Practice English Reading Exercises for B2 – Climate Change Adaptation & Disasters 2

Exercises:   123456

Reading 1

You are going to read an article about four young adults reflecting on how enduring record-breaking heatwaves in a city without air conditioning drastically changed their daily routines and sleep.

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

Which person

1   regrets a missed opportunity to purchase a helpful appliance beforehand?

2   deliberately spent time in commercial or civic spaces to stay cool?

3   expresses anxiety regarding the long-term environmental outlook?

4   mentions that the extreme weather led to improved relationships with people living nearby?

5   admits their initial attitude towards the severe weather was dismissive?

6   drastically shifted their waking hours to cope with the climate?

7   altered their eating habits to avoid generating additional heat indoors?

8   relocated their bed to a different part of their home?

9   felt that being displaced by the heat had an unexpected positive outcome?

10   acknowledges that their mood was negatively affected by a lack of rest?

Surviving the Swelter

A Liam

When the heatwave struck, I was caught completely off guard. Living in a top-floor flat with zero air conditioning, the temperature inside regularly exceeded 35°C. I quickly realised my usual nine-to-five routine was no longer viable. Consequently, I resorted to a nocturnal existence, sleeping in short, fitful bursts during the sweltering afternoons and studying throughout the night when it was marginally cooler. If I had known how fierce the heat would be, I would have invested in a high-quality fan months beforehand. Initially, the sleep deprivation made me incredibly short-tempered, and I took my frustration out on my flatmates. Thankfully, I bounced back once I came to terms with the situation. I started freezing wet flannels to drape over my neck, which must have looked ridiculous, but it did the trick. It was a gruelling experience, but it certainly taught me how to adapt to extreme circumstances.

B Maya

My strategy for surviving the unprecedented temperatures was simple: avoidance. The moment I woke up—usually at dawn, drenched in sweat—I would pack my bag and flee to the nearest public library or shopping centre. I spent hours wandering around aimlessly just to soak up their glorious air conditioning. I felt a bit guilty for not buying much in the cafes, but the staff were remarkably understanding. As for my sleeping arrangements, my bedroom felt like a sauna, so I ended up dragging my mattress onto the living room floor, hoping for a cross-breeze from the open windows. Even then, getting a solid eight hours was out of the question. Nevertheless, being forced out of my stuffy apartment every day actually made me explore parts of the city I’d normally ignore. It was exhausting, but I discovered some wonderful local spots in the process.

C Tom

The most significant alteration to my daily life was my diet and social schedule. Cooking was absolutely out of the question; turning on the oven would have turned my kitchen into a furnace. Consequently, I survived almost entirely on chilled salads and cold soups for three weeks. Furthermore, seeing friends during the day became unbearable. We only dared to venture out after sunset, gathering in parks to catch the faint evening breeze. Enduring this heatwave was a harsh wake-up call for me. It is said that such extreme weather events will become increasingly common, which is a terrifying prospect. I used to take our mild summers for granted, assuming I’d never need air conditioning. Now, I’m seriously considering moving to a more climate-resilient building. It made me realise how vulnerable our urban infrastructure actually is when pushed to its absolute limits by Mother Nature.

D Chloe

I initially thought people were exaggerating about the heat, but I was sorely mistaken. Without an AC unit, my apartment trapped the heat like a greenhouse. After a few days of zero energy and terrible sleep, I did some research and adopted techniques used in hotter climates. I learned to strictly keep the blinds shut during the day and only open the windows late at night. I even resorted to sleeping with a damp sheet over me. It wasn’t glamorous, but it cooled me down as the water evaporated. What amazed me was the sense of community that emerged. My neighbours and I, who usually barely exchange a nod, started checking in on each other, sharing ice and cold drinks. Although the physical fatigue was draining, overcoming the challenge together was strangely uplifting. It proved that human beings can get used to almost anything if they have to.

Reading 2

You are going to read an article about four people talking about the traumatic aftermath of a severe, unexpected flood.

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 altering their future plans regarding where they would live?

2   expresses anger at the failure of a specific system to alert them?

3   emphasizes the physical exhaustion involved in the restoration process?

4   was saved by someone they had not previously been on close terms with?

5   lost a source of income due to the disaster?

6   highlights the irreplaceable nature of certain destroyed possessions?

7   acknowledges the heavy economic burden of repairing the damage?

8   found a distraction from their own grief by assisting fellow residents?

9   reflects on how the disaster improved the social dynamics of the area?

10   felt overwhelmed by the generosity of people they didn’t even know?

Surviving the Swell: A Community Tested by Water

A Marcus

Looking back at that fateful night, the sheer speed at which the river burst its banks was terrifying. Before we could even process what was happening, the ground floor of my café—which I had poured my life savings into—was completely submerged. Coming to terms with the fact that my livelihood was gone overnight was a bitter pill to swallow. However, wallowing in self-pity wasn’t an option for me. The local school was turned into a makeshift shelter, and I immediately threw myself into organizing hot meals for the evacuees. Throwing myself into coordinating the relief effort stopped me from dwelling on my own ruined property. It was hard, relentless work, but seeing everyone pull together was incredible. While I know it will cost a fortune to eventually rebuild my premises, right now, my focus remains firmly on ensuring my neighbors have enough to eat. We took our safety for granted, but we won’t make that mistake again.

B Elena

When the water finally receded, the devastation left behind was genuinely apocalyptic. Walking into my living room, I was met with a thick layer of toxic mud covering everything. While the furniture can easily be replaced, discovering that generations of family photograph albums had been reduced to pulp absolutely broke my heart; those memories are lost forever. Initially, I was so traumatized by the scale of the destruction that I made up my mind to pack up and move away permanently. I just couldn’t face the prospect of living in a disaster zone. What ultimately made me stay, however, was the phenomenal response from volunteers who traveled from across the country to help us clear the debris. Having people I had never met before show up with shovels and cleaning supplies was deeply moving. Thanks to their selfless assistance, I realized this community is where I truly belong, no matter what nature throws at us.

C David

What still infuriates me most about the whole ordeal is the complete lack of official communication. We had been assured that the new flood defenses would hold, and the early warning sirens simply failed to go off. If we had been given even an hour’s notice, so many households could have evacuated safely. Instead, we were caught entirely off guard. As the water rapidly rose up the stairs, I was trapped on my balcony, certain that the worst was about to happen. Miraculously, a man from down the street—whom I had previously avoided because we had clashed over a parking dispute—navigated his small fishing boat right up to my window and pulled me to safety. It is a very humbling experience to owe your life to someone you barely spoke to. Despite the fact that we have lost almost all our material possessions, that act of bravery has completely reshaped how I view the people living around me.

D Sarah

It has been six months since the catastrophe, and the neighborhood is finally starting to bounce back. Nevertheless, the recovery process has been incredibly grueling. I have spent practically every weekend ripping out damaged floorboards, scrubbing walls, and hauling ruined appliances into skips; my muscles ache in ways I didn’t know were possible! Furthermore, the financial toll has been undeniably immense. Because my insurance policy didn’t fully cover water damage, I have had to take out a substantial bank loan to pay for the repairs. Yet, despite the hefty price tag and the sheer physical fatigue, I try to remain optimistic. Before the flood, this was a place where people largely kept to themselves and barely knew their next-door neighbors. Now, there is a profound sense of solidarity. We share tools, cook for each other, and offer emotional support. Paradoxically, this horrific event has transformed a collection of isolated houses into a genuinely close-knit community.

Exercises:   123456