Practice English Reading Exercises for B2 – Practical Life Skills 3

Exercises:   123456

Reading 1

You are going to read an article about four young people discussing the empowering experience of taking a self-defense class and learning physical boundaries.

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

Which person/section

1   appreciated the fact that there was no intense rivalry between the participants?

2   states that the training changed how they handle unreasonable requests in their everyday life?

3   mentions that learning to shout loudly was an essential part of the curriculum?

4   discovered that sheer strength is not the most important factor when protecting oneself?

5   initially enrolled to combat a sense of unease when commuting in the dark?

6   successfully applied a psychological technique from the lessons to calm down a real-world situation?

7   confesses they nearly avoided the course because they felt they weren’t fit enough?

8   felt the teacher effectively shattered their previous misconceptions about self-protection?

9   points out the severe muscular aches they suffered following the practical workshops?

10   highlights that the training environment fostered unexpected friendships?

Finding Our Strength: The Unexpected Benefits of Self-Defense

A Maya

I used to work late shifts at a city centre café, and walking back to my flat at midnight always left me feeling incredibly on edge. I’d constantly look over my shoulder, terrified of every shadow. My initial assumption was that a self-defense class would simply be about throwing punches to fight off an attacker. I couldn’t have been more wrong. Surprisingly, one of the most challenging exercises wasn’t physical at all; it was learning how to project my voice from my diaphragm. The instructor constantly forced us to practice shouting ‘No!’ and ‘Back off!’ as aggressively as possible. Initially, I felt completely ridiculous and self-conscious, but eventually, I came to terms with taking up space and making noise. If I hadn’t taken this course, I would probably still be walking around with my headphones in, oblivious to my surroundings. I’m still not a martial arts expert, but I’ve gained a newfound sense of situational awareness that makes me feel remarkably secure.

B Liam

To be completely honest, I was on the verge of backing out of the introductory session at the very last minute. I’ve never been particularly sporty, and I was convinced my lack of stamina would make me a laughing stock among the other participants. However, I soon realised that self-defense is fundamentally about leverage and momentum, rather than just raw muscle. We were taught how to break a much larger opponent’s grip by targeting vulnerable joints and shifting our body weight. It was a massive relief to discover that you don’t need to be a heavyweight bodybuilder to escape a dangerous situation. That being said, the warm-ups and repetitive drills were exceptionally demanding. Waking up the morning after my first class, my legs were in absolute agony, and every muscle ached. Despite the physical toll it took on my body, the confidence I’ve built is phenomenal. I might not win a marathon, but I finally feel capable of standing my ground.

C Chloe

What struck me most about the workshops was the overwhelmingly supportive atmosphere. I had anticipated an aggressive, macho environment, but there was absolutely no pressure to outdo one another. Everyone was genuinely invested in helping each other master the techniques, which organically led to a tight-knit community and several lasting friendships. The most valuable lesson for me, however, was conflict de-escalation. We spent hours practicing how to use open body language and calm speech to defuse hostility before it turns physical. I actually had to put this into practice last month when an aggressive commuter started shouting at me on a crowded train. Instead of panicking or fighting back, I used the exact verbal boundaries we had rehearsed to firmly but peacefully step away from the confrontation. If I hadn’t been taught how to keep a cool head, the situation could easily have escalated into something much worse.

D Sam

I originally enrolled in the self-defense program because a relative highly recommended it, though I was quite skeptical. My preconceived notion was that self-defense was entirely about physical combat, but our coach swiftly dismantled that stereotype. He emphasized that true self-protection is 90% awareness and boundary-setting, and only 10% physical intervention. The psychological impact of this training has been astonishing, and it has noticeably spilled over into my professional life. Previously, I was a notorious people-pleaser who would automatically agree to take on extra shifts or cover for colleagues, even when I was emotionally exhausted. Learning to physically assert my personal space in the studio gave me the psychological courage to start saying ‘no’ to overdemanding colleagues at work. I’ve finally stopped letting people take advantage of my good nature. The empowerment you get from knowing your own boundaries is something that truly transforms your everyday interactions.

Reading 2

You are going to read an article about four students describing what they learned from a workshop on basic home maintenance.

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

Which person/section

1   points out that they had previously been employing a tool the wrong way?

2   was pleasantly surprised by the lack of complicated vocabulary used during the training?

3   admits they used to replace broken household items rather than attempt a repair?

4   expresses a desire to share their newly acquired knowledge with relatives?

5   felt relieved to learn how to prevent a potential household disaster from worsening?

6   mentions that mastering a specific task will prevent them from wasting money in the future?

7   initially feared that their own attempts at a repair might actually exacerbate the problem?

8   appreciates that they will no longer have to wait for someone else to resolve an issue?

9   states that having the chance to physically practise the skills was the most valuable aspect?

10   realised that a task they thought was dangerous was actually quite straightforward?

Taking Charge: Our DIY Workshop Experience

A Liam

When I signed up for the workshop, I was completely clueless about basic plumbing. If a tap started dripping, my immediate thought was to call a professional, mainly because I was terrified that messing around with pipes would trigger a massive flood. I took it for granted that plumbing was a highly specialised skill best left to the experts. However, the instructor clearly demonstrated how to isolate the water supply and replace a simple rubber washer. It is remarkably straightforward! If I had known how easy it was, I wouldn’t have spent a fortune on call-out charges over the years. I feel incredibly foolish for not learning this sooner. It’s highly satisfying to know that the next time I’m faced with a leaky sink, I can sort it out myself, thereby keeping my hard-earned cash in my pocket. I might even help my neighbours out if they are ever in a tight spot, although I’m no expert yet.

B Maya

I’ve always been quite independent, but electricity genuinely frightened me. Consequently, whenever a light suddenly went out and the fuse box tripped, I would simply sit in the dark until my landlord finally turned up to fix it. I assumed dealing with the fuse board was a recipe for a nasty electric shock. However, this weekend’s workshop completely demystified the process. The tutor was absolutely brilliant; instead of overwhelming us with confusing technical jargon, she explained everything in plain, everyday English. I learned how to safely identify a blown fuse and reset the circuit breakers. It turns out that, provided you follow the basic safety guidelines, it’s completely safe and relatively simple. The greatest takeaway for me is the independence I’ve gained. I am so relieved that I won’t have to rely on anyone else to restore my power ever again.

C Ben

I must confess that I’ve always been guilty of contributing to the throwaway culture. If a cabinet door came loose or a wooden shelf started sagging, I would typically discard the item and buy a new one, convincing myself that it was beyond repair. This workshop was a real eye-opener for me. The absolute highlight wasn’t just watching the demonstrations; it was the fact that we were given our own materials and allowed to get our hands dirty. Actually having a go at putting up a shelf made the theory stick in my mind. Furthermore, I discovered I had been holding a power drill completely incorrectly my entire life, which perfectly explains why my previous DIY attempts were so disastrous! Now that I know which drill bits correspond to which wall types, I’m planning to salvage some old furniture I had stored in the garage.

D Chloe

Before attending this course, I hadn’t given much thought to how my house actually functioned behind the scenes. My main objective in signing up was to figure out what to do in a worst-case scenario. During the practical sessions, we were taught how to locate and operate the main shut-off valves for the gas and water supplies. It was a massive relief to realise that if a pipe suddenly bursts in the middle of the night, I now know exactly how to cut off the mains and prevent my living room from turning into a swimming pool. The whole experience has boosted my confidence immensely. In fact, I was so enthusiastic about what I’d learned that I spent the entire weekend showing my younger siblings and my parents where all our emergency switches are located. While I still wouldn’t attempt complex electrical work, knowing the basics brings me enormous peace of mind.

Exercises:   123456