Practice English Reading Exercises for B2 – First Days & Workplace Adaptation 10

Exercises:   123456

Reading 1

You are going to read an article about four professionals describing the relief of finding out their new colleagues shared similar hobbies and interests during first-day introductions.

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 initially intending to avoid discussing their pastime during the meeting?

2   was concerned that colleagues might try to exploit their particular skills?

3   was delighted to discover that a senior staff member shared their passion?

4   was relieved to find someone who could join them in their chosen activity?

5   assumed that their out-of-hours lifestyle would be viewed unfavourably by the company?

6   had intentionally hidden their out-of-work activities from co-workers in the past?

7   points out that their hobby provides a much-needed mental break from professional stress?

8   was taken aback by how rapidly their initial first-day anxiety disappeared?

9   feared that their hobby might be judged as too immature for a corporate environment?

10   has already helped to set up a regular social event based around the shared interest?

Breaking the Ice: Finding Common Ground on Day One

A Liam

I’ve always been an avid fan of tabletop role-playing games. At my previous firm, I had completely kept this under wraps, terrified I’d be labelled a geek. When the inevitable icebreaker session began on my first day here, I fully intended to stay tight-lipped about how I actually spend my weekends, opting instead to give a generic answer like ‘reading’. I honestly feared that grown adults rolling dice and pretending to be wizards might be deemed a bit too childish for a prestigious software agency. However, just before it was my turn to speak, the senior developer enthusiastically revealed that he runs a weekly fantasy campaign. I immediately chimed in, barely able to conceal my delight. Although my manager isn’t personally into gaming, she was incredibly supportive of our shared enthusiasm. Playing these games is relaxing, but it’s mostly just about having a laugh with like-minded people.

B Maya

Stepping into a highly traditional finance firm, I took it for granted that my new colleagues would spend their weekends playing golf or visiting country clubs. I’m a passionate rock climber, and I often turn up on Monday mornings with taped fingers or bruised knees. I assumed this adrenaline-fuelled pastime would simply raise a few eyebrows. During our introductory lunch, I tentatively mentioned that I’d spent Sunday scaling a crag. To my absolute astonishment, the quiet auditor sitting next to me literally lit up. It turned out she was desperately looking for a new belay partner since her previous one had recently moved abroad! We instantly clicked and are hitting the climbing wall together this Friday. Being on the rock face demands absolute focus, which means I can completely switch off from spreadsheets and financial forecasts. It provides the ultimate psychological reset after a demanding week.

C Julian

Starting at a top-tier law firm is famously intimidating, and I was a total bundle of nerves walking into the boardroom for the welcome breakfast. When asked to share a ‘fun fact’, I reluctantly admitted to being an obsessive amateur baker. Truth be told, I was worried that if I confessed, I’d be constantly badgered into supplying free cakes for every office birthday or retirement party. Fortunately, I needn’t have worried. Instead of demanding pastries, three other people revealed they were massive foodies who spent their free time hunting down rare ingredients. The suffocating tension I’d felt all morning vanished in an instant, replaced by animated chatter about sourdough starters and fermentation techniques. Since that first morning, we’ve already initiated a monthly ‘supper club’ where we take turns hosting dinner parties. It’s absolutely brilliant to connect with my peers over something so wholesome.

D Chloe

I play bass in an indie rock band, which often entails late-night gigs in dingy, underground venues. Upon joining a high-end corporate PR agency, I was absolutely convinced that my nocturnal, rock-and-roll habits would be frowned upon by management. I fully anticipated snide remarks about my commitment or stamina, so I planned to play down my musical endeavours as a minor hobby. During the dreaded “get to know you” circle, I mumbled something vague about playing the guitar. Much to my shock, the department director suddenly grinned and asked if I preferred playing Fender or Gibson basses. It transpired that he had actually toured with a jazz ensemble in his twenties and still collects vintage instruments! Discovering that the person in charge shared my exact obsession was a monumental weight off my shoulders. If I had known that beforehand, I wouldn’t have stressed so much!

Reading 2

You are going to read an article about four individuals reflecting on how exhausting it is to maintain a highly professional, artificial persona for eight hours straight on their first day.

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 the physical discomfort caused by holding a fake facial expression?

2   felt the need to deliberately conceal their natural sense of humour?

3   needed a period of complete quiet to recover after their shift ended?

4   compares their professional behaviour to performing in a play?

5    was relieved to learn that they wouldn’t have to maintain this extreme act forever?

6   found it draining to pretend they knew what they were doing during a sudden crisis?

7   acted significantly more sociable than they actually are by nature?

8   worried that their true character would be seen as a sign of incompetence?

9   compares the exhaustion of their artificial behaviour to participating in a demanding sporting event?

10   had to hide their genuine feelings while interacting with unreasonable individuals?

The Heavy Mask: Surviving Day One

A Oliver

When I secured a position at a luxury boutique, I knew I’d have to be polite, but I totally underestimated the stamina required to maintain a flawless, welcoming exterior. From the moment I clocked in, I plastered on a cheerful grin and used a customer-service voice that was entirely alien to me. By the end of my eight-hour shift, my cheek muscles were genuinely throbbing from holding such a rigid, unnatural expression. I was dealing with incredibly demanding clients, and no matter how unreasonable they were, my instructions were to remain exceptionally gracious. It was mentally depleting to suppress my true reactions all day. If I had let my guard down even for a second, I might have snapped. Fortunately, an older colleague assured me that the need to be so excessively formal fades once you understand the rhythm of the shop. Even so, the sheer effort of playing the perfect employee left me completely drained.

B Sofia

Stepping into the boardroom on my first day at the financial consultancy, I was struck by how intensely serious everyone appeared. I’m naturally a very talkative, lighthearted person who uses humour to break the ice, but I immediately realised that wouldn’t fly here. I spent the entire day meticulously filtering every single word that came out of my mouth, terrified that my usual laid-back demeanour would be perceived as immature or incompetent. I had to bite my tongue on several occasions to stop myself from making a sarcastic joke during long, dry meetings. Projecting this highly polished, analytical persona was exhausting. I felt as though I was wearing a straitjacket, constantly monitoring my posture and tone of voice. When I finally walked out of the building at five o’clock, I let out a massive sigh of relief. I had successfully convinced them I was a serious professional, but the mental gymnastics required to keep my authentic self hidden had completely wiped me out.

C Liam

Working at the front desk of a prestigious hotel means you are the face of the establishment, and guests expect flawless service from the get-go. On my very first shift, the booking system crashed for two hours. Internally, I was in a state of sheer panic, completely clueless about how to resolve the technical issue. However, I knew I couldn’t let the queue of frustrated guests see my anxiety. I adopted a calm, reassuring tone, apologising for the delay while projecting an aura of unwavering control. It felt exactly like playing the lead role in a theatrical production; my uniform was my costume, and the lobby was my stage. Pretending to be a seasoned expert when I was actually trembling inside required a monumental amount of energy. Once my manager finally fixed the software, I felt my adrenaline crash. The physical fatigue of standing was nothing compared to the psychological toll of faking absolute competence under such intense pressure.

D Emma

Public relations is an industry built on networking and enthusiasm, which poses a slight problem for me, considering I am an unapologetic introvert. On my first day at the agency, I was expected to mingle with a dozen new clients and attend three separate brainstorming sessions. I deliberately cranked up my energy levels, forcing myself to initiate small talk, laugh enthusiastically at mediocre jokes, and radiate an outgoing, bubbly vibe. To my colleagues, I must have seemed like the most confident, extroverted person in the room. In reality, maintaining that hyper-sociable facade for eight hours felt like running a marathon. Projecting a level of enthusiasm that doesn’t come naturally is an incredibly heavy burden to carry. By the time I left the office, my social battery wasn’t just low; it was completely empty. Before driving home, I had to sit in my car with the engine off for a solid twenty minutes, just soaking in the absolute silence to recover.

Exercises:   123456