Practice English Reading Exercises for B1 – Digital Detox, Gadgets & Innovation 1
Reading 1
For each question, choose the correct answer.
The 48-Hour Phone Detox
Last Friday evening, while we were having dinner, my parents surprised me with a strange challenge. They asked me to give them my smartphone for exactly forty-eight hours, starting from Saturday morning. If I succeeded in doing this, they promised to buy me the expensive new trainers I really wanted. I thought it would be quite an easy task, so I quickly agreed and handed over my device. However, I really didn’t realise how difficult the next two days were going to be.
When I woke up on Saturday, my hand immediately reached for my bedside table to check my messages. When I remembered the phone wasn’t there, I felt extremely anxious. For the first twelve hours, it honestly felt like a part of my body was missing. I kept walking around the house, completely unsure of what to do with myself. I couldn’t chat with my friends, watch funny videos, or listen to my favourite music playlists. The day seemed to go on forever, and I was so frustrated that I almost asked my parents to give my phone back and cancel the challenge.
By Sunday morning, the terrible feeling of boredom had finally started to disappear. I realised that complaining wouldn’t make the time go any faster, so I decided to find something useful to do. I went into the kitchen, found one of my grandmother’s old recipe books, and spent two hours baking a chocolate cake for my family. After that, I picked up a science fiction novel that had been sitting on my desk for months. I took it into the garden and read for hours in the afternoon sunshine. Surprisingly, I was actually enjoying myself and having a great time.
When my parents finally returned my phone to me on Monday morning, my reaction was completely unexpected. Instead of immediately turning it on and checking all my social media notifications, I just put it in my school bag. The 48-hour detox taught me a very valuable lesson. Without a screen in my hand, I discovered how much free time I actually have to do interesting and creative hobbies. I still love my smartphone, but I have decided not to use it so much during the weekends. In fact, I might even try another digital detox next month!
1 Why did the writer agree to do the weekend challenge?
(A) He wanted to prove to his parents that he was responsible.
(B) He was offered a reward that he really wanted to have.
(C) He had already decided to spend less time on his phone.
(D) He thought it would help him finish his homework faster.
2 How did the writer feel during the first day of the challenge?
(A) Relieved that he didn’t have to reply to his friends’ messages.
(B) Angry that his parents had forced him to give up his phone.
(C) Lost and uncomfortable without his usual form of entertainment.
(D) Excited to spend the whole day doing completely new activities.
3 On Sunday, the writer realised that
(A) baking a cake was much harder than he originally thought.
(B) reading a book was better than watching funny videos.
(C) his family was enjoying the delicious chocolate cake he made.
(D) he could still have a good time without using a screen.
4 What did the writer do when he got his mobile phone back?
(A) He immediately read the messages he had missed over the weekend.
(B) He packed it away without looking at the screen.
(C) He told his parents that he never wanted to use it again.
(D) He used it to search for new hobbies on the internet.
5 What would the writer say about his weekend experience?
(A) It was the worst weekend of my life. I don’t understand why my parents punished me like that.
(B) Giving up my phone was hard at first, but it showed me that I have plenty of time for other enjoyable activities.
(C) The challenge was incredibly easy from the beginning. I didn’t even miss my phone on Saturday morning.
(D) I’m glad I did the challenge to get my trainers, but I will definitely never do a digital detox again.
Answer Key & Explanations
1 B – In paragraph 1, the text states, “If I succeeded in doing this, they promised to buy me the expensive new trainers I really wanted.” This matches being offered a reward he wanted.
2 C – Paragraph 2 explains that the writer “felt extremely anxious,” like “a part of my body was missing,” and was “completely unsure of what to do with myself” because he couldn’t chat, watch videos, or listen to music.
3 D – In paragraph 3, after finding things to do like baking and reading, the writer states, “Surprisingly, I was actually enjoying myself and having a great time,” showing he didn’t need his phone to have fun.
4 B – Paragraph 4 says, “Instead of immediately turning it on and checking all my social media notifications, I just put it in my school bag.” This means he packed it away without looking at it.
5 B – This option captures the global meaning and the writer’s change in attitude. It was difficult initially (feeling like a missing limb), but the experience ultimately taught him that he has plenty of free time for hobbies without a screen.
Reading 2
For each question, choose the correct answer.
Life Without a Smartphone
My name is Lucas, and a few months ago, I realised I had a serious problem with my smartphone. I was spending over six hours a day scrolling through social media, watching videos, and playing games. I felt constantly tired, and my parents were always complaining that I never paid attention during family dinners. The worst part was that I couldn’t even finish my homework without checking my screen every five minutes. I knew I had to make a big change to my habits, so I decided to do something quite unusual for a teenager.
I took my pocket money and bought a basic flip phone. It was completely different from what I was used to because it had no internet connection, no apps, and a very small screen. It could only make phone calls and send simple text messages. When I first showed it to my friends at school, they thought it was a brilliant joke. A few of them even laughed and said I definitely wouldn’t last a week without my favourite messaging apps. They simply couldn’t understand why anyone would willingly give up modern technology.
I have to admit, the first few days were incredibly difficult. I kept putting my hand in my pocket to check for notifications that weren’t there. I constantly felt like I was missing out on important news and group conversations. However, after a week, something amazing happened. Without a bright screen to distract me, my mind became much quieter. I started reading novels again, and I even had enough time to take up drawing. I finally realised that most of the things I used to look at online weren’t actually important at all.
The biggest improvement, though, has been in my schoolwork. Because I no longer have colourful apps interrupting my focus, I can finish my assignments in half the time. As a result, my grades have significantly improved, and my teachers have certainly noticed the difference. My friends have stopped laughing at my basic phone, too. In fact, a couple of them have even asked me where I bought it! Finding this peace of mind has been completely worth it, and I definitely won’t be returning to a smartphone anytime soon.
1 Why did Lucas decide to get a new phone?
(A) He wanted to save money for his parents.
(B) He was tired of arguing with his parents about games.
(C) He was unable to concentrate on his school tasks.
(D) He wanted to try an unusual teenager trend.
2 How did Lucas’s friends react to his flip phone?
(A) They were confused about his choice.
(B) They thought he had lost his smartphone.
(C) They immediately wanted to buy one too.
(D) They were angry that he couldn’t use messaging apps.
3 What did Lucas find difficult at the beginning?
(A) He had to start reading books for school.
(B) He didn’t know how to send simple text messages.
(C) He had a habit of reaching for his phone.
(D) He lost contact with his old friends.
4 What is the main benefit Lucas has experienced at school?
(A) His teachers give him less homework to do.
(B) He gets much better marks than before.
(C) His friends ask him for help with their assignments.
(D) He can use his new phone to focus in class.
5 What might Lucas write in his diary now?
(A) I can’t wait until I can finally buy a new smartphone. Using this old device is so boring.
(B) I feel so much calmer now. Giving up my smartphone was the best decision I’ve made for my studies and myself.
(C) It’s terrible that my friends are still making jokes about my phone. I really wish they would understand.
(D) My teachers are happy with my grades, but I honestly miss spending hours playing games and watching videos.
Answer Key & Explanations
1 C – The text states in paragraph 1 that “The worst part was that I couldn’t even finish my homework without checking my screen every five minutes,” which shows he was unable to concentrate on his school tasks.
2 A – In paragraph 2, the text mentions that his friends laughed, thought it was a joke, and “simply couldn’t understand why anyone would willingly give up modern technology,” meaning they were confused by his choice.
3 C – Paragraph 3 explains that the first few days were difficult because Lucas “kept putting my hand in my pocket to check for notifications,” showing he had a physical habit of reaching for his phone.
4 B – In paragraph 4, Lucas explains that because he can focus, “my grades have significantly improved,” which means he is getting much better marks.
5 B – This option captures the global meaning and the overall positive result of the text. Lucas has found peace of mind, improved his grades, and states at the end that he won’t be returning to a smartphone anytime soon.
Reading 3
For each question, choose the correct answer.
Fixing It Myself
My name is Leo, and until recently, I never thought much about what happens to broken electronics. That all changed last month when I dropped my tablet on the kitchen floor. I picked it up and saw that the screen was completely shattered. I rely on it for my schoolwork and playing games, so I immediately took it to a local electronics shop to get it fixed. However, the man behind the desk gave me a terrible shock. He told me the repair would cost more than buying a brand-new tablet! He suggested I should just throw it away and buy the latest model.
I left the shop feeling angry and disappointed. It seemed completely wrong to throw away a device that still worked perfectly well on the inside just because of a broken piece of glass. I decided to see if I could find another solution. When I got home, I searched online and found a website dedicated to helping people fix their own gadgets. There was a step-by-step video tutorial specifically for my tablet model. I realised that replacing the screen myself might actually be possible.
I ordered a replacement screen and a small set of special tools online for a fraction of the price the shop had quoted. When the package arrived a few days later, I cleared my desk and began watching the video carefully. It definitely wasn’t easy. I had to use tiny screws and carefully disconnect the battery without damaging any of the delicate wires inside. My hands were shaking at one point, but I patiently followed every instruction. After an hour of hard work, I turned the tablet on, and the new screen lit up perfectly.
That successful repair felt amazing. It gave me a huge sense of achievement, but it also made me think seriously about the problem of electronic waste. Millions of gadgets are thrown into landfill sites every year simply because companies make them too difficult or expensive to fix. Now, I have become a passionate supporter of the “Right to Repair” movement. I even help my friends fix their broken phones. I believe we all need to start repairing our things instead of just replacing them, for the sake of our planet.
1 How did Leo feel after speaking to the man at the electronics shop?
(A) He was relieved that the man offered to sell him a new tablet.
(B) He was shocked because the price to fix it was so incredibly high.
(C) He was worried that his schoolwork was lost forever.
(D) He was embarrassed because he dropped it on the kitchen floor.
2 Why did Leo look for information online?
(A) He wanted to find a cheaper shop in his area to repair his tablet.
(B) He was trying to find out how electronic waste affects the environment.
(C) He needed to buy the latest model of the tablet for his schoolwork.
(D) He didn’t want to throw away a device that only had a damaged screen.
3 What does Leo say about the process of fixing the tablet?
(A) It was much easier than the video tutorial suggested.
(B) He had to buy expensive tools to complete the job.
(C) It required a lot of care and patience to do correctly.
(D) He damaged some delicate wires while removing the battery.
4 How has this experience changed Leo?
(A) He is now actively encouraging people to repair their electronics.
(B) He only buys gadgets from companies that care about the planet.
(C) He refuses to use his tablet for playing games anymore.
(D) He now wants to open his own electronics repair shop.
5 What would Leo write on his blog today?
(A) Gadgets break so easily these days. The best thing to do is save your money and buy a new one when it happens.
(B) Repairing my tablet was a complete nightmare. I wouldn’t recommend doing it yourself unless you are a professional.
(C) It’s crazy how much electronic waste we create. With a bit of effort, we can fix our devices and protect the environment.
(D) I’m so glad the man at the shop gave me good advice. Throwing away my old tablet taught me a valuable lesson.
Answer Key & Explanations
1 B – The text states in the first paragraph that the man gave him a “terrible shock” because he told him “the repair would cost more than buying a brand-new tablet!”
2 D – The second paragraph explains that Leo thought it was “completely wrong to throw away a device that still worked perfectly well on the inside just because of a broken piece of glass,” leading him to search for another solution online.
3 C – In the third paragraph, Leo mentions that “It definitely wasn’t easy,” his hands were shaking, and he “carefully” and “patiently followed every instruction.”
4 A – The fourth paragraph details that he has become a “passionate supporter of the ‘Right to Repair’ movement,” helps his friends fix phones, and believes “we all need to start repairing our things”.
5 C – This option captures the global meaning and Leo’s new perspective. He successfully fixed his own tablet with some effort and is now an advocate against electronic waste, urging others to repair instead of replace.