Practice English Reading Exercises for B2 – Parental Influence & Generational Careers 8

Exercises:   123456

Reading 1

You are going to read an article about four people describing the friction caused when they tried to introduce modern technology and new ideas into their parents’ old-fashioned business.

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

Which person/section

1   admits that their parent’s initial skepticism was actually somewhat justified?

2   nearly walked away from the family firm because of the constant arguing?

3   notes that their parent still makes sarcastic remarks about the new methods?

4   was met with resistance because of the required financial investment?

5   felt frustrated by the archaic method of storing information on paper?

6   experienced a chaotic situation that ultimately proved the new system’s effectiveness?

7   struggled with the task of instructing an older relative on how to operate a program?

8   mentions their parent’s worry about losing the personal connection with patrons?

9   achieved an unexpected level of success thanks to a specific online platform?

10   implemented technology specifically to track the movement of goods?

Clashing Generations: Modernising the Family Business

A Elena

When I returned from university to help run my family’s traditional Italian trattoria, I was appalled by the outdated methods. Waiters were still using handwritten notepads, which constantly led to mixed-up orders. I proposed installing a digital point-of-sale system with tablets, but this suggestion caused an absolute uproar. My father was fiercely protective of our authentic atmosphere and terrified that screens would destroy the intimate, face-to-face banter we had with our regulars. Furthermore, he was completely opposed to the significant initial expense of purchasing the hardware, arguing we couldn’t afford it. I had to beg him to trust me. The turning point came during a remarkably chaotic Valentine’s Day service. We were understaffed, yet the kitchen ran flawlessly because the digital orders were processed instantly. If we hadn’t implemented the software, we would undoubtedly have been overwhelmed. Seeing the undeniable efficiency, my father finally came to terms with the upgrade.

B Julian

Taking over the marketing for my mother’s independent bookshop was a steep learning curve, primarily because our opinions clashed drastically. I was convinced that we needed a comprehensive e-commerce website and a modern digital inventory. She, however, was stubbornly resistant. When we finally bought the software, trying to show her how to navigate the complex interface was deeply frustrating; she was easily overwhelmed and often threatened to throw the computer out the window! Although I initially dismissed her insistence that physical browsing was our greatest asset, I eventually realised her reservations carried significant weight. Online sales are helpful, but I have to confess that she was right about our core strength. People still crave the tactile experience of picking up a novel. Consequently, we managed to strike a balance, using the technology to manage stock behind the scenes without compromising the shop’s classic, welcoming aesthetic.

C Nina

My dad is a brilliant, old-school carpenter, but his business model was stuck in the past. He relied entirely on word-of-mouth recommendations. When I suggested setting up social media profiles to showcase his craftsmanship to a wider audience, he dismissed it as a frivolous waste of time. The friction between us was intense; he felt I was disrespecting his legacy, and I felt he was being impossibly stubborn. After one particularly explosive argument over me filming him in the workshop, I actually packed my bags, fully intending to hand in my notice and leave the family trade forever. Luckily, I stayed, because a few weeks later, a time-lapse video I had uploaded of him carving a dining table suddenly went viral. It was shared millions of times, bringing in lucrative commissions from across the globe. He must have realised then that my digital strategy wasn’t so foolish after all.

D Toby

My parents run an organic vegetable farm that supplies local restaurants. For decades, my father orchestrated the delivery routes using a chaotic system of paper maps and messy, handwritten logbooks. It drove me up the wall, as it was incredibly inefficient and prone to human error. I took it upon myself to integrate a modern logistics application equipped with GPS to optimise the vans’ movements. Naturally, my dad was highly suspicious of the technology. He argued that he knew the local roads better than any satellite ever could. Nevertheless, once the software was up and running, our fuel costs plummeted and delivery times were slashed by a third. The technology has undoubtedly revolutionised our daily operations. Despite the obvious financial benefits, my father still can’t resist making sarcastic little jokes about us being bossed around by a computer screen, though I know he secretly appreciates the stress it has eliminated.

Reading 2

You are going to read an article about four young professionals talking about how their parents’ strong work ethic is their primary source of motivation during difficult career moments.

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

Which person/section

1   draws inspiration from a parent’s ability to cope with a lack of rest?

2   says a parent’s tendency to never grumble about their duties had a profound impact?

3   reflects on a parent’s example when facing severe disapproval from superiors?

4   confesses they came very close to formally walking away from their career path?

5   mentions a parent who successfully balanced their education with raising a family?

6   is motivated by the fact that their parent held several roles at the same time to survive?

7   gained strength from a parent who established a company after relocating to a different nation?

8   uses a parent’s capacity for relentless manual labour as a mental boost?

9   struggles with the feeling that they are not genuinely qualified for their current position?

10   relies on their parent’s resilience to overcome the frustration of having their proposals turned down?

Drawing Strength from the Family Tree

A Liam

Launching a tech startup has been a complete emotional rollercoaster. Last month, after my third pitch was rejected by potential investors, I felt completely defeated. I was ready to throw in the towel. However, whenever I hit these brick walls, my thoughts immediately turn to my dad. When I was growing up, he worked three different minimum-wage jobs concurrently just to keep a roof over our heads. He would come home utterly exhausted, yet I never once heard him voice a single complaint about his circumstances. He simply got on with it. That quiet, uncomplaining perseverance is permanently etched in my mind. So, when a venture capitalist tears apart my business model, I remind myself of my dad’s sacrifices. If he could push through a seventy-hour workweek doing tedious tasks without a word of protest, I can certainly handle a few harsh ‘no’s’ in a comfortable boardroom. It quickly puts my own professional struggles into perspective.

B Maya

Working as a junior architect in a highly competitive firm is remarkably stressful. The senior partners certainly do not hold back when reviewing our designs, and their blunt feedback can be a bitter pill to swallow. Whenever my drawings are heavily criticised, my self-esteem plummets. During these moments of self-doubt, I draw immense strength from my mother’s journey. She arrived in this country with virtually nothing and barely spoke the language. Despite facing countless setbacks and prejudices, she managed to build a thriving catering enterprise from scratch. Her sheer determination is my guiding light. She always told me that criticism is just a tool for improvement, not a personal attack. I constantly try to channel her thick skin and relentless optimism. While my colleagues often complain about the demanding workload, I remind myself that my mum built a new life against all odds. It gives me the necessary drive to revise my blueprints and try again.

C Noah

Life in a professional kitchen is famously chaotic, and the heat during a busy Friday night service can be unbearable. A few months ago, the pressure became so intense that I actually wrote out my resignation letter; I was convinced I wasn’t cut out for the culinary industry and was on the verge of handing it in. What stopped me was the vivid memory of my parents running our family farm. From the crack of dawn until long after sunset, they engaged in relentless, backbreaking agricultural labour in all weather conditions. They never had the luxury of calling in sick or taking a break when their muscles ached. Whenever I feel physically drained from standing over a scorching stove for twelve hours, I picture them lifting heavy bales of hay and repairing fences. Their extraordinary physical stamina acts as a powerful mental trigger for me. I tore up that resignation letter, realising that if they could endure that lifestyle, I could survive another dinner rush.

D Chloe

Securing a position at a prestigious corporate law firm was a dream come true, yet it immediately triggered a massive wave of imposter syndrome. Surrounded by colleagues from elite backgrounds, I constantly worry that they’ll discover I don’t really belong here. The caseload is astronomical, and I frequently find myself working late into the night. When the sheer exhaustion threatens to overwhelm me, I look at a photograph of my mum on my desk. After my parents divorced, she single-handedly raised my brother and me while simultaneously putting herself through a rigorous nursing degree. I vividly remember waking up in the middle of the night to find her fast asleep at the kitchen table, her textbooks still open. Her ability to function on mere fractions of sleep while keeping our family afloat was nothing short of miraculous. Whenever I feel swamped by complex legal documents, her resilience reminds me that I have her blood in my veins.

Exercises:   123456