Practice English Reading Exercises for B1 – Mental Health, Sleep & Mindfulness
Reading 1
For each question, choose the correct answer.
A Different Kind of Spotlight
I have always been passionate about acting, so when my school announced they were putting on a production of a famous play, I was absolutely thrilled. I immediately decided to audition for the main character. For three weeks, I spent every evening practising my lines in front of the mirror. By the day of the audition, I felt incredibly confident. I honestly believed I was the most talented actor in my year group and that the director would undoubtedly give me the lead role.
Two days later, the teacher pinned the final cast list to the noticeboard in the hallway. I pushed through the crowd of students, expecting to see my name at the very top. To my absolute horror, it wasn’t there. In fact, my name wasn’t on the list at all; I hadn’t even been given a callback or a minor background part. My confidence was completely crushed. I felt so embarrassed and upset that I wanted to give up the theatre club forever and just go home.
The following week, my drama teacher, Mr Evans, stopped me in the corridor. He noticed I was feeling miserable and suggested that I join the stage crew to help design and paint the scenery. At first, I felt almost insulted by the idea. I considered myself a performer, not a painter! However, I really missed spending time with my friends after school, so I reluctantly agreed to attend one session.
To my surprise, painting the large wooden sets was actually fantastic fun. The crew worked together brilliantly, and we laughed constantly while mixing colours and designing the backgrounds. More importantly, it taught me a valuable lesson in humility. I realised that a successful play requires a massive team effort, not just one person standing in the spotlight. The actors could never perform properly without the beautiful world we were building for them.
When opening night finally arrived, I stood at the back of the hall and watched the performance. Seeing the actors perform in front of the colourful sets I had helped create made me feel incredibly proud. Rejection was painful, but it showed me that there are many different ways to participate.
1 Why did the writer feel confident about his audition?
(A) He was already a famous actor in his school.
(B) He had prepared his lines for a long time.
(C) The director told him he would get the main part.
(D) He had watched a famous play about the character.
2 How did the writer react when he saw the cast list?
(A) He was surprised that he only got a minor background part.
(B) He felt angry because the teacher put it in the wrong hallway.
(C) He lost his confidence and wanted to quit the drama club.
(D) He was happy for his friends who got the lead roles.
3 Why did the writer agree to help the stage crew?
(A) He wanted to impress Mr Evans with his painting skills.
(B) He realised he enjoyed painting more than acting.
(C) He wanted to be around his classmates after school.
(D) He thought it would help him get an acting role later.
4 What did working on the scenery teach the writer?
(A) That painting wooden sets is much easier than learning lines.
(B) That the actors are the most important part of any show.
(C) That everyone’s contribution is necessary for a good production.
(D) That working in a team often leads to constant arguments.
5 What would the writer write in his diary after opening night?
(A) I’m still so angry about not getting the lead role. The play was terrible, and the actors ruined the sets we painted.
(B) Failing the audition hurt at first, but helping behind the scenes taught me that being part of the team is what really matters.
(C) Painting the scenery was a complete waste of time. I’ve decided to leave the theatre club and focus on my schoolwork instead.
(D) I finally proved to the director that I am the best actor. Next year, I am definitely going to demand the main character role!
Answer Key & Explanations
1 B – The text states in the first paragraph that “For three weeks, I spent every evening practising my lines in front of the mirror,” which explains why he felt incredibly confident.
2 C – In the second paragraph, the writer mentions that seeing his name missing meant his “confidence was completely crushed” and he “wanted to give up the theatre club forever.”
3 C – The third paragraph describes how the writer “really missed spending time with my friends after school, so I reluctantly agreed to attend one session.”
4 C – In the fourth paragraph, the writer notes that he “realised that a successful play requires a massive team effort, not just one person standing in the spotlight,” showing he learned the value of everyone’s contribution.
5 B – This option captures the global meaning and emotional arc of the text: moving from the pain and crushed ego of an audition rejection to finding pride and humility in supporting the production from behind the scenes.
Reading 2
For each question, choose the correct answer.
Mastering My Temper
I have always loved playing video games with my friends online. It is my favourite way to relax after school. However, I used to have a terrible problem with my temper. Whenever I lost a difficult match, I would get incredibly angry. I would shout loudly at the screen and blame everyone else for my mistakes. My worst moment happened a few months ago when I lost an important game. I got so furious that I threw my expensive controller against the wall and broke it completely.
Immediately after I smashed the controller, I felt incredibly embarrassed. Not only did I have to use my own pocket money to buy a new one, but my friends also started avoiding me. They told me that playing games with me was no longer fun because of my toxic behaviour. Hearing that made me feel extremely sad. I realised that if I didn’t learn to control my emotions, I was going to lose my closest friends. I knew I urgently needed to find a way to stay calm.
While looking for advice on the internet, I discovered a simple trick called the ’10-Second Rule’. The idea is that when you feel your anger rising, you must immediately close your eyes and count slowly to ten. If you are still angry after that, you have to stand up and walk away from the screen. At first, I was quite doubtful. I really didn’t believe that just counting numbers could stop my explosive outbursts. Despite my doubts, I decided to give it a try.
The following weekend, I was playing a really frustrating game with my best friend. Just as I was about to win, my character died, and I felt the familiar anger building up inside me. Before I could shout, I forced myself to drop the controller, close my eyes, and count to ten. Then, I went to the kitchen to get a glass of cold water. To my absolute surprise, by the time I returned to my bedroom, I was completely calm. I even managed to laugh about my mistake.
Since that day, the 10-Second Rule has become an automatic habit. I haven’t broken any equipment, and my friends actually enjoy playing with me again. I still get disappointed when I lose, but I now know how to manage my feelings. It proves that you can change bad habits if you try.
1 Why did the writer break his controller?
(A) He was trying to fix a broken button on it.
(B) He became extremely angry after losing a match.
(C) His friends told him he made too many mistakes.
(D) He tripped and dropped it against the bedroom wall.
2 How did the writer’s friends react to his behaviour?
(A) They stopped wanting to play video games with him.
(B) They made him pay for the equipment he broke.
(C) They felt embarrassed about losing so many games.
(D) They shouted at him for being a terrible player.
3 What did the writer think about the ’10-Second Rule’ initially?
(A) He thought it was too difficult to remember the numbers.
(B) He was worried that walking away would make his friends angry.
(C) He did not think such a basic trick would actually work for him.
(D) He believed it was the best piece of advice he had ever found.
4 What happened when the writer first used the rule?
(A) He managed to win the frustrating game against his friend.
(B) He drank some water and felt angry about his silly mistake.
(C) He was able to return to his game feeling relaxed and amused.
(D) He shouted at his friend before walking to the kitchen.
5 What would the writer write in his blog today?
(A) Video games used to be relaxing, but now they just make me angry. I think I need to find a new hobby that doesn’t cost so much money.
(B) The 10-Second Rule is okay, but I still get furious and break things sometimes. It is impossible to stay completely calm when you lose a game.
(C) My friends finally understand why I get so angry when I lose. Now we all use the 10-Second Rule to calm down during difficult matches!
(D) Smashing my controller was a terrible moment, but it forced me to change. Taking a short break has saved my friendships and my equipment!
Answer Key & Explanations
1 B – The first paragraph states that the writer got “so furious” when he “lost an important game” that he threw and broke his controller.
2 A – The second paragraph explains that his friends “started avoiding me” and said that playing with him “was no longer fun”, meaning they didn’t want to play with him anymore.
3 C – In the third paragraph, the writer mentions he “was quite doubtful” and “didn’t believe that just counting numbers could stop my explosive outbursts.”
4 C – The fourth paragraph describes how, after using the rule and getting water, he returned to his bedroom “completely calm” and “managed to laugh about my mistake.”
5 D – This option accurately captures the global meaning and emotional arc of the text: hitting a low point by breaking equipment, taking responsibility, implementing a successful strategy, and ultimately saving both his friendships and his gaming gear.
Reading 3
For each question, choose the correct answer.
My Peaceful Morning Routine
For as long as I can remember, my mornings were always a complete disaster. I had a terrible habit of hitting the snooze button on my alarm clock until the very last possible moment. Because of this, I always had to get dressed in a panic, grab a quick piece of toast, and run out of the door. By the time I arrived at school, I was usually sweating, exhausted, and incredibly stressed before the first lesson had even begun. I knew I couldn’t continue starting my days like this.
One evening, I read an article about how highly successful people start their days. They all seemed to wake up early and take time for themselves. I decided to try it, so I set my alarm for thirty minutes earlier than usual. When it rang the next morning, leaving my warm bed felt almost impossible. I really wanted to go back to sleep, but I forced myself to get up. The house was completely dark and quiet, which actually felt quite strange because I was so used to morning chaos.
Instead of picking up my smartphone to check messages, I decided to use this extra time properly. I rolled out a mat on my bedroom floor and did ten minutes of simple stretching exercises to wake up my muscles. After that, I went down to the kitchen and made a hot cup of green tea. I just sat by the window in total silence, watching the sun come up. Nobody was asking me questions, and I didn’t have to rush to catch the bus.
This new thirty-minute routine has completely changed my life. Now, when I walk into my classroom, I feel calm and prepared for the day ahead. Because my body and mind are already awake, I can concentrate much better on my lessons. If someone had told me a month ago that waking up earlier would make me feel more energetic, I wouldn’t have believed them. Establishing this peaceful morning habit is definitely the best decision I’ve made this year.
1 Why did the writer want to change their morning routine?
(A) They wanted to have enough time to eat a large, hot breakfast.
(B) They were tired of arriving at school feeling anxious and rushed.
(C) They kept missing their school bus because they woke up late.
(D) Their teachers complained about them being late for the first lesson.
2 How did the writer feel on the first morning of the new routine?
(A) They found the quiet atmosphere in their home a bit unusual.
(B) They felt energetic immediately after leaving their bed.
(C) They were annoyed that it was still dark outside their window.
(D) They were excited to read an article about successful people.
3 What does the writer do during their extra thirty minutes?
(A) They spend time chatting with friends on their smartphone.
(B) They prepare a healthy meal for their family in the kitchen.
(C) They do some physical activity and enjoy a hot drink peacefully.
(D) They stand by the window to wait for the school bus to arrive.
4 What has been the main benefit of the new routine for the writer?
(A) They finally have time to finish their homework before class.
(B) They find it much easier to focus on their studies at school.
(C) They are able to sleep for a longer time every single night.
(D) They have become the most successful student in their class.
5 What would the writer text to a friend about their new habit?
(A) I’m trying to wake up earlier, but it’s just making me more tired. I think I’m going to go back to sleeping until the last minute.
(B) I read a great article about morning routines today. I haven’t tried waking up early yet, but I might do it tomorrow.
(C) Mornings are still a bit stressful, but I definitely recommend running to school. It gives you so much energy for your lessons.
(D) You should try setting your alarm earlier! Having a little quiet time to stretch and drink tea makes me feel relaxed all day.
Answer Key & Explanations
1 B – In paragraph 1, the writer explains that arriving at school “sweating, exhausted, and incredibly stressed” made them realise they “couldn’t continue starting my days like this.”
2 A – Paragraph 2 states that the house was “completely dark and quiet, which actually felt quite strange because I was so used to morning chaos.”
3 C – In paragraph 3, the writer describes doing “simple stretching exercises” (physical activity) and sitting in silence with “a hot cup of green tea” (enjoying a hot drink peacefully).
4 B – Paragraph 4 details that because the writer’s body and mind are awake, they “can concentrate much better on my lessons.”
5 D – This option accurately captures the global meaning and emotional arc of the text: waking up earlier to stretch and drink tea creates a peaceful tone and reduces daily stress.