Practice English Reading Exercises for B1 – Language & Communication 5

Exercises:   123456

Reading 1

For each question, choose the correct answer.

The people below all want to find a preparation course for Cambridge exams.

There are descriptions of eight exam preparation courses.

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

1   Anna wants an intensive course that regularly tests her under actual exam conditions with a ticking clock. She needs strict academic feedback to identify her weaknesses, and she prefers a small class size.

2   Boris needs a course that focuses on exam technique, especially how to manage his time during the reading paper. He studies full-time, so he can only attend evening classes, and he wants one-to-one tutoring.

3   Chloe is nervous about the speaking test and wants a course that pairs her with a native speaker for practice. She wants a relaxed atmosphere, and because she lives far away, the course must be entirely online.

4   David wants to practice his writing skills under timed conditions and receive detailed marking from an examiner. He prefers to study on weekends and is looking for a large group setting to share ideas.

5   Elena is aiming for a top grade and wants an academic course that provides access to a large library of past papers. She prefers morning classes and wants the option to take a full mock exam every week.

Cambridge Exam Preparation Courses

A The Exam Experts

This highly academic weekend course is designed for ambitious students. We focus entirely on writing under strict time limits, with every piece marked by a former Cambridge examiner. We encourage group discussions in our large classes, allowing you to learn from your peers while improving your exam strategy.

B Morning Masters

Perfect for early risers, this rigorous academic program focuses on achieving the highest scores. We meet daily before lunch. You will have unlimited access to our extensive archive of past exam papers and the unique opportunity to sit a complete, timed practice test every single week to track your progress.

C Speak Easy Online

Build your confidence for the speaking paper from the comfort of your home! Our entirely web-based course pairs you with a native speaker for friendly, informal conversation practice. We believe in a stress-free environment, making it perfect for students who get nervous under pressure or live outside the city.

D The Intensive Academy

This demanding program is for students who want to experience the pressure of the real exam. We keep our groups very small, with a maximum of five students. You will frequently sit practice tests with strict time limits, and our expert tutors will provide tough, detailed feedback on your academic performance.

E Evening Strategies

Designed for busy students, these after-hours sessions focus entirely on exam technique. Working individually with a dedicated tutor, you will learn essential strategies for answering questions quickly, with a special emphasis on pacing yourself through the long reading texts. We meet every evening after 6 PM.

F The Weekend Workshop

This intensive Saturday and Sunday course focuses on all four exam papers. We provide a relaxed, supportive environment with plenty of games and activities. While we don’t offer full mock exams, our tutors give helpful advice on how to improve your general English skills. Suitable for all levels.

G Target Speaking

If the speaking test makes you anxious, this course is for you! We meet every evening in the city centre for intensive conversation practice. Our classes are large and lively, and we focus on formal academic language. You will receive strict feedback on your pronunciation and grammar from our expert teachers.

H The Cambridge Club

Join our small, friendly group for a complete overview of the Cambridge exams. We meet on weekday mornings and provide all the necessary coursebooks. While we cover exam strategies, the focus is on improving your general grammar and vocabulary in a relaxed setting, without the stress of timed tests.

Reading 2

For each question, choose the correct answer.

The people below all want to find a pen-pal writing club.

There are descriptions of eight writing clubs.

Decide which writing club would be the most suitable for the people below.

1   Lucas wants to send traditional handwritten notes, rather than emails. He hopes to make new friends from countries all over the world. He also needs a club that provides its members with free writing paper and envelopes to use.

2   Mia is extremely keen to improve her creative writing and storytelling skills. She is looking for a club where she can exchange physical letters with other teenagers. She also wants to learn more about daily life in Asian countries.

3   Carlos wants to improve his formal English grammar for his important school exams. He strongly prefers sending real letters through the post. He is on a tight budget, so the club must be completely free for him to join.

4   Sophia loves cooking and wants to swap traditional family recipes by post. She hopes to connect with older adults who share her interests. She also wants a club that organizes annual meetups to see her pen-pals in person.

5   Ali wants to exchange physical letters to practice his everyday conversational English. He wishes to send and receive small items like postcards or coins. He specifically wants to be matched with someone currently living in South America.

Pen-Pal Writing Clubs

A Global Ink

Do you prefer putting pen to paper instead of staring at screens? Join our international community and build long-lasting relationships with members across Europe, Africa, and beyond. When you sign up, we will regularly post you a complimentary welcome pack containing beautiful notebooks and postage stamps to get you started.

B Eastern Youth Words

This friendly group is designed exclusively for young people aged thirteen to nineteen. Send mail through the post to friends in places like China and South Korea, discovering their fascinating daily traditions. Our monthly newsletters also include fantastic tips and exercises to help you craft better stories and imaginative texts.

C Perfect Prose Network

Develop your language accuracy and learn to write perfectly structured, professional sentences for your upcoming studies. We match you with global partners who enjoy exchanging traditional paper correspondence. There are absolutely no membership fees or hidden costs involved, making it an ideal choice if you have very little money to spend.

D The Senior Kitchen

Aimed specifically at members over the age of fifty, this friendly postal group celebrates international food. Send your family’s favorite meal instructions and receive delicious new ideas directly in your mailbox. Furthermore, we host a large international gathering every summer so you can finally chat with your distant friends face-to-face!

E Latino Mail Exchange

Improve your casual everyday communication by mailing actual paper notes to residents of Brazil, Argentina, and Chile. Our enthusiastic members love sharing their vibrant culture by packing their envelopes with lovely little presents, such as local sweets or postcards, making every single delivery a truly exciting surprise to open!

F Worldwide Post

Connect with amazing individuals from every single continent on Earth! We focus on sending beautifully handwritten letters across the globe, allowing you to practice your daily vocabulary. However, members must pay a small monthly membership fee, and you will always need to buy your own writing materials and stamps.

G Grammar & Tech

Are you a teenager hoping to improve your strict language rules and spelling? Our completely free online platform connects you with high school students across Japan and Thailand. You can type instant messages and emails daily, ensuring your digital communication is completely error-free and professional for your future exams.

H Recipe Swap Society

Share your passion for baking by trading amazing traditional dishes with people from South America! We highly encourage our members to send small cooking gifts, like local spices, in the mail. Please note that our community is specifically designed for university students and young professionals in their early twenties.

Reading 3

For each question, choose the correct answer.

The people below all want to find a cultural etiquette course.

There are descriptions of eight cultural courses.

Decide which cultural course would be the most suitable for the people below.

1   Anna is travelling to Japan next month and wants to understand how to eat politely there. She lives far from the city centre, so she requires a course that she can complete on the internet from her own bedroom.

2   Ben and Sam are getting ready to attend university in South America. They want to learn which conversation topics might upset local people. Because they attend school all week, they must find a class on Saturdays or Sundays.

3   Chloe is starting an international office job soon. She wants to learn the correct physical actions for welcoming foreign managers. She also absolutely needs to receive an official piece of paper proving she has finished the training.

4   David is going on a trip to the Middle East. He wants to know exactly what kind of clothes are acceptable to wear in public. He is very busy, so he is looking for a quick, one-day workshop.

5   Elena is moving to Europe to study and will live with a local family. She wants to know what presents are appropriate to give them. She learns best by acting out real-life situations with other students in the classroom.

Cultural Etiquette Courses

A Eastern Dining Secrets

If you are heading to Tokyo or Osaka, this web-based programme is perfect! From the comfort of your house, you will discover the correct way to hold chopsticks and slurp noodles. We teach you all the polite habits for mealtimes so you never offend anyone at the dinner table.

B Latin American Life

Are you preparing for a degree in Argentina or Brazil? Join us on Saturday and Sunday mornings to prepare for your adventure. We focus heavily on cultural mistakes, specifically teaching you which subjects you should definitely avoid discussing with your new friends so you do not accidentally insult them.

C Desert Customs

This intensive eight-hour seminar is brilliant for anyone travelling to places like Dubai or Egypt. During this quick single-day event, we will teach you how to accept coffee and eat traditional meals politely. Please note that we do not cover what you should pack to wear in the heat.

D Arabian Travel Guide

Heading to the UAE or Jordan? This brief, eight-hour session covers everything you need to know before you fly. We focus heavily on local fashion rules, explaining exactly which garments are respectful to put on in the street and which outfits you must leave at home to be polite.

E Corporate Culture

Prepare for your new international career! We teach you how to behave professionally in global meetings. You will practice the polite ways to shake hands or bow when meeting your new bosses. Everyone who completes this helpful training receives a formal printed document to add to their professional CV.

F European Student Experience

Get ready for your university exchange in France or Germany! We prepare you for living with a host family by doing lots of fun drama exercises and practicing realistic conversations. We will teach you how to offer help around the house, although we do not discuss shopping for traditional souvenirs.

G Living Abroad: Europe

Are you preparing for a European university exchange? We teach you how to impress the local people you will be living with. You will practice giving suitable presents to your new hosts by performing realistic situations and drama exercises with your classmates. Get ready for an amazing time overseas!

H Tokyo Traditions

Come to our city centre classroom and discover how to behave in Japan! We provide delicious food so you can physically practice your table manners and learn the polite way to share dishes. Our expert teachers will watch you eat and correct your mistakes during these face-to-face evening workshops.

Exercises:   123456