Practice English Reading Exercises for B2 – Impact of Tourism on Locals 2

Exercises:   123456

Reading 1

You are going to read an article about four young locals describing the frustration of seeing their sacred historical sites disrespected and damaged by careless, selfie-obsessed tourists.

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

Which person/section

1   points out that tourists are jeopardising their own physical safety for a picture?

2   wishes their community had voiced their objections to the tourism trend earlier?

3   feels that locals have been made to feel unwelcome in their own heritage sites?

4   observes that introducing monetary fines has failed to improve tourists’ behaviour?

5   is devastated by the way the ancient stonework is gradually breaking apart?

6   expresses frustration that visitors ignore guidelines regarding appropriate attire?

7   mourns the fact that the spiritual and quiet nature of the site has been ruined?

8   suggests that online recommendation systems are to blame for the massive crowds?

9   complains that the site is now used as a mere decorative setting for social media?

10   describes witnessing a resident scolding a visitor for their inappropriate actions?

The Hidden Cost of the Perfect Picture

A Mateo

I grew up in the shadow of ancient Mayan ruins, and for years, they were a source of immense pride for our community. However, recently, things have taken a disastrous turn for the worse. Visitors frequently ignore the velvet ropes, scaling fragile, weather-beaten stone walls just to get the perfect, envy-inducing selfie angle. Consequently, the thousand-year-old steps are literally crumbling away beneath their heavy boots. If we had realised how destructive this modern trend would become, we would certainly have protested much sooner. Unfortunately, we naively took it for granted that people would naturally respect the site’s heritage. Just last week, I witnessed an elderly neighbour completely lose his temper, furiously telling off a tourist who was posing inappropriately on a sacred altar. The visitor simply laughed it off. While it is acknowledged that entrance fees boost the local economy, the sheer scale of the structural wear and tear is heartbreaking. It’s as if the historical significance has been entirely overshadowed by vanity.

B Yumi

My hometown is globally renowned for its breathtaking temples, which were initially designed to be sanctuaries of quiet reflection and spiritual connection. Sadly, that deeply serene vibe has been completely wiped out. Nowadays, the courtyards are packed with raucous, pushing crowds, all desperately vying to capture their picture-perfect moment to broadcast online. Furthermore, it is incredibly frustrating to see people blatantly disregarding the strict dress codes. Despite prominent signage requesting modesty, many stroll into these holy sanctuaries wearing revealing beachwear, a habit which is highly offensive to our community. Some residents complain heavily about the physical wear and tear on the ancient wooden floors, but to me, the real tragedy is the permanent loss of the tranquil atmosphere. You can hardly hear the monks chanting anymore over the constant, deafening clicking of cameras. They must have left their common sense at home, treating a place of worship like a mere playground. It genuinely feels like our culture is being mocked.

C Elara

The medieval monastery near my village is precariously situated on a steep, dramatic cliff edge. It’s undeniably photogenic, but the lengths to which people will go for a social media post are genuinely terrifying. Despite the obvious perils and warning signs, visitors regularly hop over the safety barriers, dangling their legs over a 100-metre drop just to get a thrilling, vertigo-inducing shot. They are literally putting their own lives on the line for a handful of digital ‘likes’. I’ve frequently spoken to the local authorities about this, urging them to implement stricter crowd control. Recently, a new system of on-the-spot financial penalties was introduced, but it hasn’t made the slightest difference; wealthy tourists simply pay the fee and carry on breaking the rules. It is widely believed that more drastic measures, such as total site closures, might eventually be required. The reckless behaviour of the crowds leaves me feeling perpetually anxious. It’s only a matter of time before a terrible tragedy occurs.

D Tariq

Our desert monuments used to be a peaceful refuge where local families gathered for evening strolls and picnics. Now, however, we feel like unwanted guests in our own historical backyard. The area has been entirely overrun by tourists who view these magnificent, centuries-old tombs as nothing more than an exotic prop for their online profiles. They rudely block the main pathways for hours, staging elaborate photoshoots and glaring angrily at anyone who accidentally wanders into their frame. A local historian recently mentioned to me that the situation had worsened drastically after a particular travel influencer’s video went viral. Clearly, the relentless social media algorithms have driven this unsustainable wave of mass tourism, bringing in crowds who care absolutely nothing for our ancestors’ legacy. The monuments are no longer appreciated for their remarkable engineering; they have simply been reduced to a trendy, disposable background. It’s high time the tourism board stepped in. Our heritage is worth more than a fleeting internet trend.

Reading 2

You are going to read an article about four individuals talking about how the seasonal nature of the tourism industry leaves their entire town wealthy in the summer but unemployed and desolate in the winter.

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

Which person

1   mentions a specific strategy they use to stretch their earnings throughout the year?

2   is considering leaving the town permanently to find better long-term prospects?

3   describes the severe physical toll the peak season takes on them?

4   points out an ongoing effort to attract visitors during the colder months?

5   feels lonely because their peer group leaves when the season ends?

6   takes on completely different types of work to survive the quiet months?

7   prefers the appearance of the local landscape without the summer crowds?

8   explains how a feeling of relief is soon replaced by financial worry?

9   compares the empty town to an abandoned place?

10   gets frustrated when outsiders wrongly assume the winter is just a long holiday?

The Boom and Bust of a Tourist Town

A Elias

People from the city often tell me how lucky I am to have a nine-month holiday. They couldn’t be more wrong. It’s true that from June to August, our coastal town is absolutely packed, and the money flows in. We work non-stop, but we have to. Once September ends, the cash flow dries up completely. I’ve had to learn the hard way how to make my summer profits cover winter bills. It involves rigorous budgeting, putting away a set amount each week so we don’t run out of funds by February. To be honest, when the last tourists drive away, there’s a brief moment where I breathe a sigh of relief. The streets are finally ours again. However, that initial comfort rapidly gives way to a gnawing panic as the cold weather sets in. Staring at an empty reservations book for months on end is incredibly stressful, no matter how well you’ve prepared.

B Maya

Summer here is electric. The population swells, the cafes are overflowing, and there’s a vibrant, chaotic energy that I absolutely love. But the moment October hits, it’s as if someone has flipped a switch. The town undergoes a drastic transformation, turning into what can only be described as a ghost town. The boarded-up shop fronts and deserted beaches feel genuinely eerie. For someone my age, the winter months are incredibly tough. Since there are absolutely no jobs available outside of the hospitality sector, almost all my friends pack their bags and head to the city to find temporary work. It leaves me feeling incredibly isolated. I love my hometown, but dealing with this extreme boom-and-bust cycle every single year is exhausting. In fact, I’m seriously thinking about moving away for good. I need a stable career where I’m not constantly waiting for the summer crowds to bring the town back to life.

C Julian

Our local economy is entirely reliant on the three months of sunshine we get, which is a highly unsustainable model. The sudden drop in revenue during the winter puts enormous strain on local services, and unemployment skyrockets. We are currently trying to tackle this issue by promoting our region as a year-round destination. We’ve been organising winter food festivals and guided historical walks to attract weekend visitors, although getting people to come during the freezing weather is an uphill struggle. Despite the economic challenges, I must confess that I prefer the town during the off-season. When the streets are covered in frost and the beaches are totally empty, the landscape takes on a stark, rugged beauty that you completely miss during the chaotic summer months. If we can just persuade a few more tourists to appreciate this peaceful scenery, we might be able to balance out the local economy.

D Chloe

During the peak season, working in hospitality is relentlessly demanding. I regularly put in eighty-hour weeks, dealing with demanding guests and constant crises. By the time autumn arrives, I am completely drained and barely have the energy to get out of bed. I definitely need the autumn just to recover my strength. However, the downside of this seasonal lifestyle is the inevitable winter unemployment. While the hotel is closed, I obviously don’t get paid, so I have to find alternative ways to make ends meet. I usually end up doing odd jobs, like painting houses or doing basic maintenance work for neighbours, which is a far cry from managing a bustling hotel. Some of my colleagues manage to secure online freelance work, but that’s never appealed to me. It’s a strange existence, oscillating between extreme wealth and frantic activity in the summer, and pinching pennies in the dark, quiet winters.

Exercises:   123456