Practice English Reading Exercises for B2 – Documentaries & Television 6

Exercises:   123456

Reading 1

You are going to read an article about four teenagers discussing a documentary about social media addiction that made them immediately delete several apps from their phones.

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 deterioration in their physical well-being due to phone usage?

2   was alarmed to discover how users’ personal details are monetised?

3   felt their personal beliefs were being manipulated by the software?

4   initially tried to manage their habit using the device’s own settings?

5   was disturbed by their own need for online validation from others?

6   saw a positive impact on their academic performance after making a change?

7   stayed on the platforms mainly due to a fear of social exclusion?

8   deleted the apps in order to prioritise in-person interactions?

9   was shocked to learn about the deliberate psychological design behind the apps?

10   points out the unattainable lifestyle images promoted by internet celebrities?

Logging Off: The Documentary That Changed Everything

A Leo

I’ve always known I spent too much time scrolling, but I took it for granted that I was generally in control. I’d even set up daily usage alerts on my device, though I confess I simply ignored them when they popped up. What truly terrified me about the documentary The Infinite Scroll was discovering the sophisticated tactics tech companies employ to ensure we never log off. I had absolutely no idea that teams of engineers were actively designing features to exploit our attention spans! For ages, my main excuse for staying online was the dread of missing out on inside jokes or social events. However, seeing the cold, hard facts presented so starkly was a wake-up call. I immediately deleted three of the most addictive apps from my home screen. It was tough at first, but the constant anxiety of needing to check my notifications has completely faded away.

B Maya

Before watching the film, my biggest worry about social media was simply that I was wasting time comparing my life to others. However, the broadcast opened my eyes to something far more sinister: the relentless harvesting of our personal data. Hearing experts explain how every click, pause, and search is monitored, packaged, and sold to advertisers made my blood run cold. It felt like a massive invasion of privacy. Consequently, I wiped my profiles that very evening. The withdrawal symptoms were tricky to navigate initially, especially at night when I’d usually lie in bed swiping for hours. Yet, the benefits have been incredible. Since getting rid of those platforms, I’ve been sleeping much more soundly, and my teachers have already commented on my increased focus and higher grades in class. I honestly wish I had pulled the plug on these intrusive apps much sooner.

C Toby

I usually watch documentaries about the environment, so tuning into an investigation about digital habits was a bit of a departure for me. The segment that hit home hardest focused on the ‘echo chamber’ phenomenon. The filmmakers demonstrated how algorithms intentionally feed us content that reinforces our existing views, effectively pushing people towards extreme viewpoints. I suddenly realised my own feeds were doing exactly that, making me less tolerant of differing perspectives. It was quite a disturbing revelation. On top of that, the documentary highlighted how digital communication is steadily eroding genuine human connection. That was the final straw for me. I deleted my accounts because I desperately wanted to rebuild authentic relationships with my mates in the real world, rather than just passively liking their photos. Since taking the plunge, we’ve been meeting up at the park and actually talking properly, which has been brilliantly refreshing.

D Chloe

What resonated most with me was the documentary’s exploration of influencer culture. It clearly dismantled the myth of the ‘perfect life’, exposing how heavily filtered and artificially staged those glossy posts really are. It made me realise how much energy I was wasting trying to live up to utterly impossible ideals. I was also struck by a medical professional in the film who discussed the physical toll of our screen obsession. I’d been suffering from recurring neck pain and strained eyes for months, but I’d foolishly never linked it to being hunched over a glowing screen for five hours a day! Furthermore, the film highlighted the toxic cycle of relying on ‘likes’ to boost your self-esteem. Recognising my own desperate craving for that superficial online approval was a harsh pill to swallow. Deleting the apps was my way of taking back control, and my posture—and mental health—have already started to bounce back.

Reading 2

You are going to read an article about four wildlife camera operators describing the extreme patience and physical hardship of waiting weeks in the jungle to capture five seconds of footage.

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 past failure caused by a momentary lapse in concentration?

2   acknowledges the vital contribution of indigenous experts to their success?

3   highlights the stark difference between viewers’ perceptions and the actual experience?

4   explains how environmental conditions threatened to ruin their equipment?

5   admits they began to doubt whether the animal would ever appear?

6   describes the psychological challenge of remaining completely inactive for long periods?

7   suffered a significant health issue due to the harsh setting?

8   states that the final outcome instantly erased all memory of their suffering?

9   was forced to adopt an extremely uncomfortable physical position?

10   mentions the physical burden of transporting apparatus through the forest?

The Waiting Game: Behind the Lens in the Jungle

A Liam

Spending three weeks inside a camouflaged hide the size of a small cupboard is a true test of sanity. You sit cross-legged, unable to stretch, while the jungle heat drains your energy. The physical confinement takes a heavy toll; my knees were constantly aching from the restricted posture. The hardest part, however, isn’t the discomfort; it’s the agonizing monotony of staring at an empty branch. Your mind plays tricks on you, urging you to look away. Two years ago, I gave in to that temptation, looking down to swat a mosquito. In that split second, the elusive tree frog I was tracking emerged and vanished. I vowed never to repeat that mistake. You have to maintain absolute vigilance, which is incredibly draining. When the moment finally arrives, your muscle memory takes over. You have mere seconds to secure the shot. It’s an exercise in extreme mental endurance, pushing through the boredom to be ready for that single, unpredictable burst of life.

B Sofia

People watching natural history documentaries from their comfortable living rooms usually assume my job is incredibly glamorous. They couldn’t be more mistaken. It is a gritty, unglamorous profession where luxury is completely non-existent. The reality involves dragging fifty kilos of fragile camera gear through thick mud and suffocating humidity. During my last assignment in the Amazon, tracking the Harpy Eagle, the environment was relentlessly hostile. Not only did I have to clear paths with a machete, but the stagnant water also took its toll on my body. I ended up coming down with a severe fever that left me bedridden in my tent for three days. Despite feeling completely wiped out, the moment my temperature dropped, I was back on the trail. You simply have to accept that the jungle dictates the terms. Capturing that breathtaking sequence of the eagle in flight meant pushing through physical boundaries I didn’t even know I had.

C Mateo

If you want to film apex predators like the jaguar, you must be prepared to leave your ego behind. I spent four weeks stationed near a riverbank, waiting for a female jaguar that our motion sensors had briefly detected. As the days dragged on with absolutely no sign of her, a heavy sense of pessimism set in. I genuinely started to believe we were chasing a ghost and that the expedition was a colossal waste of time. I wouldn’t have persevered had it not been for our native tracker, Luis. He possessed an uncanny ability to read the forest, pointing out subtle signs like snapped twigs or specific bird calls that indicated her presence nearby. Without his profound understanding of the ecosystem, we would have packed up and gone home empty-handed. When she finally emerged for a fleeting drink of water, it was a profound lesson in trusting those who truly know the land.

D Chloe

The rainforest is notoriously unforgiving, but it isn’t just your body that suffers; your gear is constantly under attack. The pervasive dampness is a camera operator’s worst nightmare. I spent half my time desperately trying to prevent mould from growing on my expensive lenses, using up all my silica gel just to keep the electronics functioning. We were trying to film a remarkably shy species of orchid mantis. You wait endlessly, battling the elements, and just as your batteries are about to die, the magic happens. The insect appeared for less than ten seconds, and I managed to capture the sequence perfectly. In that extraordinary instant, the memory of the relentless insect bites, the damp sleeping bags, and the constant technical headaches completely evaporated. All the misery was instantly justified by the stunning footage I knew I had safely recorded on my memory card.

Exercises:   123456