She forgot to pack her warmer winter clothes.
2 What happened at the entrance to the temple?
(A) The security guard asked her family to wait outside with her.
(B) She was refused entry because of what she was wearing.
(C) She realised she had lost her ticket in the long queue.
(D) The guard was angry about her disrespectful behaviour.
3 How did the writer solve her problem?
(A) She borrowed some spare clothes from a shop owner.
(B) She went back to the hotel to put on her trousers.
(C) She had to purchase some unattractive items to cover herself.
(D) She asked her dad to lend her his long shirt.
4 How did the writer feel by the end of the visit?
(A) Annoyed that she had spent so much money on the scarves.
(B) Disappointed because she couldn’t take good photos of herself.
(C) Embarrassed because other tourists were laughing at her.
(D) Glad because she understood the importance of following local rules.
5 What would the writer text her best friend that evening?
(A) I visited an amazing temple today, but the guards were so rude to me just because I was wearing summer clothes! I’m never going back there.
(B) I had to buy the most beautiful elephant scarves today to visit a monument. I can’t wait to wear them when I get back home!
(C) You wouldn’t believe what happened today! I wore the wrong clothes to a temple and had to buy awful scarves, but I learned to always check local customs first.
(D) My family left me outside a temple today because I was wearing shorts. I was so angry that I spent the whole morning shopping instead!
Answer Key & Explanations
1 B – In paragraph 1, the writer states that “Because the temperature was well over thirty degrees, I put on my favourite summer clothes,” showing she dressed for the heat.
2 B – In paragraph 2, the writer explains that a guard stopped her and “politely explained that my shoulders and knees needed to be covered,” which is why she was told to wait outside.
3 C – In paragraph 3, the writer describes buying bright pink scarves with cartoon elephants and states she “looked absolutely ridiculous,” matching the idea of purchasing unattractive items.
4 D – In paragraph 4, the writer reflects that the experience taught her a “valuable lesson” and that she now always researches “cultural rules and local traditions” to show respect.
5 C – This option successfully captures the global narrative and emotional arc of the text: making an embarrassing wardrobe mistake, buying the ugly tourist scarves, and ultimately learning a valuable lesson about respecting foreign cultures.
Reading 3
For each question, choose the correct answer.
The Lost Passport
Last summer, my friends and I decided to go on a train journey across Europe. We started our trip at a massive railway station in Paris. I was in charge of holding all the important documents, including my passport, in my small backpack. I was incredibly excited about the adventure ahead, and I felt completely grown-up and responsible as we walked through the busy crowds towards our platform.
While we were waiting for the train to be announced, I stopped to buy some bottles of water from a small shop. I opened my bag to get my wallet out. About ten minutes later, a ticket inspector asked to check our travel details. I confidently put my hand into my bag, but my fingers touched nothing but empty space. I checked every pocket twice, but my passport was definitely gone. A terrible feeling of panic hit me, and my heart started beating incredibly fast.
We immediately started a frantic search. We ran back to the shop, looking carefully at the floor, but there were hundreds of people walking past and it was impossible to see anything. I asked the shop assistant if she had seen a dark blue book, but she just shook her head. I felt completely hopeless. I was absolutely certain that someone had stolen it, and I imagined having to cancel my holiday and travel all the way back home in tears.
With shaking hands, I walked to the station’s police office to report it missing. I sat in the waiting room, trying not to cry, when a smiling police officer suddenly walked out of a back room holding my passport. He explained that a kind stranger had found it on the floor near the shop and handed it in immediately. I couldn’t believe my luck. I thanked the officer again and again.
Running back to my friends, I felt an enormous sense of relief. Losing such an important document was a terrifying experience, but it actually taught me a wonderful lesson. I had assumed the worst about people, but that honest stranger proved me completely wrong. The incident completely restored my faith in humanity, and it made the rest of my European adventure feel even more special.
1 How did the writer feel at the beginning of the trip?
(A) Anxious about being in charge of the documents.
(B) Excited and proud to be trusted with responsibility.
(C) Annoyed that the Paris station was so crowded.
(D) Confused about which platform they needed to go to.
2 What happened when the ticket inspector arrived?
(A) The writer realised her bag had been left open.
(B) The writer couldn’t find her wallet to pay for water.
(C) The writer discovered that a crucial item was missing.
(D) The writer accidentally dropped her passport on the floor.
3 During the search, the writer thought that
(A) the shop assistant was hiding the passport.
(B) the busy crowds would help her find it.
(C) her friends were going to continue the holiday without her.
(D) her trip was ruined because the item was taken on purpose.
4 At the police station, the writer learned that
(A) an honest member of the public had returned her passport.
(B) the police had arrested the person who stole her bag.
(C) the shop assistant had found the passport near the water.
(D) she had left her passport in the back room by mistake.
5 What would the writer say about the experience?
(A) Losing my passport ruined the trip, and I learned never to carry important documents in a small backpack again.
(B) The Paris train station is full of thieves, so you must always check your pockets twice when buying things.
(C) Although it was a terrifying mistake, the kindness of a stranger made me feel positive about people again.
(D) I was lucky the police officer found my passport on the floor, otherwise I would have gone home crying.
Answer Key & Explanations
1 B – In the first paragraph, the writer states she was “incredibly excited” and “felt completely grown-up and responsible” because she was in charge of the important documents.
2 C – In paragraph 2, when the ticket inspector asked to check details, the writer reached into her bag and realised “my passport was definitely gone.”
3 D – In paragraph 3, the writer states she felt completely hopeless and was “absolutely certain that someone had stolen it,” imagining she would have to “cancel my holiday.”
4 A – In paragraph 4, the police officer explains that “a kind stranger had found it on the floor near the shop and handed it in immediately.”
5 C – This option perfectly captures the global meaning and emotional arc of the text: moving from absolute terror and assuming the worst (that it was stolen), to feeling enormous relief and having her faith in humanity restored by an honest stranger.