Practice English Reading Exercises for B2 – Destination Reviews & Hidden Gems 9

Exercises:   123456

Reading 1

You are going to read an article about four travel vloggers reviewing a scenic but dangerous coastal driving route, including their advice for nervous drivers.

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

Which person/section

1   says that the driving conditions worsened unexpectedly during their trip?

2   recommends avoiding the route completely during certain times of day?

3   admits that their online video did not fully capture how frightening the drop-offs are?

4   suggests that hiring a local driver might be a sensible option for some?

5   was surprised by the lack of defensive driving from other motorists?

6   notes that focusing on the spectacular views can endanger the driver?

7   advises checking the vehicle’s mechanical condition prior to setting off?

8   points out that the local authorities have failed to install adequate safety barriers?

9   explains how their own anxiety decreased as they spent more time on the road?

10   warns that reversing the car to allow others past is a common necessity?

Navigating the Cliff Edge: Vloggers Review the World’s Most Dramatic Coast Road

A Jack

My latest video of the Emerald Coast highway has received thousands of views, but I must confess that a wide-angle camera lens completely flattens the landscape. In reality, looking over the side of those sheer cliffs was absolutely terrifying, a feeling that didn’t quite translate onto the screen. For anyone whose nerves easily get the better of them, my primary piece of advice is to stay incredibly focused. What caught me entirely off guard was the reckless behavior of some oncoming motorists. You would think people would exercise extreme caution on hairpin bends with no room for error, but I was shocked by how many local drivers overtook each other on blind corners. Consequently, you have to be prepared to react instantly to someone else’s mistake. It’s an undeniably breathtaking journey, but the stunning scenery should definitely be a secondary priority for whoever is behind the wheel.

B Chloe

Before you even consider tackling this coastal road, it is absolutely essential that you carry out a thorough inspection of your vehicle. Don’t take your brakes or tyre tread for granted, as they will be pushed to their absolute limits on the steep declines. When I drove it, the journey started under clear blue skies, but the coastal weather is notoriously unpredictable, and thick fog rolled in out of nowhere midway through. This sudden deterioration of visibility made the narrow lanes even more hazardous. Nervous drivers should be aware that because the road is often only wide enough for one car, you will frequently find yourself forced to back up into tight passing bays to let larger oncoming trucks squeeze past. It can be incredibly nerve-wracking if you aren’t comfortable with reversing under pressure, so practicing this skill beforehand is highly recommended if you want to avoid a complete panic on the cliff edge.

C Dylan

When I first pulled onto the cliffside route, my hands were sweating and I kept wondering if I had made a massive mistake. However, as the miles ticked away, I slowly came to terms with the narrow lanes, and my initial panic gradually gave way to a sense of controlled calm. The views of the crashing waves below are spectacular, but they are a dangerous distraction; a single glance away from the tarmac to admire the ocean can put you in immediate danger of veering off course. To minimise stress, timing is everything. I strongly advise against setting off during peak travel windows, particularly mid-afternoon when tourist buses flood the route, creating massive bottlenecks. Instead, aim for early morning when you can have the tarmac largely to yourself. Taking it slow is nothing to be ashamed of, and pulling over frequently to catch your breath will keep your anxiety under control.

D Sarah

There is no denying that this route offers some of the most magnificent coastal vistas in the world, but the infrastructure leaves a lot to be desired. I was appalled to discover that the local authorities have neglected to put up proper guardrails along some of the most exposed sections, leaving nothing but a drop into the ocean between your tyres and the cliff edge. For anyone who suffers from vertigo or severe driving anxiety, this lack of protection can be completely overwhelming. If you feel that handling these steep, unprotected drops might compromise your safety, there is an alternative. I highly recommend leaving your own vehicle behind and paying a professional local chauffeur to navigate the route for you. It allows you to actually enjoy the scenery from the passenger seat without your heart racing, and it supports the local economy. Ultimately, knowing your personal limits is the best way to ensure an enjoyable trip.

Reading 2

You are going to read an article about four travelers sharing their experiences of staying at a remote monastery in the mountains completely disconnected from Wi-Fi.

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 making a significant personal choice during their stay?

2   admits they anticipated feeling uninterested during their visit?

3   experienced some physical hardships regarding the accommodation?

4   successfully completed a specific task they had brought with them?

5   felt a strong sense of unease upon first losing their internet connection?

6   wished they could instantly share an achievement with someone else?

7   found unexpected satisfaction in participating in ordinary household duties?

8   developed a much stronger appreciation for the natural world?

9   noticed a distinct improvement in their ability to maintain focus?

10   sought refuge from an extremely demanding professional environment?

Finding Peace Offline: Retreating to the Mountains

A Julian

I’ve always been someone who needs to be plugged in, so arriving at the sanctuary of Mount Kailash was a massive shock to the system. As soon as the ‘no signal’ icon appeared on my screen, a wave of sheer panic washed over me. I genuinely thought I wouldn’t survive a week without my daily feed of news and messages. However, as the days unfolded, that initial anxiety evaporated, replaced by a profound stillness I hadn’t experienced since childhood. Without the constant barrage of notifications clouding my mind, I was finally able to hear my own thoughts. I had been agonising over a major career move for months, weighing up endless pros and cons. Surrounded by nothing but the silent peaks, the answer suddenly seemed obvious, and I made the firm decision to hand in my notice. I realised that our minds are incredibly cluttered by digital noise, and stepping away was exactly what I needed to find my way forward.

B Maya

Working as a financial director in a bustling metropolis had pushed me to the brink of burnout. I desperately needed an escape from the relentless pressure and endless emails, which is why I booked a stay at a remote Himalayan monastery. If I’m entirely honest, I was convinced I’d go out of my mind with boredom. I mean, what do you actually do all day with no Wi-Fi, no television, and no entertainment? To my amazement, the complete opposite happened. The monks invited me to join them in their daily routine, which consisted of sweeping the courtyards and preparing modest meals in the communal kitchen. There was something incredibly therapeutic about focusing entirely on chopping vegetables or cleaning the stone floors. Rather than feeling tedious, these simple, mindful tasks brought me a profound sense of inner peace. I returned to the city feeling totally rejuvenated and with a completely new perspective on what truly matters in life.

C Leo

As a travel influencer, my life revolves around capturing the perfect shot and instantly uploading it for the world to see. Going to a secluded monastery in the Andes was supposed to be a ‘digital detox’ experiment for my followers. I won’t lie; the living conditions were far from luxurious. The guest quarters were absolutely freezing at night, and I had to sleep on a mattress that felt like solid rock. Yet, without the temptation to endlessly scroll through social media or check how many ‘likes’ a post had received, I noticed a remarkable shift in my attention span. Back home, I struggled to concentrate on a single task for more than ten minutes. Up there, I found myself sitting for hours just observing the mist rolling over the mountains or watching the eagles soar. Stripped of my digital crutches, I forged a deep, meaningful connection with the environment that no photograph could ever truly capture.

D Clara

I deliberately chose to retreat to a hidden monastery in the Pyrenees because I was suffering from a terrible case of writer’s block. I needed absolute isolation to finish the final chapters of my novel, and the lack of internet access was the primary draw. Without the urge to fall down online rabbit holes or chat with friends, my productivity skyrocketed. The words simply flowed out of me, and I managed to complete the manuscript days ahead of schedule. The silence of the mountains provided the perfect backdrop for my imagination to run wild. The only downside to this total isolation was a fleeting sense of loneliness when I wrote a particularly good scene. I instinctively reached for my phone to message my sister about it, only to remember I was completely cut off from the outside world. Nevertheless, that minor frustration was a small price to pay for such a remarkably peaceful and fruitful retreat.

Exercises:   123456