Practice English Reading Exercises for B1 – Digital Detox, Gadgets & Innovation 9
Reading 1
For each question, choose the correct answer.
Breaking the Habit
My name is Jamie, and until recently, I had a terrible sleeping habit. Like most teenagers, I used my smartphone as an alarm clock to wake up for school. Because my phone was always on the small table next to my bed, I would pick it up every night. I always promised myself I would only look at it for five minutes. However, I usually ended up scrolling through social media or watching videos for at least an hour. As a result, I felt completely exhausted every morning.
I eventually decided that I had to do something to break this unhealthy cycle. One weekend, I went to a local department store to look for a solution. Instead of buying another digital device, I bought an old-fashioned, mechanical alarm clock. It was quite ugly, with two large metal bells on top, and it made a very loud ticking sound. However, it only cost ten pounds, and I knew it would definitely wake me up.
That evening, I started my new routine. I took my smartphone downstairs and left it in the kitchen to charge overnight. When I went back upstairs to my bedroom, it felt extremely strange. Without my phone in my hand, my room seemed very quiet, and I didn’t know what to do. I just lay in the dark listening to the loud ticking of my new clock. Surprisingly, because there was no bright screen to keep my brain awake, I fell asleep much faster than usual.
The next morning, the loud ringing of the metal bells woke me up suddenly. It was certainly not a relaxing way to start the day, but it worked perfectly. More importantly, I noticed that I didn’t feel as tired as I normally did. I got out of bed immediately instead of wasting time looking at messages.
It has been a month since I bought the alarm clock, and I have just had the best weeks of sleep in my life. Leaving my phone in another room was a difficult change at first, but it has made a huge difference to my energy levels. I now have better concentration at school and feel much happier. I would advise anyone who feels tired during the day to buy an ugly mechanical clock!
1 Why was Jamie so tired every morning?
(A) He stayed up late doing his homework on his phone.
(B) He spent too much time looking at his phone in bed.
(C) His smartphone alarm was too quiet to wake him up.
(D) He was woken up by messages from his friends.
2 What does Jamie say about the alarm clock he bought?
(A) It was an attractive digital device.
(B) It was expensive but worth the money.
(C) It was unattractive but very cheap.
(D) It made a quiet, relaxing sound.
3 How did Jamie feel on the first night of his new routine?
(A) Worried that his phone might get stolen in the kitchen.
(B) Annoyed because the clock was ticking too loudly.
(C) Uncomfortable because he didn’t have his phone with him.
(D) Surprised because his room was completely dark.
4 What was the immediate result of using the new clock?
(A) He woke up feeling more rested than usual.
(B) He was late for school because he ignored the bells.
(C) He enjoyed the peaceful sound it made in the morning.
(D) He spent more time lying in bed after waking up.
5 What would Jamie write in a blog post about his experience?
(A) If you want to sleep better, you should buy a modern digital clock instead of using your phone.
(B) Leaving my phone downstairs was hard, but getting a traditional clock completely improved my sleep.
(C) I really hate my new alarm clock because the bells are too loud, so I’m using my smartphone again.
(D) Taking my phone out of my bedroom helped, but I still feel just as exhausted during the school day.
Answer Key & Explanations
1 B – The text states in paragraph 1 that Jamie promised to look at his phone for five minutes but “ended up scrolling through social media or watching videos for at least an hour,” making him exhausted.
2 C – In paragraph 2, Jamie describes the clock as “quite ugly” (unattractive) but notes “it only cost ten pounds” (very cheap).
3 C – Paragraph 3 explains that “When I went back upstairs to my bedroom, it felt extremely strange. Without my phone in my hand… I didn’t know what to do.” This matches feeling uncomfortable without his phone.
4 A – Paragraph 4 says the alarm woke him up suddenly, and “More importantly, I noticed that I didn’t feel as tired as I normally did.”
5 B – This option successfully captures the global meaning. Jamie found the change difficult at first (“felt extremely strange”), but moving the phone and using the traditional clock led to “the best weeks of sleep in my life” and a “huge difference to my energy levels.”
Reading 2
For each question, choose the correct answer.
Taking Back My Weekend
I have always been a hard-working student, but recently, school started taking over my whole life. Our teachers often use a special digital platform to send us homework assignments, project updates, and important announcements. Because I had the email app on my smartphone, my pocket was constantly buzzing. Even on Saturday mornings, when I was trying to relax with my family, I would see notifications about maths tests or history essays. I felt like I had to read them immediately. As a result, I was thinking about schoolwork all weekend and my stress levels were getting completely out of control.
One Sunday afternoon, after a message about a science project ruined my family picnic, I knew I had to do something. I realised that having my school emails in my pocket was the main cause of my anxiety. Without thinking about it too much, I unlocked my phone, pressed down on the email app, and completely deleted it from my device. For a few hours, I felt quite strange. I kept checking my screen, worried that I was missing something extremely important from my teachers.
By the time the next weekend arrived, I had developed a completely new routine. Now, if I want to check my school messages, I actually have to go to my bedroom, sit down at my desk, and turn on my laptop. This small change has created a clear boundary between my education and my free time. When I am sitting at my computer, my brain knows that it is time to focus on schoolwork. However, as soon as I shut the laptop and walk out of the room, my free time officially begins.
This simple decision has completely transformed how I feel. The background anxiety that used to follow me everywhere has finally disappeared. I can enjoy going to the cinema or hanging out with my friends without being interrupted by a message from my geography teacher. Although my parents were initially surprised that I was using my phone less, they are delighted to see me smiling more. I have learned that if we don’t set strict limits with technology, it will easily take away our peace of mind.
1 Why was the writer feeling so stressed at weekends?
(A) They were failing their maths and history classes.
(B) They had to do all their schoolwork on a mobile phone.
(C) They were receiving school messages during their free time.
(D) Their teachers were asking them to attend weekend classes.
2 How did the writer feel immediately after deleting the app?
(A) relieved that the science project was cancelled
(B) concerned that they might ignore a vital message
(C) annoyed that their family picnic was ruined
(D) proud of making such a quick decision
3 What is the main benefit of the writer’s new routine?
(A) They spend more time working in their bedroom.
(B) They no longer need to use a laptop for their studies.
(C) They can clearly separate their studies from their personal life.
(D) They check their messages much faster than before.
4 What has been the result of the writer’s decision?
(A) They have stopped going to the cinema with friends.
(B) Their parents are pleased because the writer is happier.
(C) Their geography teacher is annoyed with them.
(D) They have bought a new phone to avoid technology.
5 What would the writer text to a classmate about their experience?
(A) I’m failing my classes because I deleted the email app. You should always keep it on your phone so you don’t miss anything!
(B) My parents made me delete my school email app, so now I have to use my laptop to do all my homework on the weekends.
(C) If you want to finish your science project quickly, you should check your emails on your phone during the weekend.
(D) I deleted the email app from my phone! It felt a bit scary at first, but now I’m much more relaxed at weekends.
Answer Key & Explanations
1 C – The first paragraph states that the writer would “see notifications about maths tests or history essays” even “when I was trying to relax with my family,” which matches receiving messages during free time.
2 B – In the second paragraph, immediately after deleting the app, the writer felt strange and was “worried that I was missing something extremely important,” which paraphrases being concerned about ignoring a vital message.
3 C – The third paragraph explains that using the laptop to check emails “has created a clear boundary between my education and my free time,” matching the idea of clearly separating studies from personal life.
4 B – In the fourth paragraph, the writer mentions that their parents “are delighted to see me smiling more,” which directly means they are pleased because the writer is happier.
5 D – This option accurately captures the global meaning and emotional arc of the text: acknowledging the action taken (deleting the app), the initial negative feeling (scary/strange at first), and the ultimate positive result (being more relaxed at weekends).
Reading 3
For each question, choose the correct answer.
My 3D Printed Repair
My name is Julian, and I love listening to music. My favourite possession is a pair of expensive wireless headphones that I saved up for months to buy. Last month, as I was taking them off, a small plastic hinge suddenly snapped. I was absolutely devastated. Without that tiny piece, the headphones were completely useless. I thought I would have to throw them away and buy a new pair, which I definitely couldn’t afford.
The next day, I complained to my friend Max about my broken headphones. He suggested that I could try 3D printing a replacement part. I didn’t own a 3D printer, but Max told me that our local public library had recently bought one for people to use. However, before I could print anything, I needed a digital model of the hinge. I borrowed some measuring tools from my dad and carefully measured every side of the broken plastic piece to find out its exact size.
After that, I downloaded a free, basic 3D design programme on my laptop. I had never used software like this before, and it was quite frustrating at first. I spent over three hours trying to draw the correct shape on my screen. I made several mistakes and almost gave up twice, but I really wanted my headphones back. Finally, the digital model looked exactly like the original piece.
The following afternoon, I took my design on a USB stick to the library. The friendly librarian showed me how to operate the machine. It was fascinating to watch the printer slowly build the new hinge, layer by layer, out of warm, melted plastic. When it was finished, I nervously pushed the new piece into my headphones. It fit perfectly! I couldn’t believe I had actually repaired them myself.
Fixing my headphones gave me an incredible feeling of independence. It was almost addictive. Now, whenever something breaks around the house, I don’t immediately think about throwing it in the bin. Instead, I examine it closely and wonder if I can design and print a spare part to fix it. I’ve discovered a completely new and useful hobby.
1 How did Julian feel when his headphones broke?
(A) Annoyed because he had only just bought them.
(B) Upset because he didn’t have the money to replace them.
(C) Angry because his friend had accidentally damaged them.
(D) Disappointed because he could no longer listen to his favourite band.
2 What did Julian have to do before going to the library?
(A) Buy some special tools from a hardware shop.
(B) Ask his friend Max to design the part for him.
(C) Find out the exact measurements of the broken part.
(D) Book a time to use the 3D printer.
3 What does Julian say about using the 3D design software?
(A) He found it difficult to use at the beginning.
(B) He finished his design much quicker than he expected.
(C) He decided to stop using it because he made too many mistakes.
(D) He had previous experience using similar programmes.
4 What was Julian’s reaction when the new piece was finished?
(A) He was surprised by how warm the plastic felt.
(B) He was delighted that the librarian had fixed it for him.
(C) He was fascinated by how fast the printer moved.
(D) He was amazed that his repair actually worked.
5 What would Julian write in a message to a friend now?
(A) I’m so glad I bought a 3D printer for my bedroom. I can make anything I want now!
(B) My headphones broke again, but I’m just going to buy new ones because 3D printing takes too long.
(C) I managed to fix my headphones with a 3D printed part! It feels great to solve problems by myself.
(D) I finally learned how to use 3D software, but I don’t think I’ll ever use it to fix things again.
Answer Key & Explanations
1 B – In the first paragraph, Julian says he thought he would have to “buy a new pair, which I definitely couldn’t afford”.
2 C – In the second paragraph, Julian explains that before he could print anything, he “carefully measured every side of the broken plastic piece to find out its exact size.”
3 A – In the third paragraph, Julian states he “had never used software like this before, and it was quite frustrating at first,” meaning it was difficult to use.
4 D – In the fourth paragraph, Julian nervously tests the piece, finds that “It fit perfectly!” and says, “I couldn’t believe I had actually repaired them myself.”
5 C – This option perfectly captures the global meaning and Julian’s attitude at the end of the text. He successfully fixed his headphones and now enjoys the “incredible feeling of independence” that comes with self-reliance.