Practice English Reading Exercises for B2 – University Life & Transitions 9

Exercises:   123456

Reading 1

You are going to read an article about four students talking about the challenge of giving their first major academic presentation in front of a large lecture hall.

For questions 1-10, choose from the people/sections (A-D). The people/sections may be chosen more than once.

Which person/section

1   felt grateful for a reassuring gesture from a listener?

2   realised that taking deliberate breaths would improve their delivery in the future?

3   struggled to deal with queries they hadn’t anticipated?

4   had to resort to an alternative method to deliver their material?

5   initially misjudged the scale of the event?

6   discovered that admitting a lack of knowledge can be an effective approach?

7   believes their thorough practice prevented a complete disaster?

8   sped through their content much faster than intended?

9   felt physically unwell in the moments leading up to their talk?

10   wishes they had spent more time rehearsing the interactive part of their presentation?

Facing the Crowd: Our First Major Presentations

A Liam

I had spent weeks meticulously perfecting my slides, convinced that a visually stunning presentation would effortlessly mask my underlying nerves. However, the moment I stepped up to the podium in that massive auditorium, the projector completely froze. If I hadn’t printed out hard copies of my notes just in case, I would have been absolutely lost. I was forced to abandon my carefully designed visual aids and rely on the traditional whiteboard instead. Fortunately, I had run through my speech so many times in my bedroom that the core arguments were permanently ingrained in my memory, which ultimately saved me from a total meltdown. While the professor looked somewhat concerned initially, I managed to keep the audience engaged. Looking back, the technical glitch actually turned out to be a blessing in disguise; it taught me never to take technology for granted. I took it in my stride, but it was certainly a baptism of fire!

B Sarah

When I signed up for the module, I somehow overlooked the fact that the final assessment involved addressing over two hundred people. I had expected a cozy classroom setting, so walking into a cavernous lecture theatre was a massive shock. In the minutes before my name was called, my stomach was churning so violently that I genuinely thought I might faint, and my hands were trembling. I remember standing behind the microphone, looking out at a sea of expectant faces, completely tongue-tied. Just as panic was setting in, I caught the eye of a girl in the front row who gave me a warm, encouraging smile and a subtle nod. That tiny interaction was all it took to ground me. I took a deep breath and launched into my introduction. By the end of it, I was actually enjoying myself. It’s funny how your mind can build something up into a nightmare, only for it to be quite manageable.

C Mateo

My main issue wasn’t the size of the audience, but rather my own pacing. I had timed my presentation at home to last exactly fifteen minutes, which was the required length. However, the adrenaline rush of standing in front of such a huge crowd caused me to speak at a hundred miles an hour. I was so desperate to get it over and done with that I skipped over several key examples and rushed my conclusion. Consequently, I wrapped up in just under nine minutes! The silence that followed was deafening. While the audience didn’t seem to mind, my tutor gently pointed out that I needed to work on my delivery. I’ve since come to terms with the fact that silence isn’t something to be afraid of. Next time, I’ll make a conscious effort to build in deliberate pauses and take slow, deep breaths to prevent myself from racing through the material.

D Chloe

I had focused all my energy on memorising my script, which went off without a hitch. I spoke clearly, made eye contact, and felt incredibly proud of myself as I delivered my final sentence. However, I had completely underestimated the dreaded Q&A session that followed. When the floor was opened to the audience, a student asked a highly complex question about a theory I was only vaguely familiar with. My mind went completely blank. I wish I had dedicated half as much time to preparing for potential questions as I did to the main speech! Instead of making something up, I swallowed my pride and confessed that I hadn’t looked into that specific area in depth, offering to look it up later. To my surprise, the lecturer commended me for my honesty. It was a steep learning curve, but it proved that you don’t need to have all the answers to be respected.

Reading 2

You are going to read an article about four graduates discussing the anxiety and excitement of preparing for their graduation ceremony and leaving student life behind.

For questions 1-10, choose from the people (A-D). The people may be chosen more than once.

Which person

1   expresses a sense of self-doubt regarding their academic achievements?

2   is apprehensive about losing the structured nature of university life?

3   feels stressed by the administrative tasks associated with the ceremony?

4   admits they will be relieved when the official celebrations are over?

5   is astonished by the personal transformation they have undergone?

6   finds it hard to enjoy the moment because of worries about their career prospects?

7   believes a past academic struggle makes the celebration even more meaningful?

8   appreciates the significance of the event for their family members?

9   finds the physical process of relocating deeply moving?

10   is eagerly anticipating a specific graduation tradition?

Beyond the Gown: Facing the Future

A Liam

The countdown to graduation has officially begun, and rather than experiencing pure joy, my mind is buzzing with logistical headaches. Sorting out gown hire, booking a photography slot, and battling the university administration for extra guest tickets for my grandparents has been an absolute nightmare. Frankly, the organizational side of the event is incredibly draining! Beneath all that practical stress, though, there’s a nagging feeling of disbelief. Even with my final results printed out, I keep expecting a professor to tap me on the shoulder and claim there’s been a massive mistake. If I hadn’t seen my name on the pass list, I wouldn’t have believed it. It’s classic imposter syndrome. I know I’ve put in the hours, but standing next to classmates who seem so effortlessly brilliant makes me question my own academic worth. Nevertheless, despite the stressful build-up and my own insecurities, I know the moment I walk across that stage will make it all worthwhile.

B Maya

Lately, my bedroom has transformed into a sea of cardboard boxes, and the reality of moving on is finally sinking in. Taking down posters and packing away three years of shared memories has been an unexpectedly emotional experience. I’ve become incredibly attached to this vibrant student city, and saying goodbye to flatmates who have essentially become my second family is breaking my heart. Furthermore, I’m genuinely apprehensive about the lack of structure that lies ahead. Since I was five, my life has been dictated by academic terms, lecture timetables, and strict assignment deadlines. The idea of waking up on Monday morning with a completely blank diary and no predictable routine is quite intimidating. While the graduation ceremony itself will undoubtedly be a fantastic excuse to dress up and celebrate our collective hard work, my excitement is currently overshadowed by the anxiety of navigating this enormous and uncertain life transition.

C Noah

If I’m brutally honest, I just want graduation day to be done and dusted. It’s not that I’m ungrateful for my degree, but the immense pressure to have my entire future figured out is casting a huge shadow over the festivities. Every time a well-meaning relative asks about my career trajectory, I freeze. Trying to juggle the supposed joy of finishing university with the harsh, competitive reality of securing a job is mentally exhausting. However, seeing how thrilled my parents are puts everything into perspective. Neither of them had the opportunity to pursue higher education, so watching their son graduate is a monumental milestone for our family. Their overwhelming pride is incredibly touching, and I’m determined to put on a brave face and enjoy the ceremony entirely for their sake. Even so, I know I’ll be breathing a massive sigh of relief when I can finally take the heavy gown off.

D Chloe

When I look back at the incredibly shy, homesick fresher I was three years ago, I can hardly believe I’m the same person. University has tested me in ways I never anticipated, and I’m absolutely astounded by the resilience I’ve managed to develop. There was a dark period during my second year when I completely failed a core module, and I seriously considered throwing in the towel. Fortunately, bouncing back from that severe setback to eventually achieve a top grade makes this upcoming ceremony feel like a hard-won victory. I’ve already picked out my outfit and I’m buzzing with anticipation for the event itself. I simply can’t wait for the classic moment when we all gather outside the historic main hall and toss our mortarboards high into the air. It might be a total cliché, but to my mind, that specific tradition represents the ultimate 

sense of closure.

Exercises:   123456