Practice English Reading Exercises for B2 – Impact of Tourism on Locals 9

Exercises:   123456

Reading 1

You are going to read an article about four residents describing the annoying commercialization of their town.

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 the inconvenience of travelling outside the area to buy everyday food items?

2   expresses sadness at the loss of personal relationships with local business owners?

3   points out the poor durability of the items currently being sold to visitors?

4   is frustrated by the negative impact on the visual appeal of the historic streets?

5   admits that they initially didn’t realise the long-term consequences of the changes?

6   highlights a disadvantage regarding the type of work now available to locals?

7   feels that the town now resembles an artificial tourist attraction?

8   believes that tourists themselves are being cheated by the current retail offerings?

9   notes that a specific type of traditional food shop was the latest to close down?

10   mentions taking deliberate action to avoid the town centre during certain times?

Losing Our Soul: When Souvenirs Replace Supermarkets

A Liam

I have lived in this coastal town my entire life, and it breaks my heart to see what it has become. Ten years ago, the high street was a thriving hub of independent butchers, bakers, and hardware stores. Now, it is virtually impossible to buy a loaf of bread without having to get in the car and drive to a massive supermarket on the outskirts. When the first few gift shops opened, I actually took it for granted that it would boost our local economy. I certainly didn’t anticipate this overwhelming wave of commercialisation. The tipping point was when the family-run pharmacy, which had been there for decades, was converted into yet another store selling identical plastic keyrings. The sheer inconvenience of living here now is infuriating; our essential services have been completely driven out by landlords who can charge premium rents to businesses catering exclusively to day-trippers.

B Chloe

What frustrates me most about this endless expansion of tourist traps is the complete lack of steady opportunities for school leavers. The traditional businesses that used to line our streets provided stable, year-round employment. Now, young people are forced to accept seasonal, minimum-wage roles selling mass-produced trinkets that fall apart within a week. It’s depressing to witness visitors buying these poorly manufactured items, mistakenly believing they are taking home a piece of local heritage. Just last month, the final nail in the coffin was the closure of the beloved greengrocer on the corner. The owners simply couldn’t cope with the rising business rates. Naturally, it has already been boarded up and is currently being refurbished into a shop selling identical t-shirts and magnets. It feels as though our authentic economy has been completely hollowed out, leaving behind a fragile, seasonal industry that benefits nobody who actually lives here year-round.

C Mark

Growing up, walking down to the market square was a deeply social experience. The traders knew everyone by name, and my mother would spend ages catching up with the fishmonger about local news. That sense of community has entirely vanished, replaced by an endless parade of identical souvenir outlets. Our beautiful hometown has essentially been turned into a giant, artificial theme park, completely devoid of its original soul. It caters solely to the passing crowds, ignoring the needs of the permanent residents. In fact, the congestion is so unbearable during the peak holiday months that I make a point of steering clear of the historic centre altogether. Unless it is absolutely necessary, I refuse to navigate through the swarms of sightseers blocking the pavements. We have traded our genuine, close-knit neighbourhood for a profitable, yet entirely superficial, tourist destination. I constantly wish we had implemented stricter zoning laws earlier.

D Elena

From an architectural standpoint, the transformation of our historic quarter has been an absolute disaster. The elegant, centuries-old facades of the former grocery stores are now obscured by garish neon signs and cheap promotional banners. Shopkeepers insist on putting their tacky merchandise outside, leaving plastic toys and oversized postcards spilling out onto the narrow cobbled pavements. It completely ruins the picturesque charm that made the town famous in the first place. Furthermore, I can’t help but feel sorry for the visitors who are being thoroughly deceived. They arrive eager to experience our regional culture, but instead of finding locally crafted goods or regional delicacies, they are sold imported rubbish that has absolutely nothing to do with our heritage. If the council doesn’t step in and regulate the visual appearance of these commercial storefronts soon, we are going to permanently lose the unique atmosphere that defines our community.

Reading 2

You are going to read an article about four local teenagers sharing how meeting diverse backpackers from around the world has broadened their horizons and inspired them to study abroad.

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 to having a negative attitude towards visitors at first?

2   abandoned a previous idea about their future studies?

3   became conscious of worldwide issues through conversations with foreigners?

4   was inspired to acquire the same level of self-sufficiency as the travellers?

5   took it upon themselves to act as an informal tour guide?

6   used their interactions to directly boost their performance in a school subject?

7   struck up conversations with visitors while serving them food and drink?

8   was unexpectedly struck by how much they had in common with a guest?

9   hopes that moving away will force them to become a more outgoing person?

10   feels that they have outgrown the academic options available in their hometown?

Broadening Horizons: How Backpackers Changed Our Lives

A Leo

I used to take it for granted that I’d just stay in my hometown and enrol in an accounting degree, which was a safe choice my parents fully endorsed. However, my perspective shifted entirely last summer. Our town has recently become a hotspot for international backpackers, and I started casually chatting with a few of them at the central plaza. I’ve always struggled with my spoken English at school, frequently feeling tongue-tied, but conversing with native speakers worked wonders for my fluency. In fact, my grades in that subject have shot up significantly this term! Hearing their captivating stories about navigating the globe completely altered my ambitions. Consequently, I’ve dropped the idea of finance and now have my heart set on studying international communications in Europe. Honestly, I’ve come to terms with the fact that the local college simply isn’t equipped to offer the kind of broad, multicultural exposure I am currently craving. I desperately need to spread my wings and experience life beyond these familiar borders.

B Mia

Because my parents run a small, bustling guesthouse, I am constantly surrounded by transient travellers. If I’m completely honest, a few years ago, I used to find the endless influx of strangers rather irritating. They were always asking for directions or making a massive racket in the communal kitchen when I was trying to study. My stance changed dramatically, however, when a young couple from Argentina stayed with us for a fortnight. I reluctantly sat down to have a coffee with them one evening, and to my absolute astonishment, we spent hours bonding over our mutual obsession with vintage photography and independent cinema. It was a profound revelation to realise that individuals from the other side of the planet could resonate with me so deeply. They strongly encouraged me to look into university exchange programmes. Consequently, I am actively applying to study in Buenos Aires next year. I want to immerse myself in their culture, even though my mother remains slightly apprehensive about me moving so far away.

C Sam

I have always been incredibly proud of my rural region, which is renowned for its stunning, untouched hiking trails. Last spring, I bumped into a group of European backpackers who looked hopelessly lost near the forest edge. I took them under my wing and spent the entire weekend showing them the hidden waterfalls and secret valleys that typical tourists rarely uncover. They were immensely grateful, but what truly left a lasting impression on me were our deep conversations along the way. Many of them were volunteering for eco-projects around the world, and they opened my eyes to the severe environmental crises affecting different continents—issues I had previously been completely oblivious to. Before meeting them, I possessed a very narrow, locally-focused view of the world. Now, I feel a profound sense of global responsibility. Therefore, I have made up my mind to study environmental science at a university in Australia, aiming to gain the practical expertise needed to tackle these complex ecological challenges head-on.

D Tara

Working demanding weekend shifts at a popular seaside café has provided me with a front-row seat to the global backpacking community. I spend hours serving them lattes and quietly observing their behaviour. What fascinates me most is their absolute fearlessness. Many of these travellers are barely a year or two older than I am, yet they navigate unfamiliar countries, deal with massive logistical hiccups, and handle unexpected emergencies with remarkable ease. As someone who has always been inherently timid and heavily reliant on my family to solve my problems, I find their self-assurance deeply inspiring. I used to be absolutely terrified of the mere thought of living independently. However, seeing how these young explorers take everything in their stride has finally motivated me to break out of my comfort zone. I’ve recently submitted my application to pursue a sociology degree in Canada. I firmly believe that throwing myself into a completely foreign academic environment is the only way to genuinely conquer my shyness.

Exercises:   123456