Practice English Reading Exercises for B2 – Documentaries & Television 9

Exercises:   123456

Reading 1

You are going to read an article about four individuals reflecting on a cooking competition show that inspired them to try complex recipes at home, often resulting in disaster.

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

Which person/section

1   believes that the programme gives a misleading impression of how quickly a dish can be prepared?

2   mentions a feeling of humiliation when offering their creation to others?

3   regrets spending a significant amount of money on specialised culinary tools?

4   admits to being overconfident because of their previous experience in the kitchen?

5   complains about the extensive clean-up required after their culinary experiment?

6   points out that the people on the show benefit from off-camera assistance?

7   made a poor decision when replacing a missing component of the recipe?

8   ruined their dish because they were unwilling to wait for the appropriate amount of time?

9   has decided to restrict their future cooking to uncomplicated, traditional meals?

10   accidentally destroyed a piece of cookware during their attempt?

Kitchen Catastrophes: When Reality TV Inspires Home Cooks

A Mark

I’ve always been captivated by the dazzling sugar sculptures showcased on The Masterful Plate. Seeing the contestants whip them up before the commercial break lulled me into a false sense of security. If I had known how deceptive the editing was, I would never have attempted it! The programme conveniently trims away the tedious hours required for the sugar to reach the precise temperature. Convinced it would only take forty minutes, I set about replicating a spun-sugar dome. The result was a spectacular failure. Not only did I produce a rock-hard, blackened blob, but the boiling caramel also scorched the base of my premium frying pan so badly that it had to be binned. Furthermore, the kitchen was left in an absolute state; it took me the best part of the weekend just to scrub the sticky residue off the tiles and cupboards. I’ve finally come to terms with the fact that television makes complex techniques look effortlessly quick.

B Chloe

Watching The Masterful Plate introduced me to exotic cuisines I’d never normally consider. Last month, feeling adventurous, I decided to tackle a complex Thai fusion curry for a dinner party. The recipe called for a very specific type of fermented shrimp paste, which was entirely out of stock at my local supermarket. Rather than changing my menu, I foolishly opted to swap it for a jar of anchovy extract I found at the back of the cupboard. That single substitution threw the entire flavour profile off balance, resulting in an overwhelmingly salty, fishy disaster. When I eventually served it to my guests, their polite smiles couldn’t mask their absolute disgust. Watching them force down mouthfuls of my culinary catastrophe was an agonizingly embarrassing experience. Although they claimed it was ‘interesting’, I was practically dying of shame. I’ve learned my lesson; from now on, I won’t go off-script when following complex instructions.

C Ben

I’m a bit of a gadget geek, so whenever the chefs on The Masterful Plate employ high-tech methods, I am totally hooked. Fascinated by a recent episode featuring molecular gastronomy, I convinced myself that investing in a professional sous-vide machine and a culinary blowtorch was a brilliant idea. What a waste of a small fortune that turned out to be! My attempt to cook a perfectly seared steak resulted in a smoke-filled kitchen and the blaring of the fire alarm. I was completely overwhelmed by the complicated settings on the devices. It suddenly dawned on me that the people on the show don’t do it all alone; there is undoubtedly a massive production crew just out of frame, preparing the equipment and ensuring nothing goes wrong. As for my expensive new toys, they are currently gathering dust in the garage, and I’m kicking myself for being so easily influenced by reality TV.

D Anna

Because I regularly host Sunday roasts and consider myself a fairly competent home cook, I assumed I could easily pull off the multi-tiered chocolate illusion cake featured on the season finale. I really took it for granted that my everyday culinary skills would see me through. I managed to bake the sponges without a hitch, but then the pressure of my self-imposed challenge got the better of me. The recipe explicitly stated that the layers needed to be completely chilled before assembly. However, desperate to see the finished product, I hastily applied the chocolate ganache while the cakes were still radiating heat. Predictably, the entire structure slid apart, collapsing into a messy heap of crumbs and melted icing on the kitchen floor. It was a harsh reality check. Having bounced back from the disappointment, I’ve decided to leave the fancy showstoppers to the professionals and stick to baking reliable, straightforward comfort food.

Reading 2

You are going to read an article about four teenagers talking about the pressure on young actors who grow up in the spotlight on popular teen television dramas.

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

Which person/section

1   points out the difficulty of distinguishing their true identity from their television role?

2   mentions the sadness of missing out on traditional adolescent social events?

3   highlights the anxiety that their current success might limit future career options?

4   explains how the press frequently misrepresents their harmless actions?

5   discusses the heavy burden of being expected to set a perfect example for admirers?

6   appreciates the strong mutual support system developed among the actors?

7   comments on the immense pressure of financially supporting their family members?

8   mentions the negative impact of reading cruel online comments about their looks?

9   points out the disadvantage of being deprived of a normal school environment?

10   draws attention to the intense physical exhaustion caused by their working hours?

The Price of Fame: Growing Up on Screen

A Chloe

People often envy teen actors on hit dramas, but they don’t realise that growing up in the spotlight means your entire adolescence is put under a microscope. Personally, I think the toughest part for these young stars is the constant media intrusion. If they are seen looking slightly tired or upset, the paparazzi capture it and suddenly, completely innocent behaviour is blown out of proportion and twisted into a scandalous story. It must be incredibly exhausting to constantly watch your back. Furthermore, I really sympathise with them regarding their schooling. While they have tutors on set to help them keep up with their studies, they completely miss out on the traditional classroom environment. They don’t get to experience the everyday interactions and standard educational routine that the rest of us take for granted. Despite the wealth and glamour, I wouldn’t trade my peaceful, ordinary school days for a life where every mistake is broadcast to the world.

B Liam

When you watch a teen drama, it’s easy to forget that the actors are dealing with immense psychological pressure. One major issue is the expectation to be a flawless role model. Fans look up to them, but expecting a sixteen-year-old to make perfect decisions all the time is simply unrealistic. The burden of setting a good example can be overwhelming. Moreover, the rise of social media means these actors face ruthless scrutiny regarding their looks. Reading cruel, anonymous remarks about their physical appearance on a daily basis inevitably takes a heavy toll on their self-esteem. Another fascinating aspect is the blurred line between fiction and reality. Because they spend years playing the same protagonist, some stars have admitted they struggle to figure out where their television persona ends and their actual personality begins. It must be incredibly confusing to try and discover your true identity when the public only sees you as a fictional character.

C Maya

The financial aspect of being a young television star is rarely discussed, yet it can be incredibly stressful. In many cases, these teenagers suddenly become the primary breadwinners for their entire household. Managing that level of monetary responsibility and providing for their relatives at such a young age must be highly daunting. While the salaries are undeniably huge, the pressure to maintain that income is relentless. Additionally, there is a constant underlying fear about what happens when the show eventually gets cancelled. Many young actors worry intensely that they will be pigeonholed by casting directors and only ever associated with their teen drama role. They wonder if this early success will act as a stepping stone to a mature acting career or if it will actually restrict their future opportunities. The anxiety of potentially peaking in your career before you have even turned twenty is a heavy burden to carry.

D Sam

What strikes me most about the reality of teen actors is the gruelling physical demands of their job. Filming a popular television series often requires working twelve to fourteen hours a day, sometimes in freezing conditions or through the night. The extreme fatigue they must push through is rarely visible on screen. Because of this relentless schedule, they are forced to sacrifice typical adolescent milestones. It is really sad to think that they miss out on iconic events like attending their school prom or simply hanging out at the cinema with friends on a Friday night. However, there is a silver lining to this intense lifestyle. Because they are all going through this unique, highly stressful experience together, the cast members often form incredibly tight bonds. This network of mutual support is essential for their survival in the industry. They rely on their co-stars, who are the only ones who truly understand the unique challenges they face.

Exercises:   123456