Practice English Reading Exercises for B2 – Life Lessons & Personal Growth 2

Exercises:   123456

Reading 1

You are going to read an article about four individuals describing the immense guilt and subsequent relief of finally apologizing for bullying someone in middle 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   admits they put off apologizing because they anticipated a hostile reaction?

2   required professional help to fully understand the consequences of their actions?

3   seized an unexpected opportunity to say sorry face-to-face?

4   felt compelled to reach out after reading about the other person doing well in life?

5   blames their poor conduct on wanting to belong to a specific crowd?

6   relied on an intermediary to establish contact with the person they had hurt?

7   decided against using modern technology because it lacked a personal touch?

8   was informed that the recipient was grateful, despite the lengthy recovery process?

9   confesses that they had never made a deliberate effort to track down their former victim?

10   accepts that their apology was never going to result in a renewed relationship?

The Weight of Words: Making Amends for Middle School

A Mark

I look back on my middle school years with a profound sense of shame. I desperately wanted to fit in with the popular crowd, and unfortunately, that meant singling out a boy named Toby. I joined in with the others, mocking his clothes and hobbies. If I hadn’t been so insecure, I wouldn’t have behaved so appallingly. Years later, the guilt began to eat away at me. I tracked Toby down on social media, but I postponed messaging him for months, terrified he’d respond aggressively or simply block me. When I finally hit ‘send’ on a lengthy apology, my heart was pounding. His reply arrived the next morning. He was incredibly gracious, explaining that he had moved on, but that my words meant a great deal to him. The sheer relief I felt was indescribable; it was as if a heavy physical weight had been lifted off my chest. I only wish I had possessed the maturity to apologize sooner, rather than letting fear dictate my actions.

B Chloe

My regret stems from spreading vicious gossip about a quiet girl in my class. At the time, I took it for granted that everyone gossiped, but I failed to realise the devastating impact my words had on her reputation. It wasn’t until I read an article in a local paper celebrating her success as an award-winning architect that the reality of my cruelty truly hit me. I knew I had to make amends. An email felt far too casual for such a heavy subject, so I opted for a handwritten letter, pouring out my genuine remorse. I posted it, having no idea whether it would be torn up or read. Two weeks later, I received a brief but kind note in return. She forgave me. Coming to terms with my past behaviour was tough, but being forgiven allowed me to finally breathe easily again. It taught me a vital lesson about empathy that I now carry into every aspect of my adult life.

C Jason

I was the classic classroom bully, constantly making fun of a classmate’s physical appearance. It is a period of my life I deeply regret. The guilt was a constant companion throughout my late teens, but I never actively tried to find him. Then, completely out of the blue, I bumped into him at a local coffee shop when we were in our mid-twenties. I recognised him instantly. Instead of running away, I took a deep breath, walked over, and apologized directly for the misery I must have caused him. He was understandably taken aback. He admitted that it had taken him years to rebuild his shattered self-esteem, but he appreciated that I had the courage to own up to my mistakes in person. The impromptu encounter was awkward, yet the relief of finally saying sorry face-to-face was overwhelmingly powerful. Walking out of that café, the world felt completely different, as if a dark cloud had finally dispersed.

D Sarah

Middle school can be a harsh environment, and I was guilty of intentionally alienating a close friend to maintain my own social standing. I systematically excluded her from our group, leaving her completely isolated. It wasn’t until I started counseling in my late twenties that I fully grasped the emotional damage I had inflicted. My therapist encouraged me to confront my past. Since I didn’t have her contact details, I had to rely on a mutual acquaintance to facilitate the communication. I sent a long message taking full responsibility for my actions, without making any excuses. She replied graciously, thanking me for validating her memories of that painful time. We haven’t miraculously become close friends again, and I never expected us to, but I’ve finally drawn a line under that dark chapter, bringing me an immense sense of peace. Forgiving myself was the final hurdle, but her compassionate response certainly paved the way for me to move forward.

Reading 2

You are going to read an article about four teenagers talking about the difficult but necessary life lesson of learning how to say “no” to toxic peer pressure.

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 missing out on an experience because they had wasted their resources?

2   faced immediate social exclusion for standing by their principles?

3   states that their suspicions regarding a risky situation were proven correct?

4   acknowledges that giving in to others had a detrimental effect on their schoolwork?

5   discovered that their peers eventually accepted their newly established limits?

6   recalls receiving guidance from family members about what constitutes a real bond?

7   describes experiencing a physical reaction of discomfort when asked to join in a cruel act?

8   explains that the fear of encountering the authorities ultimately finalised their choice?

9   points out that their desire to be popular required them to compromise their personal values?

10   felt liberated after deliberately ignoring a negative remark about their appearance?

Learning to Say No

A Liam

I’ve always taken my academic life for granted, but last year, my friend group started making fun of me for studying. They’d constantly urge me to ditch my revision sessions to hang out at the local skate park. At first, I went along with it because I simply didn’t want to be left out. If I hadn’t given in so easily, my exam results wouldn’t have plummeted the way they did. When those disastrous grades were finally emailed to me, it served as a massive wake-up call. I realised I had to put my foot down. The first time I declined an invitation, it was incredibly awkward, and I was accused of being boring. Nevertheless, I came to terms with the fact that my future is my responsibility. Real friends wouldn’t have pressured me into jeopardising my education. Nowadays, I’m much better at standing my ground, and surprisingly, they’ve started respecting my boundaries.

B Chloe

A few months ago, I found myself in a genuinely uncomfortable situation. Some older kids from school had organised a party in an abandoned warehouse, and my friends were desperate to go. I knew for a fact it was trespassing, but everyone insisted it would be the event of the year. They claimed I must be joking when I voiced my safety concerns. I agonised over it for days, terrified of being labelled a coward. Ultimately, the thought of the police showing up made my mind up for me, and I told them flat out that I wasn’t going. As it turned out, my assumption had been spot on; the party was broken up by the authorities and several students were suspended. It must have been a terrifying ordeal for them. Standing up to the crowd was daunting, but bouncing back from the initial rejection taught me that my peace of mind is worth more than fleeting popularity.

C Noah

Keeping up appearances used to dictate my entire life. My friends were obsessed with designer brands, and there was an unspoken rule that you had to wear the latest trends to be accepted. Consequently, I spent all my savings trying to blend in. My parents pointed out that I was being ridiculous and told me that true friendship shouldn’t carry a price tag. It wasn’t until I couldn’t afford to go on the end-of-term trip because I’d blown my cash on an overpriced jacket that the penny dropped. I decided to stop participating in this exhausting competition. The following Monday, I turned up in my old, unbranded trainers. Someone made a sarcastic comment, but I just shrugged it off. It was surprisingly liberating! I’ve since drifted apart from that particular circle, but I’ve built far more meaningful relationships with people who value me for who I am, rather than what I wear.

D Maya

Being part of the ‘in-crowd’ was something I desperately craved when I started high school. I finally gained their approval, but it came with a toxic catch. The group had a private group chat where they would ruthlessly mock other students. One evening, they targeted a girl in my biology class, and I was explicitly asked to chime in. I stared at my phone, feeling sick to my stomach. If I had typed something cruel, I would never have forgiven myself. Instead, I took a deep breath, typed that they were out of order, and immediately left the chat. The backlash was instantaneous; I was entirely frozen out the next day. However, doing the right thing rarely comes without consequences. Although being ostracised was difficult to swallow at first, the overwhelming sense of relief I felt was worth it. I learned that changing your morals to please others is a game you can never truly win.

Exercises:   123456