Practice English Reading Exercises for B2 – Adventure Guides & Tourism Professionals 9

Exercises:   123456

Reading 1

You are going to read an article about four trekking guides reflecting on the incredible stamina of local porters and their frustration when tourists fail to respect the porters’ hard labor.

For questions 1-10, choose from the people/sections (A-D). The people/sections may be chosen more than once.

Which person/section

1   mentions a client who experienced a change of heart regarding the porters?

2   expresses anger at tourists who brought completely pointless items on the trek?

3   points out the stark contrast between the equipment used by the crew and the clients?

4   was forced to step in when a client was ungenerous with their gratuity?

5   refers to the lasting physical damage caused by the porters’ occupation?

6   felt ashamed of a trekker’s sense of entitlement during the camp setup?

7   mentions a tourist who foolishly disregarded the local crew’s expertise?

8   describes a physical demonstration that made a tourist realize how heavy the loads are?

9   remarks on the irony of tourists grumbling about their own light bags?

10   explains the enforcement of regulations designed to ensure the crew’s well-being?

The Unsung Heroes of the Mountains

A Raj

After two decades of guiding in the Himalayas, I’m still consistently blown away by the resilience of our local Sherpas. They sprint up steep inclines carrying massive loads, leaving even the fittest athletes breathless in their wake. However, my admiration for them is often matched by my frustration with certain clients. Last season, I was appalled to discover one trekker had packed a heavy hairdryer and a thick hardcover encyclopedia, apparently oblivious to the fact that someone else had to lug these completely impractical possessions up the mountain. Furthermore, at the end of the expedition, the exact same individual tried to shortchange the crew. I had to pull him aside and firmly insist he hand over the customary reward they had rightfully earned. It baffles me how people can rely so heavily on these incredible individuals but fail to show basic financial appreciation for their backbreaking efforts. They are the true heroes, yet they are rarely treated as such.

B Mateo

Working on the rugged trails of the Andes has taught me never to underestimate our local crew. Unfortunately, some foreign visitors fail to grasp this. Just recently, a sudden storm was brewing, and our lead porter strongly suggested we set up camp early. A rather arrogant tourist dismissed this entirely, insisting we push on to the summit. If I hadn’t intervened, his stubbornness would have resulted in a highly dangerous situation. It is also incredibly irritating to hear clients moaning endlessly about the weight of their tiny three-kilo daypacks, seemingly blind to the fact that the crew are carrying thirty kilos of tents and provisions just a few steps ahead. Sadly, this brutal labor takes its toll. By the time many of these men reach their forties, they suffer from chronic back and joint issues that plague them for the remainder of their lives. Seeing tourists take this immense physical sacrifice for granted is the hardest part of my job.

C Elena

The porters on Kilimanjaro are absolute machines, maintaining an upbeat attitude in freezing conditions. What constantly astonishes me is that they navigate treacherous, icy paths wearing little more than worn-out sneakers, while our clients struggle despite being kitted out in the most expensive, cutting-edge hiking boots available. Yet, rather than respecting this incredible endurance, some visitors treat the crew as if they are invisible servants. I remember one particularly difficult evening when a client threw a tantrum because his hot dinner was delayed by a mere ten minutes due to a broken stove. I was absolutely mortified by his behaviour. The porters had just spent eight hours carrying his heavy belongings up a freezing volcano, and he had the audacity to scold them over soup. It takes a lot of restraint on my part not to lose my temper when people display such a staggering lack of empathy.

D Tenzing

Over the years, I’ve made it my mission to advocate for the rights of our mountain workers. Before any trek commences, I strictly weigh every single duffel bag to guarantee it doesn’t exceed fifteen kilograms. I’ve had to implement these mandatory restrictions to prevent tourists from accidentally—or sometimes deliberately—overloading the crew. People rarely comprehend the reality of the burden until they experience it firsthand. I once had a boastful gym-goer who thought the porters were exaggerating. I challenged him to strap a porter’s basket to his head and stand up; he couldn’t even lift it off the ground, let alone walk with it. To his credit, that humbling moment completely shifted his perspective. From that day on, he treated the crew with the utmost respect and even helped serve their meals. If only every visitor could have such a profound realization before setting foot on the trail.

Reading 2

You are going to read an article about four young gap-year students describing their experiences working as poorly-paid tour reps in sunny resorts.

For questions 1-10, choose from the people/sections (A-D). The people/sections may be chosen more than once.

Which person/section

1   mentions developing an ability to conceal their true emotions?

2   feels grateful for the practical competencies acquired during the placement?

3   admits that their living arrangements were of a very poor standard?

4   states that the experience changed their long-term professional objectives?

5   was surprised by the sheer amount of physical stamina the role demanded?

6   suggests that the strong bonds formed with colleagues compensated for the inadequate salary?

7   felt deceived by the way the position had originally been promoted?

8   had to cope with holidaymakers who made unjustified demands?

9   confesses to wasting a large portion of their wages on entertainment?

10   had to handle an unexpected medical situation involving a tourist?

The Reality Behind the Glamour: Life as a Holiday Rep

A Liam

When I first came across the recruitment advert for a holiday rep in Ibiza, it prominently featured bronzed young people casually lounging by infinity pools. Naturally, I took it for granted that I’d be living the dream. The reality, however, was a rather rude awakening. I felt utterly taken in by that glamorous marketing campaign. From day one, I was constantly on my feet for up to fourteen hours, organising daily excursions and herding large, noisy groups to various entertainment venues. I simply hadn’t anticipated the sheer physical endurance required to keep going day after day in the blistering Mediterranean heat. As for the financial side of things, we were paid an absolute pittance. We barely earned enough to survive, let alone save for university. What little money I did make, I inevitably ended up blowing on late-night clubbing just to let off steam. Looking back, I don’t regret the experience, but anyone expecting a permanent vacation is in for a massive shock.

B Chloe

I’ve always considered myself a people person, which is exactly why I figured working in a bustling sunny resort in Greece would be a breeze. However, I quickly came to the realisation that dealing with the general public is no walk in the park. My biggest hurdle was coping with entitled guests who expected five-star luxury on a one-star budget; they must have thought they were staying in a palace. I was constantly bombarded with entirely unreasonable complaints, ranging from the temperature of the swimming pool being too warm, to the lack of English television channels in their rooms. It was emotionally exhausting trying to appease holidaymakers who were seemingly never satisfied. To survive the season, I had to completely master the art of putting on a brave face. No matter how incredibly frustrated I felt inside, I learned to plaster on a bright, welcoming smile and nod sympathetically. Despite the demanding tourists, the experience taught me a vast amount about human nature.

C Sam

If you are applying for this kind of job for the financial rewards, you’re definitely barking up the wrong tree. The wages were virtually non-existent, and when I first arrived at my destination in southern Spain, my heart sank. Instead of the spacious, airy apartment I had optimistically pictured, I was squeezed into a tiny, damp room with three other teenage reps. Our accommodation was incredibly basic and run-down, completely lacking both air-conditioning and decent plumbing. Nevertheless, if we hadn’t been forced to share such cramped space, we probably wouldn’t have bonded so quickly. Living in such terribly confined quarters meant we had no choice but to get along, and we quickly ended up becoming an incredibly tight-knit group. We constantly supported each other through bouts of severe homesickness and the daily stress of the job. In the end, the hilarious memories and lifelong friendships I formed completely outweighed the dreadful pay and the miserable housing.

D Maya

I initially took a gap year in Cyprus primarily to delay making any serious decisions about my university applications. I foolishly assumed the job would just be about hosting lively karaoke nights and pointing sunburned tourists toward the nearest beach. I couldn’t have been more wrong. The role actually involved a massive amount of behind-the-scenes responsibility. During one particularly chaotic evening, a guest slipped and severely fractured his ankle, and it was entirely up to me to coordinate with the local hospital and translate for his panicked family. Having to step up and handle such a stressful medical emergency gave me a profound sense of newfound confidence. In fact, I acquired so many useful problem-solving and communication skills that I entirely re-evaluated my future. Instead of studying history as I had originally planned, I returned home and applied for a degree in international event management.

Exercises:   123456