Practice English Reading Exercises for B1 – Career Changes & Unique Professions
Reading 1
For each question, choose the correct answer.
The Taste of Success
My name is Toby, and last year I got my first job as a junior flavour chemist for a large snack company. When I was younger, I loved cooking and mixing different spices in the kitchen, so I thought working in a food laboratory would be a dream come true. I was incredibly excited when my manager gave me my first major project: to invent a completely new potato chip flavour. I imagined creating something delicious on my very first day.
However, I quickly discovered that inventing flavours is a very difficult and scientific process. For the first few weeks, my job was to mix tiny amounts of different chemicals to recreate natural tastes. My manager wanted a flavour that was both spicy and sweet, but finding the right balance seemed impossible. At first, my mixtures tasted absolutely terrible. Some chips were so spicy that they made my eyes water, while others were much too sweet and tasted like strange biscuits. I started to feel exhausted and wondered if I would ever get it right.
Despite feeling frustrated, I refused to give up. I decided to change my approach and began keeping a very careful record of every single ingredient I used. One Tuesday afternoon, after testing over fifty different combinations, I tried a new mixture. I had added just a tiny bit more chilli powder to a sweet honey base. I took a bite of the test chip and smiled immediately. The taste started off warm and sweet, and then finished with a perfect spicy kick. It was exactly what I wanted to achieve.
The next day, I presented my new flavour to the company directors. They tasted the chips and agreed that the balance was completely perfect. When they told me my flavour was approved for production, I felt an indescribable sense of victory. Seeing the chips in supermarket windows a few months later was the best feeling in the world. I learned that creating something amazing takes a lot of time and patience, but the delicious result makes all the hard work completely worth it.
1 Why was Toby excited about his new job?
(A) He thought it would be just like his childhood hobby.
(B) He wanted to learn how to cook in a professional kitchen.
(C) He had already invented a famous snack flavour before.
(D) He was promised his chips would be sold in supermarkets immediately.
2 What does Toby say about his first few weeks in the laboratory?
(A) He found the work much more difficult than he expected.
(B) He enjoyed eating the sweet biscuits he had made.
(C) He was angry because his manager gave him the wrong ingredients.
(D) He had to stop working because the chemicals hurt his eyes.
3 What helped Toby finally succeed in creating the flavour?
(A) He asked his manager to help him choose the ingredients.
(B) He decided to use completely different chemicals.
(C) He started writing down exact details of everything he mixed.
(D) He removed all the chilli powder from the honey base.
4 How did Toby feel when his flavour was approved?
(A) Surprised that the directors liked the chips so much.
(B) Disappointed that it took months to reach the supermarkets.
(C) Worried about how much patience his next project would need.
(D) Extremely proud that his hard work had resulted in success.
5 What would Toby write in a blog post about his job?
(A) Working in a lab is easy. You just mix some sweet and spicy chemicals together, and the company directors will love it!
(B) I was ready to quit when my mixtures tasted terrible, but finding the perfect flavour balance made all the frustration worthwhile.
(C) My manager gave me a very boring first project, but I managed to make it interesting by adding extra chilli powder.
(D) It took me a long time to create a new chip flavour, so I have decided to look for a job cooking in a restaurant instead.
Answer Key & Explanations
1 A – In paragraph 1, Toby explains that when he was younger he loved cooking and mixing spices, “so I thought working in a food laboratory would be a dream come true.” This links his excitement to his childhood hobby.
2 A – In paragraph 2, Toby says he “quickly discovered that inventing flavours is a very difficult and scientific process” and describes how his mixtures tasted terrible and made him exhausted, showing the work was harder than anticipated.
3 C – In paragraph 3, Toby explains that he changed his approach and “began keeping a very careful record of every single ingredient I used,” which directly led to him finding the perfect mixture.
4 D – In paragraph 4, Toby says he felt “an indescribable sense of victory” when his flavour was approved and notes that the result “makes all the hard work completely worth it,” demonstrating intense pride.
5 B – This option best captures the global meaning and emotional arc of the text. It acknowledges the difficult, frustrating weeks of terrible-tasting chemicals, followed by t
Reading 2
For each question, choose the correct answer.
Discovering the Art of Glassblowing
I’ve always been fascinated by watching artists at work, but I never considered myself to be a particularly creative person. That changed when I visited a local craft market and saw a live demonstration of glassblowing. Watching the artist turn a glowing ball of hot glass into a beautiful bowl was like magic to me. I immediately decided to sign up for a beginner’s weekend course at a studio to see if I could create something amazing too.
When I arrived at the studio for my first lesson, the very first thing I noticed was the extreme temperature. The glass is heated in a huge oven called a furnace, which stays at over 1,000 degrees Celsius. Standing so close to it made me sweat instantly, and by the end of the first hour, I felt completely exhausted. My early attempts at making a vase were quite embarrassing. Instead of looking elegant, my glass shapes were heavy, uneven, and completely flat on one side.
However, my teacher patiently explained that glassblowing isn’t about using physical strength; it’s about control and timing. You have to blow air into a long metal pipe while constantly turning it. If you stop rolling the pipe for even a single second, the hot glass will lose its shape and fall towards the floor. I slowly realised that making a vase requires perfect harmony between your breath and your hand movements. It almost felt like learning the steps to a complex new dance.
During my final class, I was determined to make something I could be proud of. I carefully gathered the melted glass, rolled it smoothly, and added some bright blue and green colours. I blew gently into the pipe, keeping my hand movements perfectly steady. To my absolute amazement, the glass expanded into a beautifully symmetrical vase. The colours blended together perfectly, catching the light exactly how I had hoped.
Holding that finished vase when it finally cooled down was an incredible feeling. The intense heat of the studio and my early failures were completely forgotten. I had learned a completely new art form, one that demands focus, patience, and a lot of energy. I’ve already booked my next course, and I can’t wait to see what I manage to design next time.
1 Why did the writer sign up for a glassblowing course?
(A) He wanted to sell his own work at a local craft market.
(B) He had always considered himself a highly creative person.
(C) He was inspired after watching a professional do it.
(D) He needed to find an exciting new hobby for the weekend.
2 How did the writer feel during his first lesson?
(A) disappointed that the furnace was incredibly dangerous.
(B) tired because of the extreme heat in the room.
(C) embarrassed that he broke his first glass shapes.
(D) surprised that the oven wasn’t as hot as he expected.
3 What did the writer learn about the technique of glassblowing?
(A) You need to blow as hard as you can into the metal pipe.
(B) You must keep the pipe moving round at all times.
(C) Physical strength is the most important skill to have.
(D) It is much easier to learn than a complex dance.
4 How did the writer feel about his final vase?
(A) He was surprised by how perfectly shaped it turned out.
(B) He was disappointed with the way the blue and green colours looked.
(C) He wished it hadn’t taken such a long time to cool down.
(D) He felt it was too heavy compared to his earlier attempts.
5 What would the writer write in his diary after finishing the course?
(A) The studio was too hot and my first attempts were terrible. I don’t think this is the right hobby for me, but at least I tried it.
(B) Making a glass vase was much easier than the teacher explained. Next week, I plan to start selling my green and blue bowls at the market.
(C) I loved adding the colours to the glass today, but I still can’t get the breathing right. I’m going to take a long break before trying again.
(D) I created a wonderful vase today! Even though the process was exhausting and required intense focus, I am so excited to learn more about this art.
Answer Key & Explanations
1 C – The first paragraph states that the writer signed up after he “saw a live demonstration of glassblowing” and watching the artist “was like magic”.
2 B – In the second paragraph, the writer mentions that the extreme temperature “made me sweat instantly” and that he felt “completely exhausted.”
3 B – The third paragraph explains that “You have to blow air into a long metal pipe while constantly turning it” and if you stop rolling it, the glass loses its shape.
4 A – The fourth paragraph details that the writer achieved his goal “To my absolute amazement,” as the glass became a “beautifully symmetrical vase.”
5 D – This option correctly captures the global meaning and emotional arc of the text: acknowledging the exhaustion and difficulty, celebrating the successful final piece, and expressing enthusiasm for continuing the hobby.
Reading 3
For each question, choose the correct answer.
Trading My Desk for a Bicycle
For three years, I worked in a typical office, staring at a computer screen from nine to five. Although my colleagues were friendly and the salary was reasonable, I felt incredibly bored. I have always loved being active, and sitting at a desk all day made me feel lazy and tired. I knew I needed a major change. So, when a friend mentioned a job opening for a bicycle courier, I immediately applied, hoping to spend my days in the fresh air instead of a grey office.
At first, I was thrilled with my new career, but the reality of the winter months soon hit me. Riding a bike in December is completely different from cycling on a sunny summer afternoon. There were days when it rained non-stop, and the freezing wind made it difficult to feel my hands. Carrying heavy packages on my back while navigating through busy city traffic in the pouring rain was absolutely miserable. Sometimes, completely soaked and freezing, I wondered why I had ever left my warm, comfortable office.
However, despite the terrible weather conditions, I soon started to notice the incredible benefits of my new job. Firstly, my physical fitness improved dramatically. I had never felt so strong or energetic before. Furthermore, the sense of freedom was amazing. Instead of having a manager constantly checking my work, I was responsible for my own schedule. As long as I delivered the packages on time, I could choose my own routes and manage my day. It felt fantastic to explore different neighbourhoods and truly get to know my city.
Now, after a full year as a courier, I can honestly say I have no regrets. Of course, waking up to dark clouds and heavy rain isn’t exactly fun, but the feeling of independence makes those difficult mornings completely bearable. When the weather is awful, I just put on my best waterproof jacket and remind myself of how healthy and happy I am. I might not do this job forever, but for now, trading my desk for a bicycle was definitely the right decision.
1 Why did the writer apply for the job as a bicycle courier?
(A) He wanted to start a delivery business with a close friend.
(B) He wanted a job that allowed him to be physically active outdoors.
(C) He needed to earn a better salary than his office job paid.
(D) He disliked the colleagues he was working with at his office.
2 What did the writer find most difficult about his new job during winter?
(A) Dealing with the cold rain while carrying large items in traffic.
(B) Apologising to customers for delivering wet and damaged packages.
(C) Trying to repair his bicycle when it broke down in the freezing wind.
(D) Getting lost in the city because the heavy rain made it hard to see.
3 What does the writer enjoy most about being a courier?
(A) Having plenty of free time to exercise at the local gym.
(B) Being able to choose which specific packages he wants to deliver.
(C) Earning extra money by delivering packages faster than others.
(D) Being in control of his own day without a boss watching him.
4 How does the writer feel about his career change now?
(A) He regrets not making the decision to switch jobs much earlier.
(B) He hopes to return to a warm indoor job before next winter begins.
(C) He believes the advantages of the work make up for the bad weather.
(D) He is annoyed that he has to spend his money on waterproof clothing.
5 What would the writer write in a blog post about his life?
(A) Quitting my office job to cycle in the rain sounds crazy, but the freedom and fitness I’ve gained make it completely worth it.
(B) Being a bike courier is a fantastic way to make a huge amount of money, as long as you don’t mind cycling in winter.
(C) I love the independence of riding my bike, but the winter weather is so terrible that I am actively looking for an office job again.
(D) If you want to get fit, I highly recommend finding an active job, especially one where you get to work with friendly colleagues all day.
Answer Key & Explanations
1 B – Paragraph 1 states that sitting at a desk made him feel “lazy and tired,” he “loved being active,” and he applied hoping to “spend my days in the fresh air,” matching the desire to be physically active outdoors.
2 A – In paragraph 2, the writer explains that “carrying heavy packages on my back while navigating through busy city traffic in the pouring rain was absolutely miserable.”
3 D – Paragraph 3 details how “instead of having a manager constantly checking my work, I was responsible for my own schedule,” which means being in control of his own day without a boss watching.
4 C – Paragraph 4 shows that while waking up to heavy rain isn’t fun, “the feeling of independence makes those difficult mornings completely bearable,” meaning the positives make up for the bad weather.
5 A – This option accurately captures the global narrative arc: acknowledging the difficulty of cycling in the rain after quitting an office job, but finding ultimate satisfaction in the physical fitness and personal freedom he has gained.