Practice English Reading Exercises for B2 – Solo Travel & Independence 5

Exercises:   123456

Reading 1

You are going to read an article about four young people sharing their experiences of falling ill while traveling alone and having to navigate a foreign healthcare system.

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

Which person/section

1   acknowledges not reading the details of their health policy properly?

2   was pleasantly surprised by the lack of financial burden?

3   had reservations about the type of remedy prescribed?

4   expresses gratitude for the unexpected kindness of a medical professional?

5   expected the medical centre to be far less organised than it actually was?

6   recommends keeping electronic records of essential medical forms?

7   depended on a digital device to overcome a communication barrier?

8   was comforted by a companion who was in a different location?

9   suspects their illness was a direct result of the local cuisine?

10   mentions experiencing a sudden wave of fear due to being unaccompanied?

Solo and Sick: Navigating Healthcare Abroad

A Liam

I had been backpacking across Japan for three weeks when I woke up with a soaring fever and a terrible rash. A sudden wave of panic washed over me when the reality of being completely unaccompanied in a foreign country hit me. Having never navigated a hospital abroad, I assumed it would be an absolute nightmare. I managed to drag myself to a local clinic, but the receptionist spoke no English whatsoever. Consequently, I had to rely entirely on a translation app on my smartphone to explain my symptoms to the doctor. It was a tedious process, but the staff were incredibly patient. What truly blew me away, however, was the bill. I had been bracing myself for a massive financial hit, but the consultation and the prescription medication combined cost less than a typical dinner back home. It was a huge relief, and I bounced back within a few days.

B Chloe

Coming down with a severe chest infection in a remote part of South America was definitely not on my itinerary. I had heard horrific stories about the underfunded healthcare facilities in the region, so I was bracing myself for chaotic waiting rooms and poor hygiene. To my immense surprise, the local hospital was impeccably clean and operated like clockwork. I was seen by a specialist, diagnosed, and hooked up to an IV drip within an hour. Because my Spanish is practically non-existent, I felt incredibly vulnerable. Fortunately, I managed to get hold of my older sister on a video call. Even though she was thousands of miles away in London, having her talk me through the stressful admission process kept me from completely breaking down. My travel insurance covered everything seamlessly, which was a blessing, but it was the efficiency of the nurses and my sister’s distant voice that really got me through the ordeal.

C Mateo

I pride myself on being a seasoned solo traveller, but I made a classic rookie mistake during my trip to Southeast Asia. After sampling some questionable street food, I contracted a brutal bout of food poisoning that left me severely dehydrated. I dragged myself to a private international clinic, fully expecting my premium travel insurance to take care of the expenses. Unfortunately, I hadn’t bothered to study the small print of my policy, which clearly stated I needed pre-authorisation for outpatient treatments. As a result, I was forced to empty my holiday savings to pay for the treatment upfront. It took months of tedious emailing to finally get reimbursed. The entire stressful episode taught me a vital lesson: always carry digital copies of your policy documents on your phone, and make sure you actually understand the terms. While the local dishes are delicious, that is one culinary experience I have no desire to repeat.

D Zoe

While hiking through the rural highlands of Eastern Europe, I developed a bizarre allergic reaction that caused my eyes to swell shut. It was incredibly alarming, especially since the nearest major hospital was hours away. I stumbled into a tiny village pharmacy, feeling absolutely wretched. The pharmacist, a warm, elderly woman, immediately took me under her wing. Instead of handing me standard antihistamines, she prepared a mixture of local herbal extracts and a soothing ointment. I must admit, I was highly skeptical about whether this traditional concoction would have any effect at all. However, lacking any other options, I followed her instructions. Miraculously, within a few hours, the swelling had completely subsided. I was profoundly grateful for her compassionate intervention; she didn’t just treat my physical symptoms, she managed to calm my frayed nerves. It certainly challenged my Western assumptions about medicine and proved that local knowledge can be just as effective as conventional treatments.

Reading 2

You are going to read an article about four solo backpackers describing the moment they decided to throw away their meticulous travel plans to embrace pure spontaneity.

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

Which person/section

1   willingly accepted a financial loss in order to regain their freedom?

2   was hindered by a public transport issue that was out of their control?

3   realised that their rigid schedule was actually causing them anxiety?

4   had to modify their plans because they were physically unwell?

5   experienced a sense of liberation when they stopped adhering to their own strict rules?

6   mentions accepting an unplanned social offer that altered their route?

7   felt let down by a heavily promoted destination?

8   completely abandoned an itinerary focused on high-energy activities?

9   realised that the best part of their trip was a place they hadn’t even researched?

10   discovered a preference for taking things at a much slower pace?

Tearing Up the Itinerary: The Joy of Spontaneous Travel

A Oliver

When I set off for Europe, my backpack contained a meticulously colour-coded folder with every single train connection and hostel reservation mapped out. I took it for granted that sticking to this rigid framework was the only way to maximise my month abroad. The turning point occurred in rural France when a sudden rail strike left me stranded on a platform, watching my connection to Paris depart without me. Initially, I panicked, calculating how this unforeseen delay would ruin my entire week. However, after taking a deep breath, I decided to book a room in the tiny, unmapped village where I found myself. Sitting in a quiet town square that evening, eating a simple meal, a massive wave of relief washed over me. By ditching my self-imposed rules, I finally felt free. That obscure little village, which had never featured in my comprehensive research, turned out to be the absolute highlight of my entire journey.

B Maya

Backpacking through Peru was meant to be my ultimate adventure, and I had scheduled my days down to the hour to ensure I didn’t miss a single ruin or museum. After a week, however, I came to terms with the fact that my obsessive planning was sucking the joy out of the experience. I was constantly checking my watch, terrified of falling behind schedule, which left me incredibly stressed. The breakthrough happened at a hostel in Cusco. I was packing my bag for another rushed tour when a group of fellow travellers invited me to join them on a multi-day trek to an isolated farming community. It meant throwing my carefully planned itinerary out the window, but I impulsively agreed. If I hadn’t accepted their spontaneous offer, I would have completely missed out on a vibrant local festival that no guidebook had mentioned. It taught me that sometimes, the best travel moments are the ones you never see coming.

C Ethan

Before arriving in Southeast Asia, I had prepaid for every single night of my accommodation to guarantee peace of mind. My strict itinerary led me to a notoriously famous island in Thailand that I had been desperately excited to explore. Sadly, it was a massive letdown. The beaches were completely overrun with tourists, and the authentic culture I had hoped to find was buried under rows of souvenir shops. I felt suffocated by the crowds and realised I couldn’t bear to stay there for the five days I had booked. Consequently, I made the bold decision to walk away from my non-refundable hotel deposit. I simply packed my bags, rented a dilapidated motorbike, and headed up into the remote northern mountains. Willingly throwing that money down the drain was a tough pill to swallow initially, but it bought me the ultimate freedom to explore untouched landscapes at my own whim.

D Chloe

My solo trip to New Zealand was supposed to be an adrenaline-fuelled marathon. I had booked a non-stop schedule of bungee jumping, white-water rafting, and scuba diving. However, just two days into my trip, I came down with a severe chest infection. It was absolutely devastating, as I had no choice but to cancel all my extreme sports bookings and spend a week recovering in a sleepy coastal town. At first, I was deeply frustrated by my body’s betrayal. Yet, as the days drifted by, I found myself thoroughly enjoying the gentle rhythm of the town. I spent hours reading in local cafés and strolling along the empty shoreline. By the time I had fully bounced back, my perspective had shifted entirely. I realised I had no desire to return to my frantic, high-energy itinerary. I chose to spend the remainder of my trip simply soaking up the scenery at a much more leisurely pace.

Exercises:   123456