Practice English Reading Exercises for B1 – Landscapes & Phenomena 10
Reading 1
For each question, choose the correct answer.
The Bubbling Volcano
During our trip to Colombia last year, my parents decided we should visit a famous mud volcano. When they first told me about the idea, I wasn’t really looking forward to it. I love swimming in the clear blue sea, but the idea of swimming in dirt sounded awful. When we finally arrived at the site, my first impression was terrible. The landscape looked incredibly ugly, with no green trees or plants anywhere. To make matters worse, there was a horrible smell of bad eggs in the air, which made me want to get back in the car immediately.
Despite the awful smell, we followed our guide up a set of wooden stairs to the top of the volcano. When I looked inside, I saw a large pool of thick, grey mud bubbling slowly. The guide explained that these volcanoes don’t produce hot rock or fire. Instead, gases from deep underground push the mud up to the surface. He then smiled and invited us to climb down the ladder and get into the pool. I hesitated, absolutely convinced that the whole experience would be completely disgusting and ruin my swimming costume.
However, my younger brother jumped straight in, laughing loudly, so I decided I had to be brave and follow him. I slowly climbed down the slippery ladder, expecting the mud to feel cold and sticky. To my absolute surprise, it was incredibly warm and comfortable. Because the mud is so thick and heavy, it is actually impossible to sink. I simply floated on the surface without having to move my arms or legs at all. I closed my eyes and realised that I was actually feeling deeply relaxed, completely forgetting about the terrible smell.
After about twenty minutes, we climbed out and walked to a nearby river to wash the grey mud off our bodies. It took quite a long time to get completely clean, but when I finally dried off, my skin felt softer than ever before. I felt so healthy and refreshed. The trip taught me that you shouldn’t judge an experience just by how it looks or smells at first. I am so glad I didn’t stay in the car, and I would definitely recommend a mud bath to anyone looking for a unique adventure!
1 How did the writer feel when his parents first suggested the trip?
(A) He was upset because he wanted to stay in the car.
(B) He was worried about the terrible smell in the area.
(C) He thought getting into dirt sounded much worse than the ocean.
(D) He was afraid that the landscape would be too ugly.
2 While standing at the top of the volcano, the writer
(A) felt excited to climb down the wooden ladder.
(B) learned that underground gases move the mud.
(C) noticed that the mud was producing hot fire.
(D) was told to buy a new swimming costume.
3 What did the writer discover when he entered the mud pool?
(A) The mud was too heavy to swim in comfortably.
(B) He had to move his arms constantly to stay on the surface.
(C) The horrible smell was much worse down inside the volcano.
(D) It was surprisingly warm and supported his body perfectly.
4 How did the writer feel after washing in the nearby river?
(A) frustrated because the mud wouldn’t come off his skin
(B) exhausted because the walk to the river was very long
(C) delighted by how healthy and smooth his skin felt
(D) disappointed that the outdoor adventure was finally over
5 What would the writer write in his diary that evening?
(A) The mud volcano smelled horrible and looked ugly, so I refused to go in. Next time, I will just go to the beach.
(B) I was expecting the mud bath to be completely disgusting, but it was actually incredibly relaxing and left my skin feeling great!
(C) Floating in the warm mud was fun, but I wish my younger brother hadn’t forced me to climb down the slippery ladder.
(D) I really enjoyed the mud bath today, although the tour guide told us it was dangerous because of the hot rock and fire.
Answer Key & Explanations
1 C – In the first paragraph, the writer states, “I love swimming in the clear blue sea, but the idea of swimming in dirt sounded awful,” which matches thinking dirt is worse than the ocean. Options A, B, and D happen after they arrive.
2 B – In the second paragraph, the writer says, “The guide explained that… gases from deep underground push the mud up to the surface.”
3 D – Paragraph three describes the writer’s surprise that the mud “was incredibly warm and comfortable” and that “it is actually impossible to sink,” meaning it supported his body perfectly.
4 C – In the final paragraph, the writer notes that after drying off, “my skin felt softer than ever before” and “I felt so healthy and refreshed.”
5 B – This option successfully captures the global meaning and emotional arc of the text: starting with the expectation that the mud would be gross, but ending up completely relaxed and happy with the physical benefits of the experience.
Reading 2
For each question, choose the correct answer.
A Stormy Day at the White Cliffs
Last weekend, my parents decided we should visit the famous White Cliffs of Dover on the south coast of England. I was quite enthusiastic about the trip. My mum had packed a fantastic picnic, and I was looking forward to sitting on the soft grass, eating sandwiches, and enjoying the warm sunshine. I imagined a relaxing family day out, taking a few photos of the sea and maybe reading a book.
When we arrived, the scenery was absolutely stunning. The cliffs are extremely high, and the bright white chalk contrasts beautifully with the green grass. We spent the first hour walking along the coastal path. It was quite steep in places, and my legs soon started to ache, but the amazing views over the English Channel made the physical effort completely worthwhile. After a while, we found a perfect, quiet spot overlooking the water and decided it was time to unpack our lunch.
However, just as my dad was opening the picnic blanket, the weather suddenly changed. In England, the weather can be very unpredictable. Dark, heavy clouds rolled in from the sea, and a strong wind began to blow. Within seconds, a terrible rainstorm started. Our sandwiches were completely ruined, and we were instantly freezing cold and wet. Frustrated, we packed everything back into the bags and ran to a small wooden shelter nearby to hide from the heavy rain.
At first, I was really annoyed that our lovely lunch was destroyed. But as I stood in the shelter looking out, my mood completely changed. Watching the storm was incredible. The dark grey waves of the sea crashed violently against the bright white cliffs. The wind was so loud that we couldn’t even hear each other speak. It wasn’t the calm, peaceful scene I had hoped for, but seeing the wild, raw power of nature was actually incredibly exciting.
After about twenty minutes, the rain finally stopped, and we carefully made our way back to the car. Even though I was hungry and my clothes were completely soaked, I didn’t mind at all. The stormy view was much more dramatic and memorable than a boring picnic in the sun. I would love to return one day, whatever the weather!
1 Why was the writer looking forward to the trip?
(A) He wanted to take professional photographs of the sea.
(B) He hoped to have a peaceful outdoor lunch in the sun.
(C) He wanted to test his physical fitness on the steep path.
(D) He was excited to read a new book in the car.
2 How did the writer feel during the walk along the coastal path?
(A) Worried that the route was too dangerous for his family.
(B) Disappointed that the bright white chalk was difficult to see.
(C) Surprised that the English Channel looked so beautiful.
(D) Pleased that the scenery rewarded his physical effort.
3 What happened when the family stopped to eat?
(A) They had to leave quickly because of unexpected bad weather.
(B) They realised they had forgotten to bring their picnic blanket.
(C) They couldn’t find a wooden shelter to eat their sandwiches inside.
(D) They lost their bags in the strong wind and heavy rain.
4 While waiting inside the shelter, the writer
(A) felt angry that his parents couldn’t hear what he was saying.
(B) became fascinated by the dramatic conditions outside.
(C) wished he had stayed in the car instead of going walking.
(D) got scared when the dark waves crashed against the cliffs.
5 What would the writer text to a friend about the trip?
(A) We went to the White Cliffs of Dover today. The rain ruined our picnic, so we just went straight back to the car and drove home.
(B) The walk along the coastline was far too steep and exhausting. Even the sunny weather couldn’t make me enjoy the trip.
(C) Our picnic plan at the cliffs was destroyed by a storm! But honestly, watching the wild sea hit the rocks was an amazing experience.
(D) I loved eating sandwiches on the grass today! It started raining later, but luckily we were already safely inside a wooden shelter.
Answer Key & Explanations
1 B – In paragraph 1, the writer states he was “looking forward to sitting on the soft grass, eating sandwiches, and enjoying the warm sunshine,” which paraphrases to hoping for a peaceful outdoor lunch in the sun.
2 D – In paragraph 2, the writer mentions that although his “legs soon started to ache” (physical effort), the “amazing views over the English Channel made the physical effort completely worthwhile” (pleased that the scenery rewarded him).
3 A – In paragraph 3, the text says that “just as my dad was opening the picnic blanket, the weather suddenly changed” and they “ran to a small wooden shelter nearby” to escape the storm.
4 B – In paragraph 4, the writer explains that his “mood completely changed” and “seeing the wild, raw power of nature was actually incredibly exciting” (fascinated by dramatic conditions).
5 C – This option accurately captures the global meaning and the writer’s emotional arc: acknowledging that the picnic was ruined by the rain, but concluding that watching the powerful storm was a fantastic and memorable experience.
Reading 3
For each question, choose the correct answer.
The Roar of the Ice
When my parents told me we were travelling to Argentina to visit the Perito Moreno Glacier, I wasn’t particularly excited. I had seen photos of glaciers in my geography textbooks, and to me, they just looked like giant blocks of frozen water. While my parents were busy packing warm clothes and reading guidebooks, I was secretly wishing we had chosen a relaxing beach holiday instead. However, after a long flight and a bumpy bus ride, I found myself standing on a wooden viewing platform, wrapped in a thick winter coat, staring out at the massive wall of ice.
For the first hour, the experience was exactly what I had expected: freezing and slightly boring. The glacier was undeniably beautiful, shining bright blue and white against the grey sky, but it was completely still. Our guide, Carlos, explained that Perito Moreno is one of the few glaciers in the world that is actually growing rather than shrinking. He told us that if we watched closely, we might see a piece break off and fall into the water. Despite his enthusiastic stories, my feet were aching from the cold, and I was desperately hoping we could go back to the warm bus soon.
Just as I was checking my watch for the fifth time, a terrifying sound echoed through the silent valley. It sounded exactly like a loud crack of thunder. Everyone on the platform suddenly stopped talking and pointed at the ice. Right before my eyes, a piece of the glacier the size of a tall building slowly separated from the main wall. It crashed into the freezing lake below, sending a massive wave of water high into the air. The crowd gasped and then started cheering loudly. I was absolutely amazed by the power and speed of the event.
That single moment completely changed my opinion of the trip. I suddenly understood why thousands of tourists travel to the bottom of the world just to look at ice. Nature isn’t always quiet and still; sometimes it puts on the most thrilling show imaginable. On the bus ride back to our hotel, I didn’t complain about the cold or the bumpy roads. Instead, I spent the journey searching online for more facts about glaciers, feeling incredibly grateful that I hadn’t stayed at home.
1 How did the writer feel before arriving at the glacier?
(A) He was eager to see something he had studied in geography.
(B) He was annoyed because he had to pack heavy winter clothes.
(C) He would have preferred to go on a different type of holiday.
(D) He felt exhausted after reading so many travel guidebooks.
2 What was the writer thinking during the first hour on the viewing platform?
(A) He was fascinated by the guide’s stories about the growing ice.
(B) He was uncomfortable and wanted to return to a warmer place.
(C) He was worried because the bright blue ice looked dangerous.
(D) He was disappointed that the grey sky ruined his parents’ photos.
3 When the ice broke off the glacier, the writer was surprised by
(A) how similar it sounded to a tall building falling down.
(B) the force and quickness of the falling ice.
(C) the terrifying thunderstorm that suddenly started.
(D) how quietly the crowd reacted to the huge waves.
4 What does the writer say about the journey back to the hotel?
(A) He was annoyed by the bumpy roads and the cold bus.
(B) He realised he wanted to study geography at university.
(C) He felt curious to learn more about the frozen environment.
(D) He wished he had stayed at home to read his books instead.
5 What would the writer write in his diary that evening?
(A) Standing in the cold for hours just to look at a static block of ice was definitely not worth it. I can’t wait to go to the beach next year!
(B) I was so bored at first, but hearing that loud crack and watching the giant ice fall into the water was the most exciting thing I’ve ever seen!
(C) The guide told us the glacier is growing, but I was terrified when the thunderstorm started and the ice broke. I’m glad we left early.
(D) My parents were right to make me pack warm clothes. Even though we didn’t see any ice fall into the water, the blue colour was stunning.
Answer Key & Explanations
1 C – In paragraph 1, the writer states, “I was secretly wishing we had chosen a relaxing beach holiday instead,” meaning he preferred a different kind of trip.
2 B – Paragraph 2 explains that his “feet were aching from the cold” and he was “desperately hoping we could go back to the warm bus soon,” indicating his physical discomfort and desire to leave.
3 B – In paragraph 3, the writer notes that he was “absolutely amazed by the power and speed of the event” when the huge chunk of ice crashed into the lake.
4 C – Paragraph 4 details that on the bus ride back, he “spent the journey searching online for more facts about glaciers,” showing his curiosity to learn more.
5 B – This option accurately captures the global meaning and the writer’s emotional arc: he started out bored and cold but was ultimately thrilled by the sudden, dramatic event of the glacier calving.