Practice English Reading Exercises for B2 – Literature, Writing & Publishing 1

Exercises:   123456

Reading 1

You are going to read an article about four aspiring authors talking about the brutal realities, rejections, and eventual triumphs of trying to get their first book published.

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 coming incredibly close to giving up on their ambition?

2   admits they were initially reluctant to make alterations to their story?

3   highlights the difficulty of maintaining a stable income while pursuing their goal?

4   challenges a widespread assumption about how authors operate?

5   chose an unconventional method to share their work before a company stepped in?

6   recognises that receiving straightforward, harsh advice was crucial to their success?

7   experienced a major turning point after being awarded a specific honour?

8   credits their achievement to the invaluable support of established professionals?

9   describes the overwhelming sensation of touching their completed work for the first time?

10   was taken aback by the sheer level of competition within the literary world?

Beyond the Blank Page: The Journey to Publication

A Liam

I always took it for granted that crafting a novel was a strictly solitary pursuit, just me isolated with my laptop. However, the true loneliness only truly set in when I began submitting my manuscript to literary agents. Over a grueling two-year period, I accumulated upwards of a hundred generic rejection emails. The constant stream of negative responses was utterly soul-destroying, and I came dangerously close to throwing in the towel. I frankly couldn’t stomach another polite dismissal. Rather than abandoning my lifelong ambition entirely, I decided to take matters into my own hands and self-publish the story online. It was a massive financial and emotional gamble, but my thriller slowly gathered a dedicated following. Surprisingly, a major traditional publishing house noticed the surging online sales and subsequently offered me a lucrative contract. It just goes to show that if the conventional front door is firmly locked, you sometimes have to figure out a way to break in through the back.

B Maya

Before stepping into the publishing arena, I was terribly naive. I honestly had no idea just how densely saturated the market actually was; thousands of incredibly talented authors are constantly fighting tooth and nail for a tiny handful of contracts. It was a massive shock to the system. When an established editor finally expressed interest in my fantasy novel, I was on cloud nine, assuming the hardest part was over. However, she sat me down and ruthlessly tore my narrative apart, pointing out glaring plot holes and insisting I delete three entire chapters. Initially, my pride was deeply wounded, and I stubbornly resisted her suggestions, feeling she was compromising my artistic vision. Fortunately, after a few days of reflection, I realised her remarkably blunt assessment was exactly what the story required to succeed. By swallowing my pride and making those drastic revisions, the pacing improved immensely. Without her unfiltered honesty, my manuscript would undoubtedly still be gathering dust in a drawer today.

C Noah

People tend to romanticise the life of a writer, but the everyday reality is incredibly unglamorous. For four solid years, I was forced to juggle my exhausting day job as a restaurant manager with writing late into the night. It was an incredibly precarious balancing act, desperately trying to cover my soaring rent while pouring my energy into a manuscript that might never actually see the light of day. I constantly questioned whether this prolonged financial instability was truly worth the sacrifice. My situation completely transformed when I submitted my historical drama to a prestigious national writing competition on a whim. Unexpectedly winning the ‘New Voices’ trophy instantly put me on the map, securing me both a brilliant agent and a publishing deal. I will never forget the surreal moment a courier delivered the very first printed copy of my novel. Running my fingers over the glossy cover and physically holding the weight of the pages was a profoundly overwhelming sensation that made every single sleepless night worthwhile.

D Chloe

There is a widespread, persistent misconception that authors are simply lone wolves who conjure up brilliant masterpieces in absolute isolation. In my personal experience, nothing could be further from the truth. Getting my debut crime thriller published was, fundamentally, a highly collaborative endeavour. After receiving dozens of vague rejections, I quickly realised I couldn’t navigate the notoriously complex publishing industry by myself. I actively sought out a local writers’ syndicate, which turned out to be the best decision I ever made. Being surrounded by seasoned professionals who had already weathered the storm provided me with indispensable insights. One veteran author generously took me under her wing, instructing me on how to craft a compelling pitch letter and introducing me to key literary agents. It was this vital networking, rather than solely my raw writing talent, that ultimately resulted in my book hitting the shelves. Aspiring novelists must understand that cultivating a supportive community is just as critical as the actual sentences you write.

Reading 2

You are going to read an article about four teenagers reflecting on how reading fantasy novels provides them with a much-needed mental escape from the pressures of high 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   copes with anxieties about their life beyond education?

2   draws personal strength from the attitudes of the main characters?

3   uses reading as an escape from demanding after-school commitments?

4   explains that their reading habit cured a stress-related physical issue?

5   appreciates the highly detailed background and rules of the fictional worlds?

6   finds reassurance in sticking with an extended, continuing storyline?

7   relishes the feeling of not having to actively participate or succeed?

8   states that the stories helped them manage negative social interactions?

9   mentions abandoning a modern piece of technology meant for relaxation?

10   incorporates reading into their regular commute to improve their daily mindset?

Portals from the Pressure: Finding Sanctuary in Fantasy

A Leo

High school for me currently feels like a relentless treadmill of mock exams and endless coursework. The academic expectations are sky-high, and the intense pressure to excel used to keep me wide awake at night, staring blankly at the ceiling. I initially downloaded various mindfulness apps to calm my racing thoughts, but none of them did the trick. Then, a friend lent me a massive epic fantasy novel. Plunging into a universe where the rules of reality are completely rewritten was exactly what I needed. I am completely fascinated by the meticulous lore, complex magic systems, and invented histories that these authors create. It takes my mind entirely off my biology grades. Some of my peers use video games to wind down, but for me, getting lost in a richly detailed fictional realm is the only thing that successfully switches my brain off and allows me to finally drift off to sleep.

B Maya

While some of my peers stress over their grades, I actually find the academic side of high school fairly manageable. For me, the real nightmare is the suffocating social environment. Trying to figure out where you fit in, dealing with exclusion, and navigating the sometimes toxic behaviour of classmates can be utterly exhausting. Whenever the drama gets too much, I naturally retreat into urban fantasy stories. I find myself heavily drawn to the fierce, independent female leads in these novels. Seeing them confront literal monsters somehow puts my own mundane high school conflicts into perspective. By mirroring their resilience, I’ve actually learnt to stand my ground and be more assertive when dealing with difficult people in my own life. I used to just pretend to read on the school bus to avoid talking to anyone, but now I read simply because these magical narratives genuinely empower me to face the daily social battlefield.

C Tariq

Everyone says high school is the best time of your life, but I’ve spent the last year entirely consumed by the daunting prospect of adulthood. The endless discussions about university applications, career paths, and moving away from home have been incredibly overwhelming. To prevent myself from spiralling into a panic about the future, I have committed to reading a particularly lengthy fantasy series. There is something profoundly comforting about following the same cast of characters across ten thick volumes. No matter how unpredictable my own path seems right now, I can always rely on the stability of this familiar fictional world. I systematically carve out time to read during my hour-long train ride every morning and afternoon. That journey used to be a time when I would anxiously overthink my college options, but it has now become a dedicated window of escapism that sets me up perfectly for the day ahead.

D Chloe

If you looked at my weekly planner, you would probably think I was a highly driven overachiever. Between swimming team practice, the debate club, and weekend volunteering, my evenings are completely monopolised. Originally, I took up these extracurricular activities to blow off steam, but they quickly transformed into just another arena where I had to perform and succeed. When I finally get a spare moment, I don’t want to compete or prove myself. Opening a fantasy novel gives me the rare opportunity to be a completely invisible bystander. Unlike some readers, I rarely imagine myself as the heroic knight or the clever wizard; I just love being a silent witness to their spectacular adventures. The sheer impossibility of dragons and enchanted forests is a brilliant distraction. In a life where I am constantly evaluated on my achievements, stepping into a magical dimension where absolutely nothing is expected of me is my ultimate sanctuary.

Exercises:   123456