Practice English Reading Exercises for B2 – Autobiographies & Empathy for the Famous 4

Exercises:   123456

Reading 1

You are going to read an article about four young professionals reviewing a billionaire’s autobiography and expressing disgust at the ruthless, unethical behavior justified under the guise of “ambition.”

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 regretting the financial purchase of the autobiography?

2   expresses a sense of sorrow for the author’s emotionally impoverished existence?

3   was appalled by the author’s complete lack of guilt regarding their actions?

4   points out that the author’s charitable deeds are merely a tool to manipulate public perception?

5   is troubled by the fact that the author is regarded as a role model by so many?

6   notes the author’s tendency to dress up their betrayal of loved ones as a noble sacrifice?

7   was shocked to discover that the author had claimed someone else’s intellectual property as their own?

8   realised that the author felt entirely exempt from the rules that govern ordinary citizens?

9   highlights how the author dismissed the poor treatment of staff as an unavoidable consequence of growth?

10   was led to reconsider what it truly means to achieve greatness in today’s world?

The Price of Power: Reviews of ‘The Apex Mindset’

A Marcus

I picked up The Apex Mindset hoping to find some genuine inspiration to fuel my own tech start-up. What I found instead was a disturbing confession of corporate theft. The author openly admits to taking credit for a former partner’s software code, casually brushing off the betrayal as a necessary ‘strategic pivot’. It’s absolutely chilling how he frames ruining someone else’s livelihood as just another stepping stone to success. He even has the audacity to label the employees he overworked and underpaid as ‘collateral damage’ in his quest for greatness. Had I known the book would essentially be a manual on how to exploit people, I wouldn’t have wasted my money. As an entrepreneur, I firmly believe that you don’t need to trample on others to reach the top. It’s highly alarming that this cutthroat mentality is being marketed to young professionals as the ultimate formula for achievement.

B Elena

As a financial analyst, I’m used to reading about aggressive business tactics, but this autobiography took things to an entirely new, depressing level. Throughout the chapters, the billionaire boasts about deliberately exploiting legal loopholes to avoid paying taxes and bypassing crucial environmental regulations. What truly made my blood boil wasn’t just the actions themselves, but the total absence of remorse. He continuously justifies dodging the rules under the guise of ‘disrupting a flawed system’. It’s a completely warped perspective. If you have to damage the planet and short-change society to build your empire, you aren’t a visionary; you’re simply a menace. I was expecting a tale of perseverance and late nights, but instead, I was subjected to the arrogant ramblings of someone who believes the law doesn’t apply to him. It fundamentally shifted how I view these so-called titans of industry.

C David

Working in public relations, I can usually spot a fake image from a mile away, and this book is a masterclass in deception. The author spends the first half detailing how he aggressively crushed small, local competitors by drastically undercutting their prices until they went bankrupt. Then, in a sickening twist, he uses the final chapters to highlight his philanthropic foundations. He must assume that throwing money at charities somehow wipes his slate clean. He clearly views these donations as a convenient smokescreen to distract the public from his ruthless monopolies. The way he manipulates the narrative, portraying his merciless drive as ‘passion’, is thoroughly repulsive. I find it deeply concerning that millions of readers idolise this man, completely oblivious to the fact that his carefully crafted generosity is nothing more than a calculated strategy to buy a clear conscience and positive press.

D Sophie

What disturbed me most about this autobiography wasn’t the questionable boardroom deals, but the trail of destroyed personal relationships left in the author’s wake. He recounts abandoning his closest friends and turning his back on his family the moment they no longer served his grand vision. He attempts to romanticise this isolation, referring to it as the ‘lonely burden of true leadership’. Let’s call a spade a spade: it’s just unapologetic selfishness. It’s incredibly sad to see someone with so much wealth be so emotionally bankrupt. Reading about his calculated backstabbing made me seriously question our society’s definition of success. If reaching the pinnacle of your career requires you to sacrifice your basic humanity and alienate everyone who ever cared about you, then it’s a hollow victory. I closed the book feeling nothing but pity for a man who traded his soul for a hefty bank balance.

Reading 2

You are going to read an article about four individuals sharing the profound inspiration they drew from reading the diaries of historical civil rights activists written during their teenage years.

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 that the diary gave them the confidence to take on a representative position?

2   realised that bringing about meaningful reform requires sustained endurance?

3   previously assumed that legendary campaigners lacked any interests outside of their cause?

4   revised their opinion on whether recording events could be an impactful form of protest?

5   was relieved to learn that the historical figure still dealt with ordinary adolescent problems?

6   admits they used to feel demoralised when their campaigns did not produce rapid success?

7   noted that the activist actually questioned if their protests were making a difference?

8   decided to use a modern medium to highlight ignored injustices in their neighbourhood?

9   initially felt that the traditional image of civil rights leaders was somewhat frightening?

10   discovered that you do not need to be completely perfect to be a valuable advocate?

Voices from the Past: Finding Inspiration in Teenage Diaries

A Mia

When we learn about civil rights leaders, they are typically portrayed as fearless icons, which I always found incredibly intimidating. Reading a diary penned by one such figure when she was just fifteen completely turned this notion on its head. She frankly admitted to being terrified before participating in peaceful marches, often doubting whether her actions would actually have any impact. Discovering that she grappled with the exact same insecurities I face was a massive eye-opener. It made me realise that bravery isn’t the absence of fear, but rather taking action despite it. Before reading her entries, I had always shied away from joining the student council, convinced I wasn’t bold enough to represent my peers. However, seeing her vulnerability gave me the final push I needed. I figured if she could stand up to systemic oppression while feeling incredibly anxious, I could certainly handle speaking up about school policies.

B Jamal

My generation is obsessed with instant gratification, and I was definitely no exception to that rule. Whenever I campaigned for environmental reforms in my hometown, I expected to see immediate legislative changes. When that didn’t happen, I would quickly become disheartened and consider throwing in the towel. Then I came across the personal journals of a young activist from the 1960s. What struck me most was his astonishing patience. Despite facing continuous setbacks and seemingly insurmountable obstacles at just seventeen, he remained totally committed to the long game. His entries didn’t demand overnight success; instead, they focused on taking small, steady steps forward. Had I not read his journals, I would probably still be abandoning my projects at the first sign of resistance. I finally understood that creating genuine societal change is a marathon, not a sprint. Whenever I feel frustrated nowadays, his unwavering endurance stops me from giving up entirely.

C Chloe

I always assumed that individuals who changed the course of history must have possessed a single-minded focus, dedicating every waking moment to their cause. Yet, reading the teenage diary of a renowned equality campaigner painted a refreshingly different picture. Nestled between entries describing horrific prejudice were paragraphs where he agonised over his final exams and worried about falling out with his best friend. It was fascinating to see how he juggled the heavy burden of social justice with mundane adolescent dramas. This completely dispelled my belief that you have to be entirely flawless or entirely devoted to a single issue to make a meaningful contribution. I used to put so much pressure on myself to be the perfect advocate for local charities that I ended up completely burned out. His words taught me that it’s perfectly acceptable to be a normal, flawed teenager while still fighting for what is right.

D Ben

What resonated with me the most while reading a famous suffragette’s teenage diary wasn’t just her physical activism, but the sheer power of her documentation. She meticulously recorded the daily injustices she witnessed, treating her notebook as a tool for resistance. Up until that point, I had always dismissed writing as a passive activity, assuming that real change only happened out on the streets. However, her detailed, firsthand accounts made me realise that preserving the truth is actually a crucial form of advocacy. If she hadn’t bravely written those experiences down, a vital piece of history would have been lost forever. Inspired by her commitment, I started keeping my own blog, documenting the overlooked issues within my local community, such as the lack of accessible facilities for disabled residents. Her historical journal proved to me that personal narratives hold immense weight, and by putting pen to paper, ordinary people can ensure their struggles are never forgotten.

Exercises:   123456