Practice English Reading Exercises for B2 – Adventure Guides & Tourism Professionals 8

Exercises:   123456

Reading 1

You are going to read an article about four extreme sports instructors sharing why they accepted a job with high risks and low pay simply for the love of the outdoor lifestyle.

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 that their body will eventually force them to give up their current role?

2   admits to having occasional concerns about what will happen to them when they retire?

3   explains that the constantly altering conditions of their environment keep them engaged?

4   mentions giving up a stable, conventional profession in order to work outdoors?

5   believes that their career path is misunderstood by people outside the industry?

6   claims that calculating and minimizing threats is a highly stimulating part of the job?

7   stresses that the strong friendships formed with co-workers are a major compensation for the low pay?

8   feels that being surrounded by nature is an absolute necessity for their psychological health?

9   derives great pleasure from watching the people they teach overcome their anxieties?

10   measures their success by the richness of their daily life rather than the size of their bank account?

Chasing Thrills Over Bills: The Life of an Extreme Sports Instructor

A Jake – Rock Climbing

Five years ago, I handed in my notice at a lucrative accounting firm. The corporate world offered financial security, but sitting behind a desk from nine to five was suffocating me. Now, as a rock climbing instructor, my office is a vertical cliff face. It’s certainly a trade-off; my salary is a fraction of what it used to be, and I often struggle to afford basic luxuries. However, the sheer exhilaration of scaling a tricky route makes the financial sacrifice entirely worthwhile. I’m not oblivious to the harsh realities of this lifestyle, though. I know perfectly well that hauling myself up rock walls is taking a significant toll on my joints, and there will inevitably come a day when I can no longer meet the physical demands of the job. Until that day arrives, I intend to soak up every moment of freedom, completely unconcerned by the comfortable lifestyle I left behind.

B Tanya – White-Water Rafting

When you guide a raft through furious rapids, there is absolutely zero room for error. The stakes are undeniably high, and the pay is notoriously poor, yet I wouldn’t trade it for anything. What keeps me hooked is the extreme unpredictability of the river. Depending on the recent rainfall, the water levels and currents shift dramatically overnight, meaning no two descents are ever identical. Far from being terrified by the inherent dangers, I actually thrive on the challenge of assessing the risks and navigating us safely through them; it demands total concentration and keeps my mind razor-sharp. Furthermore, there is a unique satisfaction in taking a boat full of nervous, pale-faced city dwellers and guiding them through a turbulent stretch of water. Watching their initial terror transform into roaring laughter and triumph by the time we reach the calm waters is a reward no corporate bonus could ever match.

C Leo – Snowboarding

Most of my former university peers think I’ve completely lost the plot. They simply cannot comprehend why a qualified engineer would choose to spend their twenties earning minimum wage while enduring freezing temperatures and the constant threat of avalanches. What they fail to grasp is that my definition of prosperity doesn’t involve a hefty bank balance or a flashy car. To me, true wealth is waking up to pristine, snow-covered peaks and breathing in the crisp alpine air. Being immersed in this wild, untamed environment isn’t just a preference; it’s vital for my sanity and peace of mind. Without the mountains, I’d quickly become depressed and burnt out. Yes, the wages barely cover my rent and equipment, but the thrill of carving fresh tracks down a deserted slope provides a level of deep contentment that money simply cannot buy.

D Mia – Skydiving

Throwing yourself out of an aeroplane on a daily basis is certainly not a typical career path, and it definitely doesn’t come with a generous benefits package. We instructors face significant risks every time we jump, and the financial remuneration is frankly insulting considering the massive responsibility we carry. Despite this, I stay for the incredible camaraderie. When you trust your colleagues with your life day in and day out, you form bonds that are much deeper than anything you could ever establish in a conventional workplace. We are a tight-knit family, united by our passion for adrenaline and the open sky. I must admit, however, that the lifestyle isn’t entirely carefree. When I see my non-jumping friends buying houses and putting money into pension funds, a wave of anxiety occasionally washes over me regarding my own long-term security. But the moment the plane doors open, those worries instantly vanish into thin air.

Reading 2

You are going to read an article about four cultural tour guides talking about the rewarding experience of correcting deep-rooted foreign stereotypes about their home country.

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

Which person

1   feels satisfied when visitors let go of their initial anxieties about the destination?

2   contradicts the widespread belief that citizens prioritise leisure over hard work?

3   points out that tourists are frequently astonished by the contemporary lifestyle in urban areas?

4   mentions that international broadcasts have created a highly restricted view of the culture?

5   uses urban artwork to demonstrate how the local society has evolved?

6   appreciates when tourists realise that ancient monuments are just a small part of the nation’s identity?

7   shares anecdotes about their own relatives to illustrate recent social changes?

8   notes that visitors are shocked to discover the locals are actually highly expressive?

9   explains how tourists often wrongly assume the country’s geography is completely uniform?

10   takes pleasure in highlighting the nation’s cutting-edge industrial achievements?

Beyond the Stereotypes: Guides Share the Real Story

A Marco (Italy)

Many people come to Italy expecting “la dolce vita”—assuming that we just sip espresso all day and take long afternoon naps. While we certainly value our downtime, this cliché completely overlooks our intense work ethic. I take great pride in pointing out that we are actually a powerhouse in engineering and luxury manufacturing. During my tours in Turin and Milan, I love showing off our state-of-the-art automotive and aerospace facilities. It blows my clients’ minds to see the sheer scale of our modern technological advancements. Often, guests confess they had only pictured quaint, sleepy villages from old romantic movies. By the end of the trip, they realise we aren’t just living in a museum of the past. If they hadn’t joined the tour, they might have left with the exact same outdated mindset. We work incredibly hard to drive global innovation, even if we do know how to enjoy a fantastic meal afterwards!

B Yuki (Japan)

It is quite amusing how many tourists arrive in Tokyo expecting everyone to act like strict, unfeeling robots. Foreign television and movies have a lot to answer for, as they typically portray us as either silent traditionalists or workaholics lacking any real emotion. I make it my mission to break down this facade. While it’s true that we maintain a polite and orderly public image, the moment I take my groups to a local izakaya (a casual pub), their jaws drop. They are genuinely taken aback to see local office workers laughing loudly, cracking jokes, and being incredibly animated. I also ensure they witness the quirky, vibrant youth culture in Harajuku, which proves we aren’t just about rigid discipline. One guest recently admitted she had been terrified of making a social blunder, but she quickly realised how forgiving, warm-hearted, and wonderfully expressive we genuinely are underneath the formal surface.

C Mateo (Colombia)

For years, the international reputation of my country was dominated by dark tales of danger and instability. Unsurprisingly, a fair number of my clients arrive feeling extremely apprehensive, clutching their bags tightly and sticking closely to my side. Therefore, nothing gives me more satisfaction than watching their shoulders drop and their tension melt away after just a few hours of wandering our streets. To illustrate our remarkable transformation, I take them through Comuna 13 in Medellin. Here, I use the spectacular, colourful murals painted on the brick walls to explain how the community has triumphed over its troubled past. To make it personal, I often recount stories of how my own parents struggled during the difficult decades, yet managed to rebuild their lives and businesses. It brings the history to life. By the time they leave, guests are no longer worried about their safety; instead, they are captivated by our resilience and welcoming spirit.

D Aisha (Egypt)

The classic assumption about Egypt is that it consists entirely of endless, barren sand dunes dotted with pharaohs’ tombs. Visitors frequently step off the plane expecting a permanent desert expedition. It is incredibly rewarding to correct this misconception by driving them along the lush, fertile banks of the Nile or taking them to our stunning Red Sea coastal resorts, proving that our terrain is wonderfully varied. Naturally, the Pyramids of Giza are breathtaking, but I always emphasise that these relics do not define our entire existence. I dedicate a significant portion of my tour to bustling downtown Cairo, introducing guests to thriving contemporary art galleries, chic cafes, and underground music venues. I want them to experience the pulse of the 21st century. They are consistently amazed to find such a sophisticated, fast-paced modern society coexisting alongside the antiquities. It completely shatters the illusion that we are somehow frozen in antiquity.

Exercises:   123456