Practice English Reading Exercises for B2 – Green Lifestyle & Sustainable Consumerism 8

Exercises:   123456

Reading 1

You are going to read an article about four individuals describing their attempts to grow their own herbs and vegetables on a tiny apartment balcony to reduce their reliance on supermarkets.

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 their new hobby initially required a significant financial investment?

2   experienced a surprising improvement in their psychological well-being?

3   had to find a creative construction solution to maximise their limited physical space?

4   expresses a sense of remorse when resorting to commercial grocery shopping?

5   successfully cultivated crops despite a severe lack of direct sunlight?

6   was forced to deal with an unexpected insect infestation?

7   admits they had a track record of being terrible at keeping plants alive?

8   highlights the satisfaction of cutting down on single-use plastics?

9   shares their surplus harvest with other people living in their building?

10   had to accept that certain vegetables were fundamentally unsuited to their balcony’s climate?

Concrete Harvests: Farming on a Tiny Balcony

A Mia

I always took it for granted that growing my own food would immediately slash my grocery bills. However, setting up my fifth-floor balcony garden was surprisingly costly at the beginning. By the time I’d invested in heavy-duty terracotta pots, premium organic compost, and a variety of seedlings, I was significantly out of pocket! Things got worse when the aphids arrived. I was horrified to find my precious basil completely covered in tiny green bugs, and I had to spend ages researching natural ways to get rid of them without using harsh chemicals. Despite these initial setbacks, the effort has completely paid off. There is absolutely nothing like the flavour of a tomato freshly plucked from your own vine; the store-bought equivalents simply pale in comparison. While I certainly still rely on the local supermarket for heavy staples, I haven’t bought fresh herbs in months, which feels like a massive personal victory.

B David

My apartment balcony is barely wide enough to fit a single chair, let alone a sprawling vegetable patch. Consequently, I had to think outside the box to make my self-sufficiency dream a reality. After watching a few online tutorials, I managed to construct a vertical planter out of recycled wooden pallets, which effectively tripled my growing area overnight. My main issue hasn’t been pests, but rather the strong gales on the ninth floor, which completely destroyed my fragile cucumber plants during a storm. I quickly learned to stick to sturdier, low-growing crops like kale and radishes. Surprisingly, the yield has been phenomenal. In fact, it’s been so abundant that I regularly find myself knocking on my neighbours’ doors to hand over excess bundles of fresh greens. It’s turned out to be a brilliant way to build a sense of community in a complex where people rarely speak to one another.

C Sofia

If you had told me a year ago that I would be harvesting my own dinner, I would have laughed out loud. Historically, I possessed a notorious ‘black thumb’ and struggled to keep even the most resilient indoor succulents alive for more than a few weeks. However, determined to reduce my reliance on imported goods, I decided to give urban gardening one last shot. Tending to my miniature balcony farm has unexpectedly become my daily sanctuary. Watering the seedlings and watching them thrive after a stressful day at the office has done wonders for my anxiety levels, providing a profound sense of calm. The only downside is that I’ve become rather idealistic about my consumption. Now, whenever I inevitably have to pop into a chain supermarket to buy things I simply can’t grow, like onions or potatoes, I am struck by a heavy wave of eco-guilt.

D Jamal

My balcony faces north, meaning it is plunged into deep shade for the vast majority of the day. Initially, I stubbornly tried to cultivate sun-worshipping vegetables like peppers and courgettes, but they ended up incredibly spindly and failed to produce anything edible. I eventually had to swallow my pride and accept that I was fighting a losing battle against the environment. Once I switched my focus to shade-tolerant crops like mint, parsley, and spinach, the transformation was incredible. My tiny urban oasis is now flourishing beautifully. For me, the greatest triumph hasn’t just been the fresh ingredients, but the drastic reduction in my household waste. It is immensely satisfying to completely bypass the supermarket aisles where herbs are suffocated in layers of unnecessary, unrecyclable wrapping. I’ve realised that even the smallest, darkest balcony can make a genuine environmental impact if you adapt to its limitations.

Reading 2

You are going to read an article about four people reflecting on the social awkwardness of refusing plastic straws, bags, and cutlery when eating out with friends who don’t care about the environment.

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 failed attempt to use money to promote greener habits?

2   worries about being perceived as thinking they are better than everyone else?

3   admits to occasionally accepting plastic items to prevent a public fuss?

4   felt excluded from certain group activities because of their environmental stance?

5   habitually brings their own eco-friendly utensils from home?

6   had a public disagreement with a worker over packaging?

7   tries to alter their friends’ behaviour without explicitly telling them off?

8   has concluded that maintaining relationships is sometimes more important than absolute perfection?

9   highlights a situation where an eco-friendly option was ruined by a friend’s careless action?

10   gets frustrated when their peers make light of their environmental efforts?

The Plastic Problem: Navigating Eco-Guilt Among Friends

A Mia

I always try to do my bit for the planet, which means my handbag is constantly weighed down with bamboo cutlery and metal straws. However, whenever we eat out, pulling them out feels incredibly awkward. I desperately want to avoid coming across as self-righteous or preachy, so I usually try to use my items as inconspicuously as possible. Unfortunately, someone always notices. Last week at a diner, I politely asked the waitress to hold the plastic straw, but she’d already put it in my drink. When I fished it out, my friends rolled their eyes. I sat there agonizing over whether I sounded like a snob who thinks she’s morally superior. It’s a constant battle between sticking to my guns and just wanting to blend in. I wish my mates would understand that I’m not judging their choices; I’m just trying to manage my own eco-anxiety.

B Tom

The hardest part about reducing plastic waste isn’t the lack of alternatives; it’s the social friction it causes. A few days ago, my mates and I grabbed some takeaway burgers. When it was my turn to order, I firmly told the cashier I didn’t need a plastic carrier bag. He insisted it was store policy for large orders, and before I knew it, we were having a rather heated debate right there at the counter. My friends were groaning and telling me to just let it go. To be completely honest, their constant teasing gets under my skin more than I care to admit. Sometimes, when the banter gets too much or I can see a queue forming behind me, I just cave in and accept the plastic just to save face. It makes me feel like a hypocrite, but causing a massive scene over a fork isn’t always worth the hassle.

C Chloe

Rather than giving my friends lectures on the devastating effects of single-use plastics, I try to lead by example. I figure that if I show them how easy it is, they might catch on organically without feeling attacked. Last month, I offered to treat everyone to coffees at our favourite café, specifically so I could hand the barista my stack of reusable cups. I thought my little financial bribe would be a subtle way to force a greener choice upon them. Sadly, my grand plan completely backfired. One of my friends complained that the ceramic cup was too hot to hold and promptly marched back to the counter to grab a plastic lid and a cardboard sleeve anyway! It was incredibly disheartening to witness my eco-friendly gesture being instantly undone by sheer thoughtlessness. It made me realise that you can’t gently trick people into caring about the environment.

D Sam

Trying to be zero-waste in a friend group that genuinely couldn’t care less about the environment is exhausting. At one point, I became so rigid about refusing plastic that I started turning down invitations to places known for their excessive packaging. Consequently, I ended up missing out on Friday night takeaways and spontaneous park picnics. I was basically isolating myself, sitting at home while everyone else was out having a laugh. Eventually, I had to take a step back and reassess my priorities. While I still passionately care about marine life and landfills, I’ve accepted that alienating myself won’t save the planet. Now, I strive for a middle ground. I do my best to politely decline plastic menus and sachets, but if my friends want to meet at a fast-food joint, I tag along. Preserving my social life is vital for my mental health, even if it means putting up with the occasional plastic spoon.

Exercises:   123456