Practice English Reading Exercises for B2 – Destination Reviews & Hidden Gems 3

Exercises:   123456

Reading 1

You are going to read an article about four individuals talking about a hyped “must-see” tourist trap that was vastly overpriced and extremely underwhelming in reality.

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

Which person

1   mentions feeling personally responsible for a disappointing excursion?

2   highlights the poor maintenance of the attraction’s facilities?

3   realised the experience lacked authenticity due to an employee’s action?

4   regrets spending extra money on a supposedly exclusive upgrade?

5   suggests a cost-free alternative would have provided a better experience?

6   expresses frustration at the unexpected hidden costs once inside?

7   notes the stark contrast between online images and the actual physical environment?

8   felt the historical value of the site had been significantly compromised?

9   describes a highly uncomfortable level of overcrowding?

10   observes that the workers seemed completely unenthusiastic about their jobs?

Tourist Traps: When the Reality Doesn’t Match the Hype

A Liam: The Royal Fortress

I’d always wanted to visit the Royal Fortress, having read so much about its legendary sieges. The marketing campaign was brilliant, and I was completely taken in. I even splashed out on a ‘Platinum Pass’, which supposedly granted priority access and a private guide. In hindsight, parting with that much cash was a terrible decision. The ‘priority’ queue was just as long as the standard one, and our guide simply recited a rehearsed script from a loudspeaker. What really rubbed me the wrong way, though, was the site itself. The brochure promised beautifully preserved ruins, but it turned out the vast majority of the walls were concrete reconstructions built a decade ago. The entire place felt utterly commercialised, ending abruptly in a massive gift shop selling overpriced plastic swords. It felt less like a historical monument and more like a generic theme park. Anyone seeking genuine heritage would be severely let down.

B Maya: Crystal Falls

Crystal Falls is constantly plastered all over social media, making it look like an untouched, magical paradise. My friends and I had planned our entire weekend around it, and since I was the one who had organised the itinerary, I felt incredibly guilty when we finally arrived. The reality was a far cry from the picture-postcard images online. Instead of a majestic cascade hidden within a lush forest, we were greeted by a pathetic trickle of water surrounded by grey concrete viewing platforms and glaring safety fences. It was entirely man-made around the edges. To add insult to injury, the entrance fee was exorbitant, and we were essentially trapped in a compound filled with overpriced snack vendors. We had driven three hours for a peaceful nature retreat but ended up in a glorified outdoor shopping mall. The discrepancy between the internet hype and the actual landscape was absolutely staggering.

C Ethan: Pioneer Village

We were promised a fully immersive journey back in time at the Pioneer Village. The promotional material boasted about experiencing life exactly as it was two hundred years ago. However, the whole setup felt incredibly superficial. It wasn’t just the astronomical entry fee that left me feeling ripped off; it was the fact that once you were through the gates, literally every minor activity required an additional payment. Want to try traditional pottery? Pay here. Want a photo with a blacksmith? That’s another ten dollars. Furthermore, the staff seemed completely uninspired, just mechanically going through the motions of their daily routines without a hint of enthusiasm. The absolute final straw for me, which shattered any remaining illusion of stepping back in history, was catching the ‘village baker’ secretly scrolling through his smartphone behind a wooden barrel. It was an absolute joke and a colossal waste of money.

D Chloe: SkyHigh Tower

Everyone insists that taking the lift to the top of the SkyHigh Tower at sunset is an absolute must-do. Let me tell you, it is vastly overrated. After handing over a ridiculous sum of money, we were herded into an elevator and crammed into the observation deck like sardines. The sheer volume of people made the space feel incredibly claustrophobic; you had to aggressively elbow your way to the glass just to catch a glimpse of the skyline. When I finally managed to get to the front, I was appalled to find the windows covered in grime and fingerprints, which completely ruined the so-called ‘breathtaking’ view. It was obvious the management hadn’t bothered to clean or properly look after the facilities in months. Honestly, we would have had a much better time hiking up Beacon Hill just outside the city. It wouldn’t have cost a penny, and the panoramic views from there are genuinely spectacular.

Reading 2

You are going to read an article about four travel writers describing their absolute favorite hidden beaches.

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

Which person/section

1   admits they came close to abandoning their journey?

2   mentions stumbling upon historical remains during their hike?

3   strongly advises against carrying an excessive amount of equipment?

4   felt a sense of relief at being unable to connect to the digital world?

5   relied on the navigational expertise of a person from the area?

6   was struck by the sudden contrast in noise levels between the forest and the coast?

7   highlights the extraordinary absence of man-made rubbish at their destination?

8   temporarily lost their sense of direction due to the thick vegetation?

9   believes the expedition is unsuitable for people who are easily intimidated?

10   was fascinated by the unique animal life spotted along the trail?

Chasing Paradise: The Jungle Trek to Hidden Beaches

A Liam

The path to Playa Escondida is notoriously unforgiving. When I set off, I took it for granted that my GPS would see me through. However, beneath the dense tropical canopy, the signal vanished instantly. At one point, the trail split, and I ended up wandering in circles for a good hour, completely disoriented by the towering walls of green. Despite the panic setting in, the detour turned out to be a blessing in disguise. I came face-to-face with a troop of howler monkeys and a remarkably rare blue morpho butterfly—creatures that completely took my breath away. By the time I finally hacked my way through the final stretch of vines, I was utterly exhausted. But stepping out onto the powdery white sand, with the emerald waves crashing against the shore, made the entire ordeal worthwhile. It’s a strenuous trek, but unlike some writers, I believe anyone with a bit of determination can manage it, provided they keep their wits about them.

B Maya

Trekking to Secret Cove in Southeast Asia is an absolute assault on the senses. The humidity is stifling, and you constantly have to clamber over massive, moss-covered tree roots. About halfway through the grueling hike, I stumbled upon a crumbling stone temple, entirely reclaimed by the jungle. Seeing those ancient, vine-strangled pillars was an incredibly humbling experience that added a layer of mystery to the journey. As I pushed further, I checked my phone out of habit, only to find zero bars of service. Honestly, being completely cut off from modern communications was a massive relief; it forced me to be present in the moment rather than worrying about incoming emails. Eventually, the forest opened up to reveal a breathtaking crescent of golden sand. While a few local fishermen occasionally visit, the beach remains remarkably unspoiled, offering a profound sense of tranquility that you simply can’t find at typical tourist resorts.

C Diego

I’ll admit, the trek to Black Sand Bay almost broke me. I’d foolishly packed a heavy camera tripod, multiple lenses, and a massive water bladder. Hauling that heavy backpack through thick undergrowth and up sheer muddy inclines was a rookie mistake I won’t be repeating; it’s vital to travel as light as possible. Two hours in, my legs were screaming, and I was genuinely on the verge of turning back. The jungle was a chaotic symphony of buzzing insects, screeching parrots, and rustling leaves. Yet, the moment I burst through the final line of palm trees, it was as if someone had hit the mute button. The deafening forest noise was instantly replaced by the gentle, rhythmic hush of the ocean. Standing alone on the dramatic, volcanic black sand, I realised that the agonizing effort is exactly what keeps this paradise so flawless and hidden from the masses.

D Chloe

Finding Turtle Beach is virtually impossible unless you know exactly what you’re looking for. Rather than risking getting lost in the dense foliage, I hired a resident villager, Mateo, to lead the way. Without his expert knowledge of the subtle animal tracks and hidden clearings, I would never have made it. Make no mistake, this hike is not for the faint-hearted; you have to wade through knee-deep mud and fend off relentless mosquitoes. However, the reward is unparalleled. When we finally arrived, I was absolutely astounded. In an age where even the most remote coastlines are blighted by washed-up debris, this stretch of sand was entirely devoid of plastic bottles or food wrappers. It is a pristine haven. We sat on the immaculate shore for hours, watching the tide roll in, profoundly grateful that such untouched corners of the earth still exist.

Exercises:   123456