Practice English Reading Exercises for B1 – Mental Health, Sleep & Mindfulness
Reading 1
For each question, choose the correct answer.
The Power of Pitch Blackness
For the past few months, I had been feeling completely exhausted every morning when my alarm clock rang for school. I have always been a light sleeper, but the situation became much worse when the local council installed a new, extremely bright streetlight directly outside my bedroom window. Even with my eyes closed, the orange glow filled the room. During the day, I struggled to concentrate on my lessons and felt annoyed with my friends because I was so tired. I knew I had to find a solution quickly.
One afternoon, I started searching online for advice on how to improve sleep quality. I came across an interesting article about something called ‘dark therapy’. The writer explained that our brains need absolute darkness to rest properly. What surprised me most was the fact that even the tiniest amounts of light can disrupt our sleeping patterns. That evening, I looked around my bedroom and suddenly noticed all the little lights I usually ignored. There was a red light on my television, a blue glow from my laptop charger, and a green light on my electric fan.
I decided to take action immediately. First, I used some of my savings to buy a pair of thick, heavy blackout curtains. Then, I found some black tape in the kitchen and carefully placed small pieces over all the electronic lights in my room. When I finally turned off the main light to go to sleep, the darkness was intense. At first, it felt quite strange, and I actually felt slightly anxious because I couldn’t see my own hand in front of my face.
However, that night changed everything. I fell asleep in minutes and didn’t wake up once during the night. The next morning, I woke up naturally, feeling completely refreshed and full of energy. The deep, restorative sleep made a huge difference to my mood at school. I could finally focus on my teachers and enjoy spending time with my classmates again. If you are having trouble sleeping, I highly recommend trying pitch blackness. It is a simple, cheap change that has completely transformed my daily life.
1 Why did the writer start looking for a way to sleep better?
(A) Because they were having arguments with their friends at school.
(B) Because a bright new light outside was making them feel exhausted.
(C) Because their daily alarm clock was waking them up too early.
(D) Because the local council advised them to change their habits.
2 What amazed the writer in the article about ‘dark therapy’?
(A) The idea that very small electronic lights can negatively affect sleep.
(B) The fact that watching television before bed is harmful to the brain.
(C) The suggestion to permanently remove all electronics from the bedroom.
(D) The low cost of buying special equipment for dark therapy.
3 How did the writer feel when they first experienced complete darkness?
(A) Annoyed because the new blackout curtains were too heavy.
(B) Relaxed because their bedroom was finally quiet and peaceful.
(C) Proud that they had saved money by using kitchen tape.
(D) A little bit nervous because they couldn’t see anything at all.
4 What does the writer say about the results of their experiment?
(A) They still wake up during the night but feel much more energetic.
(B) They realised they need to buy more expensive curtains for their window.
(C) The improved rest has had a very positive effect on their school life.
(D) They are planning to teach their classmates how to sleep better.
5 What would the writer text to a friend about their experience?
(A) I’m still feeling really tired. The blackout curtains didn’t help because my laptop charger is just too bright.
(B) You should try sleeping in complete darkness! Blocking out the streetlamp and tiny lights in my room has finally helped me get proper rest.
(C) I had to throw away my television and fan to sleep better, but it was totally worth it. I feel amazing today!
(D) The local council finally turned off that terrible streetlamp, so my mood has completely changed and I’m sleeping great.
Answer Key & Explanations
1 B – In paragraph 1, the writer explains they were “completely exhausted” because “the local council installed a new, extremely bright streetlight directly outside my bedroom window.”
2 A – Paragraph 2 states that what “surprised me most was the fact that even the tiniest amounts of light can disrupt our sleeping patterns,” referring to the small electronic lights.
3 D – In paragraph 3, the writer describes the intense darkness, noting that “it felt quite strange, and I actually felt slightly anxious because I couldn’t see my own hand,” which maps to feeling a little bit nervous.
4 C – Paragraph 4 details how the “deep, restorative sleep made a huge difference to my mood at school,” allowing them to focus on teachers and enjoy spending time with classmates.
5 B – This option successfully captures the global meaning and the writer’s attitude: the successful use of “dark therapy” (blocking streetlamps and tiny lights) leading to a highly beneficial and restorative night’s sleep.
Reading 2
For each question, choose the correct answer.
Learning to Be Kind to My Mind
I have always been a very energetic and hyperactive person. Whether I am sitting in a classroom or watching television at home, I am usually tapping my foot or playing with a pen. My brain is exactly the same; it is always racing with a million different thoughts. Recently, I started feeling quite stressed about my school exams, so my older cousin suggested that I should download a guided meditation app on my smartphone. I didn’t think it would suit my personality, but I decided to give it a try.
On Monday evening, I found a quiet corner in my bedroom, put on my headphones, and opened the app. A gentle voice told me to close my eyes and just focus on my breathing for ten minutes. At first, it felt like absolute torture. Sitting perfectly still was incredibly difficult for me. Almost immediately, my mind started wandering. I thought about the maths homework I hadn’t finished, what my mum was cooking for dinner, and a funny video I had seen online. I wasn’t focusing on my breath at all.
After a few minutes, I started to feel very frustrated with myself. I believed that my brain was just too busy to ever relax. I was convinced that I was doing it completely wrong and that I was failing at meditation. I opened my eyes and reached for my phone, ready to delete the app and do something else.
Just as I was about to press the button, the calm voice through my headphones said something unexpected. The teacher explained that having a busy mind is completely normal. She said that everyone’s mind wanders and that I shouldn’t be angry with myself. Instead, she gently advised me to notice the distraction and then calmly bring my attention back to my breathing.
That simple advice completely changed my experience. I realised that meditation isn’t about forcing your brain to be totally empty; it is about learning to be kind to yourself when you lose focus. Now, I use the app three times a week. I am still a hyperactive person, and my thoughts still wander all over the place, but I don’t get upset about it anymore. I have finally learned how to show myself a little self-compassion, and this small change has made a huge difference to my mood.
1 Why did the writer decide to try the meditation app?
(A) He wanted to stop tapping his foot in class.
(B) He needed a way to deal with exam pressure.
(C) He was told he had to do it by his cousin.
(D) He wanted to see if it suited his energetic personality.
2 What happened during the writer’s first attempt at meditation?
(A) He found it easy to sit quietly for ten minutes.
(B) He fell asleep because the bedroom was so quiet.
(C) He found it impossible to stop thinking about other things.
(D) He took off his headphones because the voice was annoying.
3 How did the writer feel just before he almost deleted the app?
(A) Annoyed that his mum was interrupting him to make dinner.
(B) Worried that his phone battery was going to run out.
(C) Disappointed because he thought he was unsuccessful at meditating.
(D) Confused about the instructions the app gave him.
4 What did the voice on the app teach the writer?
(A) That he should try to keep his mind completely empty.
(B) That he should accept his distracting thoughts without getting angry.
(C) That he needed to breathe more slowly to relax.
(D) That he should ignore the distractions and press a button.
5 What would the writer say about his experience with the app?
(A) “It hasn’t cured my hyperactivity, but it has taught me not to be so hard on myself when my mind wanders.”
(B) “I recommend this app because it will immediately stop your mind from racing and make you sit completely still.”
(C) “I still feel frustrated when I meditate, but I force myself to do it three times a week anyway.”
(D) “It’s a complete waste of time for energetic people, so I only use it when I have to study for maths exams.”
Answer Key & Explanations
1 B – The first paragraph states that the writer “started feeling quite stressed about my school exams,” which prompted his cousin to suggest the app. This paraphrases needing a way to deal with exam pressure.
2 C – In the second paragraph, the writer mentions that his mind “started wandering” and lists various thoughts (homework, dinner, a funny video), noting that he “wasn’t focusing on my breath at all”. This means he found it impossible to stop thinking about other things.
3 C – Paragraph three explains that the writer felt “very frustrated” and believed he was “doing it completely wrong and that I was failing at meditation”. This matches feeling disappointed because he thought he was unsuccessful.
4 B – Paragraph four describes the app’s voice explaining that “having a busy mind is completely normal” and that he “shouldn’t be angry with myself”, advising him instead to just notice the distraction. This matches accepting distracting thoughts without getting angry.
5 A – This option captures the global meaning and the writer’s final attitude. In the last paragraph, he admits he is “still a hyperactive person” with wandering thoughts, but he doesn’t get upset anymore and has learned to “show myself a little self-compassion” (not be so hard on himself).
Reading 3
For each question, choose the correct answer.
The Power of a Bad Haircut
I have always cared about how I look, especially when it comes to my hair. Last week, we had our annual school photo day. Because I wanted to look my absolute best, I decided to visit a trendy new hairdresser in the city centre instead of going to my usual salon. I confidently showed the stylist a picture on my smartphone of a cool, modern hairstyle and sat back, excited for my fresh new look.
However, my excitement quickly disappeared. The stylist talked constantly and seemed to be cutting my hair much faster than usual. When he finally turned my chair around to face the mirror, I was absolutely horrified. My hair looked nothing like the picture I had shown him! It was incredibly short on the sides and completely uneven on top. I was far too shy to tell him how upset I was, so I just paid the bill and rushed out of the shop, feeling utterly miserable.
When I arrived home, my mum tried to make me feel better by saying it would grow back quickly, but I knew she was just being polite. I spent the entire weekend hiding in my bedroom, refusing to go out with my friends. I seriously considered wearing a thick winter hat to school on Monday, even though the weather was extremely warm. I was dreading the moment my classmates would see my ruined hair.
On Monday morning, I realised I couldn’t hide forever. I left my hat at home and walked bravely into my classroom. Before anyone could stare or whisper, I pointed at my head and made a loud joke about looking like a shaved sheep. To my surprise, my friends laughed with me, and the awkwardness instantly vanished. I learned a valuable lesson that day: if you show confidence and laugh at your own mistakes, nobody else can use them to embarrass you. When the school photographer finally took my picture, my smile was completely genuine.
1 Why did the writer go to the new hairdresser?
(A) Because his usual salon was closed for the week.
(B) To get a special style for the upcoming school photos.
(C) He wanted to show the stylist a picture on his smartphone.
(D) His friends recommended the trendy shop in the city centre.
2 How did the writer react when he saw his haircut?
(A) He angrily complained to the stylist about the uneven top.
(B) He refused to pay the bill because it was too short.
(C) He was shocked because it didn’t match his expectations.
(D) He was excited to show his fresh new look to his mother.
3 Over the weekend, the writer
(A) bought a thick winter hat to wear to school.
(B) went out with his friends to forget about his hair.
(C) stayed in his room because he felt anxious about school.
(D) believed his mother’s honest opinion about his hair.
4 What did the writer discover on Monday morning?
(A) His classmates didn’t even notice his terrible haircut.
(B) Making fun of himself stopped the situation from being embarrassing.
(C) Wearing a hat in the classroom was actually against the school rules.
(D) The school photographer was unable to fix his picture.
5 What would the writer write in his diary that evening?
(A) I’m never going to school again until my hair grows back. That new hairdresser completely ruined my life!
(B) Today I learned that if you act confident and joke about your problems, people will support you instead of making fun of you.
(C) My friends laughed at my hair today, which made me feel even worse. Next time, I will definitely wear my winter hat.
(D) The school photos were cancelled today, so I worried for nothing. I will just go back to my usual hairdresser next month.
Answer Key & Explanations
1 B – The text states in the first paragraph that the writer decided to visit the new hairdresser because he “wanted to look my absolute best” for the “annual school photo day.”
2 C – In the second paragraph, the writer mentions being “absolutely horrified” because his hair “looked nothing like the picture” he had shown the stylist.
3 C – The third paragraph describes how the writer spent the weekend “hiding in my bedroom” because he was “dreading the moment my classmates would see my ruined hair.”
4 B – In the fourth paragraph, the writer explains that after making a loud joke about his hair, the “awkwardness instantly vanished” and nobody could embarrass him.
5 B – This option captures the global meaning and emotional arc of the text: moving past the initial embarrassment of a bad haircut by taking control of the situation through humour and confidence.