Practice English Reading Exercises for B2 – Green Lifestyle & Sustainable Consumerism 4

Exercises:   123456

Reading 1

You are going to read an article about four individuals describing their extreme efforts to completely eliminate single-use plastics from their bathrooms.

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

Which person/section

1   received a professional warning regarding a homemade item?

2   accepted that maintaining a flawless record is sometimes impractical?

3   initially assumed their new routine would be a financial strain?

4   attempted to impose the lifestyle on others far too abruptly?

5   discovered that an aesthetically pleasing container presented a safety hazard?

6   experienced an unpleasant physical phase while their body adapted?

7   mentions someone who disliked the physical feel of a sustainable product?

8   had an unfortunate, messy mishap while travelling with their products?

9   points out that a particular item lasted considerably longer than its plastic equivalent?

10   was handed a plastic item despite their commitment to avoiding them?

Washing Away the Waste: Our Plastic-Free Bathrooms

A Mia

When I first committed to a zero-waste bathroom, I took it for granted that going plastic-free would cost an absolute fortune. At first glance, the price of a solid shampoo bar seemed astronomical compared to my usual bottled brand from the supermarket. However, I soon realised that one solid bar outlasts three standard bottles, making it incredibly economical in the long run. The transition wasn’t entirely smooth, though. For the first fortnight, my hair felt heavy and unpleasantly greasy as my scalp adjusted to the lack of chemical sulphates. My partner almost gave up entirely, frustrated by the complete lack of soapy lather, but we ultimately persevered. Now, I wouldn’t dream of going back to my old ways. I’ve also replaced all my plastic shower gels with traditional blocks of soap. Ultimately, making this switch has not only uncluttered my bathroom shelves, but it has also given me a remarkably clear conscience.

B Julian

I wanted my bathroom to look exactly like those picture-perfect, zero-waste blogs, so I enthusiastically transferred all my lotions and potions into beautiful glass mason jars. It looked incredibly chic until I accidentally knocked one off the shelf with slippery, wet hands, resulting in a dangerous spray of sharp shards across the tiles. It was a harsh reminder that aesthetics shouldn’t compromise safety. Shortly after that, I got deeply into making my own toiletries. I concocted a DIY toothpaste using baking soda and coconut oil, thinking I was being incredibly resourceful. However, during my routine dental check-up, my dentist firmly advised me to stop. She explained that the mixture was far too abrasive and was actively wearing away my tooth enamel. Since then, I’ve come to terms with buying organic toothpaste in recyclable aluminium tubes. I’ve learned that not every eco-trend is worth blindly following if it jeopardises your wellbeing.

C Chloe

I pride myself on my meticulously organised zero-waste bathroom at home, but maintaining these strict habits on the road has proven to be a logistical nightmare. During a recent business trip, I packed my solid shampoo and conditioner bars in a small tin. Because they hadn’t dried properly before I left, they melted into a soapy, unusable mush that leaked all over the contents of my washbag. It was incredibly frustrating to clean up. Furthermore, during a visit to the dental hygienist on that same trip, I was automatically handed a complimentary plastic toothbrush in a plastic wrapper before I could even protest. I felt a sudden surge of guilt throwing it into my suitcase. Nevertheless, I’ve had to accept that striving for absolute perfection in a disposable world is mentally exhausting. I always bounce back by reminding myself that doing my best most of the time is vastly superior to doing nothing at all.

D Leo

When I decided our household was going completely plastic-free, I enthusiastically cleared out every plastic bottle and tube from our bathroom cabinet in a single afternoon. In hindsight, trying to enforce such a drastic overhaul on my family overnight was a massive mistake. My teenage kids were absolutely furious about their favourite branded face washes disappearing without warning. The biggest uproar, however, was over the bamboo toothbrushes. My youngest daughter adamantly refused to use hers, complaining bitterly that the wooden handle felt rough and tasted like dry sticks against her lips. It caused endless morning arguments before school. Eventually, I had to swallow my pride and find a middle ground. We’ve now settled on toothbrushes with replaceable, plant-based heads. It’s not the flawless zero-waste vision I initially had, but it’s a sustainable compromise that keeps the peace. You definitely catch more flies with honey than vinegar when changing ingrained family habits.

Reading 2

You are going to read an article about four people discussing the phenomenon of “greenwashing” and how angry they feel when big corporations fake their environmental credentials to sell products.

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 that a company’s main activities directly contradict their eco-friendly claims?

2   feels annoyed that they spent extra money on a product under false pretences?

3   admits to previously trusting the recommendations of popular internet figures?

4   discovered the truth about a brand’s practices by doing their own independent research?

5   received a deliberately vague reply after reaching out to a corporation for an explanation?

6   argues that shoppers shouldn’t have to bear the responsibility of fact-checking every purchase?

7   was deceived by the natural-looking design of an item’s exterior?

8   expresses regret for eagerly embracing a clothing company’s supposedly ethical new range?

9   highlights that only a microscopic percentage of a product’s materials were actually sustainable?

10   strongly believes that official legislation is urgently needed to stop deceptive marketing?

The Greenwashing Grievance: When Corporations Fake It

A Liam

I’ve always tried to do my bit for the planet, so I usually opt for eco-friendly alternatives at the supermarket. Recently, I picked up a new brand of household cleaner. The bottle was covered in earthy brown tones and illustrations of lush green leaves, boldly claiming to be ‘100% natural’. I completely fell for it. It wasn’t until I got home that I read the small print, only to realise the packaging itself was made from unrecyclable plastic! If I had looked closer in the store, I wouldn’t have wasted my cash. What really gets under my skin is that I paid a premium for this item, believing I was making a responsible choice. It is incredibly frustrating that companies can charge more by simply redesigning their labels to look environmentally conscious. They must have known exactly what they were doing. I didn’t bother contacting their complaints department, as I knew I’d just get a generic apology.

B Maya

I used to be a massive fan of a particular fast-fashion retailer, so when they launched a heavily advertised ‘conscious’ clothing line, I was absolutely thrilled. I bought several pieces, assuming the brand had finally turned over a new leaf. However, something didn’t quite add up. The prices were still suspiciously low, which prompted me to do some digging online. By looking into their supply chain, I discovered that a staggering amount of their garments were still produced in sweatshops. Furthermore, I was horrified to read that only five percent of the fabrics in their ‘eco-range’ were actually made from recycled materials! I really should have known better than to trust a massive corporation so blindly. I genuinely regret rushing out to buy those clothes. It’s pure greenwashing; they are just brushing their terrible ethical record under the carpet while pretending to care about the Earth to attract younger, environmentally aware buyers.

C Toby

What infuriates me the most is when multinational corporations, whose entire business model relies on fossil fuels, claim to be saving the environment. I recently saw a massive advertising campaign by a major airline boasting about their new ‘carbon-neutral’ flights. They claimed that for every ticket sold, a tree would be planted. However, planting a few saplings is entirely contradictory when their core operations are actively destroying the atmosphere! I was so outraged by this blatant hypocrisy that I sent a strongly worded email to their public relations department, demanding a breakdown of their emissions. Naturally, I was sent a highly evasive, automated response that failed to answer any of my questions. It’s painfully obvious that these offsetting schemes are just a smokescreen. If they were genuinely committed to the environment, they would be investing heavily in sustainable aviation fuel, rather than relying on empty promises to make passengers feel less guilty about flying.

D Chloe

In the age of social media, greenwashing has reached an entirely new level. I’ll admit, I used to be quite gullible and would quickly buy into the hype when my favourite influencers promoted supposedly ‘clean’ and ‘green’ cosmetic brands. You see them posing with bamboo toothbrushes or ‘ocean-friendly’ sunscreens, and you naturally assume the products are legitimate. But the reality is that many of these brands still use toxic chemicals. It shouldn’t be down to the average shopper to spend hours trying to weed out the genuine eco-friendly products from the fake ones. We lead busy lives, and we ought to be able to trust the claims made on packaging. The only real solution is for the government to step in. If strict, legally binding regulations had been introduced years ago, corporations wouldn’t be getting away with this deception. Until robust legislation is enforced to penalize false environmental marketing, corporate greed will always come before the planet.

Exercises:   123456