Practice English Reading Exercises for B1 – Career Guidance & Future Planning 10
Reading 1
For each question, choose the correct answer.
A New Kind of Music
Ever since I got my first guitar at the age of ten, I have dreamed of becoming a famous rock star. I spent hours practicing in my bedroom every evening, imagining myself playing in front of thousands of screaming fans. However, as I got older, I started to realize that making a living as a famous musician is extremely rare. I read several articles online about how difficult the music industry really is, and I began to feel quite anxious about my future. I definitely didn’t want to give up music, but I also knew I needed a realistic career plan.
One day, my school music teacher suggested that I attend a weekend workshop on music production at a local college. At first, I wasn’t very keen on the idea at all. I thought music production was just about staring at computer screens and clicking a mouse, rather than playing ‘real’ instruments. I only agreed to go because my parents promised to buy me some expensive new guitar strings if I attended. I walked into the recording studio on Saturday morning expecting to be completely bored.
But as soon as the instructor started explaining how to use the recording software, my opinion completely changed. We learned how to record different instruments separately, mix the sounds together, and add special effects to make the music sound highly professional. The instructor showed us how a producer can completely change the mood of a song just by adjusting the volume of the drums or adding an echo to the singer’s voice. I was amazed to discover that being a good audio engineer actually requires a fantastic musical ear and a huge amount of creativity.
By the end of the weekend, we had all mixed our own short tracks, and I felt incredibly proud of what I had created. The workshop showed me a whole new side of the music world that I had never considered before. I finally understand that you don’t have to be the person singing on stage to have a successful career in music. Audio engineering and production are exciting, realistic jobs where I can use my musical skills every single day. I still love playing my guitar, but I have already started saving up my pocket money to buy my own recording software.
1 Why did the writer feel anxious about his future?
(A) He was losing his interest in playing the guitar.
(B) He understood that his dream job was highly unlikely.
(C) He was struggling to write his own original songs.
(D) He didn’t want to perform in front of large crowds.
2 Why did the writer finally decide to go to the workshop?
(A) His music teacher forced him to attend.
(B) He wanted to learn more about computer programming.
(C) He was offered a reward by his parents.
(D) He wanted to improve his guitar playing skills.
3 What surprised the writer during the workshop?
(A) How difficult the computer software was to use.
(B) How much musical talent is needed to produce music.
(C) How loud the drums were in the recording studio.
(D) How quickly the instructor could sing a song.
4 How does the writer feel about his career options now?
(A) He has decided to stop playing the guitar completely.
(B) He wants to become the lead singer of a rock band.
(C) He hopes to get a job selling recording software.
(D) He is excited about working behind the scenes in music.
5 What would the writer write in his diary after the workshop?
(A) I’m so disappointed. The workshop proved that I will never make any money in the music industry unless I become a famous rock star.
(B) I only went to the workshop for the free guitar strings, and unfortunately, it was just as boring as I expected it to be.
(C) I used to think playing instruments was the only way to do music, but now I know production is an amazing and realistic career path!
(D) The recording software was too complicated for me. I think I will just stick to playing the guitar in my bedroom instead of trying to make a career out of it.
Answer Key & Explanations
1 B – In paragraph 1, the writer explains that he started to realize “making a living as a famous musician is extremely rare” and read articles about “how difficult the music industry really is”, which made him anxious.
2 C – In paragraph 2, the writer states, “I only agreed to go because my parents promised to buy me some expensive new guitar strings if I attended.”
3 B – In paragraph 3, the writer says, “I was amazed to discover that being a good audio engineer actually requires a fantastic musical ear and a huge amount of creativity.”
4 D – In paragraph 4, the writer realizes “you don’t have to be the person singing on stage” and describes audio engineering and production as “exciting, realistic jobs”, showing his enthusiasm for this behind-the-scenes role.
5 C – This option captures the global meaning and the writer’s transformation. It summarizes his initial narrow view of music (just playing instruments/being a rock star) and his new, excited realization that production offers a valid and interesting career.
Reading 2
For each question, choose the correct answer.
The Reality of Crime Scene Science
I have always been a huge fan of crime television shows. Every Friday evening, I sit on the sofa and watch detectives examine crime scenes and find hidden clues. To me, the most fascinating characters are always the forensic scientists. In just forty-five minutes, they use cool technology to test evidence and catch the criminals. After watching another exciting episode last month, I decided that this was exactly what I wanted to do for my future career. I imagined myself in a white coat, solving complex puzzles and helping the police.
Full of enthusiasm, I decided to do some serious research. I went to the school library and started looking at university websites to see what qualifications I would need to study forensic science. I expected to see classes about criminal law, fingerprinting, and using advanced computer software. I was completely ready to sign up for any course that would teach me how to properly investigate a crime scene.
However, my excitement disappeared as soon as I read the actual university requirements. To my absolute horror, every single degree required excellent grades in advanced chemistry and biology. On television, the scientists just push a button and a computer gives them the answer. I hadn’t realised that in real life, the job involves spending hours doing complicated chemical equations and analysing biological samples. This was a massive problem for me because science has never been my strong point. In fact, I completely dislike chemistry, and I always struggle to pass my biology exams.
I spent a few days feeling quite disappointed about my discovery. It was frustrating to realise that my dream job wasn’t a good match for my actual abilities. I had a long chat with my older sister, who reminded me that television is designed to be fast and entertaining, not perfectly realistic. She told me it was completely normal to change my mind once I learned the facts.
I have now accepted the hard truth that I am probably never going to be a forensic scientist. However, I still enjoy watching my favourite crime shows every week. I haven’t figured out my future career yet, but I know I need to find a path that matches the subjects I am actually good at, rather than the ones that just look exciting on a screen.
1 Why did the writer want to become a forensic scientist?
(A) She wanted to invent new technology for the police.
(B) She was inspired by the characters in her favourite television programmes.
(C) She enjoyed solving puzzles with her family on Friday evenings.
(D) She wanted to help criminals understand the law.
2 What did the writer expect to find when researching university courses?
(A) Information about how to write computer software.
(B) That she needed excellent grades in science subjects.
(C) Subjects related to investigating crimes and the law.
(D) A list of the best school libraries for studying forensics.
3 The writer was shocked to discover that real forensic science
(A) involves pushing buttons on advanced computers.
(B) requires a high level of ability in subjects she dislikes.
(C) requires spending a lot of money on expensive chemicals.
(D) takes exactly forty-five minutes to solve a crime.
4 What advice did the writer’s sister give her?
(A) She should try harder to pass her biology exams.
(B) She shouldn’t believe everything she sees on television.
(C) She should stop watching crime shows completely.
(D) She must decide on a realistic career immediately.
5 What would the writer write in her diary?
(A) I’m so annoyed! I’m going to study chemistry every day so I can finally become a forensic scientist like the people on TV.
(B) University websites are completely wrong about forensic science. The job is mostly about fingerprints and computer software.
(C) My sister ruined my dream of becoming a detective. Now I have to find a boring job that I don’t really like.
(D) I’ve learned that a TV show can make a job look fun, but you have to consider your actual skills when choosing a career.
Answer Key & Explanations
1 B – The first paragraph states that the writer decided she wanted this career after watching “crime television shows” and finding the forensic scientists to be the “most fascinating characters.”
2 C – In the second paragraph, the writer states she “expected to see classes about criminal law, fingerprinting” and courses that would teach her “how to properly investigate a crime scene.”
3 B – The third paragraph explains that her excitement disappeared when she realised the job required advanced chemistry and biology, adding that “science has never been my strong point” and she “completely dislikes chemistry.”
4 B – The fourth paragraph describes the sister reminding the writer that “television is designed to be fast and entertaining, not perfectly realistic,” meaning she shouldn’t believe it reflects real life.
5 D – This option accurately captures the global meaning and the writer’s final attitude: accepting the difference between entertaining television fantasies and the reality of her own academic strengths.
Reading 3
For each question, choose the correct answer.
Discovering a career in the great outdoors
For as long as I can remember, I have absolutely hated sitting still. While my classmates seemed perfectly happy sitting at their desks reading textbooks all day, I always felt completely trapped. Looking out of the classroom window, I constantly wished I could be outside in the fresh air instead. As I got older and started thinking about my future career, I felt incredibly miserable. I assumed that getting a job simply meant moving from a school desk to an office desk. The idea of staring at a computer screen for the rest of my life was a very depressing thought.
However, my gloomy attitude completely changed last month during our school’s career week. We had to listen to different professionals talk about their daily lives. I was expecting to hear from accountants and bank managers, but one of the guest speakers was a man named Tom, who worked as a forest ranger. He walked into the classroom wearing heavy walking boots and a dark green uniform. He didn’t bring a laptop or a boring slideshow. Instead, he brought in tree branches, maps, and photographs of the huge national park where he worked.
Tom explained that his “office” was thousands of hectares of wild forest. He told us how his team spent their days outside in all types of weather. Their daily tasks involved planting new trees, repairing wooden bridges, and protecting the local wildlife. Sometimes, they even had to rescue walkers who had got lost in the woods. I listened with my mouth wide open. I was amazed by the physical effort the job required. I hadn’t realised that doing practical, hands-on work in the middle of nature was a real career that people actually got paid for.
As soon as the talk finished, I rushed to the front of the room to ask Tom how I could get a job like his. He suggested that I should start by volunteering at a local nature reserve at the weekends and pay more attention in my biology classes. For the first time in years, I feel genuinely excited about my future. I know that working outdoors will be physically exhausting, especially in the winter, but at least I won’t be stuck inside an office. I am finally looking forward to a career where every day is an adventure.
1 How did the writer feel about his future before the career week?
(A) He was worried that his classmates would get better office jobs than him.
(B) He felt unhappy because he believed he would have to work inside.
(C) He was disappointed that he couldn’t look out of the classroom window.
(D) He hoped to become a teacher so he wouldn’t have to leave school.
2 What was different about Tom’s presentation?
(A) He told the students they needed to buy heavy walking boots.
(B) He showed the students a very long computer slideshow about nature.
(C) He was the only person who spoke during the school’s career week.
(D) He brought physical objects from his workplace to show the class.
3 What surprised the writer most about Tom’s job?
(A) that forest rangers have to rescue people who are lost
(B) how much time the team spent repairing wooden bridges
(C) that someone could earn a living by doing physical work outdoors
(D) that the rangers had to work even when the weather was bad
4 What is the writer going to do next?
(A) Ask his biology teacher for help getting a job in a national park.
(B) Give up some of his free time to help at a nature reserve.
(C) Apply for a full-time job as a forest ranger immediately.
(D) Stop worrying about how cold the weather will be in winter.
5 What would the writer text his best friend after Tom’s talk?
(A) You won’t believe it! The career talk was awful. All they talked about was working in offices, so I’m still really depressed about the future.
(B) The speaker today was amazing. He showed me that I can actually have a career working outside in nature instead of sitting at a desk!
(C) I’ve decided to become a bank manager instead of a ranger. Working outside in the winter sounds far too exhausting for me.
(D) I just found out I have to study a lot more biology, which is really annoying. I wish I hadn’t gone to the career talk today.
Answer Key & Explanations
1 (B) – In paragraph 1, the writer states he felt “incredibly miserable” because he “assumed that getting a job simply meant moving from a school desk to an office desk,” matching the idea that he was unhappy about having to work inside.
2 (D) – Paragraph 2 mentions that instead of bringing a laptop or slideshow, Tom “brought in tree branches, maps, and photographs of the huge national park,” which are physical objects from his workplace.
3 (C) – In paragraph 3, the writer says, “I hadn’t realised that doing practical, hands-on work in the middle of nature was a real career that people actually got paid for,” showing his surprise that this was a paid job.
4 (B) – Paragraph 4 explains that Tom suggested the writer “should start by volunteering at a local nature reserve at the weekends,” which means giving up free time to help out.
5 (B) – This text message perfectly captures the writer’s emotional shift and the global meaning of the passage: moving from feeling trapped and miserable about office jobs to being excited about the prospect of an active, outdoor career in forestry.