Practice English Reading Exercises for B2 – Psychological Studies & Human Behavior 9

Exercises:   123456

Reading 1

You are going to read an article about four individuals reflecting on the concept of ‘Cognitive Dissonance’ when they realized their eco-friendly beliefs contradicted their fast-fashion shopping habits.

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 previously used financial constraints as an excuse for their purchasing choices?

2   was prompted to change their habits after being confronted by an acquaintance?

3   explains how a psychological theory gave clarity to their uncomfortable feelings?

4   was misled by the supposedly ethical ranges produced by major clothing brands?

5   mentions relying on temporary clothing services to satisfy their desire for new looks?

6   confesses that they used to buy new garments primarily to alleviate negative emotions?

7   highlights how a factual film exposed the reality of their shopping habits?

8   decided to take up the skill of fixing damaged items to extend their lifespan?

9   felt compelled to constantly acquire new outfits due to the pressures of social platforms?

10   has overcome their hypocrisy by drastically reducing the total number of items they own?

The Fast-Fashion Hypocrisy: Facing Our Cognitive Dissonance

A Maya

I’ve always considered myself a staunch environmentalist. I religiously separate my household recycling and cycle to work, yet my closet was overflowing with cheap, trendy garments. Whenever I experienced a twinge of guilt regarding my fast-fashion addiction, I’d simply brush it off, convincing myself I lacked the budget to shop ethically. The cognitive dissonance was staggering, though I was entirely oblivious to it until a hard-hitting documentary about textile waste caught my eye. If I hadn’t watched that film, I probably would have kept turning a blind eye. Seeing literal mountains of discarded clothes polluting distant landscapes was a massive wake-up call. It suddenly dawned on me that my bargain-hunting was directly contributing to this environmental catastrophe. I couldn’t put up with the hypocrisy any longer. Since that day, I’ve completely boycotted high-street chains, opting to explore charity shops instead. Not only are second-hand items being given a new lease of life, but I’ve also developed a highly unique style.

B Liam

For years, I was the kind of person who preached about climate change while secretly ordering piles of clothes online. The truth is, I was completely caught up in the toxic cycle of social media. I felt an intense, almost irrational pressure to never be photographed wearing the exact same outfit twice. To keep up appearances, I constantly purchased ultra-fast fashion, despite knowing deep down that the manufacturing processes were highly unethical. The contradiction only hit home when a close mate bluntly pointed out that my overflowing wardrobe completely undermined my eco-friendly persona. Being called out so directly was deeply embarrassing, but it forced me to confront my double standards. I realised my habits had to be completely overhauled. Nowadays, if a special event is coming up, I rely on online clothing rental platforms. I can still experience the thrill of wearing something fresh, but without the heavy environmental footprint or the lingering sense of shame.

C Chloe

I used to suffer from a textbook case of cognitive dissonance, although I didn’t possess the vocabulary to describe it at the time. I would passionately sign petitions to save the rainforests, then immediately head to the shopping mall to cheer myself up after a stressful week at college. Using retail therapy to lift my mood meant I was blindly accumulating dozens of low-quality garments that were rarely worn. The mental conflict became undeniable when I stumbled across a psychology article explaining how our brains struggle to cope when our core values clash with our actions. Having the phenomenon explained so clearly gave me the insight I desperately needed; it perfectly encapsulated the uncomfortable guilt I experienced whenever I swiped my credit card. To resolve this internal battle, I decided to downsize ruthlessly. I have now curated a minimalist ‘capsule wardrobe’ consisting of just thirty versatile pieces. Getting dressed is effortless now, and my conscience is finally clear.

D Sam

My justification for buying fast fashion was that I only ever purchased from the so-called ‘conscious’ or ‘green’ collections offered by major high-street brands. I genuinely believed I was doing my bit for the planet. However, my illusion was shattered when I started researching sustainable fashion for a university assignment. It didn’t take long to realise I had fallen victim to ‘greenwashing’ – a deceptive marketing tactic designed to make companies appear more environmentally friendly than they actually are. The dissonance between my desire to be sustainable and the reality of my consumerism was a bitter pill to swallow. Recognising that these cheap garments were still destined for landfill, regardless of their ‘organic’ labels, made me rethink everything. Consequently, I’ve stopped buying new clothes entirely. Instead, I’ve taught myself how to sew. By mending my frayed jeans and darning holes in my sweaters, I am actively extending the lifespan of my wardrobe and finally living up to my principles.

Reading 2

You are going to read an article about four students sharing their insights from a psychology assignment on ‘Body Language’ and how they learned to decode their friends’ hidden emotions.

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

Which person/section

1   states that their new skills made them feel awkward during everyday conversations?

2   discovered that a peer was secretly distressed about an unsuccessful outcome?

3   initially mistook a friend’s nervous behaviour for a lack of interest?

4   noticed a physical cue that revealed a friend’s desperation to leave a gathering?

5   was surprised to uncover a deception regarding someone’s academic performance?

6   mentions that interpreting non-verbal cues prevented a misunderstanding from escalating?

7   observed someone adopting a defensive posture due to feeling marginalised?

8   points out that people often subconsciously point their bodies towards their desired destination?

9   successfully used a brief facial alteration to deduce someone’s true feelings?

10   admits they originally considered the psychology project to be completely pointless?

Unspoken Truths: Decoding the Secret Language of Our Friends

A Leo

When our psychology teacher assigned a project on non-verbal communication, I decided to focus on microexpressions—those fleeting, involuntary facial movements that reveal our genuine emotions. I hadn’t expected it to be particularly useful until the day the school football squad was announced. My mate, Mark, hadn’t made the cut. When I asked him about it, he shrugged, verbally insisting he wasn’t bothered in the slightest. However, thanks to my recent studies, I caught a split-second grimace of pure heartbreak before he forced a wide grin. Had I not noticed that brief physical shift, I would have probably made a sarcastic joke, which would have undoubtedly led to a massive argument. Instead, I realised he was deeply upset about the rejection and subtly changed the subject. It was a revelation; understanding his subconscious reaction stopped me from making a thoughtless comment and allowed me to be a more supportive friend.

B Maya

I have always been a people-watcher, so I naturally gravitated towards studying posture for our assignment. Not long ago, I was at a bustling weekend gathering with my friend, Chloe. Initially, she was standing with her arms tightly folded across her chest, barely speaking. I completely misinterpreted this, assuming she was simply feeling lethargic and apathetic about being there. I even felt slightly annoyed by her apparent lack of enthusiasm. Yet, as I recalled my research, it dawned on me that folded arms often act as a protective barrier. Looking closer, I observed that she had subtly angled her shoulders away from the main group. She wasn’t bored; she was feeling intensely alienated and insecure among people she hardly knew. Once I recognised her defensive stance, I immediately pulled her into our conversation, and her entire demeanour relaxed. It was fascinating to see how physical barriers reflect emotional ones.

C Sam

To complete my coursework, I chose to analyse the role of eye contact in deception. I must admit, attempting to continuously monitor someone’s blinking patterns while maintaining a casual chat made me feel incredibly self-conscious; I was so focused on their eyes that I kept losing track of the conversation! However, this hyper-awareness paid off when I was discussing our recent mock exams with my friend, Toby. He breezily claimed he had sailed through his maths paper. Nevertheless, I noticed his blink rate had increased dramatically, and he persistently avoided meeting my gaze, staring intently at his shoes instead. I didn’t confront him immediately, but he later confessed that he had actually failed the test entirely and was too ashamed to admit it. Despite forcing a cheerful smile, his eyes had completely given him away, proving that our bodies often reveal the truths we desperately try to conceal.

D Elena

When the syllabus initially covered body language, I was highly sceptical, brushing it off as a load of unscientific nonsense that wouldn’t benefit me in the real world. That perspective changed completely during a tedious neighbourhood barbecue. My best friend, Sarah, was trapped in an exceptionally dull conversation with my talkative uncle. To the untrained eye, she appeared thoroughly engaged—nodding enthusiastically and maintaining a polite posture without crossing her arms. However, I glanced down and noticed that both of her feet were planted firmly in the direction of the front gate. According to my textbook, human beings unconsciously align their feet towards their preferred exit route when they feel trapped. Recognising her silent plea for rescue, I smoothly intervened and made an excuse to pull her away. She was immensely grateful, and I was forced to accept that the psychological theories I had previously dismissed were actually remarkably accurate.

Exercises:   123456