Practice English Reading Exercises for B2 – Overcoming Fears, Phobias & Mental Obstacles 3

Exercises:   123456

Reading 1

You are going to read an article about four students sharing the psychological toll of ‘Toxic Positivity’ and how forcing themselves to always be happy actually made their depression much worse.

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

Which person/section

1   believed their persistent sadness was a sign that they were not putting in enough effort?

2   highlights that a physical reaction to stress eventually proved their approach was wrong?

3   points out that forcing optimism is a tactic used by those who fear dealing with difficult feelings?

4   credits a conversation with an observant companion for bringing an end to their pretense?

5   mentions that trying to project a confident attitude caused them to ignore their need for rest?

6   admits to fabricating a perfect life on the internet to deceive themselves and others?

7   notes that an overwhelming emotional collapse happened just prior to crucial school tests?

8   compares pretending to be happy during a depression to an entirely useless medical treatment?

9   states that being reminded of those in worse situations exacerbated their negative feelings?

10   realised that genuine strength comes from accepting one’s weaknesses rather than ignoring them?

The Dark Side of Always Smiling: When Positivity Becomes Toxic

A Liam

I used to be convinced that curating a flawless, upbeat online presence would somehow magically cure my low mood. Every time I felt overwhelmed, I’d hastily upload an inspirational quote or a cheerful photo, hoping to trick both myself and my followers into believing I had everything figured out. In retrospect, this relentless pursuit of digital cheerfulness was incredibly damaging. By refusing to acknowledge my genuine struggles, my underlying anxiety only intensified. The facade shattered when a close friend, who had noticed my increasingly erratic behaviour, gently confronted me. If she hadn’t pointed out how artificial my positivity had become, I might have continued spiralling downwards. It was a harsh wake-up call, but it made me come to terms with the fact that it’s perfectly acceptable not to be okay. Now, rather than burying my negative emotions under forced smiles, I allow myself to actually experience them, which has been vastly more beneficial for my mental health.

B Chloe

Whenever I tried to open up about my depressive episodes, well-meaning relatives would instantly bombard me with phrases like “just look on the bright side” or “others have it far worse”. Although their intentions were undoubtedly good, being constantly told to suppress my gloominess made me feel incredibly guilty for being sad in the first place. Consequently, I started bottling everything up, plastering on a fake grin at family gatherings to avoid making anyone uncomfortable. Unsurprisingly, swallowing my true feelings took a severe psychological toll. The pressure cooker eventually exploded right before my final exams, resulting in a complete emotional crash. Had I been encouraged to vent my frustrations naturally, that massive breakdown could easily have been avoided. I’ve since learned that toxic positivity is often just a coping mechanism for people who are too intimidated to deal with complex emotions. I no longer feel obliged to put on a brave face just to appease others.

C Noah

During my first year at university, I fell into the trap of believing that a relentlessly optimistic attitude was the sole key to academic success. I was convinced that if I simply visualised achieving top grades and refused to entertain any doubts, my stress would miraculously vanish. Therefore, I completely ignored the blatant warning signs of burnout. Instead of taking a much-needed break when I was struggling to keep up with assignments, I forced myself to study harder, masking my exhaustion with a forced cheerfulness. This toxic mindset inevitably backfired. My body ultimately rebelled against the constant pressure, resulting in severe migraines and insomnia. It must have been obvious to my tutors that I was deteriorating, yet I kept up the act. Eventually, I realised that true resilience isn’t about blinding yourself to difficulties; it’s about acknowledging your limitations and asking for help when you’re genuinely overwhelmed.

D Maya

I used to consume a vast amount of self-help literature, most of which heavily promoted the idea that happiness is simply a choice. I bought into the concept completely, which meant that whenever my depression flared up, I blamed myself entirely. I genuinely believed I just wasn’t trying hard enough to be joyful. This internalised toxic positivity was devastating; it turned my illness into a personal failure. I would stand in front of the mirror repeating forced affirmations, desperately trying to push away the darkness. It wasn’t until I sought professional therapy that I was finally able to break this destructive cycle. My therapist explained that emotions must be processed, not stubbornly overwritten. Relinquishing the exhausting demand to be perpetually happy was profoundly liberating. I now understand that forcing yourself to be cheerful when you are suffering internally is like putting a tiny plaster on a deep wound—it solves absolutely nothing.

Reading 2

You are going to read an article about four teenagers describing the agonizing journey of overcoming an eating disorder and slowly rebuilding a healthy psychological relationship with food.

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 a specific comparison that changed their perspective?

2   felt a deep sense of loneliness due to their deliberate actions?

3   states that their habits were driven by a desire for mastery over their circumstances?

4   found that getting involved in creating dishes aided their recovery?

5   experienced an abrupt, alarming medical episode that prompted a change?

6   used to feel intense remorse after consuming certain types of food?

7   originally believed that restricting their diet would enhance their abilities in a specific activity?

8   fabricated stories to evade participating in communal dining?

9   points out that their athletic performance actually declined despite their initial strategy?

10   acknowledges that revealing their struggle to their relatives was incredibly daunting?

The Road to Recovery: Reclaiming Our Lives

A Leo

My issues began quite subtly when I decided to get fit, but it quickly spiralled into an unhealthy obsession with counting every single calorie. I was convinced that micromanaging my diet gave me absolute control over my life, but in reality, the exact opposite was true. The turning point occurred when I fainted during a school assembly. It was a terrifying wake-up call that forced me to acknowledge the damage being done to my body. Slowly, I had to completely overhaul my mindset. Instead of viewing meals as a daily mathematical equation to be solved, I began focusing on how different foods actually made me feel. It took months of dedicated therapy to snap out of that restrictive mindset, but I’ve finally come to terms with the fact that my self-worth isn’t tied to a number on a scale. Nowadays, I eat to nourish my brain and sustain my energy, which is incredibly liberating.

B Maya

As a competitive long-distance runner, I somehow got it into my head that shedding weight was the only guaranteed way to beat my personal bests. Initially, no one noticed I was skipping meals, but soon the physical toll became impossible to hide. Far from improving my times, I was constantly run down and suffering from recurring injuries. The breakthrough came when my athletics coach pulled me aside. She didn’t scold me; instead, she gently pointed out that a car can’t run on an empty tank, and neither could I. That specific comparison really struck a chord with me. Had she not intervened when she did, I would undoubtedly have caused permanent harm to my health. With professional support, I slowly began to perceive nutrition as essential fuel rather than an enemy. There were days I wanted to throw in the towel, but my performance eventually bounced back. I now appreciate my body for its strength rather than its size.

C Toby

At the height of my struggles, my entire existence revolved around avoiding any situation that involved eating. Consequently, I gradually cut myself off from my social circle, turning down countless invitations to sleepovers and cinema trips. I would also fabricate elaborate excuses to escape family dinners, claiming I had a mountain of homework to finish. The crushing sense of isolation really hit me when I deliberately missed my best friend’s sixteenth birthday party just to avoid the buffet. I must have been incredibly deeply entrenched in my disorder to let that happen. Realising I couldn’t carry on living such a deceitful life, I finally broke down. Opening up to my parents was the most daunting thing I’ve ever done, but it paved the way for my recovery. Rebuilding my psychological relationship with food meant simultaneously rebuilding my social life. I still get anxious occasionally, but I refuse to let irrational fears dictate my calendar anymore.

D Chloe

For a long time, my brain strictly categorised everything I consumed into ‘good’ and ‘bad’ columns. If I gave in and ate something from the forbidden list, I would severely beat myself up over it for days. This black-and-white thinking created a vicious cycle of guilt and restriction that completely dominated my thoughts. Overcoming this toxic mindset required me to dismantle all the irrational rules I had so rigidly followed. To help me reconnect with eating in a positive way, my dad encouraged me to start cooking with him. We experimented with baking fresh bread and preparing hearty stews. Immersing myself in the culinary process—smelling the spices and mixing the ingredients—helped me see dishes as an enjoyable, creative experience rather than a source of panic. It felt like starting from scratch, but gradually, the overwhelming fear faded away. I’ve finally reached a stage where I can happily enjoy a dessert without a single ounce of regret.

Exercises:   123456