Practice English Reading Exercises for B2 – Dream Jobs & Career Aspirations 4

Exercises:   123456

Reading 1

You are going to read an article about four young adults talking about their lifelong ambition to work for a major international charity providing disaster relief.

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 that their career choice was sparked by something they watched?

2   admits to facing an initial failure that ultimately proved beneficial?

3   had to address a specific communication gap to improve their prospects?

4   expresses concern about the mental impact of the role?

5   was influenced by a family member’s professional background?

6   has been participating in local, unpaid initiatives to strengthen their application?

7   has had to make financial sacrifices to pay for necessary qualifications?

8   is focusing on the practical organization of delivering resources?

9   was motivated by their own firsthand experience of an extreme event?

10   is currently employed in a role that involves gathering donations?

A Calling to Care: Chasing a Career in Disaster Relief

A Alex

Since I was ten, my ultimate goal has been to join a major disaster relief organisation. The turning point for me was watching a heartbreaking news report about an earthquake; seeing those emergency teams in action left a lasting impression on me. While many people gravitate towards the medical side of things, I’ve always been fascinated by the operational challenges. Consequently, I’ve recently enrolled in an advanced course in humanitarian logistics. Figuring out how to transport tonnes of food and clean water into ruined cities is incredibly complex, but I thrive on that kind of problem-solving. My friends think I’m crazy because it’s a notoriously high-pressure field, but I’ve always taken it for granted that this is my calling. Some charities require you to speak multiple languages, which admittedly isn’t my strong suit, but I’m hoping my practical skills in supply chain management will make me an attractive candidate when I finally apply next spring.

B Maya

I’ve been working towards a career in international aid for as long as I can remember. My aunt was a frontline nurse during several major crises, and her captivating stories shaped my entire outlook on life. To follow her example, I recently graduated with a degree in emergency nursing. However, major charities won’t just accept anyone who has a piece of paper; they expect proven hands-on experience. To build up my CV, I’ve been volunteering at a local shelter for the homeless three evenings a week. It’s unpaid and frequently exhausting, but it has taught me how to remain calm in unpredictable situations. I did briefly consider taking a course in logistics, but my heart is truly set on direct patient care. Although the recruitment process is incredibly tough, I am determined to secure a placement. I know the working conditions abroad will be completely different from anything I’ve faced so far, but I’m ready.

C Tom

When a massive flood hit my hometown a few years ago, it caused widespread damage and left us without electricity for weeks. That relatively minor emergency profoundly changed my perspective and sparked my ambition to help those facing far worse catastrophes. I quickly realised, however, that enthusiasm alone wouldn’t be enough. Most leading relief agencies require their staff to be bilingual, so I had to tackle my lack of language skills head-on. I’ve been taking intensive French and Arabic classes for two years now. Unfortunately, these private lessons don’t come cheap, and I’ve had to cut back significantly on my everyday spending to afford them, giving up holidays and eating out. My family frequently warns me about the severe mental strain of working in disaster zones, but I firmly believe I can handle the pressure. I’m currently waiting to hear back about a junior field position, and I’m keeping my fingers crossed that my dedication pays off.

D Sarah

I’ve dreamt of wearing the uniform of a global relief charity since I was a teenager. I actually applied for a fieldwork position right after university, but I was rejected for being too inexperienced. Initially, I was devastated, but I bounced back and realised that being turned down was exactly the wake-up call I needed to improve. Rather than giving up, I took a desk job within the same charity, organising fundraising campaigns and securing vital financial contributions. While I’m not on the front lines yet, I’m learning how the sector operates from the inside. My main concern now is the psychological toll of the actual fieldwork. Seeing people who have lost everything is bound to be traumatic, and I am actively researching coping strategies to prepare my mind for those harsh realities. I’ve also been studying French, though I know true fluency takes time. I’m confident that when I reapply, I’ll be a much stronger candidate.

Reading 2

You are going to read an article about four teenagers sharing their dreams of becoming published authors and the daily writing routines they force themselves to follow.

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

Which person/section

1   relies on completing a set quota of text before they allow themselves to stop?

2   altered the type of fiction they write after realising their initial choice wasn’t working?

3   draws inspiration from their physical surroundings during a daily journey?

4   gave up a previous pastime to ensure they had enough time to write?

5   finds that waking up exceptionally early is the only way to guarantee uninterrupted focus?

6   appreciates the harsh but useful criticism provided by their peers?

7   uses a particular brainstorming method when they completely run out of ideas?

8   is driven by the ambition to see characters similar to themselves in print?

9   has come to terms with the fact that facing publishers’ refusals is part of the process?

10   explicitly leaves their house to write because their home environment is too distracting?

Chasing the Publisher’s Dream: Teen Writers Tell All

A Liam

Ever since I was ten, my ultimate goal has been to see my name on the spine of a fantasy novel. However, getting there demands serious dedication. Last year, I made the tough call to step down from the school basketball team; I simply couldn’t juggle daily training with my literary ambitions. Now, my routine involves writing for exactly two hours every evening after homework. It’s exhausting, but I’ve come to terms with the fact that success requires sacrifices. I recently submitted my first manuscript to a literary agency and received my first rejection letter. Instead of feeling devastated, I took it in my stride, viewing it as an inevitable rite of passage. To improve, I share chapters with a trusted online circle of fellow aspiring authors. Their feedback can be ruthlessly honest, but I wouldn’t have it any other way, as it consistently forces me to elevate my prose.

B Mia

In a household with three younger siblings, trying to string a coherent sentence together during the day is practically impossible. While I don’t physically leave the house to escape the chaos, I do have to set my alarm for 5:00 a.m. to guarantee a pocket of absolute silence. It was a massive struggle at first, but now I cherish that early morning tranquility. My daily routine is firmly built around a strict target: I refuse to close my laptop until I’ve hit a thousand words, regardless of how long it takes. Some days the ideas flow effortlessly, while on others it feels like getting blood from a stone. I’m currently working on a dystopian science fiction series. I used to show my drafts to my parents, but they were always too encouraging, so I stopped. I realise now that I need to be my own harshest critic if I want to catch the eye of a top publisher.

C Noah

I originally set out to write fast-paced crime thrillers, convinced they were the easiest route to getting published. However, the dialogue always felt forced, and I eventually realised my true passion lay in historical fiction. Switching genres was the best decision I ever made, though my routine required a major overhaul too. I quickly discovered that my bedroom is packed with too many distractions—from video games to my guitar—so I force myself to walk to the local public library every Saturday and Sunday. I treat it like a part-time job. Whenever I hit a brick wall and the words simply won’t come, I employ a specific strategy: I grab a blank piece of paper and spend ten minutes scribbling down a stream of consciousness without worrying about grammar or spelling. This brainstorming trick works wonders to clear my mental block and get the story moving again.

D Chloe

My ultimate dream is to write contemporary young adult fiction that genuinely reflects the diversity of modern society. Growing up, I rarely encountered protagonists who shared my mixed-race heritage, and I am highly motivated to fill that gap on the bookshelves. My daily writing routine is somewhat unconventional because I don’t have hours of free time at home. Instead, I make the most of my forty-minute bus commute to and from college. Armed with just my smartphone, I type out chapters while watching the world go by. Observing the fascinating array of passengers, the bustling street markets, and the shifting weather provides endless inspiration for my character descriptions and settings. I don’t burden myself with strict daily word counts like some writers do; for me, it’s all about capturing the authentic essence of a scene. Someday, I hope a major publishing house recognises the value of these diverse, everyday stories.

Exercises:   123456