Practice English Reading Exercises for B2 – Climate Change Adaptation & Disasters 1

Exercises:   123456

Reading 1

You are going to read an article about four teenagers sharing their motivations and the criticism they faced when participating in a massive Friday school strike for climate action.

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

Which person/section

1   expresses frustration regarding the failure of decision-makers to implement real change?

2   had to overcome initial objections from their family members?

3   was warned that their participation might have negative consequences for their education?

4   states that extreme weather has directly impacted their relatives’ livelihood?

5   attributes their initial desire to take action to a particular informative broadcast?

6   dismisses accusations that their only goal was to avoid attending lessons?

7   was pleasantly surprised by the well-ordered nature of the demonstration?

8   mentions feeling alienated by the cynical attitude of their classmates?

9   claims that the protest helped them discover a new supportive network?

10   deliberately ignores negative comments posted about them on the internet?

Striking for our Future

A Leo

I’d always taken our environment for granted until I stumbled upon a hard-hitting documentary about melting ice caps. That broadcast was a real wake-up call, and I realised I couldn’t just sit on the sidelines. When I announced my intention to join the Friday strike, my parents were actually fully behind me. However, my teachers were far from thrilled. My head of year pulled me aside and cautioned that skipping a day could seriously jeopardise my upcoming exam results. I was told I was throwing my future away for a lost cause. Despite the harsh words, I stood my ground. If lawmakers won’t listen to scientists, they might listen to thousands of students blocking the streets. Missing one day of algebra is a small price to pay when our entire planet is on the brink of disaster. I bounced back from the school’s disapproval because I know I’m on the right side of history.

B Maya

For me, climate change isn’t just a theoretical concept discussed in science class; it’s a harsh reality. My grandparents run a farm in the south, and seeing their crops devastated by unprecedented droughts last summer was heartbreaking. I marched because their livelihood is literally drying up. Sadly, stepping into the public eye made me a target. After a photo of me holding a placard went viral, I was flooded with cynical comments on social media. Keyboard warriors claimed I was just a lazy teenager using the crisis as a convenient excuse to truant. At first, the backlash stung, but I’ve learned to turn a blind eye to the online trolls. Why should I care about the opinions of people hiding behind fake profiles? Fortunately, my classmates have been my rock, cheering me on. We must hold corporations accountable, and no amount of baseless criticism will silence me or make me back down.

C Jonas

When the idea of the school strike started gaining momentum, my school administration was surprisingly indifferent, simply marking us as absent. My family, on the other hand, hit the roof. My parents were absolutely terrified that the protest would descend into chaos and strictly forbade me from going. It took weeks of heated arguments and demonstrating how carefully the event was being organised before they finally caved in. Honestly, I think they were expecting riots. But when I arrived at the square, the reality couldn’t have been more different. I was struck by how incredibly orderly and good-natured the enormous crowd was. We were just kids singing chants and holding painted cardboard signs, not causing trouble. Looking back, I think my parents have come to terms with my activism. They saw the news coverage and realised that we are a disciplined movement demanding a secure future, not a mob of rebellious teenagers.

D Chloe

I’ve known about global warming for ages, but my breaking point wasn’t a sad film about polar bears. What really made my blood boil was listening to politicians making grand, empty promises at global summits, only to continue subsidising fossil fuels the very next day. Their sheer hypocrisy drove me to strike. What I wasn’t prepared for was the reaction from my own peer group. Some kids at school ruthlessly mocked me, claiming my handmade banners were cringeworthy and that I was wasting my time. Feeling like an outcast was tough, and I seriously considered giving up. Nevertheless, the moment I joined the sea of striking students, that sense of isolation vanished. I was instantly welcomed by hundreds of passionate, like-minded youths who shared my vision. Through the strike, I’ve forged unbreakable friendships and found a community where I truly belong. The ridicule back at school hardly matters anymore when you know you’re part of a global awakening.

Reading 2

You are going to read an article about four individuals describing the terrifying experience of having to quickly evacuate their family home due to rapidly approaching, unprecedented summer wildfires.

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

Which person/section

1   regrets leaving behind items of emotional value?

2   mentions a previous experience that made them complacent?

3   experienced a delayed emotional reaction to the event?

4   was hindered by poor driving conditions?

5   acknowledges the assistance of someone living nearby?

6   was glad they had made advance preparations?

7   initially misjudged the speed at which the danger was advancing?

8   describes the difficulty of locating their animals?

9   took items that were of no practical use?

10   felt reassured by the solidarity of others following the escape?

Escaping the Flames: Four Survival Stories

A Mark

When the sky turned an eerie shade of orange that Friday afternoon, I honestly took it for granted that the flames were miles away. We are used to dry summers, and I assumed the fire department would contain it easily. However, I hadn’t factored in the weather. Within minutes, the wind shifted direction, rapidly accelerating the blaze toward our neighbourhood. Suddenly, a police car drove down our street with its sirens blaring, ordering an immediate evacuation. Panic set in. I dashed around the house, frantically gathering passports, laptops, and a few changes of clothes. Looking back, I made sensible choices regarding survival, but I bitterly regret not taking things that cannot be replaced. If I had had a clearer head, I would have definitely grabbed the old family photo albums and my grandfather’s watch. Thankfully, the house survived, but the sheer terror of racing against the clock is something I will never forget.

B Elena

My phone buzzed with an automated alert while I was cooking dinner. To be completely honest, I ignored it initially. I’d received similar notifications in previous years that had come to absolutely nothing, so I assumed this was just another false alarm. It wasn’t until the smell of burning wood permeated the kitchen and ash began falling like snow outside my window that I realised the gravity of the situation. My mind simply went blank. Instead of grabbing essentials, I panicked and shoved completely random objects into a suitcase – a hairdryer, a couple of novels, and some heavy winter coats. Had it not been for the family next door, who banged on my door and offered me a spare seat in their vehicle, I might not have made it out in time. My car was blocked in the driveway, and their quick thinking ultimately saved me.

C Liam

The evacuation order was broadcast on the local radio, and from that moment, it was pure chaos. My primary concern was getting my pets out safely, but the loud sirens had terrified my two cats, who had hidden themselves under the furniture. Tracking them down took up precious time, and by the time I finally managed to coax them into their carriers, the flames were visible on the hillside. The drive out of the valley was utterly nerve-wracking. Visibility dropped to almost zero due to the thick, acrid smoke, and the main highway was brought to a standstill by a massive bottleneck of fleeing residents. It took three hours to cover a distance that usually takes twenty minutes. Nevertheless, once we reached the safety of the community centre, I was deeply moved. Seeing how everyone pulled together and supported one another made it much easier to come to terms with the ordeal.

D Sarah

Living in a region prone to summer droughts, I had always anticipated that a wildfire might force us from our home one day. Consequently, I was incredibly relieved that I had already put together an emergency ‘go-bag’ months in advance. When the mandatory evacuation text arrived, I didn’t need to scramble around searching for vital documents or medications; it was all sitting patiently by the front door. Strangely enough, I felt surprisingly calm while I was actually leaving the house and driving away. I suppose my brain went into survival mode, focusing solely on the logistics of the escape route. The emotional toll was completely delayed. In fact, it wasn’t until I was sitting safely in a hotel room hours later, watching the shocking footage of our street on television, that the reality of what we had just escaped finally sank in and the tears began to fall.

Exercises:   123456