Practice English Reading Exercises for B1 – City Breaks & Historic Towns 1

Exercises:   123456

Reading 1

For each question, choose the correct answer.

The people below all want to find a European city break holiday.

There are descriptions of eight city hotels.

Decide which hotel would be the most suitable for the people below.

1   Anna and Tom want to stay in the middle of the city. They want a holiday that includes a ticket to enter the city’s museums. They also prefer a hotel that serves evening meals so they don’t have to go out.

2   David is travelling alone and wants a hotel very close to a train or bus station. He enjoys keeping fit, so he needs an exercise room. He also wants a trip that offers free entrance to art galleries.

3   Maria is travelling with her young children, so she wants a quiet hotel away from the busy centre. She needs excellent public transport links to explore the city, and a place that offers fun activities for her kids.

4   Lukas only has a weekend and wants to sleep right in the heart of the city. He is very interested in the past and wants an organised walking tour. He also needs a fast transport connection to the airport.

5   Sophie wants to visit famous historical buildings and needs a holiday package that gives her free entry to these sites. She doesn’t want to walk far to the underground railway, and she loves listening to live music at night.

European City Hotels

A Green Park Hotel

Green Park Hotel is situated in a peaceful neighbourhood, far from the noisy streets but just opposite a metro station for quick trips into town. We guarantee a relaxing stay for parents, while younger guests will love the daily games and outdoor play area managed by our friendly staff.

B Central Star Hotel

The Central Star Hotel is situated in the very middle of the city, surrounded by famous sights. We offer a wonderful half-board option, meaning your evening food is included in the price. We also provide a free bus and tram pass to help you get around, although attraction tickets cost extra.

C The Royal Hotel

Located right by the main square, the Royal Hotel is perfect for your city break. Your booking comes with a special card giving you free entry to all local exhibitions and history centres. After a busy day exploring, relax in our fantastic restaurant where a delicious dinner is prepared for guests every night.

D The Rhythm Hotel

The Rhythm Hotel offers an amazing atmosphere with singers and guitarists performing in the bar every weekend. You will find an underground station just at the end of the street. Unfortunately, we do not offer any deals on tourist attractions, but our receptionists can help you buy tickets online.

E The Melody Inn

The Melody Inn is just steps away from the underground, so exploring is simple. We provide all guests with a tourist card for complimentary access to the city’s ancient monuments and palaces. In the evenings, you don’t need to leave the hotel, as popular local bands play in our lounge area.

F The Station Hotel

The Station Hotel is located just a two-minute walk from the city’s main railway hub, making travel incredibly easy. Guests receive a complimentary culture card, which allows you to visit all the local art exhibitions without paying. You can also stay active using the modern equipment in our sports room.

G Airport Lodge

Airport Lodge is located right next to the airport, making it ideal if you have an early flight, though it takes an hour to reach the city centre. Families are welcome, and we offer a fantastic kids’ club with painting and sports. You can book private city tours at reception.

H The Plaza Hotel

Stay at the lively Plaza Hotel, surrounded by the city’s best shops and cafes. We provide a complimentary shuttle bus directly to the departure gates for your flight home. Guests can also join our daily group walks with an expert who shares fascinating stories about the city’s oldest buildings.

Reading 2

For each question, choose the correct answer.

The people below all want to find a historic castle stay.

There are descriptions of eight castle hotels.

Decide which castle hotel would be the most suitable for the people below.

1   Daniel wants a castle hotel filled with centuries-old beds and desks. He is very interested in listening to tales of resident spirits. Since he is driving through the country, the hotel must have a secure car park.

2   The Green family wants to experience historic costume dinners at a castle. They need fun activities to keep their young children entertained and are looking for an affordable option that fits their tight winter holiday budget.

3   Sophia wants to join spooky nighttime walks to learn about castle legends. She also wants to enjoy grand old-fashioned feasts on site. As she does not drive, the property must be close to a regular bus stop.

4   Mr. and Mrs. Black want to admire original medieval paintings and carved chairs during their stay. They wish to join evening historical dinners but require a castle with a lift because they cannot use the stairs.

5   Emma loves historic decorations like old clocks and mirrors. She wants to try a late-night tour to look for ghosts, but as a student, she needs a very inexpensive room that includes a free morning meal.

Historic Castle Hotels

A Stonecrest Castle

Sleep among beautiful historical wardrobes and tables at this grand hotel. Our evening guides will entertain you with frightening legends of phantoms that walk the corridors at night. Travelers arriving with vehicles can use the free parking area outside, making it easy to explore the surrounding woods by car.

B King’s Valley Manor

Enjoy magnificent medieval feasts where guests wear traditional clothes and taste historic recipes. We offer the lowest prices in the region, with excellent discounts for families. Parents can relax because we have a lovely playground and daily games to keep your little ones happy throughout the day.

C Blackwood Citadel

This spectacular fortress offers dark evening tours about the scary phantoms that haunt the towers. After your walk, join other guests for classic historic dinners in the grand hall. Getting here is simple without a vehicle, as local buses drop passengers directly outside our main castle gates every hour.

D Queensgate Palace

Wander through grand rooms decorated with 500-year-old artwork and beautiful wooden seats. The castle hosts royal banquets every night, serving food from the past. Although it is an ancient building, a modern elevator has been installed inside the stone walls, so guests can easily reach any floor without using steps.

E Ravenscroft Keep

Our budget castle features historic golden timepieces and ancient glass mirrors in every bedroom. Sign up for our midnight hunts to search for mysterious spirits in the cellar. We offer highly low-cost accommodation, and a complimentary breakfast is served each morning in our cozy dining room for all guests.

F Wyvern Castle

This luxury hotel is famous for its collection of 17th-century desks and mirrors. Our expert guides lead popular night walks to share stories of the castle’s famous ghosts. Please note that we are located on a steep hill with no parking facilities, and room prices are quite high.

G Shieldwall Fortress

Experience authentic old-fashioned banquets in our massive dining room at incredibly cheap rates. We are perfect for couples looking for a low-cost historic getaway. However, a car is necessary as there are no public transport links, and our deep stone pools are unsafe for young children.

H Redcliffe Towers

Admire the beautiful medieval chairs and paintings that fill this magnificent hotel. Guests can enjoy wonderful traditional feasts in the basement every evening. Please note that because we protect the historic structure, there is no elevator, so visitors must be comfortable climbing many narrow stone stairs to their rooms.

Reading 3

For each question, choose the correct answer.

The people below all want to find a shopping weekend in a fashion city.

There are descriptions of eight shopping trips.

Decide which shopping trip would be the most suitable for the people below.

1   Anna is flying and plans to buy plenty of clothes, so she needs permission to take extra heavy bags. She wants accommodation near famous designer shops and an expert to help her choose outfits.

2   Ben and Sam are students on a budget. They want cheap accommodation and prefer shopping for second-hand clothes in traditional markets. They also want a guide to show them the city’s historical sights.

3   Chloe wants to stay close to expensive fashion boutiques. After a busy day of shopping, she wants to relax in a hotel spa. In the evening, she would love to see a famous musical.

4   Diana loves buying handmade jewellery from street markets. She needs a package that allows heavier bags on the flight home. As she doesn’t eat meat, the trip must include vegetarian food options.

5   Elena prefers staying in an apartment where she can cook. She wants to hire someone to give her fashion advice while shopping. She also wants to take a short class on making her own clothes.

Fashion City Shopping Weekends

A Milan Luxury Break

Experience Italy’s fashion capital! Your luxury room is located right next to the city’s most famous high-end clothing brands. We provide a professional styling assistant to guide your purchases. Best of all, your flight ticket permits two additional heavy suitcases, so you can easily take all your new outfits home!

B Berlin Retro Weekend

This highly affordable weekend break is perfect for young people watching their money. You will stay in a comfortable, low-cost youth hostel. We will show you the greatest areas for used clothing and antique items. Also included is an interesting afternoon walking trip to discover the capital’s fascinating past.

C Paris Elegance

Stay in a beautiful hotel situated just a short walk from the world’s most luxurious clothing brands. When your feet are tired, enjoy our indoor heated pools and fantastic massage treatments. To finish your day, your booking comes with premium seats for an amazing singing and dancing show downtown.

D New York Style

Stay right in the middle of Manhattan, surrounded by expensive, famous shops. We offer a dedicated fashion expert to carry your bags and select the best outfits for your shape. Our hotel provides a fantastic breakfast, but remember that airlines charge a lot for heavy bags on the return journey!

E London Treasures

Explore the capital’s fantastic outdoor stalls, where talented artists sell beautiful rings and necklaces you won’t find anywhere else! Do not worry about packing light, because our special airline deal lets you check in extra weight. Furthermore, all your provided restaurant meals are completely plant-based, with absolutely no meat served.

F Madrid Bargains

If you want a cheap holiday, this Spanish trip is ideal. You will save money at our excellent low-price guest house. Spend your days exploring busy outdoor stalls selling handmade gifts. We include delicious dinners featuring traditional Spanish meats and seafood, though we do not offer any historical sightseeing activities.

G London Creative Fashion

Forget standard hotels; relax in your own private flat equipped with cooking facilities so you can prepare your own meals. A professional clothing advisor will take you around the best shops. Later, join our special workshop to discover how to use needles and thread to design your own beautiful garments.

H Tokyo Luxury

Sleep in an incredible five-star resort located beside the most expensive and famous clothing shops in Japan. After a long day of spending, guests can relax in our traditional hot springs and enjoy wonderful health treatments. Sadly, there are no stage shows or evening entertainment options near this peaceful hotel.

Exercises:   123456