Practice English Reading Exercises for B1 – Mishaps & Resilience 2
Reading 1
For each question, choose the correct answer.
The Unexpected Picnic
Last month, my family and I were travelling back home after a wonderful holiday in the mountains. We had decided to take a long-distance coach because it was much cheaper than the train. When we first boarded, I was quite happy. I had downloaded a few movies on my tablet and was looking forward to a quiet, relaxing journey. I simply wanted to put my headphones on and ignore everyone else for the next six hours.
However, about two hours into the trip, we suddenly heard a loud bang from the engine. The driver slowly pulled over to the side of a completely empty country road. He announced that the bus had broken down and we would have to wait for a mechanic to arrive. Worse still, without the engine running, the air conditioning immediately stopped. It was the middle of summer, and within minutes, the heat inside the vehicle became absolutely terrible. People started complaining loudly, and I felt incredibly frustrated that my comfortable journey was ruined.
We all stepped outside to escape the boiling bus, looking for some shade under a few small trees. I was feeling quite miserable and thirsty when an older lady suddenly opened her large bag. She pulled out a huge box of biscuits and started offering them to everyone. Seeing this, other passengers began checking their backpacks too. Soon, we had a massive picnic on the grass, sharing sandwiches, fruit, and bottles of water with complete strangers.
The mood changed completely. Instead of being angry, people started talking and laughing. A group of teenagers sitting near me taught me a fun card game, and someone else started telling hilarious travel stories. I completely forgot about the heat and my dead tablet. It was amazing to see how a stressful situation could bring a group of strangers so close together in such a short time.
When the mechanic finally fixed the engine three hours later, I actually felt a bit disappointed to get back on board. The journey taught me a valuable lesson. Sometimes, unexpected disasters can actually turn into the most memorable parts of a holiday. If my parents ask me to take the coach again next year, I will definitely say yes!
1 What did the writer plan to do at the beginning of the journey?
(A) He wanted to spend the trip entertaining himself alone.
(B) He hoped to chat with the other passengers on the coach.
(C) He wanted to enjoy the beautiful mountain views outside.
(D) He planned to sleep quietly for the next six hours.
2 What made the breakdown especially difficult for the passengers?
(A) The driver refused to explain what was wrong with the engine.
(B) They had to walk down a busy road to find a mechanic.
(C) The temperature inside the coach increased very quickly.
(D) They were told they would have to wait until the next day.
3 How did the passengers react to the older lady’s actions?
(A) They complained that they didn’t have enough water to drink.
(B) They moved back inside the bus to eat their food in the shade.
(C) They refused to accept the box of biscuits she offered.
(D) They were encouraged to share their own snacks with others.
4 How did the writer feel during the picnic on the grass?
(A) He found the travel stories quite boring.
(B) He stopped worrying about his previous problems.
(C) He was annoyed that his tablet battery had died.
(D) He wished he had stayed closer to his parents.
5 What would the writer write in his diary that evening?
(A) The coach journey was cheap, but the broken air conditioning and angry passengers made it the worst holiday experience ever.
(B) I expected a boring bus ride, but breaking down in the heat actually led to a fantastic afternoon with some wonderful people!
(C) I had a great time playing games, but I really wish the mechanic had arrived faster so I could finish watching my movies.
(D) It was nice to share a picnic with strangers, but I will definitely insist on taking the train instead of the bus next time.
Answer Key & Explanations
1 A – The text states in the first paragraph that the writer wanted to “put my headphones on and ignore everyone else”, which matches the idea of entertaining himself alone.
2 C – In the second paragraph, the writer explains that the air conditioning stopped and “within minutes, the heat inside the vehicle became absolutely terrible”.
3 D – Paragraph three notes that after the lady offered her biscuits, “other passengers began checking their backpacks too” and soon everyone was “sharing sandwiches, fruit, and bottles of water”.
4 B – In the fourth paragraph, the writer says, “I completely forgot about the heat and my dead tablet,” showing that he stopped worrying about the things that had previously frustrated him.
5 B – This option successfully captures the global meaning and emotional arc of the text: it reflects his initial expectation of a normal, quiet ride, the difficult breakdown in the heat, and the surprisingly wonderful community experience that resulted from it.
Reading 2
For each question, choose the correct answer.
A Delicious Mistake
Last summer, my family decided to rent a house in a tiny fishing village in the south of Spain. We usually spend our holidays in large resorts, but this time, my parents wanted a more authentic experience. After a long day of exploring the coast, we were absolutely starving. We walked into a small restaurant near the harbour, hoping to get some familiar food like pizza or pasta. However, as soon as we sat down, I realised this place was completely different from the tourist cafes I was used to.
When the waiter brought us the menus, my heart sank. Everything was written in Spanish, and there were no pictures at all. I tried to use my phone to translate the words, but there was no internet connection in the building. When the friendly waiter returned, he smiled and spoke rapidly in his own language. Since nobody in my family speaks Spanish, we just used basic hand gestures. Feeling completely confused, I eventually closed my eyes, pointed at a random line on the menu, and hoped for the best.
About twenty minutes later, the waiter arrived with our meals. He placed a large, steaming bowl in front of me with a very proud smile. I looked down and almost panicked. It was a dish made of squid, covered in a thick, dark sauce. I have always hated seafood, and the idea of eating squid usually made me feel quite sick. I wanted to push the plate away, but because the waiter looked so happy, I felt I had to be polite and at least taste it.
I picked up my fork, closed my eyes, and took a small bite. To my absolute surprise, it was completely delicious. The meat was incredibly tender, and the sauce was full of rich, fresh flavours. Before I knew it, I had eaten the entire bowl. It was easily the best meal I had eaten during the whole trip, completely beating my usual choices of burgers or fries.
That evening changed my whole attitude towards food and travelling. I learned that getting lost in translation isn’t always a disaster. Sometimes, accidentally ordering something you think you hate can lead to a wonderful discovery. If I ever visit a foreign country again, I will definitely be more open-minded about trying the local dishes.
1 What does the writer say about the restaurant in the first paragraph?
(A) It was much larger than the places they normally visited.
(B) It did not offer the kind of tourist experience they were familiar with.
(C) It only served pizza and pasta to its visitors.
(D) It was too close to the busy harbour area.
2 How did the writer choose their meal?
(A) They used a translation app on their mobile phone.
(B) They asked the friendly waiter for a recommendation.
(C) They selected a dish without knowing what it was.
(D) They copied the hand gestures made by their parents.
3 Why did the writer decide to try the food?
(A) They did not want to offend the person who served them.
(B) They were extremely hungry after a long day of walking.
(C) They thought the dark sauce looked very attractive.
(D) They wanted to overcome their lifelong fear of seafood.
4 What did the writer think of the squid?
(A) It tasted exactly like the fast food they usually eat.
(B) It was quite nice, but they still preferred eating burgers.
(C) It was too rich and filling to finish the whole bowl.
(D) It was much better than the food they normally ordered.
5 What would the writer text to a friend about the dinner?
(A) We went to a local restaurant where nobody spoke English. I accidentally ordered squid, but it turned out to be the best meal of the trip!
(B) I hated the food here! I pointed at something random on the menu and got a disgusting bowl of seafood. I wish we just got pizza.
(C) The restaurants in Spain are great because the menus always have pictures. I managed to order a delicious squid dish all by myself.
(D) We used a translation app to order traditional food tonight. It was okay, but I think I’ll stick to my usual meals from now on.
Answer Key & Explanations
1 B – In paragraph 1, the writer states they “realised this place was completely different from the tourist cafes I was used to.”
2 C – In paragraph 2, the writer explains that because they couldn’t read the menu or use the internet, they “closed my eyes, pointed at a random line on the menu, and hoped for the best.”
3 A – In paragraph 3, the writer says they wanted to push the plate away, “but because the waiter looked so happy, I felt I had to be polite and at least taste it.”
4 D – In paragraph 4, the writer states that the meal was completely delicious, “completely beating my usual choices of burgers or fries.”
5 A – This option accurately captures the global meaning and the writer’s emotional arc: acknowledging the language barrier and the accidental order, but highlighting the highly positive and surprising result of tasting the food.
Reading 3
For each question, choose the correct answer.
A Night in the Car
I have always enjoyed spending time outdoors, but my family’s camping trip last summer did not begin very well. My dad had recently bought a huge new tent, and he was determined to test it. I complained because I had planned to relax at home with my friends, but he finally convinced me to go by promising perfect weather and roasted marshmallows. I reluctantly packed my bags, hoping the weekend wouldn’t be too boring.
The first evening was actually quite pleasant. We managed to build a small fire, cooked some delicious sausages, and went to sleep under the stars. However, I woke up suddenly around midnight. I could hear the terrifying sound of heavy rain hitting the thin roof of the tent. Within minutes, cold water started pouring in through the top. I quickly realised that Dad hadn’t attached the waterproof cover correctly when we set it up.
We frantically tried to save our belongings in the dark, but it was useless. Everything was completely soaked. Our sleeping bags, my warm clothes, and even the remaining food were totally ruined. Shivering and miserable, we had absolutely no choice but to grab our wet things and run through the freezing mud to our car. We spent the rest of the night trying to sleep while sitting up in the uncomfortable seats, listening to the storm outside.
At the time, I felt incredibly angry and exhausted. I just wanted to be back in my own warm bed. But when the sun finally came up the next morning, we looked at our completely collapsed tent and suddenly couldn’t help but laugh. The situation was so ridiculous that all my anger simply disappeared. We drove home tired, but we couldn’t stop joking about our terrible survival skills.
Now, looking back on it, that disastrous night has actually become my family’s favourite story to tell. Whenever someone mentions going on holiday, we always joke about whether we need to pack the car with extra pillows, just in case. The experience taught me a valuable lesson. Sometimes, the worst plans and most uncomfortable situations end up making the most unforgettable memories.
1 Why did the writer eventually agree to go on the camping trip?
(A) He wanted to test out his dad’s huge new tent.
(B) His dad promised him good food and nice weather.
(C) He was bored of relaxing at home with his friends.
(D) He hoped to spend more time outdoors than usual.
2 What caused the problem during the night?
(A) A wild animal destroyed the thin roof of the tent.
(B) The family forgot to put the fire out before sleeping.
(C) A piece of equipment wasn’t put together properly.
(D) The sausages they cooked made the writer feel sick.
3 What did the family have to do when the water came in?
(A) Move their tent to a place away from the freezing mud.
(B) Wait for the storm to stop before rescuing their food.
(C) Sleep in their sleeping bags inside their vehicle.
(D) Leave the tent and spend the rest of the night in their car.
4 How does the writer feel about the trip now?
(A) He is angry that his warm clothes were completely ruined.
(B) He wishes his family had stayed in a hotel instead.
(C) He appreciates it because it gave them a funny shared memory.
(D) He is nervous about going on future camping holidays.
5 What would the writer text to his friend after the trip?
(A) The weather was awful and the tent collapsed, but luckily we managed to save all our food and clothes!
(B) I was so angry about sleeping in the car, but looking back, the disaster made it an incredibly funny memory for my family.
(C) My dad bought a great new tent, and even though it rained a little, we had a fantastic time sleeping under the stars.
(D) I am never going camping again! The storm was so terrifying that nobody in my family has laughed about it since.
Answer Key & Explanations
1 B – In paragraph 1, the writer states that his dad “finally convinced me to go by promising perfect weather and roasted marshmallows” (good food and nice weather).
2 C – Paragraph 2 explains that the writer “realised that Dad hadn’t attached the waterproof cover correctly,” meaning a piece of equipment was not set up properly.
3 D – In paragraph 3, the writer notes that they had “no choice but to grab our wet things and run through the freezing mud to our car” where they “spent the rest of the night.”
4 C – Paragraph 5 details that the “disastrous night has actually become my family’s favourite story to tell” and that uncomfortable situations make “unforgettable memories.”
5 B – This option accurately captures the global meaning and the writer’s emotional arc: acknowledging the initial anger of sleeping in the car, but concluding that the disaster ultimately created a funny and cherished family memory.