Practice English Reading Exercises for B2 – Sleep, Dreams & Mental Well-being 2

Exercises:   123456

Reading 1

You are going to read an article about four individuals discussing the fascinating practice of “lucid dreaming,” detailing the techniques they use to consciously control their own dream narratives.

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

Which person/section

1   uses their dreaming time to prepare for real-world situations?

2   purposefully interrupts their rest to increase their chances of success?

3   struggles to maintain the dream state if their emotions run too high?

4   engages in a relaxation exercise prior to going to bed?

5   admits to feeling frustrated when their early efforts yielded no results?

6   finds that their nocturnal adventures provide artistic inspiration?

7   relies on this practice to put an end to frightening night-time visions?

8   mentions a scary physical sensation that can sometimes occur alongside the practice?

9   relies on observing a commonplace item to confirm they are asleep?

10   maintains a daily log to help them remember their nocturnal experiences?

Awake in the Dark: The Art of Lucid Dreaming

A Mark

When I first stumbled across the concept of lucid dreaming, I assumed it would be a breeze. In reality, it took months of practice, and I initially felt incredibly disheartened when nothing happened. I was on the verge of giving up when I finally had a breakthrough. My primary technique relies on ‘reality checks’. Throughout the day, I make a habit of staring closely at my hands or glancing at a watch. By training my brain to do this while awake, the habit eventually bleeds into my sleep. If I look at my hands in a dream and I have six fingers, the penny drops—I know I’m dreaming! Once I am conscious within the dream, I rarely use the time for flying or exploring fantasy worlds. Instead, I take advantage of the safe environment to run through my upcoming university presentations. If I can deliver a speech flawlessly to a stadium of imaginary people, doing it in a real classroom feels like a walk in the park.

B Sarah

As a graphic designer, I am constantly on the lookout for fresh concepts. A few years ago, I started using lucid dreaming to unlock my subconscious, and the visual ideas it provides are simply breathtaking. The most effective method for me is known as ‘Wake Back to Bed’. I set my alarm for 3:00 a.m., force myself to stay awake for twenty minutes, and then go back to sleep with the intention of entering a dream. While purposely breaking my sleep cycle sounds exhausting, it dramatically increases my awareness during the REM stage. To make sure none of these vivid experiences slip away, I keep a notebook firmly planted on my bedside table. The moment my eyes open, I jot down every detail, no matter how bizarre it seems. Some people struggle to recall their dreams, but keeping this strict daily record has profoundly sharpened my memory. The sketches I produce based on my nighttime adventures are without a doubt my most successful pieces.

C David

My journey into lucid dreaming began out of pure necessity rather than curiosity. For years, I had been plagued by recurring nightmares that left me terrified of falling asleep. A therapist suggested that if I could realise I was dreaming, I could strip the monsters of their power. Before dropping off, I repeatedly tell myself, “I will know that I am dreaming.” This simple mantra acts as an anchor. Once I spot a terrifying creature, I instantly recognise the illusion and change the narrative, turning the monster into something harmless. It has completely transformed my relationship with sleep. However, it isn’t always smooth sailing. Maintaining the fragile illusion requires intense focus. If I realise I’m in control and become overly thrilled by the limitless possibilities, my heart rate spikes, the scenery instantly dissolves, and I am jolted awake. I have to deliberately keep myself calm, which takes a great deal of self-discipline, in order to prolong the experience.

D Elena

People often think lucid dreaming is just a fun party trick, but it demands a serious commitment to your evening routine. I used to watch action movies right before bed, which severely hindered my progress. Now, I spend at least thirty minutes doing mindful breathing and meditation to clear my head, followed by a cup of herbal tea. This profound state of relaxation lays the groundwork for mental clarity while my physical body falls asleep. My ultimate goal is usually soaring above cityscapes—the sensation of weightlessness is extraordinary. Nevertheless, aspiring lucid dreamers ought to be warned about the potential downsides. Occasionally, my mind wakes up before my body does, leading to a state of sleep paralysis. It is a deeply unsettling feeling; you are fully conscious but temporarily incapable of moving a single muscle. Even though I know it is completely harmless, the heavy pressure on my chest can be quite alarming until the sensation finally passes.

Reading 2

You are going to read an article about four students reflecting on the severe psychological impact of insomnia during exam seasons and the desperate methods they try to fall asleep.

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

Which person

1   mentions experiencing frightening distortions of reality due to extreme exhaustion?

2   describes the mounting panic caused by actively monitoring the passage of time?

3   felt a strong sense of isolation because their peers weren’t facing the same struggle?

4   was terrified that their lack of rest would completely wipe out what they had studied?

5   points out that an attempt to physically tire themselves out actually kept them awake?

6   consumed a foul-tasting homemade remedy in a futile attempt to nod off?

7   found that relying on specific audio tracks proved to be more irritating than soothing?

8   deliberately relocated to an uncomfortable spot to break a negative psychological association?

9   initially believed that pushing their brain to the limit was a standard part of student life?

10   confesses to spending money on useless gadgets that promised a quick fix?

The Midnight Battle: Surviving Exam Insomnia

A Liam

At first, I took it for granted that burning the candle at both ends was merely a rite of passage for any university student. However, the moment the final exam timetable was published, my occasional sleeplessness spiralled into a severe, chronic condition. After lying wide awake in the pitch-black for consecutive nights, the sheer psychological weight began to play cruel tricks on my mind. I would vividly perceive shifting shadows in the corners of my room or hear faint, non-existent whispers, which was a genuinely terrifying distortion of reality. Driven to the brink, I convinced myself that pushing my body to the point of collapse would guarantee a heavy slumber. Consequently, I took up sprinting for ten kilometres at midnight. Unfortunately, this drastic tactic proved to be entirely counterproductive; rather than nodding off, my adrenaline levels spiked. My heart would be pounding out of my chest, leaving me absolutely wired until sunrise.

B Sofia

During the intensive revision period, my once-comfortable bedroom transformed into a psychological battleground. The most debilitating aspect was the vicious circle of monitoring the bedside alarm. I would obsessively calculate exactly how few hours of rest I’d get if I managed to drift off at that exact second, and that escalating sense of panic made it practically impossible to unwind. I felt so desperate that I began scouring online forums for unconventional remedies. I ultimately stumbled upon a recipe for a supposedly miraculous, ancient herbal infusion. It involved boiling raw garlic, chamomile, and a generous splash of apple cider vinegar. Honestly, it was a stomach-churning concoction that tasted absolutely vile. Instead of sending me into a peaceful slumber, the foul brew merely gave me terrible indigestion, keeping me awake even longer. I would have given anything to switch places with my flatmate, who could sleep soundly through any disturbance.

C Noah

The psychological burden of severe sleep deprivation is incredibly isolating. I vividly recall sitting in the campus café, listening to my course mates complaining about sleeping through their morning alarms. I felt profoundly alienated, as if I were the only individual on campus completely incapable of performing a basic human function. In a frantic bid to cure myself, I splashed out on a highly-advertised, electronic sleep headband, utterly convinced that this expensive gadget would be the ultimate quick fix. Sadly, it was a total waste of my limited funds. When that inevitably failed, I turned to downloading various ambient soundscapes, ranging from crashing ocean waves to tropical rainforest noises. Far from lulling me into a restorative state, the predictable, repetitive audio loops drove me to absolute distraction. I found myself tensely anticipating the next artificial bird call, which kept my brain entirely on high alert.

D Emma

Whenever the end-of-year assessments loom, an overwhelming wave of panic inevitably washes over me. My primary concern wasn’t merely the physical fatigue itself, but the deeply irrational dread that prolonged wakefulness was actively erasing my intense revision. I’d lie there in the dark, utterly convinced that the complex legal frameworks I’d meticulously memorised that afternoon were simply melting away from my mind. After tossing and turning for hours on end, I came to the conclusion that my mattress had unconsciously become a psychological trigger for severe stress. Reasoning that desperate times call for desperate measures, I grabbed my duvet and deliberately set up camp on the hard, unforgiving wooden floor of my hallway. I desperately hoped that the sheer discomfort, combined with a drastic change of environment, would somehow short-circuit my racing thoughts. It might sound absurd, but sometimes you have to abandon logic when your brain refuses to shut down.

Exercises:   123456