Practice English Reading Exercises for B1 – Everyday Social Responsibility & Sustainable Living
Reading 1
For each question, choose the correct answer.
Learning to Forage
I’ve always loved spending time in the forest near my house, but until recently, I never thought about eating anything growing there. Then, a few weeks ago, I watched a documentary about foraging – the skill of finding wild, free food in nature. The presenter made it look so exciting to collect fresh ingredients instead of just buying them at the supermarket. I decided I wanted to try it myself and set off into the woods hoping to find some wild berries or garlic.
The forest was damp and green, and after walking for a while, I spotted some wide, bright green leaves. I was absolutely certain it was wild garlic. Without thinking much about it, I picked a leaf and took a big bite. It was a terrible mistake! The taste was incredibly bitter and horrible, and my mouth felt awful for hours. I quickly realised that finding food in the wild wasn’t as simple as it looked on television. Some plants can look very similar but taste completely different.
I knew I shouldn’t give up, but I also knew I had to be much smarter about it. The next day, I went to the local bookshop and bought a proper guidebook for identifying wild plants. I spent hours studying the pictures and descriptions. I learned that real wild garlic has a very strong smell, like onions or regular garlic, which makes it easy to recognise if you know what to check. Armed with my new knowledge, I returned to the woods and successfully collected a bag full of the correct leaves.
When I got back to my kitchen, I couldn’t wait to use my fresh ingredients. Following a simple recipe from my guidebook, I washed the leaves and mixed them with olive oil, nuts, and cheese to make a wild garlic pesto. I spread it on some warm bread, and it was absolutely delicious. It tasted even better because I had found it myself.
Looking back, that first terrible bite taught me a valuable lesson. Foraging has given me a wonderful new hobby and a profound connection to the natural world. If you respect the forest and take the time to learn about it, it can provide amazing things. I’m already planning my next trip to look for wild summer berries!
1 Why did the writer decide to start foraging?
(A) He wanted to spend more time walking in the local forest.
(B) He was inspired by a television programme he had seen.
(C) He needed to save money on his supermarket shopping.
(D) He wanted to find a specific type of wild berry.
2 What happened when the writer tasted the leaf he found?
(A) He immediately knew it was the wild garlic he was looking for.
(B) He discovered that the plant was actually dangerous to touch.
(C) He realised he had made an error because of the awful flavour.
(D) He was surprised that it tasted exactly like the food on television.
3 What did the writer do to improve his foraging skills?
(A) He asked someone at the local bookshop to identify his plants.
(B) He learned how to recognise the correct plant by its smell.
(C) He spent hours studying pictures of plants on his phone.
(D) He returned to the woods to look for a completely different plant.
4 How did the writer feel about the pesto he made?
(A) He thought it needed more garlic and olive oil.
(B) He was pleased because the recipe was quite difficult.
(C) He enjoyed it more because he had gathered the food himself.
(D) He decided he preferred eating it without warm bread.
5 What would the writer write in his diary about his foraging experience?
(A) I’m glad I finally tried foraging. It’s important to educate yourself first, but the reward of eating food you found yourself is amazing!
(B) I can’t believe I ate that horrible leaf. It was a scary experience, and I don’t think I’ll ever eat anything from the forest again.
(C) Finding wild food is incredibly easy! You don’t even need a book, you just have to walk into the woods and pick whatever looks green and fresh.
(D) The wild garlic pesto I made was delicious, but it takes too much time to find the ingredients. I’ll just buy them from the supermarket next time.
Answer Key & Explanations
1 B – The text states in paragraph 1 that the writer “watched a documentary about foraging” which made it look exciting, prompting him to try it.
2 C – In paragraph 2, the writer says taking a bite was a “terrible mistake” and the taste was “incredibly bitter,” making him realise finding food wasn’t as simple as he thought.
3 B – Paragraph 3 explains that the writer bought a guidebook and learned that “real wild garlic has a very strong smell,” which helped him identify it.
4 C – In paragraph 4, the writer mentions that the pesto “tasted even better because I had found it myself.”
5 A – This correctly captures the global meaning and the writer’s attitude: acknowledging the initial mistake and the need to learn, while celebrating the final successful and rewarding outcome of connecting with nature.
Reading 2
For each question, choose the correct answer.
Reaching the Top
I’ve always been afraid of heights, so choosing indoor rock climbing for my school sports project probably seemed crazy. My best friend, Leo, suggested it because a huge new climbing centre had just opened in our town. He argued that it would be an exciting way to get fit and the perfect opportunity to face my fears. I definitely wasn’t convinced, but I finally agreed to try it for one term. However, walking into the massive building on our first day and looking up at the walls, I immediately regretted my decision.
During our first session, our instructor, Sarah, explained everything about the safety equipment. She showed us how to put on the harness correctly and tie the necessary ropes. When it was my turn to climb, my hands were shaking. I only managed to go up about two metres before I completely froze. I felt quite embarrassed, especially because some children much younger than me were climbing all the way to the top without any problems. Fortunately, Sarah was very patient and reminded me that everyone progresses at their own speed.
Over the next few weeks, things slowly started to improve. I began to understand that climbing wasn’t just about having strong arms; it was actually more like a physical puzzle. You have to think carefully about where to place your feet and how to balance your body weight. Once I realised that using my legs was more important than pulling with my arms, I stopped getting so exhausted. I still felt nervous if I looked down, but focusing only on the next colourful rock helped me forget how high I was.
By the end of the school term, our instructor organised a friendly competition. I certainly didn’t win, but I achieved my personal goal: I finally reached the top of the challenging ten-metre wall. Hitting the red button at the top was the best feeling in the world. When I looked down at my friends cheering, I wasn’t terrified anymore; I just felt incredibly proud of myself. I’ve decided to continue indoor climbing next year. If I keep practising, I might even be brave enough to try climbing outdoors on real mountains one day!
1 Why did the writer agree to try indoor rock climbing?
(A) He wanted to enter a local school sports competition.
(B) He was persuaded by his best friend to try a new local facility.
(C) He had always wanted to find a way to overcome his fear of heights.
(D) He thought it would be an easy sport for his school project.
2 How did the writer feel during his first climbing session?
(A) Annoyed that the safety equipment was uncomfortable to wear.
(B) Angry with the instructor for pushing him too hard on the wall.
(C) Surprised that the climbing wall was much taller than he expected.
(D) Uncomfortable because younger kids were doing better than him.
3 What did the writer discover about climbing as he improved?
(A) It requires a lot more arm strength than leg strength.
(B) It is impossible to do successfully if you look down.
(C) It involves careful thinking and controlling your body.
(D) It is easier if you only climb on rocks of the same colour.
4 By the end of the term, the writer
(A) was disappointed that he didn’t win the climbing competition.
(B) was proud to have achieved what he had set out to do.
(C) decided he preferred climbing outdoors to indoor climbing.
(D) realised he needed to practice more to beat his friends.
5 What would the writer write in his diary at the end of the term?
(A) I still can’t believe Leo made me do this. I’m so glad the term is over and I never have to look at a climbing wall again!
(B) Climbing is much easier than I thought. You just need to have really strong arms to pull yourself up. I’m ready to try real mountains tomorrow!
(C) Today was amazing! I didn’t win the competition, but getting to the top of that wall showed me that I can beat my fears. I can’t wait for next year!
(D) I’m quite sad that I didn’t win the competition after practising for so many weeks. Next time, I need to climb much faster than the younger kids.
Answer Key & Explanations
1 B – The text states that his best friend, Leo, suggested it because a new climbing centre opened in town, and the writer “finally agreed to try it”.
2 D – The writer states, “I felt quite embarrassed, especially because some children much younger than me were climbing all the way to the top without any problems.”
3 C – The text compares climbing to a “physical puzzle” where “You have to think carefully about where to place your feet and how to balance your body weight.”
4 B – The writer says he “achieved my personal goal” and felt “incredibly proud of myself” after reaching the top of the ten-metre wall.
5 C – This option perfectly captures the writer’s overall journey from being terrified to feeling proud and excited to continue the sport the following year, while accurately reflecting that he didn’t win the competition but achieved his goal.
Reading 3
For each question, choose the correct answer.
The Neighborhood Tool Library
Last year, my dad and I were repairing my bedroom door when we realised we needed a special electric saw. We bought one, but after using it for ten minutes, it just sat in our garage. I thought about how much money people spend on tools they rarely use. It seemed wasteful, so I decided to start a neighborhood tool library. I created a WhatsApp group and delivered flyers to houses on our street, inviting people to share things like drills and ladders.
At first, I wasn’t sure if anyone would be interested. However, within a week, thirty neighbors had joined! Suddenly, our street felt more connected. If someone needed a hammer, they just sent a message, and someone replied immediately. People were saving money, and less plastic was being thrown away. I felt incredibly proud of what I had started, and the neighbors frequently thanked me. It felt like a perfect system.
But then, a problem occurred. A neighbor, Mr. Henderson, borrowed our expensive power drill. A few days later, I found the drill left outside our front door. When I checked it, I realised it was broken. Mr. Henderson hadn’t sent a message or left a note to explain. I was furious and almost sent an angry message to the group. Fortunately, my dad suggested we should go and speak to him calmly instead.
We knocked on Mr. Henderson’s door that evening. He looked extremely embarrassed, apologising immediately. He explained that the drill had stopped working suddenly, but he hadn’t told us because he couldn’t afford to buy a new one. My dad smiled and said we could probably repair it ourselves. The three of us spent the next hour watching an online video and fixing the drill together. We actually had a lot of fun, and it worked perfectly again.
Looking back, I think that accident was actually a great thing. It proved that our tool library was about more than just saving money. By fixing the drill together, we built stronger trust in our community. Mr. Henderson is now an active member of the group, and he even helps others repair their items! Starting this project was definitely a fantastic idea because it brought our whole street together.
1 Why did the writer start the tool library?
(A) He wanted to make money from renting tools out.
(B) He was tired of buying expensive things he didn’t use often.
(C) His dad asked him to find a way to organize their garage.
(D) He needed to borrow a saw to repair his bedroom door.
2 How did the writer feel about the group’s early progress?
(A) Surprised that so many people were throwing things away.
(B) Disappointed that neighbors only wanted to borrow hammers.
(C) Anxious because managing the messages took too much time.
(D) Pleased that his idea was having a positive effect on the street.
3 How did the writer react when he found the drill?
(A) He was angry because Mr. Henderson hadn’t communicated with him.
(B) He was worried that his dad would make him pay for a new one.
(C) He was upset that Mr. Henderson had lost a part of the drill.
(D) He was glad that Mr. Henderson had returned it to the front door.
4 What does the writer say about repairing the drill?
(A) It was difficult because the online video wasn’t very helpful.
(B) It cost more money than buying a completely new tool.
(C) It turned into an enjoyable activity that brought them closer.
(D) It made Mr. Henderson decide to stop borrowing tools.
5 What would the writer text to a friend about the project?
(A) I’m thinking of closing the WhatsApp group. People keep breaking our tools and no one ever apologizes for it.
(B) Starting this group was a brilliant idea. Not only are we spending less, but I also feel much closer to the people living near me!
(C) It’s a good project, but I wish my dad would help me more. I had to fix our broken drill all by myself yesterday.
(D) You wouldn’t believe how much money I’ve saved! I just borrowed a brand new saw from Mr. Henderson instead of buying one.
Answer Key & Explanations
1 B – The writer states, “I thought about how much money people spend on tools they rarely use. It seemed wasteful, so I decided to start a neighborhood tool library.” This matches option B.
2 D – In paragraph 2, the writer says, “our street felt more connected” and “I felt incredibly proud of what I had started,” showing his pleasure at the positive community impact.
3 A – Paragraph 3 explains that the writer was “furious” specifically because “Mr. Henderson hadn’t sent a message or left a note to explain.”
4 C – In paragraph 4 and 5, the writer notes that fixing the drill together was “a lot of fun” and that through it, they “built stronger trust in our community.”
5 B – This option captures the global meaning and the writer’s attitude: the project is successful at both saving money and building community trust (as shown by his new friendship with Mr. Henderson).