Practice English Reading Exercises for B1 – Streaming, Netflix & YouTube 4
Reading 1
For each question, choose the correct answer.
The people below all want to find a daily nature and wildlife documentary series to watch.
There are descriptions of eight true scary stories narrated online.
Decide which true scary stories narrated online would be the most suitable for the people below.
1 Lucas wants an online channel featuring true horror tales. He prefers a creepy, frightening voice narrator and stories sent in by real audience members. It is essential that the video background is completely black and dark.
2 Emma is looking for real scary accounts told in a serious, calm voice. She likes listening to stories shared by ordinary people but needs written text on the screen so she can read along easily.
3 Alex prefers historical true mysteries rather than tales from fans. He wants a narrator with a spooky, terrifying voice to build suspense, combined with dark, shadowy video backgrounds that show old houses or forests.
4 Chloe enjoys quiet, whispering narrators when listening to frightening stories. She wants to hear true paranormal experiences submitted by the channel’s viewers, but only has time for short clips under ten minutes long.
5 Jon wants to find a true horror channel with a deep, dramatic voice actor. He loves listening to personal messages and emails written by followers, set against a plain black background with no bright lights.
Spooky Online Channels
A Whispering Night
This channel specializes in creepy audio tracks designed to scare you. The storyteller speaks in a very quiet, soft whisper that feels close and dangerous. You will hear bone-chilling ghost encounters sent in by regular watchers. Best of all, these quick videos last for just seven minutes, making them ideal for a brief rest.
B Dark Echoes
Enter a world of terror with this popular internet channel. The narrator reads frightening scripts in an incredibly strange, scary voice that causes shivers. Every single episode features real paranormal events sent directly by the channel’s subscribers. The screen remains totally black from beginning to end, creating an excellent, spooky atmosphere for midnight listening.
C Fear Central
This high-energy channel features an amazing storyteller delivering true ghost accounts in an incredibly creepy, scary voice. The script relies on scary emails forwarded by global readers. While the sound design is exceptional, the videos feature bright, flashy green and red animations on screen, which can easily hurt your eyes in a dark room.
D True Shadows
This channel offers an intelligent look at unexplained events. The host uses a calm, professional voice to explain every creepy mystery clearly. The accounts are all based on actual letters written by everyday people about their strange experiences. Full English subtitles are included on screen, allowing viewers to follow the words perfectly.
E Hidden Terrors
Perfect for late-night entertainment, this creator reads authentic ghost encounters submitted directly by the channel’s online audience. The narrator uses a soft, quiet whisper that creates an intense, spooky feeling throughout the presentation. However, these are highly detailed, deep investigations, with each recorded episode lasting for an hour or more.
F Midnight History
Avoid this channel if you frighten easily! The presenter uses a terrifying, ghostly voice to explore factual mysteries from the past century, ensuring great tension. Instead of stories from modern followers, it focuses entirely on old criminal cases. The videos feature dark, shadowy visuals of creepy woods and abandoned castles that enhance the spooky mood.
G Ghostly Records
If you love actual mysteries told by everyday people, check out this popular site. It is filled with amazing letters and audio files sent in by watchers describing strange sights. The screen displays clear text for every word spoken, which is helpful. However, the host reads everything in a very funny, cheerful voice.
H Nightmare Vault
Prepare for sleepless nights with this incredible collection of true mysteries. The narrator has a wonderfully deep, powerful voice that keeps you completely hooked. The text is selected from personal emails and notes typed by the channel’s fans. The video uses a simple, unlit dark background, ensuring a restful screen with zero bright elements.
ANSWER KEY
1 B 2 D 3 F 4 A 5 H
Reading 2
For each question, choose the correct answer.
The people below all want to find an educational explainer video to watch.
There are descriptions of eight educational explainer videos.
Decide which video would be the most suitable for the people below.
1 Lucas is looking for a quick video under ten minutes long before his next class. He wants to understand how the human body works. He prefers watching colourful cartoons and drawn animations instead of seeing real people.
2 Maya wants to understand complex computer programming but needs the presenter to speak extremely slowly. She is looking for an educational video that finishes with a short quiz so she can test exactly what she has just learned.
3 Sam and his son want to learn about the universe and distant planets without spending any money. They strongly prefer videos featuring actual photographs and real camera footage rather than computer-generated graphics or drawings.
4 Chloe loves ancient history and wants a video explaining how the Romans lived. Because she has a long journey, the video must last over twenty minutes. She also needs written English words on the screen to read along.
5 Ben wants to learn about money and global economics. He needs complex financial ideas explained in very simple, everyday language. He travels without internet access, so he must be able to save the video directly to his mobile device.
Educational Explainer Videos
A Inside You
Discover the secrets of biology in this brilliant nine-minute clip. Instead of human presenters, it uses completely computer-drawn pictures to show exactly how your heart and lungs function. It is a wonderfully quick and visually colourful way to understand your daily physical health before your morning break ends.
B Digital Brains
This fantastic channel makes difficult software building easy to grasp. The expert teacher uses a wonderfully calm, unhurried voice, ensuring every complicated technical detail makes sense. Furthermore, once the lesson finishes, you must complete a fantastic interactive memory test on your screen to check you understood the information.
C Galaxy Explorers
Travel through the stars and explore our amazing solar system. This fantastic documentary completely avoids painted artwork, using only genuine pictures taken by huge telescopes. Best of all, you will not pay a single penny to watch it, as the entire beautiful space project is provided online completely without charge.
D The Living Machine
This beautiful biology show explains everything about your physical health. Using spectacular colourful animations, it makes learning about medicine incredibly fun. However, because this highly detailed, drawn production lasts for a full forty-five minutes, you will definitely need a long, completely free evening to sit down and finish watching it.
E Empires of the Past
Learn exactly how people survived centuries ago in this fascinating half-hour historical journey. It focuses deeply on early European rulers and their massive armies. For those who want to read while watching, the creators have cleverly included accurate text at the bottom of the screen showing every spoken sentence.
F Cash Made Easy
If international banking confuses you, this fantastic programme is absolutely perfect. The presenter avoids difficult vocabulary, breaking down complicated financial rules into basic, clear ideas everyone can grasp. Additionally, our special application allows you to keep the file on your smartphone for viewing later when you have no wi-fi signal.
G Wealth Secrets
Save this brilliant financial clip straight to your tablet to enjoy anywhere without an internet connection. It is packed with facts about global businesses and banking. However, it is designed strictly for university students, using extremely difficult, professional vocabulary that might easily confuse anyone without a degree in finance.
H Star Journey
You won’t spend a single pound to access this fantastic, free website about the galaxy. It explains everything about distant moons and rockets. However, instead of using real camera footage, the entire project relies on brightly painted, moving cartoons to bring the wonderful, dark universe to life for curious viewers.
ANSWER KEY
1 A 2 B 3 C 4 E 5 F
Reading 3
For each question, choose the correct answer.
The people below all want to find a fashion and makeup tutorial video channel.
There are descriptions of eight video channels.
Decide which video channel would be the most suitable for the people below.
1 Clara wants a quick video under ten minutes because she is busy. She needs tips on applying everyday cosmetics and wants to see someone trying on different clothes to get outfit ideas for her new university term.
2 Tom wants to learn how to add beautiful filters and visual effects to his own videos. He also needs advice on matching vintage clothes and expects to watch the tutorials online without paying a subscription fee.
3 Aisha wants a clean, family-friendly tutorial channel to watch with her ten-year-old daughter. She is looking for expert cosmetics advice and loves shows that invite famous movie stars or popular singers to try out new looks.
4 Ben wants to find low-cost, affordable outfit options for work. He wants to watch a professional creator trying on smart suits and is keen to learn advanced filming tricks to make his own videos look spectacular.
5 Elena wants to watch a live stream early on Saturday mornings where she can text questions directly to the host. She needs step-by-step guidance on choosing the right lipstick shades and matching skincare products.
Fashion and Makeup Channels
A Style and Glow
This popular channel features brief eight-minute videos that fit perfectly into a busy day. The host shares her favorite beauty application secrets and spends time trying out various colorful outfits on camera. It is a fantastic, fast-paced guide for anyone who needs quick inspiration for their school or university wardrobe.
B Retro Vision
Learn how to transform your videos by adjusting visual settings and adding gorgeous effects. The presenter demonstrates how to combine older, classic garments to create an elegant look. Best of all, you can access the entire library on our website at zero cost, with absolutely no membership fees required.
C Star Beauty
This delightful channel invites well-known pop icons and celebrated actors to experiment with skin products and eyeshadow tips. It contains clean language and no mature themes, making it safe for children. Parents and kids can relax together on the sofa while learning how the world’s biggest names prepare their looks.
D The Sharp Director
Do you want to save money on your work wardrobe? This channel shows the host testing out cheap but stylish smart jackets and formal trousers. Additionally, the creator explains advanced lighting and high-tech camera techniques, helping you discover how to produce brilliant, high-quality video content using your own equipment at home.
E Morning Chatroom
Set your alarm because this real-time broadcast starts at eight o’clock every Sunday morning! The presenter offers clear instructions on applying lip colors and face powders. Viewers can type messages directly into the live chatroom to get instant answers from the host, making it a highly interactive weekend experience.
F The Fashion Wardrobe
Tune in for quick five-minute clips showing models testing out premium formal suits and luxury evening dresses. It is an amazing way to see high-end design trends very quickly. However, please note that these designer brands are extremely expensive, and the show completely avoids any beauty tips or production guides.
G Weekend Vintage
Broadcast live at nine o’clock every Saturday morning, this serious documentary series explores the history of traditional fashion. The host demonstrates how to identify high-quality vintage garments from the past century. While it is perfect for classic history lovers, the broadcast is completely silent with no interactive features or video editing tutorials.
H Late Night Glamour
This high-energy show invites popular singers to share their secret lipstick and makeup techniques. It is full of hilarious adult humor and loud music. Because of the mature themes and late-night schedule at midnight, it is strictly for older audiences and is definitely not a suitable choice for young children.
ANSWER KEY
1 A 2 B 3 C 4 D 5 E
