Practice English Reading Exercises for B2 – Documentaries & Television 4

Exercises:   123456

Reading 1

You are going to read an article about four sports fans reflecting on a documentary that revealed the dark, stressful reality behind the scenes of their favourite football team.

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 that the documentary exposed the negative impact of the manager’s harsh methods?

2   was initially excited about the project but now feels conflicted about the footage?

3   suggests that the documentary revealed a side of the sport that is usually kept hidden?

4   notes that watching the players’ personal struggles changed how they perceive the team?

5   mentions feeling surprised by the extreme level of tension during halftime talks?

6   believes the documentary was essentially an attempt to repair the club’s public image?

7   admits that the film made them feel uncomfortable about enjoying the sport itself?

8   points out that the footage lacked an authentic portrayal of the team’s daily training routines?

9   regrets that the documentary focused more on drama than the actual game?

10   claims that the film has altered their opinion of the club’s leadership?

Behind the Badge: Fans React to the Club Documentary

A Ben

I’ve supported this club since I was a child, and I genuinely thought I knew everything there was to know about our players. However, seeing the fly-on-the-wall footage of the dressing room was a massive shock. I’d always assumed that halftime was a time for calm, tactical adjustments, but the level of aggression and sheer psychological pressure displayed by the manager was deeply unsettling. Watching the young players recoil under such verbal abuse was difficult to stomach. It certainly made me rethink my unwavering support for the current board. If this is how they allow their staff to be treated in the name of discipline, then I have to question the club’s values entirely. It wasn’t just a tough talk; it was dehumanising.

B Sarah

I remember counting down the days until the documentary series was released, thinking it would be a fantastic way to feel closer to the squad. But the actual result left me feeling quite uneasy. While it provided an unprecedented look at the sport’s high-stakes nature, the focus seemed to be almost exclusively on the manufactured drama rather than the technical brilliance of the game. Instead of highlighting the tactical genius that leads to a winning goal, we were treated to hours of contrived arguments and off-pitch squabbles. It really makes you realise that the media is less interested in the sport and more interested in turning our heroes into reality television stars. I walked away from the screen feeling like I’d just watched a soap opera.

C James

The documentary was clearly produced as a slick PR exercise designed to distract us from the disastrous season we’d just had. Every interview felt so scripted, and the way they glossed over the obvious fractures within the squad was almost insulting to long-term fans. They completely failed to capture the genuine, gruelling grind of daily training sessions, opting instead for polished segments that made the club look like a family unit. I’m not saying there wasn’t some truth in it, but the curated narrative was glaringly apparent. It’s a shame, really; they had a golden opportunity to show us the raw, gritty reality of the professional game, yet they chose the path of least resistance to ensure the club’s reputation remained unblemished.

D Chloe

What I found most striking about the series was the humanisation of the players. We often treat them like invincible machines, forgetting that they deal with immense anxiety, injury, and the constant fear of being sold. Seeing a nineteen-year-old talent breaking down in tears because he was scared of failing his teammates completely shifted my perspective. It made me realise that while the glamour and the paychecks are immense, the mental toll is often ignored by the public. However, I must confess that knowing what goes on behind closed doors has slightly tainted my experience as a spectator. Now, when I’m at the stadium cheering them on, I can’t help but see the underlying misery that the documentary exposed, and it definitely takes a bit of the joy out of the match-day experience.

Reading 2

You are going to read an article about four individuals describing how watching travel and food documentaries during a lockdown fueled their intense desire to explore the world.

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 acquiring a practical skill to use on a future overseas trip?

2   expresses regret over previously rushing through their holidays?

3   acknowledges that they had previously failed to appreciate the privilege of travelling?

4   explains how on-screen narratives provided comfort during a period of isolation?

5   was inspired to completely alter their professional ambitions?

6   secured travel arrangements the moment it became legally possible to do so?

7   developed a profound desire to sample inexpensive, everyday local dishes?

8   intends to reject air travel in favour of a more leisurely mode of transport?

9   gained a newfound awareness of the vulnerability of the natural world?

10   has come to the conclusion that the journey itself is just as significant as the destination?

Armchair Explorers: How Lockdown Documentaries Sparked Our Wanderlust

A Mia

Before the world abruptly shut down, I had undoubtedly taken the ability to hop on a plane completely for granted. I treated overseas trips as an annual guarantee rather than a luxury. However, being cooped up in my apartment for months entirely shifted my perspective. To pass the time, I began binge-watching a gritty documentary series focusing on street food vendors across Southeast Asia. I was absolutely mesmerised by the sizzling woks, the vibrant night markets, and the incredible dedication of the cooks. It sparked an intense craving within me to experience unassuming, everyday meals cooked on the pavement, rather than dining in the overpriced, tourist-focused restaurants I used to frequent. I made a firm promise to myself that I would no longer waste opportunities. Consequently, the very second the border restrictions were officially lifted, I didn’t hesitate; I purchased my ticket to Bangkok. If we hadn’t been forced to 

stay indoors, I might never have realised how deeply I missed the chaos of a foreign city.

B David

Being confined to a tiny concrete jungle during the lockdown was incredibly stifling. To escape the bleak reality of city life, I started tuning into high-definition documentaries about remote wildernesses, from the icy expanse of Antarctica to the dense jungles of Borneo. I was entirely captivated by the sweeping drone shots and the dramatic survival stories of the animals. More importantly, it hit me just how much these majestic landscapes are currently under threat from human activity. I was suddenly struck by the extreme vulnerability of these natural habitats. At the time, I was halfway through a finance degree, but watching those programmes triggered a massive personal epiphany. I realised I couldn’t spend my life working in a corporate office while the planet was struggling. I made the radical decision to switch my university degree to environmental science. My ultimate goal now is to travel to those exact ecosystems, not merely as a tourist, but as a dedicated conservationist.

C Chloe

The strict quarantine measures left me feeling incredibly alienated from society. To cope with the overwhelming solitude, I delved into historical travelogues that followed adventurous presenters tracing ancient trade routes across Europe. Watching these presenters share meals, stories, and laughter with local residents provided a vital sense of human connection when I felt completely cut off from the outside world. I became deeply fascinated by the rich cultural tapestry of Italy in particular. Instead of just daydreaming about eating pasta in Rome, I decided to be proactive. I dedicated my evenings to mastering the language online, determined to bridge the cultural gap and converse fluently with the locals when I eventually get there. While some of my friends were baking bread or doing puzzles, I was diligently practising my Italian grammar. When I finally walk through those historic plazas, I want to truly engage with the community, rather than just observing them through the lens of a camera.

D Julian

My lockdown obsession was a brilliant television series documenting epic, transcontinental railway journeys. Having spent hours absorbed in these slow, rhythmic adventures across varied terrains, I experienced a genuine revelation regarding my own travel habits. Looking back, my previous holidays were a frantic blur of busy airport terminals and packed itineraries; I was always in such a rush to tick off famous landmarks that I barely registered the country I was passing through. The documentaries taught me that getting there should be cherished just as much as the final stop. I have firmly decided that my next major expedition will be strictly overland. I plan to completely boycott airlines and rely exclusively on trains and buses to navigate across borders. By travelling at a reduced pace, I hope to witness the subtle, gradual changes in the landscape and culture. I’ve finally come to terms with the idea that moving slowly is the most authentic way to explore.

Exercises:   123456