Practice English Reading Exercises for B2 – Endurance Sports & Country Walking 3

Exercises:   123456

Reading 1

You are going to read an article about four young adults sharing the unexpected dangers and essential survival skills they learned while hiking in unpredictable mountain weather.

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 deliberately discarding an item because it posed a severe threat?

2   realised that the surrounding terrain can generate its own distinct climate?

3   was compelled to alter their itinerary entirely due to a sudden physical barrier?

4   expresses regret over placing too much faith in digital forecasts?

5   praises a nearly weightless piece of gear for preventing a medical emergency?

6   was forced to pitch camp unexpectedly to wait out a hazardous situation?

7   suffered alarming bodily symptoms as a result of a rapid drop in temperature?

8   stresses the importance of halting all movement when the surroundings are obscured?

9   admits to being shocked by the sheer pace at which the atmospheric conditions deteriorated?

10   confesses that being overly familiar with the landscape almost led to a disastrous outcome?

Surviving the Peaks: When Mountain Weather Strikes

A Liam

When I set out to tackle Mount Snowdon, the sky was a glorious, cloudless blue. However, I soon discovered that mountainous terrain can conjure up its own isolated weather systems. Within minutes, a dense, pea-soup fog rolled in, reducing visibility to barely an arm’s length. If I had checked the barometric pressure, I might have anticipated it. Disoriented, my initial instinct was to keep pushing forward to escape the gloom. Luckily, I remembered an article I’d read about whiteout conditions, which strongly advised against moving. I forced myself to sit tight behind a boulder, conserving my energy until the mist eventually lifted two hours later. It was a nerve-wracking ordeal. I came to terms with the fact that blindly stumbling around could have easily resulted in a fatal fall over a concealed ridge. Since that day, I never take clear skies for granted and always prepare for sudden zero-visibility scenarios.

B Chloe

I’ve always considered myself a tech-savvy hiker, relying heavily on my smartphone to plan my routes. The morning I hiked the Alpine Pass, my app promised zero chance of precipitation. Consequently, I was utterly caught off guard when dark, menacing clouds gathered out of nowhere, followed by a deafening crack of thunder. I had been walking with a pair of aluminium trekking poles, which suddenly started to buzz with static electricity. Realising the severe danger of holding a lightning rod, I reluctantly abandoned them on the trail and scrambled down into a shallow ravine to take cover. It was a terrifying experience that taught me a harsh lesson: meteorological algorithms can be hopelessly inaccurate in high-altitude environments. I deeply regret putting all my faith in a digital screen instead of keeping an eye on the sky. Now, I constantly monitor cloud formations and always prioritise nature’s warning signs over my phone.

C Mateo

Having successfully navigated the Pine Ridge trail several times during the summer, I thought I knew the route like the back of my hand. This overconfidence nearly cost me dearly during a late autumn trek. Halfway through the valley, an unexpected torrential downpour transformed a gentle stream into a raging, impassable river. My intended path was completely submerged. My hiking partner suggested we try to wade across, but I knew that fast-moving water could sweep us away in a heartbeat. Instead of risking it, we were forced to drastically modify our plans and set up our tent on higher ground, waiting until the following morning for the water levels to recede. Although we spent a miserable, damp night shivering in our sleeping bags, it was the right call. The experience demonstrated that familiar landscapes can become unrecognisable and deadly in an instant. You must always respect the elements, regardless of your past achievements.

D Zoe

It is genuinely astonishing how rapidly a balmy afternoon can turn into a frozen nightmare. My friends and I started our ascent in sweltering heat, wearing just t-shirts and shorts. We were making excellent progress when the temperature plummeted drastically, and a violent hailstorm unleashed its fury on us. I hadn’t realised just how swiftly high-altitude weather could degrade. Soaked to the bone and battered by icy winds, my teeth began to chatter uncontrollably, and my hands started shaking—classic symptoms of mild hypothermia. Fortunately, my brother had insisted I pack an emergency foil blanket, which weighs next to nothing but retains body heat exceptionally well. Wrapping myself in that thin layer of reflective material undoubtedly saved me from a trip to the hospital. That chilling encounter proved that you should never underestimate the mountains. I now ensure that vital piece of survival gear is permanently tucked into the bottom of my rucksack.

Reading 2

You are going to read an article about four individuals describing the camaraderie and unique atmosphere of participating in a charity fundraising fun run.

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

Which person

1   mentions a shift in their usual attitude towards running?

2   states that poor environmental conditions actually enhanced the group spirit?

3   was persuaded to join the event despite having initial reservations?

4   felt profoundly moved by the physical presence of the people they were raising money for?

5   intends to take on a leadership role for a future event?

6   temporarily set aside their own progress to assist another participant?

7   was surprised by the sheer volume of money their group managed to collect?

8   highlights the positive impact of spectators when they were feeling physically strained?

9   points out the value of the event for improving workplace relationships?

10   appreciates the festive gathering that took place after the course was completed?

Running for a Cause: More Than Just a Race

A Tom

I’ve never been one for dressing up, so when my mates tried to rope me into a five-kilometre charity run wearing inflatable dinosaur costumes, I initially dragged my heels. I’m quite introverted, and making a fool of myself in public wasn’t exactly my idea of a weekend well spent. However, their enthusiasm was infectious, and I eventually caved in. Looking back, I wouldn’t have missed it for the world. The atmosphere was absolutely electric! There was no pressure to achieve a personal best; it was purely about having a laugh for a good cause. Around the three-kilometre mark, I developed a nasty stitch in my side and seriously considered dropping out. But the spectators lining the pavements were phenomenal. They started cheering my name and handing out jelly sweets, which provided the exact burst of energy I needed to push through the pain barrier and finish the course.

B Sarah

Our office usually organises rather stuffy networking dinners, so I suggested we enter the ‘Run for Life’ event to shake things up. It turned out to be the ultimate team-building exercise. People who barely exchanged two words at the coffee machine were suddenly jogging side-by-side, sharing jokes and encouraging each other along the route. Before the race, we had set a rather modest financial target, assuming people wouldn’t have much spare cash. To our absolute astonishment, the donations flooded in, and we ended up tripling our goal! The most poignant moment, however, wasn’t crossing the finish line. It was spotting a group of children from the hospital we were supporting waiting near the starting grid. Seeing their beaming faces brought a lump to my throat and reminded us all why we were putting ourselves through the gruelling training sessions. It truly put everything into perspective.

C Mark

As an amateur marathon runner, my usual approach to races is intensely competitive. I spend weeks analysing my pace and obsessing over my diet. Therefore, signing up for a charity fun run required a complete mental shift. If I had treated it like a regular race, I would have completely missed the point. The camaraderie was unlike anything I’d ever experienced. About halfway through the course, I noticed a fellow runner struggling with a malfunctioning wheelchair. Without a second thought, I abandoned my own steady rhythm and spent the remainder of the route pushing him and chatting about our respective lives. We crossed the finish line together, completely exhausted but grinning from ear to ear. I didn’t get a medal or a fast time, but the immense satisfaction I derived from that shared experience far outweighed any shiny trophy.

D Chloe

If you had told me I’d spend a Sunday morning jogging through torrential rain and gale-force winds, I would have called you crazy. The forecast was so dreadful that the organisers nearly called the whole thing off. Surprisingly, the atrocious weather actually worked in our favour. Trudging through the muddy puddles created a bizarre sense of solidarity among the participants; we were all in the same soggy boat, laughing at the absurdity of the situation. Once we finally reached the end of the route, the rain cleared up just in time for the after-party in the local park. There was live music, food stalls, and an incredible buzz of shared accomplishment. I enjoyed the communal vibe so much that I’ve decided to take the reins next year. I’m already drafting plans to coordinate a neighbourhood team so we can tackle the course together.

Exercises:   123456