Practice English Reading Exercises for B2 – Overcoming Fears, Phobias & Mental Obstacles 10

Exercises:   123456

Reading 1

You are going to read an article about four people discussing the complicated grief and psychological confusion of mourning an abusive or highly absent parent.

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 to feeling a sense of liberation alongside their sadness?

2   mourns the loss of a potential relationship rather than the person themselves?

3   sought professional help to process their conflicting reactions?

4   mentions the difficulty of reconciling occasional positive memories with a generally negative experience?

5   felt pressured by other people’s conventional expectations of how they should behave?

6   was surprised by an intense feeling of resentment that appeared post-loss?

7   regrets the fact that they never received an acknowledgement of past wrongdoings?

8   experienced guilt for lacking a typical emotional reaction to the death?

9   acknowledges that their parent’s passing finally brought a chaotic environment to an end?

10   struggled to understand why they were shedding tears for someone who caused them pain?

Unspoken Sorrows: The Complexity of Grieving a Difficult Parent

A Liam

My father walked out when I was a toddler, so he was essentially a stranger to me. When I received the phone call about his passing, my immediate reaction was a strange, overwhelming numbness. At the funeral, surrounded by his second family who were inconsolable, I experienced immense guilt for lacking a conventional emotional response; I simply couldn’t shed a single tear. It took a while to figure out what I was actually going through. I eventually came to terms with the fact that I wasn’t mourning the man himself, but rather grieving for the fantasy of a dad I’d always hoped he would one day become. People often assume you just move on from an estranged parent’s death smoothly, but that void leaves a complex psychological mark. You find yourself crying over a lost possibility, mourning a connection that never even got off the ground, rather than missing a tangible, comforting presence in your daily life.

B Maya

Society dictates that you shouldn’t speak ill of the dead, which makes losing an emotionally abusive parent incredibly isolating. When my mother died, I was completely caught off guard by a wave of undeniable relief that accompanied my grief. The constant need to walk on eggshells around her unpredictable temper was finally over, yet I still felt a profound sense of sorrow. I felt pressured to conform to traditional mourning rituals, nodding politely when relatives shared their fond memories, even though my own childhood recollections were drastically different. I often felt like a total fraud at her wake, hiding my complicated reality. Trying to balance this genuine mourning with the freedom of no longer being continuously criticised is an exhausting tightrope walk. People expect your grief to be straightforward, but when your primary caregiver was also your greatest source of anxiety, mourning becomes a very messy, contradictory process that few people truly comprehend.

C Sam

Growing up with a highly erratic father meant my childhood was a constant psychological rollercoaster. He could be incredibly cruel, yet there were also rare, brilliant glimpses of warmth and affection. When he passed away, it was precisely those handful of joyful moments that made the grieving process so deeply confusing. I was completely bewildered as to why I was weeping so intensely for a man who had caused me so much distress. Subconsciously, I think I had always held out a shred of hope that he would eventually take accountability for his actions. His sudden death meant I was permanently denied that closure; I would never get the apology I had spent my entire adult life waiting for. I had to learn to accept that the narrative would remain forever unfinished. This was an incredibly bitter pill to swallow amidst the sadness, teaching me that you can desperately miss someone while fully acknowledging their severe flaws.

D Chloe

My mother wasn’t aggressively mean, but she was profoundly emotionally distant. She provided for me physically but never offered any real affection or validation. Oddly enough, while she was alive, I just accepted this coldness as normal. However, in the months following her funeral, I was taken aback by a sudden, intense fury that seemed to come completely out of nowhere. I wasn’t just sad; I was incredibly angry at her for denying me a nurturing childhood. The emotions were so tangled and overwhelming that I eventually turned to a counsellor to help me unravel them. Therapy made me realise that death had permanently stripped away my hope for a future connection, forcing me to confront the neglect I had previously buried. It’s a tough journey, but acknowledging that hidden resentment has been a vital step in finally healing. I am now slowly learning to mother myself in the loving ways she never could.

Reading 2

You are going to read an article about four young adults reflecting on the profound peace they found when they finally abandoned the psychological need for external validation and self-acceptance took over.

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

Which person/section

1   points out that declining social invitations became a key part of their recovery?

2   mentions abandoning a habit that was causing them significant financial strain?

3   admits that their self-esteem used to fluctuate based on online statistics?

4   explains how the desire to impress authority figures nearly led to a complete breakdown?

5   kept a newfound creative pursuit entirely private to protect it from judgment?

6   realised that their attempts to fit in had resulted in forming superficial relationships?

7   mentions that adopting a simpler approach to their physical appearance brought unexpected relief?

8   states that achieving a long-term goal did not bring the happiness they had anticipated?

9   notes that giving up a specific platform helped them reconnect with the real world?

10   felt a sudden sense of freedom when they finally stopped trying to be the centre of attention?

Letting Go: The Quiet Power of Self-Acceptance

A Liam

For a significant portion of my late teens, my entire self-worth was inextricably tied to my online presence. I was trapped in a vicious cycle, constantly refreshing my social media feeds to see how many likes or comments my latest photo had accumulated. If the digital statistics were low, my self-esteem would instantly plummet. I was essentially performing for an invisible audience, completely disconnected from my actual surroundings. The turning point arrived when I decided to delete my profiles entirely, stepping away from the virtual spotlight to engage with the real world again. Without the relentless pressure to document my life, I took up watercolour painting. Crucially, I have kept this newfound creative outlet completely private. By refusing to share my artwork with anyone, I have successfully removed the temptation to seek praise. Doing something purely for my own amusement, without needing a single round of applause, has brought me an incredible sense of inner peace.

B Maya

I spent my entire youth desperately trying to be the perfect student and, later, the flawless employee. My main motivation wasn’t genuine ambition; it was a deep-seated need to impress the authority figures in my life. I was convinced that if I constantly exceeded my manager’s expectations, I would finally feel valued. However, this relentless pursuit of external approval eventually took a massive toll on my health. I was working twelve-hour days and teetering on the edge of complete physical and mental exhaustion. The wake-up call came when I finally landed a prestigious promotion I had been chasing for years. Instead of feeling elated, I just felt profoundly empty. It dawned on me that no amount of praise from my superiors would ever be enough if I didn’t respect myself. I gradually learned to set strict boundaries and accept that my worth is not determined by my productivity. Now, I work to live, rather than living to please others.

C Noah

A few years ago, I was completely consumed by the need to look trendy. I firmly believed that wearing the latest designer labels was the only way to earn the respect of my peers. I would spend a fortune on high-end fashion, maxing out my credit cards just to ensure I always had the ‘right’ outfit for every occasion. Looking back, the financial burden was staggering, yet I was too afraid of being judged to stop. If I hadn’t run out of cash right before a weekend getaway with colleagues, I probably would never have broken the cycle. Out of sheer necessity, I packed nothing but my oldest, most comfortable jumpers and plain jeans. To my utter astonishment, nobody cared, and I felt more relaxed than I had in years. Ditching the expensive labels and adopting a much simpler approach to my appearance was a revelation. It turns out that genuine confidence comes from within, not from a brand name.

D Chloe

For the longest time, I suffered from a severe case of ‘fear of missing out’. I would drag myself to loud, crowded parties every weekend, desperately trying to be the life and soul of the room. Deep down, I actually despised those chaotic events, but I was terrified that if I didn’t show up, people would forget about me. Predictably, constantly twisting my personality to fit in only resulted in a wide circle of highly superficial acquaintances. I didn’t have a single deep connection. The liberation began when I finally gathered the courage to turn down an invitation to a massive gathering. Instead of going out, I stayed home, read a novel, and enjoyed my own company. Saying ‘no’ felt incredibly empowering. Since I stopped mirroring other people’s interests to suit the crowd, my social circle has shrunk dramatically, but the friendships I do have are incredibly authentic. Giving up the facade brought me absolute tranquility.

Exercises:   123456