Practice English Reading Exercises for B2 – Literature, Writing & Publishing 10

Exercises:   123456

Reading 1

You are going to read an article about four individuals reviewing audiobooks and how listening to a story narrated by a great actor completely changes the reading experience.

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

Which person/section

1   found that the performer made a complicated storyline easier to understand?

2   originally believed the chosen reader was unsuitable for the main character?

3   says the narration altered their understanding of a book they were already familiar with?

4   praises the actor’s skill in giving each individual in the story a unique voice?

5   confesses to finding the audio format more enjoyable than the physical book?

6   mentions incorporating audiobooks into a regular daily journey?

7   experienced a strong emotional response to the characters because of the actor’s tone?

8   was amazed by their own ability to follow a type of story they don’t typically consume?

9   compares the listening experience to watching a stage performance?

10   acknowledges having difficulty concentrating when they first started listening?

Voices That Bring Pages to Life

A Liam

I’ve never been a huge fan of audiobooks, assuming I’d just tune out. Indeed, when I first downloaded an award-winning actor’s rendition of a classic tragedy, my mind kept wandering during the first few chapters. I was trying to listen while doing household chores, which certainly didn’t help. However, once I sat down and truly paid attention, the experience completely transformed my perspective on a novel I’d already read cover to cover at school. On the page, the protagonist had always seemed rather cold and distant to me. Yet, the actor’s subtle vocal shifts conveyed such intense vulnerability and sorrow that it genuinely brought tears to my eyes. Hearing the despair in his voice made me empathise with the character in a way I never had before. It made me realise that a skilled performer doesn’t just read the words aloud; they interpret the hidden emotions beneath the text, breathing fresh life into a familiar narrative.

B Maya

For years, I stubbornly insisted that nothing could beat the scent and feel of a physical paperback. I also usually steer clear of science fiction, as I tend to find the heavy technical jargon and alien worlds rather overwhelming. However, a friend persuaded me to download a highly acclaimed sci-fi epic narrated by a famous Hollywood star. To my absolute astonishment, I was hooked from the prologue. The actor had a fantastic way of pacing the story, pausing at just the right moments, which made the intricate world-building remarkably easy to digest. Even when the plot became incredibly complicated, I never once felt lost. The narrator’s commanding delivery guided me through the dense material effortlessly. Although I still cherish my physical library, I must admit that having a talented actor guide you through an unfamiliar literary landscape is a brilliant way to broaden your reading horizons without feeling intimidated.

C Marcus

I spend roughly two hours a day stuck in heavy traffic, and discovering audiobooks has been an absolute lifesaver. It has become an essential part of my daily commute, effectively turning a frustrating drive into the highlight of my morning. Recently, I listened to a sprawling mystery novel read by a veteran theatre actor. What blew me away was his astonishing vocal range. He transitioned between dozens of distinct accents effortlessly, ensuring that every single suspect in the story sounded entirely unique. It was so convincing that I actually checked the credits to see if a full cast had been hired! The way he brought the tense dialogue to life was absolutely spellbinding. It felt less like someone simply reading a book and much more like sitting in the front row of a West End play. Even though the storyline itself was slightly predictable, his dynamic performance kept me constantly on the edge of my seat.

D Chloe

When I saw that my favourite comedy novel had been recorded by a highly respected, award-winning dramatic actor, I honestly thought the casting director had made a huge mistake. The protagonist is a chaotic, immature twenty-something, and the actor’s voice sounded far too mature and serious for the part. For the first hour, I was highly skeptical. But gradually, the brilliant irony of the casting became apparent. His deadpan, dignified delivery of utterly ridiculous situations made the jokes land ten times harder. I found myself laughing out loud on the bus, much to the amusement of the other passengers. I had previously struggled to finish the printed version of the book because the protagonist’s inner monologue got on my nerves, but I actually got much more out of the audio edition than the paperback. It just proves that the right narrator can completely salvage a story that you might otherwise have given up on.

Reading 2

You are going to read an article about four authors talking about their intense dissatisfaction with the cover design chosen by their publisher and the lack of creative control.

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 that the artwork gave away a crucial surprise in the storyline?

2   states that the publisher was just trying to copy a popular visual trend?

3   admits that their lack of control is due to their own failure to check an agreement?

4   intends to take full charge of the publication process for their next novel?

5   feels that the cover made the book look like a completely different genre?

6   appreciates the skill of the artist, even though the image didn’t fit the novel?

7   felt that raising concerns with the production team was a waste of time?

8   felt awkward and self-conscious while promoting the book to the public?

9   notes that the chosen design actually drove their intended readership away?

10   had to urge their followers not to judge the story by its outer appearance?

Judging a Book by Its Cover: When Publishers Get It Wrong

A Liam

When I first laid eyes on the proof for my debut crime thriller, I was utterly speechless. Instead of the gritty, atmospheric shadow-scape we had vaguely discussed, the publisher had opted for bright pastel colours and whimsical, cartoonish fonts. It looked exactly like a lighthearted romantic comedy! When I queried this, they smoothly explained it was the ‘in’ thing and that they were simply capitalising on a current design fad to boost sales. Sadly, their strategy completely backfired. Die-hard thriller fans took one glance at the pastel cover and walked right past it, assuming it wasn’t for them. Consequently, my core demographic was entirely alienated. The reviews I did get were from romance readers who were horrified by the gruesome plot twists! I had always taken it for granted that a publisher would understand a book’s soul, but clearly, commercial trends often override creative integrity.

B Maya

I suppose I only have myself to blame for the situation I find myself in. When I signed the deal for my historical biography, I was so thrilled that I merely skim-read the paperwork. Had I looked closer, I would have realised I had signed away all final approval rights regarding the cover art. The artwork they selected is actually a breathtaking, highly skilled painting; the artist is undeniably incredibly talented. The issue, however, is that it features clothing and architecture from the completely wrong century! As a historian, accuracy is everything to me, and having such a glaring factual error on the front of my own work is deeply frustrating. I brought it up with my editor, but she politely reminded me of the clause in my contract. It’s a bitter pill to swallow, but I’ve definitely learned my lesson about reading the small print.

C Samuel

Writing a mystery novel relies entirely on building suspense and keeping the reader guessing until the very last chapter. You can imagine my horror when the marketing department unveiled a cover that essentially depicted the final, shocking revelation of the book. It was an absolute disaster; the artwork blatantly gave away the identity of the villain! I immediately contacted the design team, frantically explaining that this visual completely ruined the reading experience. Unfortunately, my desperate pleas fell on deaf ears. They insisted that ‘action-packed’ covers draw in a wider audience and completely dismissed my artistic concerns. It was incredibly disheartening to realise that after spending two years carefully crafting a delicate web of clues, the publisher’s marketing department could just casually spoil the entire narrative on the front jacket. I felt entirely powerless, and it really took the shine off my publication day.

D Elena

There is nothing quite as demoralising as sitting at a table during a book signing, feeling intensely embarrassed by the stack of books sitting in front of you. The cover they gave my dystopian sci-fi novel was so generic and uninspired that I actually cringed whenever a fan brought one up for me to sign. I spent most of my promotional tour desperately pleading with my online followers to look past the dreadful artwork and focus on the story inside. It was exhausting having to constantly apologise for something I had no say in. The entire ordeal has made me completely rethink my career path. I have firmly decided that when my next manuscript is finished, I am going down the self-publishing route. By acting as my own publisher, I can hire an illustrator of my own choosing and finally regain total creative control over how my work is presented to the world.

Exercises:   123456