Practice English Reading Exercises for B2 – Endurance Sports & Country Walking 2

Exercises:   123456

Reading 1

You are going to read an article about four teenagers talking about the physical benefits and the calming mental effects of taking up trail running in local forests.

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

Which person/section

1   shifted their preference from exercising in a group to going alone?

2   credits the sport with helping them recover from a period of inactivity?

3   claims the necessity to watch their step acts as a welcome distraction from daily anxieties?

4   highlights a specific improvement in their physical stability?

5   admits they initially misjudged how challenging the sport would be?

6   contrasts the peacefulness of the forest with a less appealing exercise environment?

7   explicitly mentions using the activity to take a break from digital devices?

8   relies on the sensory experiences of the forest to push through physical fatigue?

9   appreciates how the weather alters the difficulty of the course?

10   started the sport after being forced to give up a different physical activity?

Finding Our Stride: Teenagers and Trail Running

A Liam

I used to be a dedicated road runner, effortlessly pounding the pavements for miles. Consequently, when a friend suggested trail running in the nearby pine forest, I took it for granted that it would be a breeze. I couldn’t have been more wrong! The uneven ground, steep inclines, and sudden dips demand a completely different level of stamina. Initially, my legs were aching after just a few kilometres. However, the sheer beauty of the woods makes it incredibly rewarding. When my muscles are burning, the scent of damp earth and the sound of wind rustling through the canopy somehow take my mind off the physical exertion. I also love how unpredictable it is. A heavy downpour can turn a familiar, dry path into a slippery, muddy obstacle course overnight, meaning you can never simply go on autopilot. It’s an exhausting but exhilarating experience that keeps me coming back for more.

B Chloe

Last year, the pressure of my upcoming exams was seriously getting to me. I was constantly glued to my laptop, and my anxiety levels were through the roof. I desperately needed an outlet, a way to disconnect from technology and clear my head. Trail running turned out to be the perfect remedy. Unlike jogging on a treadmill, running through the forest forces you to be entirely present. You have to constantly scan the ground for exposed tree roots or loose rocks; one wrong step and you could easily twist an ankle. This intense focus on the immediate environment leaves absolutely no room in your brain for stressing about coursework or grades. Physically, I’ve noticed a vast improvement in my cardiovascular health, but it’s the mental clarity that I truly value. After a 5k run through the woods, I return home feeling completely revitalised and ready to tackle my studies with a fresh perspective.

C Noah

I used to be heavily involved in competitive basketball until a severe knee injury forced me to step away from the court. During my recovery, I fell into some unhealthy habits, spent too much time indoors, and completely lost my fitness. Once I was finally cleared to exercise again, I knew I needed to start gradually. I signed up for a local gym, but I couldn’t stand the blaring music and the crowded, stuffy atmosphere. That’s when I discovered the network of trails in the local reserve. The soft dirt is much more forgiving on my joints than concrete, and the tranquility of the forest is incredibly therapeutic. Slowly but surely, I’ve bounced back. Trail running has allowed me to rebuild my strength and shed the extra weight I’d put on, all while enjoying the calming effect of nature. It’s been an essential part of my physical and mental rehabilitation.

D Maya

When I first took up trail running, I joined a local youth club. It was a fantastic way to learn the basics, but I soon realised that trying to keep up with the pack was preventing me from truly appreciating the environment. These days, I much prefer heading out on my own. Running solo allows me to set my own pace and take in the subtle changes in the landscape as the seasons shift. It’s my quiet time to reflect. In terms of physical benefits, the transformation has been remarkable. Because you’re constantly dodging branches and navigating uneven terrain, it engages your core muscles in a way that regular running simply doesn’t. I’ve noticed a significant enhancement in my overall agility and balance. While some of my friends are obsessed with tracking their times and entering races, I’m perfectly content just losing myself in the woods and enjoying the journey.

Reading 2

You are going to read an article about four people reflecting on their experiences of walking a famous long-distance countryside trail over several weeks.

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

Which person

1   mentions packing items that proved to be completely unnecessary?

2   experienced a temporary loss of direction?

3   felt an unexpected sense of melancholy once the trek concluded?

4   was relieved to be entirely unreachable for a period of time?

5   admits they were on the verge of giving up the challenge?

6   highlights the dramatic shifts in the physical environment along the route?

7   undertook the journey to support a specific cause?

8   was caught off guard by severe meteorological changes?

9   was amazed by the depth of connections made with other hikers?

10   acknowledges making a poor decision regarding where they slept?

The Long Trail: Footsteps and Reflections

Four hikers share the highs and lows of walking a long-distance countryside trail.

A Liam

When I set off on the West Highland Way, I was convinced I needed to be prepared for every possible scenario. Consequently, I ended up lugging around a rucksack bursting with heavy gadgets and spare clothing that never even saw the light of day. It didn’t take long for my shoulders to ache, but I stubbornly pushed on. I had researched the climate extensively, so I thought I knew what to expect. However, on the fourth day, a freak storm rolled in out of nowhere. We were subjected to howling winds and torrential rain that lasted for hours. Despite being soaked to the bone, I found the experience oddly exhilarating. It tested my resilience in ways a comfortable office job never could. The physical exhaustion was intense, yet the mental clarity I gained was unparalleled. Looking back, if I hadn’t brought so much useless clutter, I would have navigated those muddy ascents far more easily!

B Maya

My primary goal for tackling the Camino de Santiago was to step away from the relentless pinging of emails and social media notifications. Deliberately leaving my smartphone switched off in my backpack was immensely liberating; I highly recommend completely disconnecting from the digital world. Of course, relying exclusively on physical maps meant I occasionally struggled. One afternoon, misinterpreting a signpost led me several miles off the official track. Fortunately, a local farmer pointed me back in the right direction before panic truly set in. What I hadn’t anticipated, though, was the profound sense of community among the hikers. You would fall into step alongside complete strangers and, within an hour, find yourself sharing deeply personal stories that you wouldn’t even tell your closest friends back home. The shared physical struggle seemed to break down all social barriers almost instantly, creating friendships that I am certain will last a lifetime.

C Ethan

I’ve never been a particularly athletic person, so deciding to hike the 250-mile Pennine Way was a massive leap of faith. Honestly, my sole driving force was the fact that I was gathering funds for a local children’s hospice. Knowing people had sponsored me kept me putting one foot in front of the other. There was one particularly bleak morning, however, when my blisters were throbbing and my muscles screaming, that I sat on a rock and genuinely contemplated calling a taxi to take me to the nearest train station. I was ready to throw in the towel. It didn’t help that to save money, I had opted to camp instead of booking bed and breakfasts. Pitching a flimsy tent on uneven, rocky ground night after night was a dreadful mistake that meant I rarely got a decent night’s sleep. Next time, I will definitely prioritise a warm bed and a hot shower over saving a few pennies!

D Sarah

Walking the Appalachian Trail was an ambition I had nurtured since university. What struck me most vividly was the sheer variety of the terrain. Over the course of several weeks, the backdrop transformed from dense, ancient woodlands to sweeping, open valleys and jagged mountain peaks. Every couple of days, it felt as though I had crossed into an entirely different country. I chose to walk solo, which allowed me to set my own pace and truly absorb the majestic surroundings. Reaching the final marker should have been a moment of pure triumph, and while I was incredibly proud of my physical achievement, I was taken aback by a deep feeling of deflation. My daily existence had become so beautifully simple—just waking up, walking, and eating. Returning to the chaotic reality of city life and realising that my great adventure was officially over left me feeling remarkably hollow for several weeks afterwards.

Exercises:   123456