Practice English Reading Exercises for B2 – Solo Travel & Independence 6

Exercises:   123456

Reading 1

You are going to read an article about four individuals talking about the challenge of taking good photographs of themselves without relying on the cliché “selfie stick”.

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

Which person/section

1   aims to capture self-portraits that appear unconventional at first glance?

2   admits that handing over control of the camera often leads to disappointing results?

3   suspects their photographic methods might have amused passers-by?

4   mentions a moment when their equipment was put at serious physical risk?

5   had to push past their natural shyness to get the shot they wanted?

6   avoids a specific built-in feature because it compromises image quality?

7   relies heavily on glass and water to frame their image naturally?

8   applied a useful trick they had received from another traveller?

9   feels that popular photographic tools detract from the genuine atmosphere of a place?

10   acknowledges that their improvised arrangements demand extraordinary perseverance?

Ditching the Stick: The Art of the Solo Portrait

A Leo

I’ve always maintained that dragging a plastic wand around ruins the authentic vibe of a destination. If I had used a selfie stick during my trip to Kyoto, the traditional atmosphere of the ancient temples would have been completely spoiled. Instead, my approach to self-photography revolves entirely around the environment. I actively seek out reflective surfaces—shop windows, still puddles, or even the shiny exterior of a passing vehicle. Consequently, the pictures I end up with rarely look like typical self-portraits at first glance; they are more like abstract, artistic compositions where I just happen to be a small part of the broader scenery. A close friend once told me I was overcomplicating things, but I firmly disagree. I must have taken hundreds of these mirrored shots by now, and I’m genuinely proud of them. Naturally, this method heavily depends on the lighting, and you occasionally have to put up with frustrating sun glares, but the unique outcome is undoubtedly worth the effort.

B Mia

When travelling solo, capturing a decent photo of yourself can be a real headache. I’ve always been rather introverted, so initially, the mere thought of approaching a stranger to take my picture was terrifying. I really had to force myself out of my comfort zone to get the holiday memories I wanted. Sometimes, I take it for granted that someone holding an expensive-looking camera will know what they’re doing. Unfortunately, entrusting your device to a random pedestrian frequently results in an off-centre, blurry disaster. If they had just focused properly, I would have had a beautiful memento of my time in Paris! Instead, I often end up with chopped-off heads and tilted horizons. Despite these frequent letdowns, you occasionally strike gold and meet someone who takes an absolute masterpiece. I don’t use timers because I prefer a straightforward, spontaneous portrait, even if it means coming to terms with the awkwardness of asking for help.

C Sam

My secret weapon for solo travel photography is a compact, foldable tripod and a tiny Bluetooth remote. I absolutely refuse to use the front-facing lens on my smartphone; it’s widely known that the resolution is far inferior to the main camera, and I despise grainy, low-quality photos. Because I use the back lens, setting up the perfect shot is largely a matter of trial and error. I frame the landscape, start the ten-second countdown, and sprint into position before the shutter clicks. Honestly, anyone watching me repeatedly dashing back and forth across a public square must have thought I’d completely lost my mind! It’s physically exhausting, and there have been times when I’ve narrowly avoided tripping over my own feet. Nevertheless, this technique allows me to capture breathtaking, wide-angle landscapes with me perfectly positioned in them, completely bypassing the need for those annoying extendable gadgets that everyone else seems to carry nowadays.

D Chloe

I usually travel light, which means I don’t have the space to lug around heavy tripods or specialised gear. Consequently, my self-portraits rely entirely on whatever everyday objects are lying around. A fellow backpacker once suggested that I use my sunglasses to prop up my phone, a brilliant little hack that I now use religiously. I’ve balanced my device on coffee cups, precarious rock formations, and even stacks of library books. As you might expect, I’ve had to come to terms with the fact that this makeshift method requires extraordinary perseverance, as a slight breeze can easily ruin the composition. In fact, while trying to get a dramatic shot on a breezy coastal cliff in Portugal, a sudden gust blew my phone right off a wall. The screen was badly cracked, and if it had fallen just an inch further, it would have dropped straight into the ocean! Despite the obvious hazards, I enjoy the creative challenge.

Reading 2

You are going to read an article about four travelers sharing how solo travel made them highly observant of local customs and everyday life rather than just hitting tourist hotspots.

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 that their previous travel style was heavily focused on rushing between famous landmarks?

2   suggests that being unaccompanied allowed them to become an unnoticed observer?

3   realised that an ordinary daily journey offered more cultural insight than historical tours?

4   shifted their attention to how wildly different generations share the same public space?

5   notes that adjusting to a slower pace of travel was initially a frustrating experience?

6   observed specific unwritten rules of etiquette within a confined environment?

7   paid particular attention to the meticulous way locals purchased their food?

8   highlights that admiring ordinary housing became an unexpected source of fascination?

9   deliberately chose accommodation in a neighbourhood lacking typical tourist attractions?

10   acknowledges that they subconsciously began copying a specific local gesture?

The Observant Solo Traveller

A Elena

In the past, I’d treat holidays like an exhausting marathon, sprinting between highly recommended monuments with a rigid checklist. However, embarking on a solo trip to Kyoto forced me to completely rethink my approach. Without an impatient companion hurrying me along, I naturally gravitated towards bustling neighbourhood markets instead of crowded, world-famous shrines. I spent countless hours simply observing how residents meticulously inspected fresh produce and conversed with street vendors to source their daily meals. It was utterly fascinating to witness the profound respect embedded in the simplest of transactions. Had I been distracted by chatting with a friend, I would have been completely oblivious to these subtle, yet beautiful, exchanges. I was so captivated by this everyday rhythm that I gradually abandoned my guidebook. I even started mirroring their polite bowing and specific methods of handing over currency. It finally dawned on me that authentic culture isn’t necessarily preserved in ticketed museums; it’s tucked away in mundane grocery runs.

B Marcus

When you travel with a group, your attention is invariably fixed inward on your shared conversations. Travelling alone through Eastern Europe, I suddenly found myself looking outward. Rather than queuing for castles, I realised my most profound cultural lessons occurred on ordinary city trams. Riding the morning commute in Budapest, I paid close attention to the intricate, unspoken etiquette governing this confined environment. I noticed who gave up their seats, the acceptable volume for speaking, and how people avoided eye contact while remaining hyper-aware of each other’s personal space. It was a silent, beautifully choreographed dance. While the grand palaces were visually stunning, they felt like staged performances compared to the raw, unedited reality of a Tuesday morning bus ride. I learned more about the local character from those quiet, forty-minute journeys than from any guided historical tour. Although it might sound dull to some, tuning into the silent frequencies of public transport completely transformed my perspective.

C Sophia

On my recent trip to Barcelona, I deliberately rented a small apartment in a sleepy, residential suburb, completely devoid of iconic basilicas or attractions. Initially, this dramatic lack of immediate excitement drove me crazy; I felt a nagging guilt that I wasn’t ‘achieving’ enough on my holiday. However, as the days blurred together, the absence of a companion to entertain meant I had no choice but to embrace the drastically slower pace. Once I stopped fighting it, a completely new perspective emerged. I began to wander aimlessly, my eyes repeatedly drawn upwards to the ordinary apartment blocks rather than spectacular cathedrals. I became thoroughly obsessed with the rusted wrought-iron balconies, the laundry fluttering in the breeze, and the faded pastel shutters. I would sit at an unassuming corner café for hours, watching locals walk their dogs. It made me appreciate that a city’s true essence isn’t merely carved into its grand monuments, but actively lived out on its quietest streets.

D Julian

There is a profoundly liberating kind of invisibility that comes with being a solitary backpacker. Without a companion to anchor your attention, you effortlessly blend into the surrounding scenery, essentially becoming a fly on the wall. I experienced this most vividly in a sprawling public square in Mexico City. Instead of queuing for the highly-rated adjacent museums, I spent entire afternoons just lingering on the periphery of the plaza. Because I was alone and quiet, local life naturally unfolded around me without any artificial filter. I was particularly struck by the seamless mingling of wildly different demographics. I observed elderly men passionately debating over intricate board games while teenagers practised skateboarding just a few metres away, all sharing the communal space with an unspoken, mutual respect. Had I been travelling with a friend, we would have inevitably created our own isolated bubble, utterly missing this beautiful, cross-generational tapestry that defines their society.

Exercises:   123456