Practice English Reading Exercises for B2 – Documentaries & Television 2

Exercises:   123456

Reading 1

You are going to read an article about four individuals reflecting on how a historical television series sparked a profound interest in a subject they used to hate at school.

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 that the way the subject was originally taught lacked passion?

2   explains how the show helped them understand the similarities between past and present societies?

3   was inspired to physically travel to places where historical events occurred?

4   initially believed the subject had no connection to their own life?

5   admits they now consume historical audio content regularly?

6   appreciated the focus on political manipulation in the television programme?

7   decided to formally study the subject further in their free time?

8   felt that their school lessons placed too much emphasis on military conflicts?

9   notes that the series highlighted the private lives of prominent female figures?

10   turned to reading detailed accounts of people’s lives after finishing the series?

Screening the Past: How TV Changed Our Minds About History

A Mark

When I was a teenager, I absolutely loathed history. I took it for granted that it was nothing more than an endless list of dates and battles to be memorised. My teacher meant well, but the rote learning approach completely put me off. However, everything changed when I stumbled upon a lavish television series set during the Roman Empire. Rather than just focusing on military conquests, the show delved into the complex political maneuvering and backstabbing within the senate. I was completely hooked by the sheer drama of it all. It brought the era to life in a way textbooks never could. Once I had binge-watched all the seasons, I couldn’t get enough. Consequently, I started devouring thick biographies of Roman emperors, trying to separate the historical facts from the Hollywood fiction. It’s funny to think that a TV drama finally helped me come to terms with a subject I had previously written off as a cure for insomnia.

B Chloe

Throughout my school years, I firmly believed that history was exclusively about men fighting in muddy fields. Our syllabus seemed overly concerned with military campaigns and territorial disputes, which I found incredibly dry. I tuned out completely. It wasn’t until I caught a beautifully produced drama focusing on the Tudor dynasty that I suddenly saw things differently. The series stepped away from the battlefield and shone a spotlight on the private lives and fierce intelligence of the queens who shaped the nation. Seeing these powerful women dealing with betrayal and societal expectations was a massive wake-up call for me. Since then, my enthusiasm has bounced back tenfold. I’ve actually started spending my weekends visiting ruined castles and grand stately homes associated with the period. Standing in the exact rooms where these monumental events unfolded gives me a profound sense of connection that no classroom lecture ever managed to achieve.

C Samuel

If you had told my sixteen-year-old self that I would one day be a history fanatic, I would have laughed out loud. My high school history teacher had a habit of simply reading directly from the textbook in a dull, monotone voice. Unsurprisingly, this complete lack of enthusiasm made the entire class dread his lessons. I only scraped through my exams because I had to. Fast forward ten years, and a friend recommended a gripping spy thriller series set during the Cold War. It turned out to be an absolute masterpiece. The tension, the secretive gadgets, and the sheer paranoia of the era fascinated me. Now, whenever I commute to the office, I use that time to let off steam by listening to in-depth historical podcasts about twentieth-century espionage. The show effectively acted as a gateway, proving to me that history isn’t just about ancient dust; it’s a thrilling narrative full of secrets waiting to be uncovered.

D Elena

At school, I always struggled to see the point of looking backwards. As far as I was concerned, learning about ancient civilisations was utterly irrelevant to my modern, everyday life. I preferred focusing on subjects that felt practical. However, during a long recovery from a sports injury—which turned out to be a blessing in disguise—I ended up watching an acclaimed series about the Viking Age. What struck me wasn’t the raids or the spectacular costumes, but rather the everyday struggles of the characters. I realised that their desires to protect their families, improve their living conditions, and find a sense of belonging were completely universal. Seeing these fundamental similarities between their society and ours bridged the gap for me. It sparked such a deep curiosity that I’ve recently looked into formal education options and subsequently enrolled in an evening class on medieval Scandinavian history. It’s never too late to change your mind!

Reading 2

You are going to read an article about four individuals reflecting on their disappointment upon learning that their favourite “reality” TV shows are actually heavily scripted and edited.

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

Which person/section

1   felt embarrassed about having argued with others in support of the programme’s honesty?

2   describes how an editing trick unfairly altered their perception of a participant’s character?

3   was alerted to the lack of authenticity through an accidental slip-up in visual continuity?

4   regrets having spent money on an interactive feature associated with the show?

5   explains that a seemingly spontaneous confrontation was actually filmed multiple times?

6   mentions that their discovery has changed how they view television programmes in general?

7   was shocked to learn that two apparently hostile contestants actually got on well behind the scenes?

8   uncovered the truth about the show after reading an online account by an insider?

9   admits they had blindly assumed that what they were watching was completely genuine?

10   discovered that a supposedly authentic setting was merely a temporary construction?

The Reality Behind “Reality” TV

A Liam

I used to be completely obsessed with a popular wilderness survival show, and I suppose I just blindly assumed that what I was watching was completely genuine. I took it for granted that these contestants were genuinely pushed to their limits in the wild. That illusion came to a sudden end last month. While watching a crucial episode, I spotted a ridiculous error: a participant was building a shelter in heavy rain, but when the camera angle shifted for a split second, his clothes were bone dry and the sun was shining. This clear slip-up in visual continuity prompted me to do some digging online. I stumbled upon a detailed blog post by a former camera operator who exposed the entire production. It turned out the “desert island” was actually a narrow strip of beach located just a short distance from a major luxury resort, where the cast spent their nights. I felt incredibly foolish for being so easily deceived.

B Chloe

As a dedicated fan of a famous high-stakes cooking competition, I used to get into intense arguments with my roommates, fiercely defending the programme’s honesty whenever they claimed it was fake. Looking back, I feel deeply embarrassed about my stubbornness. My eyes were opened when a leaked behind-the-scenes video surfaced on social media. It showed a dramatic confrontation between a contestant and a judge, which I had found incredibly intense on screen. In reality, the director had forced them to repeat the entire argument three times from different angles to maximize the drama. Furthermore, I discovered that the rustic, old-fashioned kitchen where they supposedly cooked was actually a temporary studio set built inside an abandoned warehouse in an industrial estate. Discovering that these emotional meltdowns were carefully orchestrated and rehearsed thoroughly made me feel completely cheated, and I haven’t been able to enjoy the show since.

C Sam

I always turned to my favourite relationship reality show as a way to switch off from my demanding university schedule. My absolute favourite participant was a young woman who seemed incredibly sweet, so I was devastated when later episodes used clever editing tricks to splice unrelated reactions together, making her look like a manipulative villain. This unfair distortion of her character completely altered how I perceived her until she explained the truth on a podcast. What shocked me even more was learning that she and her main on-screen rival actually got on exceptionally well behind the scenes, frequently sharing laughs when the cameras stopped rolling. Knowing that their bitter animosity was entirely manufactured by producers who were desperate for higher ratings has completely ruined the excitement for me. I hate knowing that the people we are meant to detest are actually close friends.

D Maya

I used to actively participate in the fan community of a well-known talent show, to the point where I regularly spent my pocket money on their interactive app to vote for my favorite singers. Now that I understand how heavily edited and scripted the performances are, I deeply regret having squandered my savings on a feature that was ultimately meaningless, as the producers had already decided who would advance to the finals. This disappointing revelation has had a lasting impact on me. In fact, it has permanently changed how I view television programmes in general; I find myself analyzing the camera cuts in news broadcasts and documentaries, constantly looking for signs of manipulation. Once you come to terms with how easily the media can manufacture reality, you can never look at any screen the same way again. It has completely destroyed my innocence as a viewer.

Exercises:   123456