Practice English Reading Exercises for B2 – Cinema & Film Experiences 4

Exercises:   123456

Reading 1

You are going to read an article about four people sharing their absolute dislike for horror movies and the physical reactions they have when forced to watch them.

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 watching these films solely to participate in social conversations?

2   describes a feeling of sickness in their stomach due to specific visual scenes?

3  experiences long-lasting psychological effects that disrupt their rest?

4   states they often end up viewing horror by mistake?

5   explains that the soundtrack is the main trigger for their anxiety?

6   is forced to endure this genre to please someone they are close to?

7   mentions unconsciously stopping their breathing during tense moments?

8   confesses that they give in to peer pressure at gatherings?

9   physically hides from the screen when a terrifying scene approaches?

10   notes that they suffer from painful head tension after a viewing?

Behind the Screams: Why We Hate Horror

A Mark

I’ve never understood the appeal of paying good money to be terrified. Whenever I’m invited to a movie night, I usually cross my fingers hoping it’s a comedy. However, I inevitably cave in to peer pressure so as not to be the only one complaining. While some of my friends literally jump out of their seats at a sudden noise, my physical reaction is much more internal. My heart starts hammering against my ribs, and my palms break out in a cold sweat. But the real nightmare begins after the credits roll. Unlike others who can just shrug it off and fall sound asleep, I am plagued by an irrational paranoia. My mind replays the darkest scenes, leaving me wide awake and staring at the ceiling until dawn. If I hadn’t agreed to watch that zombie flick last weekend, I wouldn’t have spent three nights jumping at every creak the house made. It completely wrecks my sleeping pattern.

B Chloe

My partner is an absolute fanatic when it comes to the horror genre, which means I frequently have to sit through things I utterly despise just to keep him company. I don’t suffer from nightmares afterwards—once the TV is off, I’m fine—but the actual viewing experience is pure torture. For me, the most unbearable aspect isn’t the visual gore, but the ominous, creeping background music. The moment the audio changes to that eerie, high-pitched scratching, my muscles tense up involuntarily. I know a sudden shock is coming, and I spend half the film with my hands firmly clamped over my face, peeking through my fingers. I also physically flinch and draw my knees up to my chest. He finds my dramatic reactions highly amusing, but I honestly feel completely drained by the time it finishes. It takes a considerable amount of energy to keep bracing yourself for a fright that you know is just around the corner.

C Sam

I have a remarkably low tolerance for anything involving blood and gruesome special effects. You would think I’d just avoid the genre entirely, but I regularly find myself trapped in the cinema because a film was misleadingly marketed as a gripping psychological mystery. By the time I figure out it’s actually a slasher, it’s too late to walk out. While some viewers might hold their breath in suspense, my body reacts with intense nausea. As soon as the graphic scenes flash on the screen, my stomach begins to churn violently, and I feel incredibly faint. I literally have to look away and focus on the exit signs to stop myself from being physically sick. I can appreciate the incredible makeup and prosthetics from an artistic standpoint, but my digestive system completely disagrees. I genuinely wish filmmakers would rely more on clever storytelling rather than depending on sheer visual disgust to shock their audiences.

D Jessica

I genuinely loathe scary movies, particularly the supernatural ones involving ghosts or haunted houses. Yet, whenever a massively hyped horror film hits the cinemas, I invariably buy a ticket. I simply can’t stand the thought of being left out of the discussion at work the next day; it’s that classic fear of missing out. During the movie, I don’t feel sick or cover my eyes. Instead, my entire body goes completely rigid. I become so tense that I actually catch myself completely halting my breathing during the suspenseful build-ups. Consequently, by the time the film reaches its climax, I’m gasping for air. This prolonged state of physical stiffness always results in a pounding, severe ache in my temples that lasts for hours. I always swear I’ll never put myself through it again, but as soon as the next blockbuster gets everyone talking, I find myself right back in the stalls, bracing for the worst.

Reading 2

You are going to read an article about four individuals reviewing a movie adaptation of their favorite novel and detailing why the book is always better than the film.

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 that the computer-generated imagery was actually executed very well?

2   claims that a different type of screen adaptation would have been more appropriate?

3   is annoyed that a vital secret was made obvious far too soon?

4   feels that the performers selected did not match how they were originally described?

5   mentions the difficulty of portraying the characters’ private thoughts on screen?

6   expresses frustration over the deliberate deletion of minor storylines?

7   points out that the conclusion was changed to satisfy ordinary cinema-goers?

8   suggests that the actors performed adequately despite the flawed script?

9   argues that the film failed to replicate the unique atmosphere of the original universe?

10   claims that the sheer volume of the original material was too much for a standard film?

Lost in Translation: When Hollywood Ruins a Good Book

A Mark

Whenever a beloved sci-fi novel is adapted for the silver screen, expectations are inevitably sky-high. I had been looking forward to this release for ages. Visually, I must confess, it’s an absolute masterpiece; the special effects really brought the futuristic, dystopian cities to life in a way I hadn’t thought possible. However, the novel’s brilliance lies entirely in the protagonist’s complex internal monologue. In a movie, you simply can’t hear what’s going on inside someone’s head, which meant the main character came across as emotionally distant and flat. If the director had relied less on non-stop action, it might have worked out better. To be fair, the leading actors tried their absolute best and put in remarkably solid performances, but they were severely let down by the incredibly shallow dialogue they were forced to deliver. While the film captured the visual mood, it completely lacked the profound depth of the original text.

B Sarah

As a massive fan of this gripping psychological thriller, I was bitterly disappointed by what I saw on screen. The book is globally renowned for keeping readers on the edge of their seats until the very last page. Yet, the film’s director carelessly decided to drop heavy hints about the villain’s identity within the first twenty minutes, which completely ruined the suspense. What infuriated me most, however, was the climax. The original novel boasts a wonderfully dark and highly ambiguous conclusion. The studio obviously assumed that wouldn’t sell, so they deliberately replaced it with a typical, overly cheerful resolution just to keep the mainstream masses happy. Even though they managed to include most of the book’s events without cutting subplots, the overall pacing felt entirely wrong. The cast certainly looked the part, which was a bonus, but they couldn’t save a film that took the author’s brilliant mystery and turned it into a predictable, run-of-the-mill drama.

C Tom

Adapting a sprawling, 700-page historical epic was always going to be a tall order, and I believe the filmmakers simply bit off more than they could chew. It is virtually impossible to cram such a massive volume of intricate world-building and history into a standard two-hour cinema slot. Consequently, the writers had no choice but to ruthlessly chop out several fascinating secondary storylines that gave the original text its rich, cultural context. We lost all the subtle political maneuvering and the brilliant side characters who made the book so compelling. Instead of rushing through the historical events at breakneck speed, the producers really should have turned this into a multi-part television series; that would have given the complex narrative the breathing space it so desperately needed. The sets and costumes were undeniably lavish, but by stripping away the supporting narratives, they left the final product feeling completely hollow.

D Emma

I grew up reading this iconic fantasy series, meaning my expectations were bound to be high. My principal gripe, however, is with the bizarre casting choices. The author paints a wonderfully vivid picture of the protagonists, yet the studio brought in glamorous Hollywood stars who looked absolutely nothing like the rugged, battle-scarred heroes I had always imagined. It completely shattered the illusion for me. Furthermore, the film failed miserably at capturing the dark, enchanting vibe of the magical realm. While the book feels incredibly eerie and mysterious, the movie was far too bright and heavily polished, completely missing the gritty essence that made the author’s universe so unique. Although they kept the original, tragic ending intact, the lack of authentic atmosphere meant it didn’t carry the same emotional weight. If you genuinely want to experience the true magic of this world, you are far better off sticking to the printed pages.

Exercises:   123456