Practice English Reading Exercises for B2 – Autobiographies & Empathy for the Famous 6

Exercises:   123456

Reading 1

You are going to read an article about four teenagers talking about the relatability of reading a famous author’s diary.

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

Which person/section

1   felt relieved to discover that creating a masterpiece does not happen quickly?

2   recognised their own habit of doing household chores to avoid working?

3   was surprised by the writer’s severe lack of confidence in their own abilities?

4   admits they used to believe successful people never experienced creative difficulties?

5   mentions the author’s frustration with external time pressures?

6   states that reading the journal changed their attitude towards school assignments?

7   found comfort in the fact that the author occasionally despised their own profession?

8   initially picked up the book expecting it to be filled with deep, intellectual thoughts?

9   notes that the author would often leave their desk to seek inspiration elsewhere?

10   learnt that losing one’s creative spark entirely is a common fear among writers?

Behind the Pages: When Geniuses Struggle Too

A Liam

I always took it for granted that literary giants possessed minds overflowing with profound wisdom. Consequently, when I picked up the private journals of my favourite 19th-century novelist, I anticipated deep, philosophical musings on the nature of existence. Instead, I was met with pages of whining about his lack of talent. He constantly suffered from what we now call ‘imposter syndrome’, genuinely believing he was a complete fraud who would soon be found out by his readers. It was a massive eye-opener. I used to stare at a blank screen, feeling entirely inadequate when trying to write my English literature essays. Seeing this globally celebrated icon battle severe self-doubt made me realise that feeling unqualified doesn’t mean you actually are. It dramatically shifted my perspective on my own academic coursework. Whenever I hit a wall now, I just remind myself that even historical legends felt exactly the same way before producing their greatest works.

B Maya

What struck me most about reading a famous poet’s diary was her absolute mastery of putting things off. I had always assumed that successful authors simply sat down and let the words flow onto the page until they met their daily target. However, her entries are filled with hilarious confessions of doing literally anything other than writing. She would spend hours rearranging her bookshelves, polishing her desk, or engaging in endless tidying tasks just to delay picking up her pen. As someone who routinely cleans my entire bedroom to avoid revising for upcoming exams, I found this incredibly relatable! Furthermore, she would frequently abandon her study to wander aimlessly around the city streets, desperately hoping a change of scenery would trigger an idea. Although she clearly struggled to manage her time effectively, she always managed to hand in her manuscripts just before the deadline. It’s comforting to know that procrastination is a universal flaw.

C Noah

Delving into the memoirs of a renowned science fiction writer completely altered my view of the creative process. Before reading it, I’d romanticised the idea of being an author, assuming it was an eternally joyful and fulfilling career. Yet, his private notes reveal a man who frequently resented his chosen path. There are entire passages where he bitterly complains about how much he detested the physical act of typing, stating he would rather be doing manual labour. This intense frustration was usually triggered by the unrealistic expectations of his publishers. The constant anxiety of looming due dates and strict production schedules clearly took a heavy toll on his mental health. He felt suffocated by the demands placed upon him. As a teenager trying to juggle extracurricular activities with non-stop school deadlines, his anger really resonated with me. It made me realise that even a dream job can occasionally feel like an unbearable burden.

D Chloe

I used to have this persistent illusion that creative geniuses were simply born with a magical gift, enabling them to produce brilliant stories without breaking a sweat. Reading the letters of a celebrated playwright quickly put an end to that misconception. She documented horrific bouts of writer’s block, where she would sit at her desk for days without stringing together a single coherent sentence. She vividly described the terrifying sensation that her imagination had dried up forever, and that she would never pen another successful play. Discovering that such an acclaimed figure was paralysed by the fear of losing her talent was surprisingly reassuring. It taught me a valuable lesson: crafting something exceptional is a painstaking, gradual procedure, not an overnight miracle. I used to tear up my own creative writing attempts if they weren’t flawless on the first try. Now, I understand that true brilliance is often born out of frustration and perseverance.

Reading 2

You are going to read an article about four young adults describing how a historical figure’s letters to their family provided a vulnerable, intimate glimpse into a mind usually portrayed as cold and calculating.

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

Which person

1   initially assumed the figure’s physical depictions accurately reflected their personality?

2   highlights the dramatic contrast between the figure’s forceful public speaking and their private gentleness?

3   notes how the correspondence altered their understanding of a famous historical incident?

4   identifies closely with the method the historical figure used to cope with grief?

5   expresses surprise at the historical figure’s capacity to be genuinely funny?

6   points out that the figure felt responsible for a fatal incident involving a relative?

7   acknowledges feeling remorse for having previously judged the person too critically?

8   observes that the figure frequently wished to escape from their demanding professional role?

9   was moved by the figure’s deep-seated insecurities regarding their own parenting skills?

10   mentions that the private writings exposed a crippling fear of making a bad professional decision?

Behind the Iron Mask: The Pendelton Letters

A Liam

When studying the notorious 19th-century Prime Minister Lord Pendelton, I always took it for granted that he was a cold-blooded tactician. History books paint him as a man made of ice. Although he occasionally made witty remarks to his political colleagues, his letters to his wife completely shifted my perspective on a well-known political disaster, the infamous Winter Crisis. Far from being a ruthless mastermind, the letters reveal a man entirely paralysed by the fear of making the wrong move. He constantly agonised over the potential consequences of his policies. Moreover, I was astonished to read several passages where he desperately wished he could resign from his post and retreat to a quiet country life. Had I not read these intimate thoughts, I would never have realised the crushing burden of leadership he carried. It’s fascinating how the correspondence sheds light on the intense vulnerability hiding behind his iron-fisted reputation.

B Maya

Lord Pendelton is legendary for his aggressive parliamentary debates; he was a fierce orator who never backed down from a confrontation. Naturally, I had always assumed this combative persona must have carried over into his domestic life. Yet, getting my hands on his family correspondence made me deeply regret my previously cynical assessment of his character. In letters addressed to his eldest son, the supposedly heartless politician is remarkably tender. He frequently expressed profound guilt over his constant absences, worrying sick that he was failing in his duties as a father. It was incredibly moving to see someone so powerful admit to feeling inadequate at home. To make matters worse for his public image, people thought he didn’t care about anything but power. Reading his gentle advice to his children, however, proved he was entirely devoted to his family. It is a stark reminder that public figures wear masks.

C Tariq

The most compelling aspect of Pendelton’s letters is how they document his emotional collapse following the sudden loss of his younger brother. In his official biographies, he is depicted as unshakeable, barely pausing his work when the tragedy struck. However, his secret letters to his mother tell a drastically different story. He rarely mentioned his desire to retire, but he relentlessly blamed himself for the fatal accident, carrying a heavy burden of remorse that lasted for years. What really resonated with me was how he used writing as an emotional outlet. Having experienced a similar loss myself, I completely understand the need to put up a brave front in public while pouring your raw grief onto a blank page in private. He didn’t use his letters to complain about his political rivals; instead, he used them to process his unbearable sorrow. It made this historically distant, calculating figure feel remarkably human.

D Chloe

If you look at any historical oil painting of Lord Pendelton, you are met with a fiercely stern expression. Based purely on these unsmiling portraits, I had confidently concluded that he was a miserable, joyless authoritarian who never cracked a smile. Consequently, I was completely caught off guard by the sheer hilarity of his letters to his younger sister. Far from being entirely focused on serious matters, he possessed a wonderfully dry wit and frequently mocked the absurdities of high society. I actually burst into laughter reading his sarcastic descriptions of rival politicians’ ridiculous outfits. It goes to show that you shouldn’t judge a historical figure by their official artwork. While he occasionally expressed minor concerns about his children’s education in these texts, it was his brilliantly playful nature that truly dismantled my preconceptions. He was, in fact, a remarkably entertaining individual.

Exercises:   123456