Practice English Reading Exercises for B1 – Everyday Social Responsibility & Sustainable Living
Reading 1
For each question, choose the correct answer.
Stitching a New Passion
I have always been completely obsessed with fashion. I used to spend almost all of my pocket money on the latest trends, loving the thrill of coming home with heavy shopping bags. However, after watching a documentary about the terrible environmental impact of the fashion industry, I decided to take on a massive personal challenge. I made a strict vow to buy absolutely zero new clothes for an entire year. My friends thought I was crazy and predicted I wouldn’t even last a single month.
For the first few weeks, the challenge was surprisingly easy. But by the time I reached the third month, the seasons began to change. Walking home from school one afternoon, I saw a beautiful, modern jacket in a shop window, and I desperately wanted to buy it. Suddenly, every time I opened my wardrobe, my old clothes looked incredibly boring and out of style. The temptation to break my vow was painfully strong, and I felt frustrated that I couldn’t just go out and buy something fresh to wear.
Instead of giving up and going into the shop, I remembered an oversized, damaged jacket sitting at the very back of my closet. I dragged it out and decided to see if I could fix it. I borrowed my grandmother’s old sewing machine and spent the entire weekend watching online video tutorials. It was difficult at first, but I carefully sewed up the torn fabric, adjusted the shoulders so they fit me properly, and even added some colourful patches I found in a drawer.
To my amazement, the finished jacket looked even better than the expensive one in the shop window. Because I had customized it myself, it was completely unique. This small success sparked a fire in me. I started looking at all my old, boring clothes as blank canvases. Over the next few months, I shortened old dresses, replaced buttons, and completely redesigned my wardrobe. Without realising it, I had unlocked a deep, creative passion for tailoring.
Completing the “No New Clothes” year was the best decision I have ever made. It completely changed my relationship with fashion. I learned that true style doesn’t come from a credit card or a shopping mall. By taking the time to mend and alter the things I already own, I found a much more sustainable and deeply rewarding way to express myself.
1 Why did the writer decide to stop buying new clothes?
(A) She wanted to save her pocket money to buy a new sewing machine.
(B) She learned about how the fashion industry damages the environment.
(C) Her friends challenged her to see if she could last for a whole month.
(D) Her wardrobe was full, and she didn’t have any space for new trends.
2 How did the writer feel during the third month of her challenge?
(A) Relieved that she had finally learned how to sew her own clothes.
(B) Frustrated because her clothes felt boring and she was tempted to shop.
(C) Angry that the shops were selling jackets that were out of style.
(D) Proud because she had easily ignored the beautiful jacket in the window.
3 What did the writer do to solve her problem with the jacket?
(A) She asked her grandmother to sew a brand new jacket for her.
(B) She went into the shop to buy the jacket using her saved pocket money.
(C) She used online tutorials to help her repair and alter an old jacket.
(D) She bought colourful patches from a shop to put on her school uniform.
4 What happened as a result of fixing the jacket?
(A) The writer decided to start a business selling fast fashion.
(B) The writer discovered a new love for designing and altering clothes.
(C) The writer’s friends asked her to throw her old dresses away.
(D) The writer realised that buying new clothes was actually much easier.
5 What is the main lesson the writer learned from her year-long challenge?
(A) “I realised that sewing is too difficult, so next time I will just buy second-hand clothes.”
(B) “I learned that my friends were right, and a year is far too long to go without shopping.”
(C) “The experience taught me that watching fashion documentaries is the best way to find your style.”
(D) “I discovered that being creative with what you already own is the true meaning of style.”
Answer Key & Explanations
1 B – The text states in the first paragraph, “after watching a documentary about the terrible environmental impact of the fashion industry, I decided to take on a massive personal challenge.”
2 B – In the second paragraph, the writer explains that she “desperately wanted to buy” a jacket she saw, her old clothes looked boring, and the “temptation to break my vow was painfully strong, and I felt frustrated”.
3 C – The third paragraph mentions that she took an old jacket from her closet, “borrowed my grandmother’s old sewing machine and spent the entire weekend watching online video tutorials” to sew and adjust it.
4 B – In the fourth paragraph, the text says the success “sparked a fire in me” and that she “unlocked a deep, creative passion for tailoring,” leading her to redesign her entire wardrobe.
5 D – This option perfectly captures the global meaning and the lesson learned in the final paragraph: the writer realizes that “true style doesn’t come from a credit card” and that mending and altering clothes is a “rewarding way to express myself.”
Reading 2
For each question, choose the correct answer.
A Greener Choice
I’ve always cared about the environment, doing my best to recycle and carry a reusable water bottle. However, a few months ago, I read an article that completely shocked me. It explained how many traditional period products, like pads and tampons, contain a lot of plastic and end up polluting the ocean. I felt terrible thinking about the amount of waste I was personally creating every single year. I decided it was time to change my habits and bought a menstrual cup and some washable period pants.
When my new products arrived, I felt quite nervous about trying them. To be honest, my first experience was a complete disaster. Using the cup was incredibly awkward, and it took me a long time to figure out how to put it in correctly. The whole process was messy and highly frustrating. At one point, I spent half an hour locked in the bathroom, feeling so annoyed that I almost threw the cup in the bin. I started to wonder if trying to be eco-friendly was simply too difficult for everyday life.
Instead of giving up, I decided to ask for some advice. I messaged my older cousin, who had been using sustainable products for a couple of years. She told me that almost everyone finds it challenging at first and promised that it would get easier with practice. She sent me a link to an online video that explained some helpful techniques. The next month, I followed the video’s instructions carefully. Surprisingly, my cousin was right! By my third try, I was using the products comfortably without any stress or mess.
Now, a year later, I can’t imagine going back to my old habits. Not only have I stopped producing unnecessary plastic waste, but I have also saved a huge amount of money because I don’t need to buy new products every month. Overcoming that initial embarrassment was definitely worth it. I even recently gave a presentation at my school’s eco-club to encourage other girls to try these sustainable options. If more teenagers make this small change, it will have a massive positive impact on our planet.
1 Why did the writer buy the new period products?
(A) She wanted to save the money she spent on traditional products.
(B) She wanted to stop contributing to plastic pollution in the oceans.
(C) She was asked to test them for an article she was reading online.
(D) She wanted to show her school’s eco-club that she cared about nature.
2 How did the writer feel when she first tried the sustainable products?
(A) Annoyed because she had bought the wrong size for her body.
(B) Surprised by how quickly she learned to use them correctly.
(C) Upset because they were too messy and complicated to use.
(D) Embarrassed because her family was waiting outside the bathroom.
3 What helped the writer overcome her difficulties?
(A) She watched an informative video recommended by a relative.
(B) She read a detailed online article about using period pants.
(C) Her older cousin came over to show her what to do.
(D) She practised using the cup every day for a whole month.
4 What does the writer think about her experience now?
(A) She wishes traditional products were much cheaper to buy.
(B) She regrets that she didn’t buy the sustainable products sooner.
(C) She thinks the eco-club should provide free period pants to students.
(D) She feels proud of the financial and environmental benefits.
5 What would the writer write in her diary today?
(A) The sustainable products are great for the planet, but they are just too frustrating to use. I think I’m going back to my old routine.
(B) I gave a presentation today, but no one listened. I guess nobody cares about the environment as much as I do.
(C) It was really hard at the beginning, but switching to eco-friendly period products is one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.
(D) I saved so much money this year! Next time, I will buy even more traditional pads because they are much less messy.
Answer Key & Explanations
1 B – The text states in the first paragraph that she read how traditional products “contain a lot of plastic and end up polluting the ocean” and felt terrible about the waste she was creating, motivating her to change her habits.
2 C – In the second paragraph, the writer mentions that the process was “messy and highly frustrating” and that she spent half an hour locked in the bathroom “feeling so annoyed”, which matches being upset because they were complicated and messy.
3 A – The third paragraph describes how her older cousin “sent me a link to an online video that explained some helpful techniques,” which the writer followed to succeed.
4 D – In the fourth paragraph, the writer states, “Not only have I stopped producing unnecessary plastic waste, but I have also saved a huge amount of money,” highlighting the environmental and financial benefits.
5 C – This option successfully captures the global meaning and emotional arc of the text. It acknowledges the frustrating learning curve (“really hard at the beginning”) but ultimately celebrates the positive outcome (“best decisions I’ve ever made”).
Reading 3
For each question, choose the correct answer.
My New Second-Hand Phone
For almost a year, I had been saving up my money to buy the latest smartphone. I did extra chores around the house, got a weekend job at a local café, and kept my spending to a minimum. Finally, I had enough cash in my bank account. I was incredibly excited to get a brand new device with an amazing camera and a brilliant screen.
However, just a few days before my planned trip to the tech store, my science teacher showed us a documentary about how smartphones are made. I learnt about cobalt, a mineral which is necessary for making phone batteries. The programme explained that in some parts of the world, cobalt mining seriously damages the environment and involves terrible working conditions for the miners. Suddenly, buying my dream phone didn’t seem like such a great idea anymore.
I went home and spent the whole evening researching on my laptop. I discovered that buying a second-hand, or ‘refurbished’, phone is actually much kinder to the planet. It reduces electronic waste and doesn’t require any new mining. Although a few of my friends always bought the newest models and warned me that a used phone might be slow, I felt confident that I was making the right choice.
I found a reliable website selling refurbished electronics and ordered a popular model from last year. When the package arrived, the device didn’t have that fresh “new phone smell” or a perfect, shiny box. If I looked closely, there was even a tiny scratch on the back of it. But when I turned it on, it worked perfectly, and the camera was absolutely fantastic.
Now, whenever I look at that little scratch, it doesn’t bother me at all. In fact, I like it because it reminds me that I made a responsible, ethical choice. Because the phone was cheaper, I even had some money left over from my savings. I used a bit of it to buy a cool, environmentally friendly case. I really believe we can all make a difference to the world if we think carefully about what we buy.
1 Why was the writer so excited at the beginning of the text?
(A) He had finally saved enough money to buy a new phone.
(B) He had got a new weekend job at a local café.
(C) He was going to buy a phone with a brilliant screen for his friend.
(D) He had finished doing all his extra chores around the house.
2 What changed the writer’s mind about buying a new phone?
(A) His science teacher told him to buy a different model.
(B) He found out about the negative effects of producing phone batteries.
(C) He watched a documentary about the amount of electronic waste.
(D) He realised that miners were not being paid enough money.
3 How did the writer’s friends react to his decision?
(A) They agreed that buying a second-hand phone was a good idea.
(B) They helped him research refurbished phones on the internet.
(C) They suggested that his new phone wouldn’t be fast enough.
(D) They were worried that the device would break easily.
4 When the writer received the refurbished phone, he
(A) was disappointed because it came in a damaged box.
(B) complained about a scratch on the back of the device.
(C) missed the smell of a brand new smartphone.
(D) was pleased that it operated so well.
5 What would the writer say about his experience?
(A) “I wish I had listened to my friends and bought the latest model, but this one is okay for now.”
(B) “Buying a used phone is a great way to save the planet, even if you have to accept that it might not work perfectly.”
(C) “I’m proud of my decision because getting a second-hand phone was both an ethical and a financial success.”
(D) “It’s impossible to find a second-hand phone without scratches, so it’s better to just buy a new environmentally friendly case.”
Answer Key & Explanations
1 A – The text states in the first paragraph that the writer had been saving up for almost a year and finally had enough cash to get a brand new device, which is why he was incredibly excited. The other options are either distractors (the job and chores were just ways to get the money) or factually incorrect (he was buying it for himself, not a friend).
2 B – The second paragraph explains that he watched a documentary about cobalt mining for phone batteries, which causes environmental damage and has terrible working conditions. This directly references the negative effects of producing the batteries.
3 C – In paragraph three, the writer mentions that his friends “warned me that a used phone might be slow”, which paraphrases directly to the suggestion that the phone wouldn’t be fast enough.
4 D – Paragraph four describes the arrival of the phone. Despite the lack of a perfect box or “new phone smell”, and the presence of a scratch, the writer notes that “it worked perfectly, and the camera was absolutely fantastic”, showing he was pleased with its operation.
5 C – This option accurately synthesizes the writer’s final reflection. He is proud of making a “responsible, ethical choice” and also notes the financial benefit because the phone was cheaper, leaving him with leftover money.