Practice English Reading Exercises for B2 – Career Changes & Taking Leaps 3

Exercises:   123456

Reading 1

You are going to read an article about four professionals discussing the stigma and relief of quitting a prestigious but highly toxic workplace to protect their mental health.

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 experiencing bodily illness as a direct result of their work environment?

2   felt torn about leaving their co-workers behind to face the difficulties alone?

3   experienced a lack of support from family members regarding their decision to resign?

4   describes a specific personal sacrifice that finally provoked them to hand in their notice?

5   was initially highly anxious about the prospect of losing their regular financial security?

6   concluded that an employer’s elite status cannot compensate for a miserable existence?

7   experienced an instant feeling of freedom the second they exited their workplace?

8   found it challenging to rediscover their personal identity after leaving a high-status profession?

9   accepted a reduction in salary in exchange for a much more balanced life?

10   points out that their peers were completely incapable of grasping why they would leave?

Walking Away from the Top: Choosing Sanity Over Status

A Sarah

I spent five years at a top-tier investment bank. To the outside world, I had it all, including a salary most people only dream of. However, the culture was incredibly toxic. We were expected to be on call around the clock, and the relentless pressure eventually took a severe toll on my body. I began suffering from chronic insomnia and debilitating migraines. When I finally handed in my notice, my peers were absolutely baffled; they simply couldn’t comprehend why anyone would voluntarily step away from such a prestigious position. They honestly thought I was throwing my career away. Yet, the moment I stepped out of those glass doors for the last time, an overwhelming sense of liberation washed over me. It was as if I could finally breathe again. I hadn’t lined up another job, which was slightly daunting, but protecting my mental health had to come first.

B David

Being a senior associate at a renowned law firm was my entire world. If I wasn’t working, I was stressing about work, meaning my job title had essentially become my entire identity. Consequently, when I decided to resign to save my sanity, figuring out who I was without that impressive business card was an unexpected struggle. The stigma of quitting was intense, particularly from my parents, who were deeply disappointed and couldn’t hide their disapproval of my decision to step down. They had always equated success with corporate prestige. Honestly, the environment was so competitive and hostile that I was on the verge of a breakdown. Now, I’m employed by a modest, local legal practice. I might be earning significantly less than I used to, but the work-life balance I’ve gained is absolutely priceless. I no longer wake up dreading the day ahead, which proves I made the right choice.

C Elena

Landing a role at one of the world’s most innovative tech giants felt like winning the lottery. However, the reality was a stark contrast to the glamorous image portrayed in the media. The workload was unrelenting, and managers regularly pitted employees against one another to drive results. I knew I had to get out, but I was overwhelmed by a profound sense of guilt about abandoning my incredibly supportive teammates to endure the hostile atmosphere alone. We had bonded over our shared misery. If I hadn’t walked away when I did, my emotional well-being would have completely collapsed. It took me months to come to terms with the fact that no amount of corporate prestige or free office perks can make up for an anxiety-filled existence. Walking away carries a strange stigma, as if you aren’t ‘tough enough’ to handle the industry. Looking back, choosing my peace of mind was my greatest achievement.

D Mark

I used to work for a high-profile architecture firm where pulling all-nighters was worn as a badge of honour. The toxicity was subtly ingrained in the culture; if you left the office at 6 p.m., you were considered lazy. The turning point for me occurred when I was forced to miss my sister’s wedding because of a last-minute, unreasonable client demand. That was the moment the illusion shattered, and I realised my dedication was completely unreciprocated. Handing in my resignation was terrifying, primarily because I was plunging into the unknown without the safety net of a monthly paycheck. For a while, I seriously questioned if I had made a reckless mistake. Society often conditions us to cling to prestigious roles regardless of the personal cost. Fortunately, after a few months of rest, my passion for design returned, completely free from the dark cloud of workplace exhaustion.

Reading 2

You are going to read an article about four young adults describing their successful transition from being professional athletes to finding completely new careers after injury.

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

Which person

1   felt a sense of relief that their rigorous physical routine had come to an end?

2   experienced their injury right before a highly anticipated event?

3   initially found it hard to stay driven without someone telling them what to do?

4   states that their current job requires more of their time than their sporting career did?

5   explains how an existing interest outside of sport helped them choose their new path?

6   used their previous earnings to pay for their further education?

7   confesses that staying connected to their former profession was initially painful?

8   was motivated to pursue their new career by the professionals who treated them?

9   appreciates the collaborative nature of their new workplace compared to their past?

10   discovered a completely hidden skill during their recovery period?

Life After the Whistle Blows

A Marcus

When my knee gave out during a routine training session, my whole world collapsed. I’d dedicated my life to football and initially refused to come to terms with the fact that I’d never play professionally again. However, spending endless months in a rehabilitation clinic turned out to be a blessing in disguise. Watching the dedicated staff help people bounce back from devastating physical trauma sparked a new passion in me. I realised I wanted to guide others through that same dark tunnel, so I enrolled in a physiotherapy degree. Now, I run my own clinic. Ironically, I put in far more hours now than I ever did on the pitch, where training was intense but relatively short. Some people assume I must be bitter about my injury, but the truth is, seeing a patient take their first unaided steps is just as thrilling as scoring a winning goal. The discipline I learned as an athlete translates perfectly into running a business.

B Chloe

Gymnastics demands absolute perfection, and by the time I tore a ligament in my shoulder at nineteen, my body was already exhausted. While it was devastating to step away from the mat, a huge part of me was actually glad to wave goodbye to the gruelling daily workouts and strict diets. Fortunately, I’d always messed around with digital illustration on my tablet during long flights to competitions. It was just a hobby to switch off, but once my athletic career ended, I decided to turn it into a profession. I put together a portfolio and eventually landed a job at a creative agency. Sometimes, I do miss the roaring crowds and the adrenaline rush of a flawless routine, but the lack of constant pressure is incredibly liberating. I don’t have to worry that one small mistake will ruin my livelihood, which gives me the mental space to be genuinely creative.

C Julian

Swimming is a notoriously solitary sport. You spend hours staring at the black line at the bottom of a pool. After a severe back injury forced me into early retirement, the biggest culture shock of becoming a financial advisor was the office environment. I suddenly found myself thriving on the daily teamwork with colleagues, something I’d never experienced before. That said, the transition wasn’t completely smooth. For years, I had a coach barking orders at me, and without that external push, I really struggled to get myself going in the mornings during the first few months. Eventually, I regained my focus. Thankfully, I had been careful with the prize money and sponsorships I’d earned, which meant I could comfortably cover the tuition fees for my economics degree without taking out loans. It was a steep learning curve, but mastering the financial markets has given me a brand new competitive outlet.

D Maya

The timing of my wrist injury was devastating; it happened just three weeks before a Grand Slam tournament I was widely tipped to win. I was crushed. Determined not to walk away from tennis entirely, I accepted a temporary gig doing commentary for a sports broadcasting network. At first, sitting on the sidelines and watching my rivals compete was emotionally agonizing. I felt like I belonged on the court, not in the press box. However, I started writing a weekly column for their website, and to my absolute astonishment, it took off. I had never considered myself a wordsmith, yet I found I had a real knack for breaking down match strategies in a way readers loved. Uncovering this unexpected talent completely shifted my perspective. Now, as a full-time sports journalist, I travel the world, keeping my finger on the pulse of the game without putting my body through extreme physical punishment.

Exercises:   123456