Practice English Reading Exercises for B2 – Autobiographies & Empathy for the Famous 1

Exercises:   123456

Reading 1

You are going to read an article about four teenagers reviewing the autobiographies of famous scientists, focusing on their shock at how rebellious and misunderstood these geniuses were in high school.

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

Which person/section

1   feels reassured that having difficulties at school does not dictate one’s future?

2   points out that the scientist nearly faced permanent removal from their education?

3   mentions the scientist’s refusal to complete tasks they deemed to be a waste of time?

4   was surprised that the scientist’s family failed to comprehend their child’s mindset?

5   highlights the scientist’s use of mischievous behaviour to cope with unchallenging classes?

6   notes that the scientist was entirely unfazed by the social expectations of their classmates?

7   mentions a delay in people acknowledging what the scientist was actually capable of?

8   states that the scientist frequently got into arguments with educators over strict regulations?

9   shares that the scientist achieved poor grades in the very field they became famous for?

10   admires the fact that the scientist never compromised their unique way of thinking?

Geniuses in Detention: What We Learned from Scientists’ Autobiographies

A Liam

I recently picked up the autobiography of a world-renowned inventor for a history assignment, expecting a dull account of academic perfection. I couldn’t have been more wrong. It turns out he had a massive rebellious streak as a teenager. Because the standard curriculum failed to hold his attention, he frequently resorted to pulling elaborate pranks. On one occasion, he deliberately set off a minor chemical reaction in the hallway just to alleviate his boredom, which very nearly resulted in him being permanently thrown out of the institution! What genuinely shocked me the most, however, was his initial academic record. You would naturally assume a future scientific pioneer was a top-tier student from day one, yet his early reports show he consistently failed his physics exams. It just goes to show that traditional schooling isn’t for everyone. His journey from an easily distracted troublemaker to a celebrated genius is incredibly fascinating.

B Maya

Reading about one of the twentieth century’s greatest theoretical physicists was an absolute eye-opener. I had always pictured him as a compliant, quiet student, but he was actually fiercely anti-authoritarian. He strongly believed that mindless repetition crushed creativity, and as a result, he flatly declined to hand in any routine worksheets that he felt lacked educational value. Naturally, this attitude didn’t go down well with the staff. He was constantly locking horns with his teachers over their inflexible disciplinary codes and demand for absolute obedience. As someone who often finds the rigid structure of high school deeply frustrating, I found his story incredibly comforting. If a Nobel Prize winner struggled to fit into the conventional education system and still went on to achieve greatness, then perhaps my own academic hurdles aren’t a guarantee of failure. It was exactly the reassurance I needed right now.

C Chloe

I’ve just finished reading the memoirs of a pioneering geneticist, and I was astounded by how misunderstood she was during her formative years. Instead of attending school dances, she would spend hours meticulously dissecting plants in her bedroom. Her parents were utterly perplexed by her introverted nature; they couldn’t grasp why she preferred the company of microscopes to girls her own age, and they constantly pressured her to be more conventional. Furthermore, her high school teachers completely overlooked her potential, dismissing her as an average, unmotivated pupil. It was genuinely staggering to read that it took until she was undertaking postgraduate research for the academic community to finally wake up to her exceptional intellect. I had assumed that such obvious brilliance would have been nurtured from the very beginning, but it seems she had to fight tooth and nail just to be taken seriously by the adults around her.

D Sam

The autobiography of my favourite astrophysicist completely shattered my illusions about what it takes to be a genius. In high school, he was the quintessential outsider. The popular crowd mercilessly mocked him for his eccentric hobbies and messy appearance, but the truly impressive thing was that he remained completely indifferent to their harsh judgments. He didn’t care about blending in or seeking their validation in the slightest. Even when well-meaning relatives advised him to tone down his unusual theories to avoid drawing negative attention, he stubbornly stuck to his guns. He absolutely refused to alter his distinctive way of looking at the universe just to make other people feel more comfortable. It made me realise that preserving your individuality, especially when you are under immense pressure to conform, is a sign of true strength. His resilience is just as inspiring as his discoveries.

Reading 2

You are going to read an article about four young adults sharing how reading the memoir of a prominent political leader completely humanized them and revealed their crippling self-doubt.

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 reading the book strictly to fulfill a university requirement?

2   felt reassured that someone so successful also agonised over making mistakes?

3   was surprised to discover the leader’s heavy dependence on a relative for emotional support?

4   originally perceived the figure as being entirely devoid of normal human feelings?

5   points out that the politician was on the verge of quitting due to a lack of confidence?

6   realised that projecting a fearless exterior is often a strategy to hide insecurity?

7   drew comfort from the leader’s intense anxiety regarding addressing large audiences?

8   states that the autobiography helped them to stop dwelling on a recent personal setback?

9   reconsidered their own professional ambitions as a direct result of the book?

10   found it liberating to learn that reaching the top doesn’t mean having your life completely figured out?

Behind the Podium: The Human Side of Power

A Mark

I wouldn’t have picked up The Weight of Office if my modern history professor hadn’t made it mandatory reading for our weekend seminar. I’ve always found political autobiographies rather dry and self-serving. However, I was completely taken aback by how candid the former Prime Minister was about his internal battles. There’s a whole chapter dedicated to the first year of his term, where he confesses that his imposter syndrome was so severe he actually drafted a resignation letter. He felt like a total fraud, entirely convinced he was going to ruin the country. It completely blew my mind. You look at these prominent figures and assume they’ve got nerves of steel, but his account proved otherwise. It was a massive eye-opener for me. He described sitting in his office, paralyzed by the fear that he wasn’t up to the task, which made me realise that the people running the country are just as vulnerable to self-doubt as the rest of us.

B Sarah

As someone who constantly second-guesses herself, reading this memoir felt like a huge weight had been lifted off my shoulders. What struck me most was the leader’s admission that he would lie awake at night, endlessly replaying minor errors he’d made during international negotiations. It was incredibly comforting to discover that a globally respected statesman wrestled with the exact same habit of overthinking that I do. Before reading this, I had been severely beating myself up over a job interview that went terribly wrong last month. I simply couldn’t let it go. But seeing how this highly influential politician also made blunders and still managed to bounce back really put things into perspective for me. It helped me draw a line under my own recent disappointment. I’ve finally come to terms with the fact that messing up is simply part of being human, no matter how high up the ladder you are.

C David

I’ve always admired her as a formidable leader, but her autobiography completely shattered the illusion that she had everything perfectly planned out from day one. It was actually quite refreshing to read that even at the absolute peak of her career, she frequently felt completely out of her depth and didn’t have all the answers. The most surprising revelation, though, was how heavily she relied on her younger brother. She admitted that before every major policy decision, she would call him in tears, desperately seeking reassurance. I had no idea she needed that level of emotional backing behind closed doors. Moreover, she openly discussed her crippling dread of public speaking. Knowing that her hands would physically shake before addressing the national press made me feel so much better about my own terror of giving presentations at university. It humanised her entirely and showed me that true courage is acting despite your fear.

D Elena

I used to watch his televised debates and think he was made of stone. He came across as so incredibly aloof and detached that I genuinely believed he was incapable of feeling normal sympathy or stress. Yet, reading his memoir completely flipped that perception on its head. He confessed that his famously aggressive debating style was nothing more than a facade—a desperate attempt to mask his profound feelings of inadequacy. It was a coping mechanism to prevent people from seeing how terrified and unqualified he truly felt inside. That vulnerability resonated with me deeply. I had always written off a career in local government because I assumed I wasn’t thick-skinned enough to survive the public scrutiny. However, realising that even the most seemingly invincible leaders are secretly battling their own demons has completely changed my outlook. I’ve actually decided to run for the city council next year, something I would never have considered otherwise.

Exercises:   123456