Practice English Reading Exercises for B2 – Travel Writing & Approaches 3

Exercises:   123456

Reading 1

You are going to read an article about four travel bloggers describing how they use local music, literature, and cinema to mentally prepare themselves before embarking on a trip to a new country.

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 picking up a few practical phrases as an unexpected benefit of their research?

2   believes that certain films can give travellers a misleading impression of what a destination is truly like?

3   points out that their chosen medium is particularly useful for learning how locals use body language?

4   makes a point of putting together a personalized selection of tracks for their trip?

5   suggests that their approach provides a deep insight into the psychological makeup of the people?

6   argues that books fail to adequately convey the dynamic atmosphere of a location?

7   intentionally seeks out independent cinema to experience a more realistic portrayal of everyday life?

8   values learning about the historical context that explains modern-day customs?

9   prefers to mentally engage with a new country by reading fictional stories?

10   uses their chosen art form to dictate the speed of their upcoming sightseeing?

Tuning into a New Culture

A Marcus

For me, a country’s heartbeat is best felt through its music. Long before I pack my bags, I dedicate hours to compiling a bespoke playlist of local tunes, effortlessly blending traditional folk melodies with contemporary chart-toppers. I’ve found that doing this completely transforms my mindset. While some travellers swear by guidebooks, I honestly feel that written accounts fall short when it comes to capturing the raw, vibrant energy of a bustling metropolis. Instead, the tempo of the music I listen to helps me establish the rhythm at which I’ll wander the streets once I arrive. If I’m heading to a laid-back coastal town, reggae or acoustic tracks help me slow down; for a dynamic capital, upbeat electronic music gets me ready for the rush. I do occasionally skim through a brief history article to get my bearings, but nothing gets me as psychologically prepared as putting on my headphones and letting the local beats wash over me. It’s the ultimate pre-trip immersion.

B Chloe

Whenever I settle on a new destination, my first port of call is always the local bookstore. I genuinely prefer to immerse myself in a foreign culture through works of imagination rather than dry, factual texts. By diving into both classic and modern novels written by indigenous authors, I gain invaluable insights into the psychological makeup of the native population. Literature reveals the nuances of their daily struggles, joys, and cultural quirks in a way that nothing else can. I used to rely heavily on cinema to get a glimpse of my upcoming travels, but I quickly realised that commercial blockbuster films can give you a highly misleading impression, portraying a heavily stereotyped version of reality. A well-written story, on the other hand, requires you to construct the scenery in your own mind, which makes the actual arrival far more rewarding. It’s a habit I’ve stuck to for years, and it never fails to deepen my connection to the places I visit.

C Julian

I have always been a highly visual person, so my pre-trip ritual relies heavily on the screen. However, I tend to steer clear of major Hollywood releases, as they rarely depict authentic everyday life accurately. Instead, I make a point of tracking down independent productions and gritty documentaries filmed on location. Watching these allows me to absorb the genuine atmosphere of the streets I’ll soon be walking. More importantly, observing the actors helps me interpret the subtle non-verbal communication of the locals. You can pick up on so much—from how people greet each other to the hand gestures they use when buying coffee. It’s completely fascinating. Sometimes, I’ll even download the film’s soundtrack to listen to on the plane, though the audio alone doesn’t provide the same cultural context. By the time I step off the flight, I feel as though I’ve already familiarised myself with the social etiquette, meaning I’m far less likely to accidentally offend anyone during my stay.

D Elena

My preparation might sound a bit academic to some, but I find it incredibly enriching. I always delve into a region’s historical archives and translated poetry before booking my flights. If you don’t understand what a nation has been through, you can’t possibly grasp its current identity. Reading about past events helps me comprehend the origins of modern-day customs that might otherwise seem completely baffling to an outsider. Furthermore, traditional poetry often contains recurrent cultural motifs that are essential to the local psyche. As an unexpected benefit, poring over bilingual editions of these poems is a fantastic way to pick up a few practical phrases. Even just memorising a handful of expressions pays dividends when trying to interact with shopkeepers or taxi drivers. While my friends are busy watching travel vlogs or downloading pop songs, I’m happily buried in a history book, ensuring that my upcoming adventure will be a truly meaningful and respectful cultural exchange.

Reading 2

You are going to read an article about four individuals talking about the liberating decision to leave their cameras at home and experience a vacation entirely through their own eyes.

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 their previous trips were largely driven by a desire for online validation?

2   experienced a heightened awareness of sounds and smells in their environment?

3   appreciated the lack of heavy and awkward items they had to transport?

4   confesses to a pre-trip fear that their recollections of the holiday would quickly fade?

5   was able to engage in more authentic conversations with the local population?

6   adopted an alternative creative method to record their impressions of the destination?

7   relished the ability to alter their daily plans on a whim?

8   appreciated no longer having to constantly halt their progress to capture a scene?

9   mentions fully absorbing a brief, unrepeatable natural occurrence?

10   regrets the amount of vacation time they previously wasted on technical adjustments?

Unplugged and Unfiltered: Travelling Without a Lens

A Oliver

When I first decided to leave my digital camera behind for my trip to the Scottish Highlands, I was a nervous wreck. I genuinely feared that without photographic evidence, my precious memories would simply slip away. For years, I’d viewed the world exclusively through a viewfinder, assuming it was the only way to preserve a moment. However, going camera-free turned out to be a complete revelation. Stripped of the urge to compose the perfect shot, my other senses suddenly sprang to life. I vividly recall the deafening roar of a distant waterfall and the rich, earthy scent of the damp pine forest—details a photograph could never convey. While I saw plenty of other tourists frantically snapping pictures of the scenery, I simply stood still and soaked it in. I realised that constantly looking for the best angle had previously acted as a barrier between me and the environment. Now, rather than relying on a memory card, those pristine experiences are firmly etched in my mind.

B Sofia

If I’m completely honest, my previous holidays were heavily dictated by social media. I used to meticulously plan my itineraries around locations that would look stunning on my feed, constantly seeking the approval of my followers. Leaving my smartphone and camera at home during my getaway to Morocco was a daunting but necessary detox. Without a screen to hide behind, I was forced to actually look up and interact with my surroundings. The most profound shift was in how I connected with people. Instead of treating merchants in the bustling markets as mere subjects for a vibrant portrait, I found myself chatting with them about their daily lives and traditions. Breaking the habit of viewing every interaction as a potential post was incredibly liberating. Although I eventually wrote a blog about the trip when I returned, living entirely in the moment allowed me to forge genuine friendships, something no amount of online likes could ever replace.

C Marcus

As a former photography enthusiast, travelling used to be a heavy burden—quite literally. My backpack would be weighed down with an assortment of heavy lenses, bulky tripods, and spare batteries. Ditching that cumbersome gear for my backpacking trip across Southeast Asia was the best decision I’ve ever made. In the past, I would miss out on the actual experience because I was too busy fiddling with exposure settings and worrying about the lighting. Without all that expensive equipment tying me down, I felt wonderfully unburdened. It meant I could hop onto a crowded local bus at a moment’s notice or spontaneously join a group heading to an undiscovered beach, without worrying about damaging my gear. While I used to love sharing high-quality images with my friends back home, I now realise that the relentless pursuit of perfection was ruining my holidays. Experiencing the chaotic, colourful streets with my own two eyes brought a sense of absolute freedom.

D Isabella

My main frustration with photography was how it completely disrupted the natural rhythm of a journey. I used to travel with friends who would constantly stop in their tracks to set up the ideal shot, effectively putting the entire holiday on pause. For my solo trip to the Canadian Rockies, I made a strict ‘no cameras’ rule. This policy paid off spectacularly one evening when I spotted a magnificent golden eagle emerging from the trees. It was a fleeting, magical encounter that lasted merely seconds. Had I been fumbling for a camera, I would have missed it entirely. Instead, I stood frozen in awe, fully present in the moment. To document my travels, I decided to take up sketching. Spending twenty minutes drawing a landscape in a notebook forced me to truly observe the intricate details of the mountains. I found that putting pen to paper embedded the scenery into my memory far more effectively than a quick digital snap ever could.

Exercises:   123456