Practice English Reading Exercises for B2 – Urban Cycling & Everyday Fitness 8

Exercises:   123456

Reading 1

You are going to read an article about four people talking about the difficult transition from being completely sedentary to adopting an active, sporty lifestyle.

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

Which person/section

1   states that a medical warning was the catalyst for their lifestyle change?

2   mentions that investing a lot of money did not provide the motivation they expected?

3   experienced a temporary drop in their performance at work due to their new routine?

4   wishes they hadn’t waited so long to change their habits?

5   admits they initially underestimated how long it would take to get fit?

6   points out that relying on someone else prevented them from giving up?

7   changed their chosen activity after feeling uncomfortable in a particular environment?

8   needed professional guidance to ensure they exercised safely?

9   found that adjusting their daily schedule was the biggest hurdle?

10   notes that adopting a lower-impact exercise was key to their success?

From the Sofa to the Finish Line

A Mark

I’ve spent my entire adult life sitting at a desk, so when I decided to take up jogging, I assumed I’d be running five kilometres within a fortnight. I couldn’t have been more wrong. The physical reality of that transition was a huge shock to the system. During those first few weeks, my muscles ached constantly, and I barely managed to run for two consecutive minutes. If I hadn’t bumped into an old friend who was also a beginner, I would have thrown in the towel immediately. We made a pact to train together three evenings a week. Knowing he was waiting for me in the park meant I couldn’t simply stay on the sofa. Some people hire expensive personal trainers to keep them on track, but for me, sheer peer pressure did the trick. It took me six gruelling months to finally complete a race, a timeframe I hadn’t anticipated, but I’ve never looked back since.

B Chloe

My journey to fitness was largely an emotional battle rather than just a physical one. I initially signed up for a trendy local gym, hoping it would inspire me. However, surrounded by extremely fit people lifting heavy weights, I felt incredibly self-conscious and out of place. Consequently, I cancelled my membership and decided to try aqua aerobics instead. Because the water supports your body weight, it’s much gentler on the joints, which was absolutely crucial for someone as inactive as I was. It provided the perfect, low-stress environment for me to build up my stamina at my own pace. Looking back, my only regret is that I didn’t discover this class years ago. I’d spent so long feeling lethargic, assuming that intense, painful workouts were the only way to get in shape. If I had known how enjoyable aquatic exercise could be, I would have taken the plunge much sooner!

C Julian

For years, I ignored my complete lack of fitness, right up until a routine check-up. My doctor pointed out that my blood pressure was alarmingly high and warned me that if I didn’t start moving, I’d face severe consequences. That was the wake-up call I desperately needed. Convinced that having the best equipment would force me to exercise, I immediately spent a fortune on a top-of-the-range road bike and all the professional gear. Ironically, it just gathered dust in the garage for months. It turns out that emptying your bank account doesn’t magically generate willpower. What finally got me pedalling was joining a community cycling group for absolute novices. They taught me that the transition requires gradual lifestyle changes, not just flashy gadgets. Although the initial rides left me utterly exhausted, I soon came to terms with the effort required. My blood pressure has now dropped significantly, proving that the struggle was undoubtedly worth it.

D Sam

As a software developer, my lifestyle was the definition of sedentary. When I finally resolved to get into shape through weightlifting, I knew I had to restructure my days completely. Evening workouts were impossible due to unpredictable overtime, so I had to start waking up at 5:00 AM. Adapting to that drastic shift in my routine was undoubtedly the toughest part of the process. In fact, during the first month, I was so sleep-deprived that my concentration plummeted and my productivity at the office took a noticeable hit. Fortunately, my energy levels eventually bounced back. Because I had never set foot in a gym before, I was terrified of doing lasting damage to my back. Therefore, I hired a coach for my first dozen sessions to ensure my technique was flawless. Having an expert correct my posture gave me the confidence to lift safely. Nowadays, that early morning workout is an indispensable part of my day.

Reading 2

You are going to read an article about four cyclists reviewing the impact of new dedicated bike lanes on their safety and overall riding experience in their hometown.

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 a problem with people on foot occupying the cycling space?

2   feels irritated that the designated routes suddenly stop?

3   suggests the infrastructure is highly advantageous for novices?

4   expresses annoyance about drivers leaving their vehicles on the bike paths?

5   mentions that the lanes do not provide enough room to overtake others?

6   admits to having had initial reservations about the project’s potential success?

7   draws attention to the need for regular cleaning of the cycle routes?

8   appreciates how the infrastructure has improved the general visual atmosphere of the area?

9   explains how the new lanes have transformed their family’s daily commute?

10   highlights a significant decrease in their anxiety due to the physical barrier from cars?

Sharing the Streets: Our New Bike Lanes

A Oliver

When the city council first announced the construction of dedicated bike lanes, I took it for granted that it would just be a cosmetic change with no real impact. I was absolutely convinced it would be a waste of taxpayers’ money. Fortunately, I’ve had to eat my words. Commuting to work is no longer a daily battle with aggressive traffic, and the continuous network means I can ride from the suburbs to the centre without a break. However, there is one glaring issue that still needs to be ironed out. Because the paths are raised and look somewhat like pavements, oblivious shoppers and tourists frequently wander straight into them. You constantly have to be on the lookout and ring your bell to avoid collisions. Despite this frustration, the overarching impact on my safety is undeniable. It’s certainly a step in the right direction, even if we still have a long way to go in terms of educating the public on how to share the space safely.

B Maya

As someone who relies on a bicycle for weekend errands, I used to find navigating the main roads an incredibly nerve-wracking experience. The introduction of kerb-protected lanes has completely changed the game for me. Having that concrete barrier between myself and fast-moving traffic has drastically reduced my stress levels; I no longer arrive at my destination feeling absolutely exhausted from the sheer concentration required to stay alive. Beyond safety, the planting of trees alongside these routes has genuinely brightened up the neighbourhood, giving it a much more welcoming and greener feel. My only major grievance is the lack of consistency. You’ll be cruising along a state-of-the-art lane, only for it to vanish without warning at a major intersection, dumping you right back into heavy traffic. If the council truly wants to encourage cycling, they need to join these disjointed sections together so riders aren’t left fending for themselves at the most dangerous roundabouts.

C Julian

I’ve been cycling around this city for over a decade, so I’m well used to holding my own amongst heavy goods vehicles. From my perspective, these new segregated lanes are a fantastic initiative for encouraging hesitant beginners to get in the saddle. It gives them the confidence they desperately need. For more seasoned riders like myself, though, they can be a mixed blessing. During rush hour, the paths get extremely congested, and their narrow design means squeezing past slower cyclists is virtually impossible without veering dangerously close to the curb. Furthermore, the authorities seem to have overlooked a crucial aspect: upkeep. Because street sweepers can’t fit into these confined spaces, the lanes quickly accumulate broken glass, gravel, and fallen branches. I’ve had more punctures in the last three months than in the previous three years combined. Unless the local government invests in specialized cleaning equipment, these paths will soon become more of a hazard than a help.

D Chloe

Before these new routes were installed, the thought of cycling alongside buses and lorries with my two young children was simply out of the question. We used to rely entirely on the car for the morning school run. Now, we’ve completely swapped four wheels for two. The dedicated lanes have given us the freedom to pedal to school together safely, which has done wonders for our health and completely revitalized our mornings. However, it’s not entirely plain sailing. Our biggest daily obstacle is delivery drivers and selfish motorists who treat the bike lanes as a convenient drop-off zone. Finding your path suddenly blocked by a stationary van forces you out into the main road to get around them, completely defeating the purpose of a protected lane. It drives me absolutely crazy! The police really need to crack down on this illegal parking if they want the infrastructure to serve its intended purpose.

Exercises:   123456