Practice English Reading Exercises for B2 – First Days & Workplace Adaptation 6

Exercises:   123456

Reading 1

You are going to read an article about four people sharing their determination to make a perfect first impression on their boss, only to have something wildly unpredictable happen.

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 the chaotic event finally rid them of their need to be flawless?

2   had to complete their shift wearing something that lacked professionalism?

3   unknowingly made a critical remark about the workplace to a superior?

4   points out that the awkward situation helped establish a relaxed relationship?

5   successfully completed an assignment without any supporting materials?

6   admits to faking advanced knowledge to impress a colleague?

7   lost their prepared materials because of an emergency response system?

8   volunteered for a basic task in order to look like a dedicated employee?

9   was obliged to continue a formal discussion outside the building?

10   failed to realise the true position of the individual they were speaking to?

First Impressions: When Things Don’t Go According to Plan

A Liam

I’ve always taken it for granted that looking immaculate on your first day is half the battle. I had splurged on a tailored suit and polished my shoes until they gleamed. Strolling towards the office, I was brimming with confidence. However, just as I approached the main entrance, a delivery van sped through a massive puddle, thoroughly drenching me in muddy water from head to toe. I was absolutely mortified. If the receptionist hadn’t intervened, I would have gone straight home. Instead, she kindly lent me some oversized promotional gym wear from the company’s storage closet. Consequently, I spent my first eight hours introducing myself in baggy sweatpants. When my new boss finally arrived, she took one look at me and burst into laughter. Far from ruining my prospects, that humiliating wardrobe malfunction actually broke the ice. We bonded instantly over the absurdity of the situation, and it completely took the edge off my initial nerves.

B Chloe

As a self-confessed control freak, I had spent weeks agonizing over a digital presentation for my department head. I was fiercely determined to prove my worth and had set up the boardroom projector perfectly. However, five minutes into my pitch, the projector began to emit a burning smell, followed by a thick cloud of black smoke that immediately triggered the fire sprinklers. The entire building had to be evacuated. My laptop, along with all my meticulous slides, was completely ruined by the water. To my astonishment, the manager suggested we finish the meeting in the car park while waiting for the fire brigade. Despite my racing heart, I had to deliver the rest of the strategy entirely from memory. If I hadn’t rehearsed it a hundred times, I would have completely frozen. Although my hardware was destroyed, my ability to think on my feet genuinely impressed the management team.

C Tariq

Wanting to demonstrate my dedication, I arrived a full hour early and headed straight to the staff kitchen to calm my nerves. A casually dressed guy was struggling with the high-tech espresso machine, so I stepped in to assist. Eager to sound like an experienced professional, I started using all sorts of obscure corporate jargon while showing him how to brew a cappuccino. I even made a sarcastic joke about how only a ridiculous company would purchase such an overcomplicated appliance. He just smiled, thanked me, and walked away. Half an hour later, I was formally introduced to the CEO—the exact same man I had just mocked the coffee machine with! I wanted the ground to swallow me up. Thankfully, he had a brilliant sense of humour and praised my straightforwardness. It certainly taught me to never judge a book by its cover, and I immediately dropped the act of pretending to know everything.

D Mia

I was absolutely desperate to come across as a proactive team player. As soon as I arrived, I eagerly volunteered to fetch coffees from the local café for the entire senior team. Juggling a cardboard tray with six boiling hot lattes, I confidently marched back into the open-plan office. Out of nowhere, the office mascot—a highly energetic golden retriever—bounded around the corner and tangled himself in my legs. I tripped, sending the drinks flying like missiles across the room. Several splashed directly onto the pristine carpet, narrowly missing my manager. I was convinced I’d be sacked on the spot. Instead of losing his temper, my boss helped me clean up the mess and gently advised me to stop trying so hard. That chaotic encounter was a harsh wake-up call, but it ultimately cured me of the need to be perfect. Sometimes, showing your human side is far more effective.

Reading 2

You are going to read an article about four young teachers describing the terror and exhilaration of standing in front of a class of teenagers on their very first day of teaching.

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 piece of instructional equipment failing to function properly?

2   was worried they might be mistaken for a pupil themselves?

3   admits to adopting an unnaturally strict persona at the beginning?

4   acknowledges they had to quickly alter their lesson on the spot?

5   experienced a sudden drop in their initial self-assurance?

6   was pleasantly surprised by the learners’ passion for the subject matter?

7   confesses to being stumped by something a teenager asked?

8   felt that a spontaneous, humorous moment completely changed the mood?

9   points out that they wore specific clothes to establish authority?

10   realised that trying to be seen as a friend to the class was a mistake?

Trial by Fire: Surviving Day One in the Classroom

A Liam

I had meticulously planned my first history lesson down to the absolute second. Having spent weeks putting together a visually stunning presentation, I felt ready to conquer the world. However, the moment I stepped into the classroom, my heart began to pound. To make matters worse, the interactive whiteboard completely froze and refused to connect to my laptop. I was forced to think on my feet and abandon the slideshow entirely. Instead, I gathered the teenagers in a circle and initiated a debate about the French Revolution. I had taken it for granted that I needed flashy technology to hold their attention, but relying on my own storytelling proved far more effective. By the time the bell rang, the initial terror had transformed into sheer exhilaration. I came to terms with the fact that while preparation is crucial, being flexible is the true secret to surviving in this profession.

B Sarah

Before my very first science class, I was utterly terrified of losing control. Everyone had warned me that teenagers could smell fear, so I decided to put on a remarkably tough front. For the first twenty minutes, I marched around the laboratory, laying down the law with an unnaturally stern expression. The atmosphere was incredibly tense, and I could tell the pupils were intimidated. Then, while demonstrating a basic chemical reaction, I accidentally knocked over a beaker of water, soaking my own shoes. The classroom erupted into laughter. Instead of getting angry, I couldn’t help but giggle at my own clumsiness. That spontaneous mishap broke the ice beautifully, washing away all my anxiety. It made me realise that they weren’t monsters; they were just ordinary adolescents. Looking back, I definitely wouldn’t recommend pretending to be someone you are not.

C Mark

I walked into my first drama class brimming with confidence. Being only a few years older than the kids, I had convinced myself I would be the relatable, ‘cool’ teacher that everyone adored. I quickly discovered how naive that assumption was. When I enthusiastically suggested an acting exercise, I was met with blank stares and folded arms. My self-belief vanished in an instant. The real wake-up call came when a quiet girl at the back asked a highly complex question about a playwright’s underlying philosophy. My mind went completely blank, and I had to confess I didn’t know the answer off the top of my head. It was a deeply humbling experience that taught me a vital lesson. Trying to be their mate was a fundamental error; they needed a knowledgeable guide, not another friend. Although my ego took a beating, the challenge of winning them over genuinely thrilled me.

D Emma

My biggest source of anxiety wasn’t the lesson plan, but my physical appearance. Being quite petite, I was constantly worried that the teenagers wouldn’t take me seriously, or worse, that I’d blend in with the sixth formers. To counter this, I deliberately bought a remarkably conservative, tailored suit, hoping it would project an air of unquestionable authority. Standing at the front of the art studio, my hands were trembling. However, as soon as I introduced the topic of contemporary street art, the dynamic shifted entirely. I was absolutely taken aback by their profound eagerness to participate and share their own perspectives. Their genuine fascination with the material completely overshadowed my insecurities about my age. By the end of the session, the tailored jacket was covered in charcoal dust, but I couldn’t have cared less. The exhilaration of seeing them so engaged was simply unparalleled.

Exercises:   123456