Practice English Reading Exercises for B2 – Impact of Tourism on Locals 10

Exercises:   123456

Reading 1

You are going to read an article about four individuals reflecting on the heavy traffic congestion and lack of parking caused by hordes of tourist buses flooding their small, historic streets.

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 the structural harm inflicted on ancient buildings by heavy vehicles?

2   mentions how the congestion severely disrupts the daily supply of goods to their business?

3   expresses concern over the physical danger posed to people walking in the area?

4   explains how they have been forced to adjust their morning routine to avoid the gridlock?

5   advocates for a specific transport alternative located away from the centre?

6   regrets the loss of residential parking zones to tourist-related vehicles?

7   mentions a collective effort to change the rules that was ultimately ignored?

8   acknowledges the financial benefits tourists bring despite the logistical chaos?

9   complains about their rest being disturbed by the sound of waiting vehicles?

10   feels frustrated that the massive vehicles hide the beauty of the town?

Gridlock in the Old Town: When Tourist Buses Take Over

A Marco

Running a café in the heart of this medieval town is a double-edged sword. On one hand, I’d be foolish to deny that the influx of sightseers keeps my business afloat; without their custom, we’d struggle to survive the winter months. However, the sheer volume of tourist coaches has made daily operations a logistical nightmare. Every morning, my suppliers are stuck in traffic, unable to unload fresh produce because the designated loading bays are completely clogged with massive double-decker buses. It’s incredibly frustrating. What really gets on my nerves, though, is the visual pollution. These enormous vehicles park directly outside my terrace, entirely obscuring the stunning 15th-century architecture that people actually travel here to see. My customers end up staring at the side of a bus rather than the historic fountain. It’s absurd that we allow these giants to dominate our narrow alleys, ruining the very charm they came to experience.

B Clara

Living in a picturesque hotspot has entirely lost its appeal for me. The main issue isn’t the visitors themselves, but the chaotic traffic they bring. I commute to a neighbouring city for work, and I’ve had to completely overhaul my schedule. If I don’t leave the house by 6:30 AM, I get caught in a miles-long tailback of coaches crawling towards the central plaza. By the time I return in the evening, finding a place to leave my car is practically impossible. The spaces meant strictly for locals are invariably occupied by tourists’ rental cars or oversized camper vans. To make matters worse, my bedroom window overlooks the main thoroughfare. Throughout the summer, I am regularly woken up at the crack of dawn by the rumble of diesel engines idling right outside, as drivers wait to pick up their tour groups. It’s exhausting, and I’m seriously considering moving away.

C Hugo

As an architectural historian, I am deeply concerned about the long-term impact of this uncontrolled traffic. Our town’s infrastructure was laid out centuries ago for horse-drawn carts, not twenty-tonne tourist coaches. The constant, heavy vibrations from these massive vehicles rumbling over the cobblestones are causing visible cracks in the foundations of several heritage sites. We are literally watching our history crumble. Last year, a group of us organised a widespread campaign, gathering hundreds of signatures to demand a strict ban on heavy vehicles entering the old quarter. We presented it to the local authorities, hoping for immediate action. Unfortunately, our pleas fell on deaf ears; the council simply brushed it aside, clearly terrified of losing tourist revenue. While I understand that the town relies on visitors, allowing these colossal buses to physically destroy our ancient monuments is incredibly short-sighted. If we aren’t careful, there will soon be no historic centre left to visit.

D Sophie

What terrifies me the most about the constant stream of tourist buses is the threat they pose to pedestrians. The pavements in this part of town are incredibly narrow, and in some alleys, they are virtually non-existent. When a gigantic coach squeezes through, it forces people to press themselves flat against the walls just to avoid being hit. I refuse to let my children walk to school alone anymore because the risk of an accident is simply too high. It’s only a matter of time before someone gets seriously hurt. The most obvious fix would be to implement a comprehensive park-and-ride scheme. If the local government mandated that all large tourist vehicles must park at a designated facility on the outskirts of town, visitors could easily use small electric shuttle buses to reach the centre. It would instantly clear the congestion, make the streets safe to walk again, and preserve the tranquil atmosphere we used to enjoy.

Reading 2

You are going to read an article about four locals talking about the profound realization that despite the annoyances, they feel a deep sense of pride that people travel from across the globe just to see their home.

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 sometimes fail to appreciate the visual appeal of their local area?

2   is touched by the monetary efforts people make to visit their region?

3   points out that their regular journey to their workplace is significantly delayed?

4   experiences a sense of approval when outsiders respectfully engage with local traditions?

5   expresses frustration over tourists crossing personal boundaries at their home?

6   mentions that the local public systems cannot handle the massive influx of people?

7   claims their annoyance vanishes upon seeing a traveller spellbound by the architecture?

8   highlights the dramatic difference in the town’s atmosphere depending on the season?

9   tolerates the disruption because tourist spending maintains the area’s historic properties?

10   complains about the ecological footprint left by careless holidaymakers?

A Love-Hate Relationship: Why We Are Proud to Share Our Hometowns

A Marco – Rome, Italy

Living in Rome means that navigating the labyrinth of narrow streets during the summer becomes an absolute nightmare. My daily commute to work, which should take ten minutes, frequently takes half an hour because I am constantly dodging massive tour groups. Honestly, the relentless crowds can really take their toll on your patience. However, my frustration usually evaporates the moment I walk past the Pantheon. Catching sight of a visitor who has stopped dead in their tracks, completely mesmerised by the sheer scale of the ancient architecture, is incredibly humbling. I suddenly remember that I am walking through a living, breathing museum. Despite the daily inconveniences, it genuinely swells my heart to realise that millions of people travel across oceans just to stand where I have the privilege of standing every single day. The pride I feel for my city’s history easily outweighs the annoyance of a delayed commute.

B Chloe – The Cotswolds, UK

Our picturesque village in the Cotswolds is famously quaint, but the summer invasion can definitely get on my nerves. What irritates me most is the blatant invasion of privacy; I have literally caught strangers peering through my living room window to admire the interior! It often feels as though we are living in a theme park rather than a real community. Nevertheless, whenever I find myself complaining about the coaches blocking our country lanes, a certain thought dawns on me. It is incredibly easy for those of us who grew up here to take the centuries-old thatched roofs and cobblestone paths for granted. Hearing foreigners express their absolute delight at the charming scenery reminds me of how wonderfully unique my home truly is. Furthermore, it is their ongoing financial contribution that ultimately funds the preservation of these historical homes, so I can’t help but feel fiercely proud of our enduring global appeal.

C Amara – Bali, Indonesia

As a lifelong resident of Bali, I have witnessed firsthand how the explosion of tourism has altered our island. There are days when our limited infrastructure undeniably struggles to cope with the sheer volume of arrivals, and dealing with the inevitable litter left behind on our once-pristine beaches is highly exasperating. You often catch yourself wishing for the quiet days of the past. Yet, there is a profound flip side to this coin. Whenever I see outsiders genuinely attempting to understand our ancestral ceremonies or wearing traditional dress with respect, I feel an overwhelming sense of validation. It is a powerful realisation that our small island’s culture resonates so deeply with people from completely different backgrounds. I am willing to put up with the congested roads and busy markets because sharing our vibrant heritage with the world fills me with a very specific, irreplaceable kind of civic pride.

D Julian – The Swiss Alps

The transformation from a sleepy mountain retreat to a chaotic winter playground is something we locals have to brace ourselves for every single November. Suddenly, our peaceful Alpine town is overrun by bustling crowds, and the noise from the après-ski nightlife can be incredibly disruptive. The skyrocketing prices in local supermarkets during the peak season certainly don’t help matters either. However, my entire perspective shifts when I take the cable car up the mountain. Striking up a conversation with a family who have flown halfway across the world, I am constantly reminded that people save up for years, treating a week here as the ultimate bucket-list dream. It makes me count my blessings. While the seasonal hustle and bustle is undeniably draining, knowing that the snow-capped peaks I wake up to every morning are considered a lifelong goal for so many others makes me intensely proud to call this valley my home.

Exercises:   123456