Practice English Reading Exercises for B2 – Specialized & Vocational Courses 3

Exercises:   123456

Reading 1

You are going to read an article about four students sharing their journey of learning traditional craftsmanship in a modern world.

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

Which person/section

1   admits they originally found the slow pace of their craft frustrating?

2   was motivated to learn their craft to relieve academic stress?

3   highlights the necessity of relying on others during the creation process?

4   changed their shopping behaviour after realising the effort required to make things?

5   deliberately avoids using modern machinery to complete their work?

6   is driven by a desire to prevent a traditional technique from disappearing?

7   discovered the value of accepting mistakes rather than striving for flawlessness?

8   notes that their craft demands absolute focus due to the physical risks involved?

9   mentions that their new skill aligns with their concerns about environmental damage?

10   describes the practice of their craft as a deeply calming experience?

Reviving the Past: Students Embracing Traditional Crafts

A Leo: Carpentry

As a software engineering student, my days are dominated by screens and instant results. Taking up traditional carpentry was a real shock to the system. At first, I simply couldn’t get my head around how time-consuming it was just to prepare a single joint. I was incredibly impatient and almost threw in the towel. However, I gradually came to terms with the unhurried rhythm of the work. I made a conscious decision to stick to traditional hand tools—like chisels and hand planes—rather than plugging in modern power tools, as it allows me to genuinely feel the grain of the wood. It’s demanding physical work, and my early pieces were admittedly a bit wonky, but I’ve learned to relish the process. My peers think I’m crazy for spending weeks on a simple coffee table, but there is something profoundly satisfying about building a tangible object from scratch in our fast-paced digital era.

B Maya: Pottery

During my second year of university, the immense pressure of my law degree really started to take its toll on my mental well-being. I desperately needed an outlet, which is why I enrolled in a local ceramics class. Working with clay demands your full attention; it’s an incredibly grounding, almost meditative practice that completely clears my mind of upcoming exams. Initially, I was obsessed with throwing the perfect, symmetrical bowl. I’d get terribly frustrated if a piece came out slightly lopsided. My tutor, however, encouraged me to look into the Japanese philosophy of wabi-sabi, which finds beauty in imperfection. That advice completely shifted my mindset. Nowadays, I actually celebrate the little quirks and fingerprints left on my mugs. Although the pottery studio is always packed with other students, when I sit at the wheel, it feels like it’s just me and the clay. It’s the perfect antidote to a chaotic academic life.

C Sam: Glassblowing

Glassblowing is certainly not an activity for the faint-hearted. When I first stepped into the hot shop, the intense heat of the furnaces was overwhelming. You are working with molten glass at over a thousand degrees Celsius, which means you cannot afford to let your mind wander for a split second; the physical dangers are simply too high. What really caught me off guard, though, was how much teamwork is involved. I had pictured a solitary craftsman, but shaping a complex piece is like a carefully choreographed dance. You absolutely have to trust your partner to turn the pipe or apply heat at exactly the right moment. Sadly, there are very few master glassblowers left in the city. If I hadn’t stumbled upon this workshop, I wouldn’t have realised how close we are to losing this skill entirely. It’s a fading art, and part of my motivation is to ensure the knowledge is kept alive.

D Chloe: Weaving

I inherited a massive, traditional wooden loom from my grandmother, but it gathered dust in my student house until recently. Studying environmental science opened my eyes to the sheer volume of waste generated by the fast fashion industry, and I decided I wanted no part of it. Teaching myself to weave fabric by hand has been an absolute revelation. It takes countless hours to warp the loom and produce even a small length of cloth. Experiencing firsthand just how labour-intensive textile production is has completely transformed the way I buy clothes. I no longer pick up cheap garments on a whim; instead, I save up for high-quality, ethically made pieces, or simply construct my own. While weaving might seem like an old-fashioned hobby for a twenty-something, for me, it acts as a practical rebellion against a throwaway culture. By embracing this slow craft, I feel I am making a small but meaningful stand.

Reading 2

You are going to read an article about four aspiring actors discussing the emotional and physical challenges of attending a prestigious drama school.

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

Which person/section

1   was initially unprepared for the level of bodily endurance required?

2   had to learn how to prevent their acting exercises from affecting their mindset at home?

3   explains that coping with being turned down for roles is an essential professional skill?

4   mistakenly interpreted the direct feedback from their instructors as a sign they might be dismissed?

5   admits they came close to quitting the course due to the intense emotional demands?

6   struggles to cope with the financial necessity of working alongside their training?

7   lost faith in their own abilities after falling behind the rest of the group?

8   lost control of their emotions temporarily because of exhaustion and an approaching performance?

9   found it difficult at first to accept being cut off from their former social circle?

10   discovered a hidden physical capability only after being made to step outside their comfort zone?

The Reality of Drama School

A Leo

Before I got accepted, I took my stamina for granted. I assumed acting was mostly about memorising lines, but the reality was a brutal awakening. Our movement and dance modules are so intensely demanding that my muscles ache in places I didn’t even know existed. There have been countless evenings where I’ve dragged myself home and collapsed on the sofa, completely drained. Initially, I struggled to keep up with the others, which led to a severe crisis of confidence. I felt like an imposter. However, my tutors pushed me to my absolute limits, and eventually, I bounced back. Once I came to terms with the fact that perfection isn’t expected immediately, my physical endurance improved drastically. If I hadn’t been forced out of my comfort zone, I wouldn’t have discovered what my body is truly capable of. It’s exhausting, but the thrill of finally mastering a complex sequence on stage makes the blisters entirely worthwhile.

B Maya

Everyone warns you about the long hours, but nothing can truly prepare you for the psychological toll this place takes on you. During our character development workshops, we are frequently asked to draw on our own deeply personal experiences to evoke authentic emotions. It is incredibly exposing to bare your soul in front of twenty strangers. In the first term, I found myself bursting into tears almost daily, completely overwhelmed by the vulnerability required. At times, I seriously considered throwing in the towel. Nevertheless, I soon realised that letting your guard down is an essential part of the craft. My peers were incredibly supportive, creating a safe environment where no one is judged. While the emotional exhaustion can be far heavier than any physical fatigue, it is undoubtedly cathartic. I’ve learned to compartmentalise, which means I can now leave my character’s baggage in the studio rather than carrying it home with me.

C Sam

The sheer level of talent here is intimidating, to say the least. Surrounded by such gifted individuals, it is incredibly easy to fall into the trap of constantly comparing yourself to others. The pressure to stand out during auditions can sometimes feel suffocating, and the fear of failure is a heavy burden to carry. What goes unseen by the audience is the relentless financial strain; I have to juggle my full-time studies with weekend shifts at a local café just to make ends meet. Consequently, my social life is practically non-existent. There was a moment last month when the sheer stress of an upcoming showcase, combined with my lack of sleep, resulted in a minor meltdown. On the other hand, the competitive atmosphere has compelled me to raise my game. You quickly learn that rejection is part and parcel of this industry, and developing a thick skin is absolutely vital if you want to survive.

D Chloe

When I first enrolled, I was utterly shocked by how all-consuming the curriculum is. It isn’t just a course; it’s a lifestyle. I rarely see my old friends anymore, as my timetable is packed from dawn until dusk with voice coaching, rehearsals, and seminars. This isolation was quite tough to swallow initially. Furthermore, the feedback we receive from directors is notoriously blunt. During my first term, I took every piece of constructive criticism deeply personally and would overthink their comments for days. I was convinced I was going to be thrown off the course! However, I’ve gradually learned to detach my self-worth from my performances. The tutors aren’t trying to tear us down; they are stripping away our bad habits to build us back up. Although the isolation from the outside world can be tough, the bonds I’ve formed with my fellow students, who understand exactly what I’m going through, have kept me grounded.

Exercises:   123456