Practice English Reading Exercises for B1 – Everyday Social Responsibility & Sustainable Living
Reading 1
For each question, choose the correct answer.
My Flexitarian Journey
A few months ago, we watched a documentary at school about climate change and farming. It really made me think about my daily habits. I didn’t want to give up meat completely because I enjoy it too much, but I knew I had to make a change. So, I decided to become a ‘flexitarian’. I promised myself I would only eat meat at the weekend. I thought this was a brilliant way to help the environment without making things too difficult for myself.
However, my family didn’t think it was a great idea. At first, my parents and my older brother just laughed at me. They thought I would give up after a couple of days. My brother even tried to make things harder for me. When I was eating my plain salad on a Tuesday evening, he cooked bacon and walked around the kitchen, hoping the smell would tempt me. It was definitely annoying, and I almost changed my mind, but I was determined to succeed.
I soon realised that if I wanted to enjoy my new diet, I needed to learn how to prepare my own meals. I started looking for recipes online and bought a few cheap ingredients. My first attempt at a vegetable stew was terrible, but then I discovered lentil curry. I experimented with different spices, like cumin and turmeric, and watched cooking videos to improve my skills. Suddenly, I wasn’t just following a diet; I was developing a brand new hobby.
After a few weeks, my lentil curries were smelling so fantastic that my family started to get curious. One Thursday, I offered to cook dinner for everyone. My brother complained at first, saying a meal wasn’t a real dinner without meat. But when they finally tasted the food, their reaction was amazing. My parents asked for a second bowl, and even my brother admitted it was delicious.
Now, things are completely different in our house. I still eat meat on Saturdays and Sundays, but my family has actually reduced the amount of meat they eat during the week. They often ask me to cook my special curries! I’m so proud that my small personal choice has had such a positive effect on everyone.
1 Why did the writer decide to become a flexitarian?
(A) To save money on food during the week.
(B) To do something positive for the environment.
(C) Because he didn’t like the taste of meat anymore.
(D) Because his school told him to stop eating meat.
2 How did the writer feel about his brother’s behaviour?
(A) He was irritated when his brother tried to make him eat meat.
(B) He was pleased that his brother cooked bacon for him.
(C) He was amused because his brother was laughing at him.
(D) He was sad that his brother only ate plain salads.
3 What happened when the writer started cooking?
(A) He successfully cooked a vegetable stew on his first try.
(B) He realised that buying vegetables was very expensive.
(C) He found out that he really enjoyed making meals.
(D) He stopped watching television to spend time in the kitchen.
4 When the writer cooked dinner for his family, they
(A) refused to try the food because it didn’t contain meat.
(B) said the smell of the curry was too strong.
(C) asked him to add some meat to the bowls next time.
(D) were surprised that they enjoyed the meal so much.
5 What would the writer say in his blog?
(A) I’m upset that my family never supports my choices. They still refuse to eat my vegetarian food.
(B) Changing my diet was challenging at first, but it helped me discover a love for cooking and influenced my family.
(C) Giving up meat completely was the best decision I ever made! I feel so much healthier and happier now.
(D) I tried to eat less meat to protect the environment, but it was too difficult to cook for myself, so I stopped.
Answer Key & Explanations
1 B – The writer states in paragraph 1 that he watched a documentary about climate change and decided to change his habits as “a brilliant way to help the environment.”
2 A – In paragraph 2, the writer explains that his brother walked around with bacon hoping to “tempt” him, and the writer describes this behavior as “definitely annoying” (irritated).
3 C – In paragraph 3, the writer mentions that by experimenting with spices and learning recipes, he “was developing a brand new hobby” which paraphrases finding out he really enjoyed making meals.
4 D – Paragraph 4 details that despite the brother complaining initially, “their reaction was amazing,” the parents asked for more, and the brother “admitted it was delicious,” showing their positive surprise.
5 B – This option accurately captures the global meaning and emotional arc of the text: the initial challenge with his family, his new hobby of cooking, and the positive influence he eventually had on his family’s eating habits. Option C is incorrect because he did not give up meat completely.
Reading 2
For each question, choose the correct answer.
My Three-Minute Shower Challenge
In my geography class last month, we spent a few weeks learning about the environment and water conservation. Our teacher told us that an average shower uses about ten to fifteen litres of water every single minute. I was shocked to realise how much water I was wasting during my usual fifteen-minute showers. So, I decided to set myself a personal challenge to protect the planet: I would try to finish my daily shower in under three minutes. I thought it would be an easy way to make a big difference.
On the first morning of my challenge, I brought my waterproof watch into the bathroom and set a timer for exactly three minutes. I jumped in, turned on the warm water, and started washing my hair as quickly as possible. However, I completely underestimated how long things actually take. Just as I had covered my head with a huge amount of thick, bubbly shampoo, the alarm on my watch started ringing loudly. My three minutes were up, but I couldn’t just step out of the shower looking like a snowman! I had to turn the water back on to rinse my hair, feeling totally disappointed with my failure.
After that embarrassing first attempt, I realised I needed a better strategy. I spoke to my older sister, who is very passionate about the environment. She suggested a simple trick: instead of leaving the water running the whole time, I should turn it off while I was putting on soap and shampoo. I tried her method the very next day. I got wet, turned off the tap, washed my hair and body properly, and then turned the water back on just to rinse. This time, the water was only running for about two minutes in total!
Now, this method has become my normal daily routine. I used my maths skills to calculate my water savings, and I discovered that I am saving thousands of litres of water every year. The best part is that I still get just as clean as I did before, and I don’t have to rush or panic about a ticking clock. My parents are also thrilled because our water bills have become much cheaper. It feels great to know that changing one tiny daily habit can have such a positive impact on the world.
1 Why did the writer decide to take shorter showers?
(A) He wanted to reduce his family’s expensive water bills.
(B) He discovered how much water a normal shower uses.
(C) His geography teacher told him to do a personal challenge.
(D) He wanted to save time getting ready in the mornings.
2 What happened during the writer’s first three-minute shower?
(A) He forgot to bring his waterproof watch into the bathroom.
(B) He had to use cold water to wash his hair.
(C) He couldn’t finish washing before the time ran out.
(D) He used too much shampoo and couldn’t wash it out.
3 What advice did the writer’s sister give him?
(A) Stop the water flow while cleaning himself.
(B) Use less soap and shampoo to save time.
(C) Time his showers using a waterproof watch.
(D) Only wash his hair every other day.
4 How does the writer feel about his new shower routine?
(A) He is surprised by how much money he is saving.
(B) He is worried that he isn’t getting clean enough.
(C) He is annoyed that he has to rush his daily wash.
(D) He is pleased that a small change makes a big difference.
5 What would the writer text a friend about his shower challenge?
(A) “I tried taking a three-minute shower, but it’s impossible to get clean in that time, so I’ve given up.”
(B) “My sister challenged me to take shorter showers, but she couldn’t even do it herself!”
(C) “I’ve found a great way to save thousands of litres of water, and it’s actually really easy to do.”
(D) “I’m so stressed about my water bills that I’ve stopped washing my hair completely.”
Answer Key & Explanations
1 B – The first paragraph explains that he was shocked to realise how much water he was wasting after his teacher told him that a shower uses ten to fifteen litres a minute.
2 C – In paragraph two, the alarm on his watch rang while his head was still covered in shampoo, meaning he couldn’t finish washing within the time limit.
3 A – Paragraph three states that his sister suggested a simple trick: “instead of leaving the water running the whole time, I should turn it off while I was putting on soap and shampoo.”
4 D – In the final paragraph, the writer states: “It feels great to know that changing one tiny daily habit can have such a positive impact on the world.”
5 C – This option captures the global meaning and the writer’s positive attitude. He successfully saves thousands of litres of water and notes that by turning off the tap, he gets just as clean without having to rush, making it an easy habit to maintain.
Reading 3
For each question, choose the correct answer.
Becoming a Smarter Shopper
I’ve always cared about the environment, so last month, I decided to make some changes to my shopping habits. I wanted to stop buying fast fashion and start supporting brands that protect the planet. While scrolling through social media, I saw an advertisement for a clothing company that claimed to be completely ‘eco-friendly’. They were selling beautiful T-shirts, and the website was full of pictures of nature. Feeling excited that I was doing something positive for the Earth, I immediately ordered a green shirt.
A few days later, my package arrived in the post. At first glance, everything looked perfect. The box was wrapped in brown recycled paper covered in little green leaves. However, as soon as I opened it and touched the T-shirt, I knew something was wrong. The material felt cheap and unnatural. I quickly checked the small label inside the collar. To my shock, it said the shirt was made of one hundred percent polyester, which is essentially just plastic! I realised the company was using a trick called ‘greenwashing’ – making things look natural to sell them, without actually being good for the environment. I felt completely scammed and angry.
I knew I couldn’t just throw the shirt away, as that would create more waste, but I promised myself I would never make the same mistake again. I spent the next few days researching greenwashing online. I learned that if a brand is truly sustainable, they will provide clear details about where and how their clothes are made. I also taught myself how to read clothing labels properly. Now, I know exactly which materials are actually kind to the environment, and which ones to avoid.
This experience has completely changed the way I shop. I no longer trust a product just because it has a picture of a tree on the front or uses the word ‘green’ in its advertising. These days, I always spend time researching a company’s background before I give them my money. I have even started teaching my friends how to check their clothes. Although I was upset at first, I’m actually glad this happened, because it has made me a much smarter and more critical consumer.
1 Why did the writer buy the T-shirt?
(A) He liked the pictures of nature on the website.
(B) He wanted to support a brand that cared for the environment.
(C) He saw his friends wearing the same brand on social media.
(D) He needed a new green shirt for an upcoming event.
2 How did the writer feel when he examined the T-shirt?
(A) Disappointed that the packaging wasn’t recycled paper.
(B) Angry that the shirt was too small for his collar.
(C) Shocked because the material wasn’t what he expected.
(D) Scammed because the company didn’t send the correct item.
3 What did the writer do after his bad experience?
(A) He threw the plastic T-shirt in the rubbish bin.
(B) He contacted the brand to complain about their labels.
(C) He stopped buying clothes on the internet completely.
(D) He found out how to identify environmentally friendly materials.
4 What is the writer’s attitude towards shopping now?
(A) He only buys products that have trees printed on them.
(B) He refuses to spend any money on new clothes.
(C) He investigates businesses before buying their products.
(D) He feels upset every time he goes shopping for clothes.
5 What would the writer write in his diary?
(A) I can’t believe I wasted my money on that plastic shirt. I’ve decided it’s impossible to find clothes that don’t harm the planet.
(B) I’m so glad I bought that shirt! The company might use a bit of plastic, but their beautiful green packaging is great for the earth.
(C) I finally found a great brand on social media today. They use the word ‘green’ everywhere, so I know I can trust them completely.
(D) Being tricked by that clothing brand was annoying, but it forced me to educate myself. I’ll never fall for false eco-friendly advertising again.
Answer Key & Explanations
1 B – The text states in paragraph 1 that the writer “wanted to stop buying fast fashion and start supporting brands that protect the planet,” which matches option B.
2 C – In paragraph 2, the writer touches the shirt, realises it feels “cheap and unnatural,” checks the label, and is “shocked” to find it is made of polyester (plastic).
3 D – Paragraph 3 explains that the writer researched online and “taught myself how to read clothing labels properly” so he now knows “exactly which materials are actually kind to the environment.”
4 C – In paragraph 4, the writer explains that his habits have changed and he will “always spend time researching a company’s background before I give them my money.”
5 D – This option perfectly captures the global meaning of the text: the writer’s initial frustration at being scammed by ‘greenwashing’, followed by his proactive choice to learn from the experience and become a smarter consumer.