Practice English Reading Exercises for B1 – Mishaps & Resilience 8
Reading 1
For each question, choose the correct answer.
Taking Charge of the Tour
Last spring holiday, my parents booked a three-day guided tour around several historical cities in Greece. Because I am fascinated by ancient history, I was incredibly excited. I imagined having an energetic tour guide who would tell thrilling stories about battles and ancient kings, making the past come alive. However, when we met our guide, Thomas, at the bus station, my excitement quickly faded. He didn’t smile, barely said hello, and looked like he would rather be anywhere else.
On the first morning, things only got worse. As we walked around a beautiful ruined castle, Thomas spoke in a quiet, boring voice. He only gave us a few basic facts and immediately walked away to wait in the shade. When a woman in our group asked him a question about the castle walls, he sighed loudly and gave a very short, unhelpful answer. Everyone felt completely disappointed. We had paid good money for this trip, and it seemed like a complete waste of time.
During our lunch break, something unexpected happened. Our tour group of fifteen strangers sat together at a long restaurant table. Someone made a joke about Thomas’s grumpy attitude, and suddenly, we were all laughing and sharing our frustration. Complaining about our terrible guide actually helped us bond and become friends. We all agreed that we couldn’t let his bad mood ruin our precious holiday. Since Thomas wasn’t going to teach us anything, we decided we would just have to teach ourselves.
For the rest of the trip, we completely changed our approach. Whenever we arrived at a new historical site, everyone took out their smartphones. We spent a few minutes researching the monument online, and then we took turns reading the most interesting facts out loud to the group. Thomas just stood in the background looking bored, but we no longer cared. We were having a fantastic time learning together, and the history was just as fascinating as I had originally hoped.
By the time the tour finished, I realised I had enjoyed myself immensely. Although the guide was the worst I had ever experienced, the holiday was unforgettable. It taught me that you don’t always need an expert to show you the world. If you take control of your own learning, you can create your own amazing adventure.
1 Why was the writer disappointed when he first met the guide?
(A) The guide was late arriving at the bus station.
(B) He realised the guide was not enthusiastic about the trip.
(C) The guide told stories that were far too violent.
(D) He preferred travelling alone without his parents.
2 How did the guide behave during the tour of the ruined castle?
(A) He spent too much time talking about basic facts.
(B) He became angry when the group walked into the shade.
(C) He showed annoyance when someone wanted more information.
(D) He asked the group questions that they couldn’t answer.
3 What happened during the lunch break?
(A) The group demanded that Thomas leave the restaurant.
(B) The passengers decided to ask the company for their money back.
(C) The guide finally apologised for his miserable behaviour.
(D) The group connected with each other by joking about their shared problem.
4 What did the tour group do for the rest of the holiday?
(A) They used the internet to find out about the places they visited.
(B) They ignored the historical sites and played games on their phones.
(C) They tried to make Thomas read facts from their digital screens.
(D) They refused to visit any more ancient monuments with the guide.
5 What would the writer write in his diary at the end of the trip?
(A) Our tour guide was terrible, so the entire trip was a complete disaster. I wish we had never booked it.
(B) Thomas was a fantastic guide! He taught us so much about ancient Greece by making us use our smartphones.
(C) Even though our guide was unhelpful, the group worked together to find information, making it a great holiday!
(D) I made some great friends on the tour, but I am still furious that my parents refused to complain about the guide.
Answer Key & Explanations
1 B – In the first paragraph, the writer states that Thomas “didn’t smile, barely said hello, and looked like he would rather be anywhere else,” showing his lack of enthusiasm.
2 C – In the second paragraph, the writer explains that when a woman asked a question, Thomas “sighed loudly and gave a very short, unhelpful answer,” indicating annoyance.
3 D – Paragraph three notes that the group was “laughing and sharing our frustration,” and that complaining about the guide “actually helped us bond and become friends.”
4 A – In the fourth paragraph, the writer describes how the group “took out their smartphones” and spent time “researching the monument online” instead of listening to the guide.
5 C – This option perfectly captures the global meaning and emotional arc of the text: acknowledging the negative situation with the grumpy guide, but celebrating how the group’s teamwork and independent research saved the trip.
Reading 2
For each question, choose the correct answer.
A Desert Rescue
Last month, my family and I were driving across the desert in Nevada, USA, for our summer holiday. I was enjoying the journey from the back seat, listening to music and feeling relaxed in the cool air conditioning. Suddenly, there was a loud bang, and the car began to shake. My dad safely pulled over to the side of the empty road. We had a flat tire. I wasn’t too worried at first because I assumed my parents would just fix it in a few minutes while I stayed cool inside the car.
However, things didn’t go as smoothly as I had expected. My dad got out to find the spare tire, which was kept underneath the back of the car. He quickly found the tools, but the tire was completely jammed and wouldn’t move. My mom got out to help him pull it, but they had no success. The midday desert sun was beating down on them, and the temperature was incredibly high. Looking through the window, I could see they were both becoming extremely frustrated and exhausted by the heat.
Sitting comfortably inside, I started to feel a bit guilty. I realised that just because they were adults, it didn’t mean they always knew exactly what to do. I opened the small compartment in front of my seat and took out the car’s instruction manual. I spent about ten minutes reading the section about changing tires. To my surprise, I discovered that there was actually a hidden switch inside the trunk that you had to press to release the spare tire. My parents hadn’t noticed it at all.
I immediately stepped out into the boiling heat and showed the manual to my dad. He followed the instructions, pressed the switch, and the spare tire finally dropped down. After that, we all worked together to take off the broken wheel and put the new one on. By the time we finished, my hands were dirty and my clothes were covered in sweat, but I felt incredibly proud. I learned that teenagers can be useful in difficult situations too, and I will definitely offer to help sooner next time!
1 How did the writer feel when the car first broke down?
(A) Confident that they could repair the vehicle themselves.
(B) Unconcerned because they thought the problem would be solved quickly.
(C) Frightened by the loud noise the car made on the road.
(D) Annoyed that their music listening was interrupted.
2 Why did the writer’s parents become stressed outside the car?
(A) They couldn’t find the tools needed to change the tire.
(B) The writer refused to get out of the car to help them.
(C) They were unable to remove the replacement tire from the car.
(D) They didn’t know how to contact a mechanic in the desert.
3 What did the writer learn from reading the manual?
(A) That the adults were looking in the wrong compartment.
(B) That a special button needed to be used to free the tire.
(C) That changing a tire requires special tools they didn’t have.
(D) That it is impossible to change a tire without professional help.
4 How did the writer feel at the end of the experience?
(A) Upset that their clothes were ruined by the dirt.
(B) Relieved that they didn’t have to wait in the heat for long.
(C) Surprised that their parents couldn’t change the wheel themselves.
(D) Pleased that they had played a valuable part in fixing the issue.
5 What would the writer text to a friend about the trip?
(A) Our car broke down in the desert! My dad fixed it easily, but it was so hot that we had to wait inside the car the whole time.
(B) Getting a flat tire was a nightmare. I tried to help my parents fix it, but the manual was too confusing, so we were stuck for hours.
(C) We had a flat tire today. My parents couldn’t get the spare tire out, but I found the answer in the car manual and helped fix it!
(D) My parents made me change a tire in the boiling heat today. They sat inside the car while I got completely covered in dirt and sweat!
Answer Key & Explanations
1 B – In paragraph 1, the writer says, “I wasn’t too worried at first because I assumed my parents would just fix it in a few minutes,” matching the idea of being unconcerned because it would be solved quickly.
2 C – In paragraph 2, the text explains that the parents were becoming frustrated and exhausted because “the tire was completely jammed and wouldn’t move” and they had “no success” pulling it out.
3 B – In paragraph 3, the writer reads the manual and discovers “that there was actually a hidden switch inside the trunk that you had to press to release the spare tire.”
4 D – In paragraph 4, the writer mentions being dirty and sweaty, “but I felt incredibly proud” and learned they “can be useful in difficult situations too,” showing they were pleased with their valuable contribution.
5 C – This option accurately captures the global meaning and the narrative arc of the text: a breakdown occurred, the parents were stuck with a jammed tire, and the teenager successfully used the manual to step up and resolve the problem.
Reading 3
For each question, choose the correct answer.
A Priceless Mistake
When I went on a city break with my friends last spring, I thought I had brought plenty of spending money. I had imagined spending the whole week eating at fancy restaurants, buying expensive souvenirs, and paying for guided tours. I was so excited that I completely stopped paying attention to my budget. However, by the time we reached the last two days of our trip, I opened my wallet to buy a drink and realised I had almost nothing left.
Panic immediately set in. While my friends were booking tickets for a famous museum and reserving a table at a nice café, I had to completely change my plans. I went to a local supermarket and bought a few packets of cheap instant noodles for my remaining meals. As I sat on my bed eating my plain noodles, I felt incredibly embarrassed and miserable. I was absolutely convinced that my careless spending had ruined the end of my holiday.
The next morning, since I couldn’t afford any expensive tourist attractions, I decided to go for a long walk by myself. I wandered away from the busy centre and ended up discovering a massive public botanical garden. I spent hours walking through the beautiful flowers, watching talented street performers, and sitting by a quiet fountain. Later, I explored some historic, narrow streets and took amazing photographs of the old architecture. I didn’t spend a single penny, but my day was packed with interesting sights.
When I met up with my friends that evening, they complained about how crowded the museum had been and how overpriced their lunch was. Meanwhile, I felt completely relaxed and happy. Running out of money was initially a very stressful mistake, but it taught me a highly valuable lesson. I realised that you don’t need a heavy wallet to have a fantastic time, and often, the most memorable and authentic parts of a city are completely free.
1 What did the writer expect to do during the trip?
(A) Save some of her money for a future holiday.
(B) Enjoy expensive meals and buy costly items.
(C) Spend a lot of time walking alone in the city.
(D) Borrow money from her friends for guided tours.
2 How did the writer feel when she realised her money was gone?
(A) Annoyed because her friends had spent it all.
(B) Relieved that she wouldn’t have to go to the museum.
(C) Upset and certain that the rest of the trip was spoiled.
(D) Surprised by how expensive the local supermarket was.
3 What did the writer do on her first day without money?
(A) She asked some street performers for directions.
(B) She stayed in her hotel room eating noodles all day.
(C) She joined her friends at a café for a cheap drink.
(D) She enjoyed exploring the city and nature on foot.
4 What did the writer learn from her experience?
(A) It is important to book museum tickets in advance.
(B) Travelling independently is better than going with friends.
(C) The best experiences in a destination don’t have to cost anything.
(D) Instant noodles are actually tastier than restaurant meals.
5 What would the writer text her parents about the end of the trip?
(A) I was so stressed when I ran out of cash, but exploring the free gardens and streets actually turned out to be the best part of the holiday!
(B) The museums here are far too expensive and crowded. I really wish you had given me more spending money before I left.
(C) I had a great time buying souvenirs, but I had to borrow a lot of money from my friends to buy food for the last two days.
(D) I completely ruined my trip by spending all my money early. I’ve been stuck in my room feeling miserable ever since.
Answer Key & Explanations
1 B – In the first paragraph, the writer states, “I had imagined spending the whole week eating at fancy restaurants, buying expensive souvenirs…”
2 C – The second paragraph explains that she felt “incredibly embarrassed and miserable” and was “absolutely convinced that my careless spending had ruined the end of my holiday.”
3 D – In the third paragraph, the writer describes going for a long walk by herself, discovering a botanical garden, and exploring historic streets, showing she enjoyed exploring on foot.
4 C – The final paragraph reflects on the lesson learned: “I realised that you don’t need a heavy wallet to have a fantastic time, and often, the most memorable and authentic parts of a city are completely free.”
5 A – This option captures the global meaning and emotional arc of the text: moving from the stress of running out of money and feeling miserable, to discovering the unexpected joy of free activities like exploring gardens and streets.