Practice English Reading Exercises for B2 – Adventure Guides & Tourism Professionals 6

Exercises:   123456

Reading 1

You are going to read an article about four ski instructors talking about the physical danger they put themselves in to rescue overconfident skiers who wander off the marked pistes.

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

Which person/section

1   suffered a physical injury while extracting someone from the snow?

2   believes the skiers’ reckless behaviour was driven by a desire for online attention?

3   had to contend with a sudden and drastic reduction in visibility?

4   says the person they rescued initially treated the incident as a source of amusement?

5   was partially buried beneath moving snow during the recovery effort?

6   condemns the tourists for intentionally ignoring explicit physical warnings?

7   was frustrated by the rescued skiers’ failure to express any gratitude?

8   notes that the tourists wrongly assumed they were familiar with the terrain?

9   risked being dragged over a drop while hauling someone to safety?

10   explicitly mentions the threat of a severe medical condition caused by the cold?

Risking It All on the Slopes

A Lukas

It never ceases to amaze me how some people completely disregard their own safety. Last February, a group of young guys deliberately ducked under the bright yellow ropes that clearly indicated an area was closed due to high avalanche risk. They were chasing untouched snow, completely oblivious to the unstable conditions. When I skied out to order them back, the vibration of my turns actually triggered a small slab avalanche. I was swept off my feet and ended up buried to my waist in dense, heavy snow. Had it been a larger slide, I wouldn’t have stood a chance. It took me a good twenty minutes to dig myself out before I could escort them back to the marked piste. They were shivering from the freezing wind, but what infuriated me most was their arrogant attitude; they had explicitly ignored the warning boards scattered across the resort just to get a thrill.

B Martina

The pressure to capture the perfect picture for social media is pushing skiers to take absurd risks. I recently spotted two teenagers hovering near a jagged ridge, desperately trying to film each other doing jumps. Unsurprisingly, one lost his footing on an icy patch and slid down, managing to grab a protruding branch just before a sheer drop. I had to edge my way down the steep incline, anchor myself, and throw down a rope. As I hauled him up, his panicked thrashing nearly pulled me over the edge with him; my heart was in my mouth the entire time. After I finally dragged him to safety, they didn’t even have the decency to say thank you. They just checked to see if their camera had survived the fall. It’s incredibly disheartening when you put your own life on the line for individuals who take your efforts completely for granted.

C Johan

Weather in the Alps can turn in the blink of an eye. Despite my warnings at the morning briefing, a family decided to venture off-piste late in the afternoon because they were convinced they knew the layout of the mountain like the back of their hand. Within minutes, a heavy blizzard rolled in, creating a complete whiteout. All visual reference points vanished. I had to ski out into the wilderness relying entirely on my GPS and instinct to track them down. By the time I located them huddling beneath a rocky outcrop, the temperature had plummeted. I was genuinely terrified that hypothermia would set in before I could guide them back. The biting cold seeped through my layers, numbing my extremities as I slowly navigated us through the storm. They had foolishly assumed that a few previous holidays here made them experts, severely underestimating the unpredictable nature of this high-altitude environment.

D Chloe

Glade skiing through dense forests is breathtaking, but the deep pockets of loose snow around the base of trees, known as tree wells, are lethal traps. A middle-aged client of mine thought it would be adventurous to weave tightly between the pines, straying far from the designated route. Predictably, he lost his balance and plunged headfirst into a deep tree well. When I reached him, only his skis were visible. At first, I could hear him chuckling, genuinely believing it was a hilarious mishap rather than a life-threatening emergency. However, as the loose snow began to suffocate him, panic set in. I had to desperately shovel the snow away with my bare hands and heave him out by his boots. The awkward angle and sheer dead weight caused a severe tear in my shoulder muscle, putting me out of work for six weeks. It’s frustrating when people treat the wilderness like an amusement park.

Reading 2

You are going to read an article about four culinary tour guides sharing the joy of watching foreigners bravely taste—and actually enjoy—bizarre traditional street foods.

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 a tourist whose preconceived ideas were based on online content?

2   points out that a younger member of the group showed more courage than the older ones?

3   describes a food that possesses a highly unappealing odor?

4   feels a strong sense of personal satisfaction when visitors appreciate their heritage?

5   explains that visitors often prefer familiar dishes before being persuaded to experiment?

6   recalls a traveler who initially rejected the food outright before changing their mind?

7   mentions the visual appearance of a snack being the main obstacle for tourists?

8   describes how the lively atmosphere of the location encourages people to participate?

9   notes that an unusual physical sensation in the mouth is what surprises tourists the most?

10   notes that learning about a food’s historical background persuaded someone to try it?

A Taste of the Unknown

A Marco – Italy

As a food guide in Palermo, I’m used to visitors playing it safe. They initially flock to my tours expecting nothing but classic pizzas and familiar pasta dishes. However, my mission is to introduce them to pani ca meusa, a traditional street sandwich filled with fried calf’s spleen. Visually, it is far from appetizing; the meat is greyish and looks incredibly greasy, which instantly puts people off. One tourist recently stared at his portion for a good ten minutes, trying to build up the courage. He didn’t reject it completely, unlike some, but he was certainly hesitant. When he finally took a bite, his eyes widened in sheer delight. The rich, savoury flavour completely caught him off guard. Watching that transformation from skepticism to joy is intensely rewarding. It proves that if you can just get past the unappealing presentation, a whole new world of culinary excellence awaits.

B Lin – Taiwan

In Taipei, the ultimate test for any foreigner is undoubtedly stinky tofu. The pungent aroma hits you long before you even see the food stall, and it frequently causes tourists to cover their noses in dismay. Despite its ordinary appearance—it just looks like fried golden cubes—the scent is a massive hurdle. Last week, an elderly gentleman on my tour shook his head and flatly declared he wouldn’t let it anywhere near his mouth. His teenage granddaughter was equally terrified. However, after I explained how this fermented dish was born out of necessity during harsh economic times, the man agreed to try a tiny piece. He was fascinated by the idea that eating it offered a direct link to our ancestors’ struggles. The moment the crispy exterior and soft centre hit his palate, his attitude completely reversed. He ended up ordering a second portion, proving that first impressions can be terribly misleading.

C Javier – Mexico

Oaxaca is famous for its vibrant street food, particularly chapulines, or toasted grasshoppers. For many Westerners, overcoming the psychological barrier of eating insects is a monumental challenge. They love taking photos of the colorful mounds of bugs for their social media profiles, but actually consuming them is another story. I recently hosted a family where the parents were extremely reluctant, nervously picking at the grasshoppers with their fingertips. Conversely, their eight-year-old daughter grabbed a handful and happily munched away, completely unfazed. Seeing her parents’ shocked faces was priceless! Gradually, her enthusiasm encouraged them to follow suit. When visitors finally embrace this ancient protein source, which has been a staple in my country for generations, my heart swells. It gives me an immense sense of accomplishment to share my cultural roots and see them genuinely respected. Once they experience the sharp crunch and tangy lime flavour, they realise that eating insects is not a mere novelty.

D Nari – South Korea

Seoul’s bustling fish markets are a sensory overload, and sannakji—freshly chopped, wriggling octopus—is usually the star attraction. Most travelers arrive with vivid, often exaggerated expectations because they’ve watched countless sensationalised clips on the internet. They expect it to be a terrifying ordeal. When the plate is set before them, the tentacles are still squirming, which is undeniably intimidating. What often pushes them to take the plunge is the vibrant environment; the local vendors and fellow diners usually gather around, clapping and chanting words of encouragement. Once a brave tourist manages to chew the octopus, the feedback is almost always the same. It’s not the mild, salty taste that shocks them, but the bizarre feeling of the suction cups clinging to the inside of their cheeks as they chew. They usually burst into laughter, thrilled by the adrenaline rush. Witnessing their transition from internet-fueled dread to genuine exhilaration is the absolute highlight of my job.

Exercises:   123456