Practice English Reading Exercises for B2 – Practical Life Skills 20

Exercises:   123456

Reading 1

You are going to read an article about four young adults sharing their experiences of taking a ‘cram school’ course to prepare for a single, life-defining entrance exam.

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 learning alongside others made a stressful situation more bearable?

2   expresses regret for neglecting their bodily health while preparing for the exam?

3   admits that an unpleasant educational method ultimately taught them self-control?

4   deliberately selected a less prestigious academy for financial reasons?

5   suffered from a lack of self-belief regarding their academic potential?

6   argues that the ultimate outcome of the test isn’t the only measure of success?

7   expresses frustration at the academy’s reliance on learning information by heart?

8   is grateful to an educator for helping them overcome their anxiety?

9   emphasizes the importance of collaborating with peers to grasp difficult subjects?

10   felt emotionally drained by the intense rivalry among the attendees?

The Pressure Cooker: Surviving Cram School

A Kenji

Enrolling in a high-intensity preparatory academy was an absolute shock to the system. From dawn until dusk, our schedules were meticulously planned out, and initially, I found it hard to come to terms with the relentless pressure. However, what truly kept me afloat was the unspoken bond I formed with my classmates. Knowing we were all in the same boat, facing this monumental hurdle together, provided an incredible sense of solidarity that made the grueling hours manageable. We’d often grab a quick coffee between sessions and vent our frustrations. On the downside, I became so obsessed with passing that I completely overlooked my physical condition. I gave up jogging, survived on fast food, and barely slept, which eventually took a heavy toll on my energy levels. Looking back, I deeply regret not maintaining a healthier routine. Even though the academic outcome was positive, sacrificing my well-being to achieve it was a foolish mistake.

B Maria

When I first walked into the cram school, I was immediately struck by how advanced everyone else seemed. During the initial mock exams, my scores were mediocre at best, and a profound sense of inadequacy rapidly set in. I honestly believed I simply wasn’t bright enough to secure a place at a top university, and the mental strain was exhausting. I was on the verge of dropping out when my mathematics tutor pulled me aside. He made me realise that I was focusing entirely on my flaws rather than my progress, and he taught me how to break down complex equations instead of panicking. His unwavering support completely shifted my perspective, allowing me to bounce back from my slump. It wasn’t about being a born genius; it was about persistence. While the environment was undeniably demanding, having someone who genuinely believed in my potential made all the difference in the world.

C Jin

To be perfectly honest, my time at the intensive academy was one of the most miserable periods of my life. The atmosphere was incredibly cutthroat; students would hide their notes and refuse to share study materials. Being constantly measured against my peers left me feeling completely drained and cynical. Furthermore, I absolutely despised the teaching methodology. We were expected to absorb vast quantities of data without actually questioning or understanding the underlying concepts. It felt like merely an exercise in regurgitating facts onto an exam paper. Nevertheless, I must admit that there was a silver lining to this ordeal. If I hadn’t been subjected to that unforgiving timetable, I wouldn’t have developed such iron-clad study habits. Even though I detested the rote memorisation, mastering the art of strict time management has been invaluable in my adult life. I certainly wouldn’t want to repeat the experience, but it undeniably instilled a strong sense of discipline in me.

D Anya

Knowing that my parents couldn’t afford the exorbitant fees of the elite cram schools in the capital, I opted for a modest, local institute instead. Fortunately, it turned out to be a blessing in disguise. Instead of relying solely on the tutors, a few of us set up informal study circles. Whenever someone struggled to wrap their head around a tricky physics problem, we would brainstorm and solve it collectively. This collaborative approach proved far more effective than studying in isolation. The pressure to pass the life-defining entrance exam was ever-present, but I tried to keep things in perspective. I firmly maintained that while getting a good score was highly desirable, it wasn’t the end of the world if things didn’t go exactly according to plan. Your worth isn’t determined by a single piece of paper. Taking it in my stride and refusing to let the exam define my entire existence definitely helped me perform better on the actual day.

Reading 2

You are going to read an article about four teenagers discussing how they learned to embrace making mistakes in the classroom as a fundamental part of the learning process.

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

Which person/section

1   mentions that a teacher’s personal anecdote significantly altered their viewpoint?

2   realised that covering up their difficulties was actually hindering their academic progress?

3   believes that an unsuccessful practical task ultimately led to a more profound comprehension?

4   initially felt that making blunders made them appear inferior to their peers?

5   points out that admitting to misunderstandings publicly can be advantageous for other students?

6   discovered that getting feedback on their flaws from classmates was a vital step for improvement?

7   states that the dread of sounding foolish previously made them avoid participating orally?

8   describes a sense of relief upon realising that a flawless final result wasn’t the main objective?

9   acknowledges that attempting to maintain a facade of perfection was emotionally exhausting?

10   found that shifting their focus from competing to collaborating changed their attitude towards errors?

Failing Forward: Why We Learned to Love Our Mistakes

A Liam

For a long time, I was trapped in a cycle of striving for absolute perfection. I took it for granted that getting top marks meant never putting a foot wrong. Consequently, keeping up this illusion of flawlessness was incredibly draining. Whenever I didn’t grasp an algebra equation, I would simply nod along, terrified of looking incompetent. However, I soon realised that sweeping my confusion under the carpet was severely holding me back. The turning point came when my maths teacher asked me to solve a complex problem on the board, and I completely messed it up. Instead of scolding me, he commended my method and pointed out where I’d gone off track. He explained that making a public blunder can actually clarify the concept for the whole room, as others are often making the exact same miscalculation. Nowadays, if I’m baffled by a topic, I’m the first to raise my hand.

B Chloe

I used to be completely tongue-tied during my Spanish conversational classes. My biggest hurdle was a crippling fear of mispronouncing words or conjugating verbs incorrectly. Because I dreaded becoming the laughing stock of the classroom, I would deliberately avoid making eye contact with the tutor to escape being called upon. My perspective shifted drastically when our new teacher shared a hilarious tale about her own time studying abroad in Madrid. She recounted an evening where she had accidentally ordered a piece of furniture instead of a traditional dish at a restaurant! If she hadn’t shared that embarrassing mix-up, I would probably still be hiding at the back of the class. It made me realise that tripping over your words is an inevitable, and often entertaining, part of language acquisition. I’ve come to terms with the fact that native speakers appreciate the effort much more than grammatical perfection.

C Noah

I have always been deeply passionate about chemistry, but I used to equate making a mistake with total failure. If an experiment didn’t yield the expected results, I would feel utterly defeated. Last term, we were tasked with synthesising a specific chemical compound. Despite following the instructions meticulously, my solution turned a cloudy green instead of the anticipated bright blue. I was bracing myself for a terrible grade until my lab partner and I started investigating what had caused the anomaly. It turned out that a slight temperature variation had triggered an entirely different reaction. Our professor was thrilled, explaining that unexpected outcomes are the lifeblood of scientific discovery. Hearing that took a huge weight off my shoulders; it was so liberating to understand that a perfect outcome isn’t necessarily the ultimate goal. If the practical had gone smoothly from the start, I wouldn’t have grasped the underlying principles so thoroughly.

D Maya

Historically, I’ve always been fiercely competitive, especially in subjects like history and literature. I used to view my classmates strictly as rivals, and I was convinced that submitting a flawed essay would make me seem far less intelligent than the rest of the group. As a result, I would fiercely guard my work, refusing to let anyone read my drafts. This changed when our teacher introduced mandatory peer review sessions. We had to swap essays and highlight areas where our arguments lacked evidence. Initially, I was highly defensive, but receiving constructive criticism from the girl sitting next to me was a revelation. Her insights helped me pinpoint logical gaps I had completely overlooked. Once I stopped seeing my peers as a threat and started viewing them as collaborators, my attitude towards my own shortcomings softened. Acknowledging my weak points and working on them collectively has undeniably elevated the quality of my writing.

Exercises:   123456