Practice English Reading Exercises for B2 – Youth Entrepreneurship & Startups 1

Exercises:   123456

Reading 1

You are going to read an article about four teenagers sharing their experiences of turning a simple high school science project into a profitable eco-friendly startup.

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

Which person/section

1   needed assistance from relatives to cope with consumer demand?

2   successfully recovered from a disastrous early test of their product?

3   feels that buyers can be prejudiced against items manufactured by adolescents?

4   states that dealing with official documents was the most challenging aspect?

5   mentions that dividing responsibilities made running the business less stressful?

6   highlights that their raw materials cost absolutely nothing?

7   secured a financial prize that transformed their project into a real business?

8   suggests that the attractive appearance of their product helped it gain popularity?

9   says that juggling their academic workload and the startup is an ongoing challenge?

10   was driven by the goal of eliminating rubbish within their place of learning?

From Science Class to Boardroom: Teen Eco-Entrepreneurs

A Leo

When our science teacher assigned a project on recycling, I never imagined it would change my life. My idea was to melt down single-use plastic bottles and mold them into durable phone cases. Initially, I took it for granted that nobody would actually want to buy them. If I hadn’t shown the prototype to my classmates, I wouldn’t have realised their commercial potential. The first few batches were manufactured in my dad’s garage, which was far from ideal. Consequently, we struggled to keep up with demand when a local shop agreed to stock them. It must have been the vibrant colors that caught everyone’s eye. Now, the cases are sold nationwide, and we’ve turned a healthy profit. Looking back, the hardest part was coming to terms with the complex legal paperwork required to register a business. Nevertheless, the satisfaction of reducing plastic waste while earning money has made every sleepless night completely worthwhile.

B Maya

My friends and I developed a biodegradable alternative to bubble wrap made from agricultural waste. At first, it was just an experiment to see if we could get a good grade. We were told by our teacher that the concept was brilliant, but scaling it up would be tough. She was absolutely right. We hit a major roadblock when our first large-scale prototype completely disintegrated during transit. I was devastated, but we bounced back. We realised that we had to tweak the moisture levels. Honestly, managing the startup is thrilling, but balancing it with homework is a constant struggle. I often wish I had more free time. Furthermore, dealing with the financial side was overwhelming until we assigned specific roles to each team member. Since I’m good with numbers, I took over the accounts. We’ve recently secured a contract with a major shipping company, meaning our eco-friendly packaging will soon replace tons of harmful plastic.

C Sam

Our venture began when we decided to create an organic liquid fertilizer from cafeteria food waste. We essentially wanted to prove that schools could be zero-waste environments. What started as a smelly experiment in the science lab has blossomed into a thriving online business. We heavily relied on our chemistry teacher, who suggested we patent the fermentation process. He told us that we possessed something truly unique. To be honest, I was initially skeptical about whether people would pay for repurposed garbage. On the other hand, the profit margins are incredible because our raw materials are entirely free! The sudden surge in online orders last month took us completely by surprise, and we had to rope in our siblings just to help package the bottles. Although we are making good money, my primary motivation remains the positive environmental impact. We are already looking into expanding our product line to include eco-friendly pesticides next year.

D Chloe

I’ve always been passionate about renewable energy, so for my project, I designed a pocket-sized, solar-powered phone charger using recycled electronic components. The turning point for us was entering a regional youth innovation competition. We hadn’t expected to win, so when the judges announced our names, we were absolutely stunned. The prize money allowed us to upgrade our equipment and launch a proper marketing campaign. Without that financial injection, the project would probably have remained a simple classroom presentation. It’s funny how things work out; some people assume that because we are teenagers, our products must be of inferior quality. We’ve proven them wrong by maintaining strict quality control. The demand has been so high that we are now considering hiring part-time staff. Ultimately, running this startup has taught me more about resilience, leadership, and environmental responsibility than any textbook ever could.

Reading 2

You are going to read an article about four young people discussing their experiences of volunteering abroad.

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

Which person

1   was taken aback by the personal insights they gained?

2   felt disheartened initially because their efforts seemed ineffective?

3   mentions having to push through a demanding bodily struggle?

4   selected their destination due to family ties?

5   is organising a second visit to the same location?

6   admits an assumption they made prior to the trip was incorrect?

7   emphasises the enduring nature of the friendships they made?

8   was reluctant to participate at the very beginning?

9   had to adjust to accommodation that lacked basic amenities?

10   believes their volunteer work directly shaped their future academic path?

Volunteering Abroad: A Journey of Discovery

A Mia

When my university tutor suggested I join a conservation project in Costa Rica, I really dragged my feet. I’d never travelled outside Europe, and the thought of spending two months in a remote rainforest filled me with dread. I assumed the local community would resent our presence, but I couldn’t have been more wrong; we were welcomed with open arms. The work involved repairing trails and planting trees, which was genuinely gruelling. By the end of the first week, my muscles ached so badly that I doubted I could continue. However, the sheer beauty of the surroundings kept me going. If I hadn’t pushed through that initial exhaustion, I wouldn’t have discovered my own resilience. Looking back, the experience was transformative. I had been convinced that such trips were just extended holidays for students, but it was incredibly demanding. It taught me never to judge situations before experiencing them firsthand.

B Liam

I signed up for a teaching programme in rural Nepal, eager to make a difference in the world. Upon arrival, I quickly realised that enthusiasm alone wasn’t enough. For the first fortnight, my attempts to teach English seemed entirely pointless; the children barely understood a word, and I felt I was getting nowhere. It was incredibly disheartening. Nevertheless, once I started using games and music, the barriers began to fall. The most remarkable aspect, though, wasn’t the teaching itself, but the relationships forged. Living with a host family meant I was completely immersed in their daily routine. We didn’t share a common language, but by the time I left, we communicated perfectly through gestures and shared laughter. We still keep in touch regularly. The altitude and basic food were slightly tough to get used to, but nothing I couldn’t handle. It was an eye-opening journey that I will cherish forever.

C Chloe

My grandfather emigrated from southern Italy decades ago, so volunteering at a historical restoration site there felt like a pilgrimage. I had romanticised the trip, imagining long, relaxing evenings eating pasta. The reality was quite a shock. We were put up in an abandoned monastery with no running water and sporadic electricity. It was definitely a far cry from the comfortable hostels I’m used to! Despite the lack of modern conveniences, I soon adapted and came to terms with the simplicity of our daily lives. The project involved cataloguing ancient artifacts, which fascinated me. In fact, it was this exposure to hands-on preservation that ultimately cemented my decision to study archaeology at university. Before this trip, I hadn’t fully committed to a specific degree, but digging in the dirt and unearthing history made my mind up. If I hadn’t participated, I might still be drifting aimlessly.

D Noah

Working on a wildlife reserve in South Africa had been a dream of mine since childhood. We tracked elephants and monitored their feeding habits, which was awe-inspiring. I expected to learn a vast amount about animal conservation, and I certainly did, but the most startling revelation was what I learned about my own character. I had always considered myself a rather impatient and anxious person, yet out in the bush, I felt completely at peace and capable of dealing with whatever crises arose. Although I’ve decided not to pursue zoology professionally—I’m currently training to be an accountant—the skills I acquired are universally applicable. I’ve already spoken to the reserve manager, and I’m making arrangements to head back there next summer to assist with a new rhino protection initiative. It’s a place that has well and truly captured my heart.

Exercises:   123456