Practice English Reading Exercises for B2 – Green Lifestyle & Sustainable Consumerism 2

Exercises:   123456

Reading 1

You are going to read an article about four individuals describing the initial physical struggles and subsequent ethical satisfaction of transitioning to a strictly vegan diet.

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

Which person/section

1   experienced a noticeable drop in their athletic performance?

2   suffered from physical discomfort due to a sudden increase in a specific nutrient?

3   struggled with feeling uncomfortable during social gatherings involving food?

4   had to rely on dietary pills to resolve a specific health issue?

5   feels relieved that their daily habits now reflect their affection for living creatures?

6   was amazed by the diverse range of unfamiliar dishes they ended up exploring?

7   takes immense pride in knowing their choices are helping to combat climate change?

8   successfully influenced the eating habits of the people they live with?

9   found it incredibly hard to resist the temptation of a particular dairy item?

10   admits to having seriously underestimated the planning required for this lifestyle?

Beyond the Plate: The Highs and Lows of Going Vegan

A Leo

I’ve always been a fitness fanatic, so when I decided to go cold turkey and embrace a vegan lifestyle, I assumed I’d feel instantly healthier. Instead, I hit a massive wall. Within days, my athletic stamina plummeted, and I was struggling to lift weights that usually felt like a warm-up. My body was desperately crying out for its usual protein sources, and I honestly felt like throwing in the towel. Fortunately, once I discovered how to properly fuel up on legumes and plant-based shakes, my energy levels completely bounced back. Despite the rocky start, the ethical payoff has been tremendous. I recently read a report about the devastating impact of animal agriculture on our environment. Knowing that my daily choices are actively reducing my carbon footprint and fighting global warming gives me an incredible sense of achievement. Even my mates, who initially mocked my choices, have started asking for my post-workout smoothie recipes!

B Maya

Transitioning to a plant-based diet was something I’d pondered for ages, primarily because I’ve always considered myself a devoted animal lover. However, the physical reality of the switch was far harsher than I’d anticipated. Because I transitioned overnight, my digestive system went into complete shock. I was consuming vastly more fibre through beans and leafy greens than my body was accustomed to, which inevitably led to weeks of severe bloating and agonizing stomach cramps. I had to take a step back and reintroduce these fibrous foods much more gradually. Now that my gut has adapted, I couldn’t be happier. The most profound shift hasn’t been physical, but psychological. For years, there was a glaring contradiction between my deep affection for wildlife and the food on my dinner plate. Erasing that hypocrisy has brought me an overwhelming sense of inner peace, as I am finally walking the walk.

C Sam

Giving up meat wasn’t actually the hardest part for me; it was giving up dairy. I used to be absolutely obsessed with cheese, and for the first few months, the cravings were so intense that I nearly caved in on several occasions. Furthermore, eating out turned into an absolute nightmare. Whenever I met up with friends at our usual restaurants, I felt incredibly self-conscious interrogating the waiter about hidden ingredients or settling for a bland side salad. I hated feeling like a burden to my peers. Yet, pushing through that initial social awkwardness forced me to expand my culinary horizons. Rather than sticking to my local spots, I started seeking out specialized eateries and experimenting with Middle Eastern recipes at home. I’ve been genuinely blown away by the incredible variety of spices and flavours I had previously ignored! Knowing no animals suffer for these meals makes every bite magnificent.

D Chloe

When I cut out animal products, I genuinely thought I could just eat pasta and vegetables and be perfectly fine. I must have been incredibly naive, as I completely failed to realise how much meticulous meal planning is actually necessary to get the right balance of nutrients. Because I hadn’t done my research, I soon developed a severe iron deficiency, which left me feeling dizzy and suffering from terrible migraines. Once a blood test confirmed the problem, I had to start taking synthetic supplements daily to get my health back on track. It was a tough lesson, but it forced me to educate myself. Today, the ethical rewards are immense. I feel so passionately about cruelty-free living that I’ve even convinced my parents to adopt a ‘Meatless Monday’ routine! Seeing my immediate household embrace these compassionate changes and actively reduce their meat intake is incredibly fulfilling.

Reading 2

You are going to read an article about four people reflecting on the hidden environmental costs of online shopping and why they decided to stop ordering items with next-day delivery.

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

Which person

1   admits to having bought items simply because the delivery was already paid for?

2   describes a visual reminder in their home that highlighted the scale of their shopping habits?

3   was influenced by a television programme to rethink their consumer behaviour?

4   points out the environmental damage caused by sending products back to the seller?

5   expresses sympathy for the intense pressure placed on courier workers?

6   realised that demanding fast shipping prevents companies from planning efficient journeys?

7   mentions learning about a practice where perfectly good items end up in landfill?

8   feels frustrated by the amount of non-recyclable materials used to protect small items?

9   actively chooses to wait until they need several items before confirming a purchase?

10   acknowledges that supporting independent, nearby shops is a better alternative?

Rethinking the Click: The True Cost of Next-Day Delivery

A Liam

I used to be addicted to the convenience of next-day delivery. I wouldn’t think twice about ordering a single tube of toothpaste or a pair of socks. The turning point came when I looked at my hallway; there was a literal mountain of cardboard boxes waiting to be recycled. It was a stark visual representation of my habit. Furthermore, what genuinely annoyed me was the excessive use of bubble wrap and plastic padding for tiny, indestructible objects. It just seemed so unjustifiable. I also read an article explaining how rushing orders means delivery vans often travel half-empty, dramatically increasing emissions. Consequently, I’ve completely changed my approach. Now, I keep a running list on my phone and only proceed to the checkout when I have enough items to justify a single, standard delivery. It requires a bit more patience, but the reduction in my household waste has been remarkable.

B Maya

For a long time, I treated online clothing stores like my personal changing room. I’d order garments in three different sizes, keep the one that fit, and send the rest back. I took it for granted that the returns process was completely harmless. However, I recently stumbled upon a report detailing the staggering carbon footprint of reverse logistics. Even worse, it revealed that processing returned clothes is often so costly that companies simply send these brand-new, flawless garments straight to the rubbish dump. I was absolutely horrified to learn about this practice. It made me realise that convenience comes at a massive environmental price. These days, I make a conscious effort to buy my clothes from local, independent boutiques instead. Not only does this cut out the delivery emissions entirely, but it also supports the community. If I do shop online, I accept standard delivery and measure myself carefully to avoid returns.

C Noah

The constant stream of delivery trucks trundling down my quiet residential street used to just be background noise. I hardly noticed them until I watched an eye-opening documentary about the hidden costs of our click-and-buy culture. It highlighted not only the air pollution caused by the sheer volume of vehicles, but also the gruelling conditions the drivers endure. Hearing about their exhausting schedules and the unrealistic targets they must meet just to get us our parcels in 24 hours really struck a chord with me. I felt incredibly guilty for demanding such speed at the expense of someone’s wellbeing. Since then, I’ve opted out of next-day shipping entirely. I’ve come to terms with the fact that I rarely need anything immediately. By selecting the slower, eco-friendly delivery options, or having parcels dropped at a centralized collection locker, I know I’m doing my small part to reduce neighborhood congestion and ease the burden on couriers.

D Elena

A few years ago, I signed up for a premium membership with a major online retailer, lured in by the promise of unlimited, ‘free’ next-day shipping. Looking back, that yearly fee definitely pushed me into purchasing unnecessary gadgets simply because I felt I had to get my money’s worth. The reality is that rapid shipping is an ecological disaster. When we demand that a product arrives the following day, we deny logistics companies the time they need to calculate the most fuel-efficient routes. Instead of waiting to fill a lorry heading to a specific area, they are forced to dispatch vehicles on fragmented, inefficient journeys. Once I grasped how this impatience contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, I cancelled my subscription without hesitation. I’ve realised that the concept of ‘free’ delivery is an illusion; the environment ends up paying the ultimate price for our impatience.

Exercises:   123456