Practice English Reading Exercises for B1 – Environmental Conservation & Climate Action
Reading 1
For each question, choose the correct answer.
Taking Charge of the Power
Our family has always been a bit careless with electricity. We usually leave lights on in empty rooms, and our television is often playing when nobody is watching it. However, everything changed last month when my parents received our winter electricity bill. When my dad opened the envelope, he looked absolutely shocked. The amount was so high that my parents spent the whole evening worrying about how to pay it. Seeing them so stressed made me feel guilty, so I decided to take charge of the situation.
The very next morning, I became the ‘energy boss’ of our house. Before I left for school, I walked through every room, switching off lamps and unplugging all the phone chargers. At first, my new rules caused a lot of arguments. My younger brother was incredibly annoyed when I turned off his video game console while he was getting a snack, and my older sister complained loudly when I told her to take shorter showers. They thought I was being ridiculous and completely ruining their fun.
Despite their complaints, I refused to stop. I explained to my siblings that if we didn’t change our habits, our parents wouldn’t have enough money for our summer holiday. After a few days, they finally stopped arguing and actually started helping. It wasn’t easy to remember at first, but turning off switches quickly became a normal routine for all of us. I even created a chart for the kitchen wall to remind everyone to turn the heating down before going to bed.
After four weeks of strict rules, the new electricity bill finally arrived. When my dad checked the total, a huge smile spread across his face. We had managed to reduce the cost by almost thirty percent! My parents were so impressed by my leadership that they decided to do something amazing. They gave me a small percentage of the money we had saved as a reward for my hard work.
I used the extra pocket money to buy a new video game, but the best feeling was knowing that I had helped my family. I have learned that you don’t need to make huge sacrifices to save money or protect the environment. Small, everyday habits can make a massive difference.
1 Why did the writer decide to save electricity?
(A) He wanted to earn extra pocket money from his parents.
(B) He felt bad because his parents were anxious about a bill.
(C) He realized that leaving lights on was bad for the environment.
(D) He was told to turn off the television by his dad.
2 How did the writer’s siblings react to his new rules at first?
(A) They were angry because he was interrupting their daily activities.
(B) They ignored him and continued to leave all the lights on.
(C) They were happy to help the family save money for a holiday.
(D) They thought his chart in the kitchen was a ridiculous idea.
3 What made the siblings change their behavior?
(A) The writer gave them some of his extra pocket money.
(B) The parents promised to take them on a summer holiday.
(C) The writer forced them to sign a chart on the kitchen wall.
(D) The writer made them understand the financial consequences.
4 What happened when the new electricity bill arrived?
(A) The father was shocked because it was higher than expected.
(B) The parents rewarded the writer with a special summer holiday.
(C) The parents were very pleased and shared the savings with him.
(D) The writer realized he hadn’t saved as much as he hoped.
5 What would the writer write in his diary about the experience?
(A) I’m glad we saved money, but making my brother and sister angry just wasn’t worth the effort.
(B) It is impossible to reduce your electricity bill unless you stop playing video games and watching TV completely.
(C) I’ve learned that changing simple daily routines can lead to great results for the whole family.
(D) My parents were happy with the new bill, but I wish they had given me a reward for all my hard work.
Answer Key & Explanations
1 B – In paragraph 1, the writer states that his parents spent the evening “worrying about how to pay it” and that “Seeing them so stressed made me feel guilty,” which became his motivation to take charge.
2 A – Paragraph 2 explains that his younger brother was “incredibly annoyed” when his game was turned off and his sister “complained loudly” about her showers, feeling he was “completely ruining their fun.”
3 D – In paragraph 3, the writer says he “explained to my siblings that if we didn’t change our habits, our parents wouldn’t have enough money for our summer holiday,” which made them understand the financial consequences and stop arguing.
4 C – Paragraph 4 states that the dad had a “huge smile” and the parents “were so impressed” that they “gave me a small percentage of the money we had saved as a reward.”
5 C – This captures the global meaning and the lesson learned in the final paragraph: “you don’t need to make huge sacrifices… Small, everyday habits can make a massive difference.”
Reading 2
For each question, choose the correct answer.
Finding My Voice
I have always been the kind of student who never breaks the rules. I do my homework on time, listen to my teachers, and definitely never skip school. However, when I heard about the global youth climate march happening in my city centre, something changed inside me. I had been reading a lot of articles about the environment and rising temperatures, and I realised that staying in my geography class wasn’t going to help save the planet. I knew I had to be there, even if it meant getting into trouble.
When I stepped off the bus near the city square, I immediately questioned my decision. I had expected a large group, but the streets were absolutely packed with thousands of teenagers. I am naturally a very quiet person who hates being in crowded places, and the loud noise of the drums and shouting made me feel incredibly nervous. For a brief moment, I looked back at the bus stop, seriously thinking about going straight back to my quiet classroom. I felt far too small to make any difference in such a massive ocean of people.
Suddenly, a friendly girl next to me handed me a handmade sign and smiled. As the enormous crowd started moving forward, someone at the front began shouting a chant about protecting our future, and slowly, everyone joined in. Almost without thinking, I opened my mouth and started chanting too. Hearing my own voice mixed with thousands of other passionate teenagers was an unforgettable experience. My fear completely disappeared. I was no longer just a shy student; I was part of a powerful team fighting for exactly the same goal.
Looking back on that day, I feel completely different about myself and the future. I used to believe that one young person couldn’t do anything to change the world. While it is true that a single voice might be quiet, I now understand the incredible power of coming together. Although my parents were slightly disappointed that I missed my lessons, we had a long conversation and they understood my reasons. I am returning to school tomorrow, but I will definitely never forget the hope I found on those streets.
1 Why did the writer decide to miss school?
(A) She was bored with her geography class.
(B) She wanted to break the rules for the first time.
(C) She felt participating in the march was more important.
(D) She was asked to go by her teachers.
2 How did the writer feel when she first arrived at the square?
(A) Annoyed because the drums were much too loud.
(B) Anxious and unsure if she should stay.
(C) Disappointed that there were so few people.
(D) Excited to see so many other teenagers.
3 What made the writer’s fear disappear?
(A) Holding a sign that she had made herself.
(B) Meeting a friendly girl who knew her from school.
(C) Reaching the front of the enormous crowd.
(D) Adding her voice to the loud crowd around her.
4 How have the writer’s parents reacted to her actions?
(A) They are angry and refuse to listen to her.
(B) They were a bit unhappy but accepted her explanation.
(C) They are proud that she skipped her lessons.
(D) They decided to join the next climate march with her.
5 What would the writer write in her diary that evening?
(A) Missing school was a big mistake. The crowd was just too loud, and I don’t think anyone listened to our chanting.
(B) I finally made some new friends today! We had so much fun shouting in the square, even though I’m still not sure what the march was about.
(C) I’m so glad I went today. It was terrifying at first, but standing together with everyone made me believe we can actually change things.
(D) My parents were furious with me for skipping school, so I won’t be doing that again. Next time, I’ll just write an article for the school paper.
Answer Key & Explanations
1 C – Paragraph 1 explains that the writer realised staying in class “wasn’t going to help save the planet” and that she “had to be there,” showing she felt the march was a more important cause.
2 B – Paragraph 2 describes how she “immediately questioned my decision,” felt “incredibly nervous” about the massive crowd, and thought about “going straight back to my quiet classroom.”
3 D – Paragraph 3 states that her fear completely disappeared after she “opened my mouth and started chanting too” and heard her voice “mixed with thousands of other passionate teenagers.”
4 B – Paragraph 4 notes that her parents were “slightly disappointed that I missed my lessons” (a bit unhappy), but after a long conversation, they “understood my reasons” (accepted her explanation).
5 C – This option perfectly captures the emotional arc of the text: overcoming her initial terror of the crowd and leaving with a profound sense of hope and belief in collective power.
Reading 3
For each question, choose the correct answer.
Building a Bug Hotel
Last month, we needed to complete some volunteer hours for a science project. I looked at a list of options and chose an outdoor nature activity at our local park. We were told we would be building ‘bug hotels’ – special homes for insects. I wasn’t happy about this at all, because I have always thought that bugs are creepy and disgusting. I only agreed to participate because my best friend really wanted to go.
On Saturday morning, the park ranger gave us huge piles of old wood, dry leaves, and bamboo sticks. We had to cut the materials and pack them tightly into wooden boxes. The work was tiring, but that wasn’t the worst part. Every time I saw a spider or a strange beetle crawling on the old wood, I wanted to drop my tools and run away. I probably spent the first two hours complaining to anyone who would listen.
Before our lunch break, the ranger gathered us around to explain exactly why we were building these structures. I assumed he would talk about the normal bees that live in hives and make honey. Instead, he told us all about ‘solitary bees’. Unlike typical bees, these insects don’t live in large groups or have a queen to protect them. They live completely alone and often struggle to find safe places to rest during the colder months.
The ranger explained that these tiny insects are actually vital for our local ecosystem because they help plants and flowers grow. Hearing this, my feelings changed completely. Instead of seeing the bugs as terrifying little monsters, I suddenly realised they were just weak creatures trying to survive. I stopped complaining immediately and started working much harder. I carefully chose the best pieces of bamboo to make perfect little rooms for the bees.
We finally finished our bug hotels by late afternoon, and proudly placed them under some large trees. Now, whenever I walk through the park, I always check if any insects have moved into our little wooden houses. I used to absolutely hate bugs, but this experience has turned my disgust into true fascination. I am even looking for old wood so I can build another bug hotel for my own garden!
1 Why did the writer go to the volunteer activity at the park?
(A) To collect strange insects for a school science project.
(B) To spend time doing an activity her best friend wanted to do.
(C) To learn more about different types of bugs in her area.
(D) To design a new wooden garden for the local community.
2 How did the writer feel during the first few hours of the activity?
(A) Annoyed because the ranger didn’t give clear instructions.
(B) Bored because building the wooden boxes was too easy.
(C) Scared and uncomfortable because of the insects.
(D) Worried that she would accidentally break her tools.
3 What surprised the writer about solitary bees?
(A) They produce more honey than typical bees.
(B) They usually build their homes in large groups.
(C) They survive the winter by moving to warmer places.
(D) They manage to survive without the protection of a queen.
4 When the writer learned how important the bees were, she
(A) asked the ranger to give her more difficult tasks.
(B) began to put more effort into the building project.
(C) decided to take some of the tiny insects home with her.
(D) felt guilty for hurting the little creatures earlier that day.
5 What would the writer say about her volunteering experience?
(A) “Building the bug hotel was exhausting, and I still refuse to go near any insects, but at least I passed my science class.”
(B) “The park ranger gave us an interesting talk, but I don’t think a few pieces of bamboo will actually save the bees.”
(C) “I never thought I would care about bugs, but learning about how they help our environment completely changed my perspective.”
(D) “I’m glad I could teach my best friend about solitary bees, because she was terrified of them at the beginning of the day.”
Answer Key & Explanations
1 B – The text states in the first paragraph, “I only agreed to participate because my best friend really wanted to go.” Option A is incorrect because the science project only required volunteer hours, not catching insects.
2 C – In the second paragraph, the writer explains that seeing spiders and beetles made her want to “drop my tools and run away” and that she spent two hours “complaining”.
3 D – The third paragraph mentions that the writer assumed they were normal bees, but learned that solitary bees “don’t live in large groups or have a queen to protect them. They live completely alone”.
4 B – In the fourth paragraph, the writer says she “stopped complaining immediately and started working much harder,” which means she put more effort into the project.
5 C – This option perfectly captures the global meaning and the overall narrative arc: the writer started out thinking bugs were “creepy and disgusting,” but learning about their role in the ecosystem changed her disgust into “true fascination.”