Practice English Reading Exercises for B2 – Life Lessons & Personal Growth 6

Exercises:   123456

Reading 1

You are going to read an article about four students describing the humbling experience of realizing they were no longer the smartest person in the room after joining university.

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

Which person

1   mentions being on the verge of abandoning their chosen field of study?

2   admits to entering a learning environment with an unwarranted sense of superiority?

3   realised that cooperating with peers was more beneficial than trying to outdo them?

4   discovered that their previous strategy for academic success was no longer effective?

5   felt intimidated by the extraordinary talents of their new classmates?

6   learned the importance of paying attention to others rather than just voicing their own opinions?

7   describes a harsh piece of feedback that served as a turning point?

8   exhausted themselves by attempting to maintain their high school level of involvement?

9   mentions seeking help from the very people who initially made them feel inadequate?

10   was unexpectedly defeated by someone they had underestimated?

A Big Fish in a Huge Pond

A Mark

Throughout secondary school, I took it for granted that I was a high flyer. I had a photographic memory, which meant I could sail through exams simply by regurgitating facts. Consequently, I arrived at university assuming a degree in history would be a walk in the park. My illusion was shattered during my first term when I handed in what I considered a flawless essay. My tutor, however, pulled no punches. He handed it back covered in red ink, pointing out that while my knowledge was extensive, I lacked any original critical thinking. It was a bitter pill to swallow. I suddenly realised that mindlessly memorising dates wouldn’t cut it anymore; I was expected to analyse and construct complex arguments. It took a while to come to terms with the fact that I had to completely overhaul my approach to learning, but that brutal critique ultimately forced me to step up my game.

B Chloe

Maths had always been my defining trait; I was the undisputed champion of my school’s physics and mathematics societies. So, walking into my first university calculus lecture, I felt pretty self-assured. That confidence evaporated within minutes. I found myself surrounded by international students who were solving equations in their heads that I could barely comprehend on paper. I felt utterly out of my depth and, for a few dark weeks, I seriously contemplated dropping out and switching to a less demanding course. Fortunately, common sense prevailed. Rather than letting my bruised ego dictate my future, I swallowed my pride and approached the exact individuals who had initially made me feel so insignificant. I asked if I could join their study sessions. To my surprise, they were incredibly welcoming. Accepting that I was no longer the 

resident genius was tough, but it opened the door to immense personal growth.

C Jamal

I was a formidable presence in high school debating, known for talking over opponents and dominating the room. I strutted into my first university political science seminar with an inflated sense of my own brilliance, ready to dazzle everyone with my rhetoric. I quickly locked horns with a girl who sat quietly in the corner, assuming she would be an easy target. I couldn’t have been more mistaken. When she finally spoke, she dismantled my entire argument with a few calm, meticulously researched points. I was left completely speechless. It was a profoundly humbling experience that taught me a crucial lesson: volume does not equal validity. Before that day, I viewed discussions merely as waiting for my turn to speak. Now, I understand the immense value of actually absorbing what others are saying. It turns out that true intellect involves taking in new information, rather than just broadcasting your own.

D Elena

At my previous school, I was the quintessential overachiever. I was head girl, captain of the debate team, and a straight-A student. Naturally, I tried to maintain this frantic pace at university, signing up for every society and pushing myself to the limit to stand out. The problem was that virtually everyone in my dorm had a similar track record. Trying to outshine them was an exhausting endeavour, and by November, I was completely burned out. I was running on empty, struggling to keep up the facade of perfection. The breakthrough came when we were assigned a massive group project. Instead of trying to take control and do everything myself, I decided to lean on my peers. I discovered that pooling our strengths was far more rewarding—and much less draining—than treating everyone as a rival. Letting go of the need to be the best allowed me to actually enjoy my education.

Reading 2

You are going to read an article about four individuals talking about how surviving a natural disaster dramatically shifted their priorities from material possessions to family.

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

Which person

1   actively decided to reduce the amount of time they spend at work?

2   felt surprisingly unbothered by the loss of their costly possessions?

3   had an extremely limited window of time to evacuate their property?

4   confesses to having been previously obsessed with their digital lifestyle?

5   opted to salvage items of emotional significance rather than valuable goods?

6   states that a relative was directly responsible for pulling them to safety?

7   recalls the intense anxiety of being unable to get in touch with a family member?

8   believes they wasted their younger years pursuing career advancement?

9   used to devote a lot of attention to the aesthetic appeal of their living space?

10   explains how a frightening experience without electricity brought them closer to their parents?

When the Dust Settles: Finding What Truly Matters

A Elena

Before the devastating earthquake struck, I was a confessed workaholic. I would routinely put in sixty-hour weeks, firmly believing that securing the next promotion and buying a luxury sports car were the ultimate markers of success. Looking back, I deeply regret having squandered my youth chasing corporate titles instead of being present for my loved ones. When the tremors began, I was trapped in my high-rise office building. The mobile networks immediately went down, and the sheer agony of not being able to reach my six-year-old daughter was unbearable. If I had been at home, I could have protected her. Fortunately, she was safe at school, but that terrifying afternoon served as a massive wake-up call. The thought of losing her made my expensive car and prestigious job seem utterly meaningless. Consequently, I’ve drastically cut back on my professional commitments. I requested a demotion to a part-time role so that I can genuinely focus on watching her grow up.

B Mateo

I used to pride myself on my extensive collection of vintage guitars and high-end electronics. My ground-floor apartment was essentially a shrine to my wealth. However, when the river banks burst following unprecedented rainfall, the flash flood wiped out my neighbourhood in minutes. The water levels rose incredibly rapidly, trapping me inside. I honestly thought I wasn’t going to make it until my older brother, who had waded through waist-deep, freezing water, physically dragged me out through a shattered window. We watched from a nearby hill as my flat was completely submerged. To my absolute astonishment, I didn’t shed a single tear for my ruined instruments or gadgets. I felt an overwhelming sense of relief that my brother and I were alive. Had he not risked his life, I certainly wouldn’t be here today. The disaster completely shifted my mindset; I’ve come to terms with the fact that objects can be replaced, but the people who love you cannot.

C Sarah

For years, I had poured every ounce of my energy and savings into renovating my dream home. I was incredibly meticulous about the interior design, obsessing over expensive furnishings and designer wallpapers. My identity was tied to how flawless my house looked. Then, the summer wildfires swept through our valley. The authorities issued an emergency warning, giving us a mere ten minutes to flee before the flames engulfed our street. In that frantic panic, my instincts took over. Instead of reaching for my expensive jewellery box or my brand-new laptop, I grabbed the box of faded family photo albums and my grandmother’s handwritten recipe book. Once we were safe at the evacuation centre, it dawned on me that the beautifully decorated house was just bricks and mortar. It has been tough to rebuild our lives from scratch, but I no longer care about having a perfect home. What truly matters is that my husband and children are sleeping safely beside me.

D Kenji

As a teenager, I lived entirely in a virtual bubble. I was utterly wrapped up in online gaming and curating my social media presence, demanding that my parents buy me the latest smart devices and trendy clothes. I rarely bothered to eat dinner with them, preferring to stay locked in my bedroom. That all changed when a category-five typhoon slammed into our coastal town. The fierce winds tore the roof off our building, and the power grid was completely destroyed for two weeks. During those terrifying nights, with no internet or screens to distract us, my parents and I huddled together by candlelight to keep warm. We talked for hours about our fears, our hopes, and our family history. If the storm hadn’t forced us into that situation, I might never have truly known them. I am deeply ashamed of how materialistic I used to be. Nowadays, I wouldn’t trade a weekend camping trip with my mum and dad for all the gadgets in the world.

Exercises:   123456