Practice English Reading Exercises for B2 – Green Lifestyle & Sustainable Consumerism 6

Exercises:   123456

Reading 1

You are going to read an article about four individuals describing the meticulous planning required to drastically reduce their household food waste by meal-prepping and freezing leftovers.

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 purchasing specific items to facilitate their new routine?

2   originally felt overwhelmed by the sheer amount of organisation needed?

3   had to find clever ways to persuade their household to accept the new system?

4   was driven to change their habits primarily due to a sense of ecological responsibility?

5   was shocked to discover the financial value of the food they were previously discarding?

6   repurposes food fragments that most people would typically throw away?

7   highlights the satisfaction of not having to prepare dinner after a long shift?

8   initially faced resistance from relatives regarding eating previously cooked meals?

9   employs a digital tool to keep a close watch on their kitchen supplies?

10   explains the method of chilling food in single portions to avoid further waste?

The Zero-Waste Kitchen: Mastering the Art of Meal Prep

A Sarah

When I first looked into reducing our food footprint, the sheer volume of planning required left me feeling completely out of my depth. I used to buy groceries on a whim, which inevitably resulted in wilted vegetables and spoiled meat pushed to the back of the fridge. The real turning point was calculating exactly how much cash we were literally throwing in the bin every month; the final sum was absolutely staggering. To get a firm grip on the situation, I set up a meticulous spreadsheet on my laptop to track what we have in the cupboards. Now, every single ingredient is accounted for before I even set foot in the supermarket. I do freeze some excess portions, though my primary strategy relies on purchasing only what is strictly necessary. It was certainly a steep learning curve, but taking control of our inventory has paid off handsomely, allowing us to save up for a family holiday.

B Mark

The catalyst for my zero-waste journey was the realisation that my erratic work hours were causing me to rely heavily on fast food, while fresh produce rotted at home. To combat this, I decided to dedicate my Sunday afternoons entirely to batch-cooking. Preparing massive stews and curries means I don’t have to lift a finger in the kitchen after a gruelling day at the office. Of course, this strategy required a small upfront investment; I had to stock up on a comprehensive set of airtight, stackable glass containers to ensure the meals remained fresh in the freezer. Having the right equipment is absolutely vital for safely storing hot food. Some of my friends think spending my weekend peeling and chopping is a massive chore, but the psychological relief of having a week’s worth of dinners sorted is immense. Seeing my weekly waste drop to virtually nothing gives me a tremendous sense of accomplishment.

C Elena

For me, the motivation to overhaul our kitchen habits came from watching a deeply unsettling documentary about landfills. The heavy burden of environmental guilt prompted me to completely rethink how we handle our provisions. I quickly realised that minimising waste requires a lot of imagination. Instead of tossing out onion skins or carrot tops, I stash them in a designated bag in the freezer until I have enough to simmer into a rich vegetable broth. Furthermore, rather than freezing massive blocks of leftover lasagne, I divide everything into individual servings. This guarantees that we only defrost exactly what we intend to consume for a specific meal, preventing a secondary cycle of waste. While keeping track of all these different containers demands rigorous organisation, knowing I am significantly reducing my household’s carbon footprint makes every bit of the effort worthwhile.

D Tom

Transitioning to a zero-waste household was far from smooth sailing, primarily due to my family’s deeply ingrained habits. Whenever I mentioned we were having leftovers for dinner, my children would instantly pull faces and complain. They had this baseless prejudice that previously cooked meals were inherently bland and unappetising. To bypass this stubborn resistance, I had to get rather inventive. I started transforming Sunday’s roasted vegetables into Monday’s spicy blended soup, or turning leftover chicken into crispy tacos. By cleverly disguising the ingredients, I managed to win them over without them even noticing. It takes a considerable amount of foresight to map out a menu that flows logically from one day to the next, ensuring initial meals can be seamlessly adapted into entirely new dishes later in the week. While it’s undoubtedly more demanding than cooking from scratch every night, it has radically eliminated the mountain of food we used to discard.

Reading 2

You are going to read an article about four people talking about their decision to stop flying for holidays due to carbon emissions and embracing the concept of “slow travel” by train.

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

Which person/section

1   initially struggled with the financial implications of avoiding air transport?

2   was motivated to alter their habits by a deep sense of personal remorse?

3   appreciates the transition from a highly stressful environment to a calming one?

4   mentions a change in the frequency and overall duration of their vacations?

5   enjoys the spontaneous discoveries made possible by this mode of transport?

6   had to overcome a professional obstacle to accommodate their new travel style?

7   points out that they can complete useful tasks while in transit?

8   experienced an unexpected disruption that failed to ruin their enjoyment?

9   values the impromptu social interactions that naturally occur during their journeys?

10   realised that a common assumption about the speed of flying was somewhat misleading?

Staying Grounded: The Joy of Slow Travel

A Leo

When I first gave up flying, coming to terms with the hefty price tags of cross-border rail tickets was a bitter pill to swallow. I almost backed out, assuming it would completely drain my savings to travel ecologically. However, once I actually boarded, my perspective shifted entirely. Unlike the chaotic, nerve-wracking ordeal of navigating airport security and enduring cramped flights, the train offered a haven of tranquility. I could just sit back, stretch my legs, and watch the world glide by. Furthermore, I quickly realised that the so-called ‘speed’ of flying is a bit of a myth. By the time you factor in travelling to an out-of-town terminal, checking in luggage, and waiting at the carousel, the door-to-door journey often takes roughly the same amount of time. Going flight-free initially felt like a massive sacrifice, but I’ve found that shedding the airport anxiety has done wonders for my mental well-being before a holiday even begins.

B Maya

For years, I turned a blind eye to my carbon footprint, jetting off to Mediterranean beaches without a second thought. But watching documentaries about the escalating climate crisis eventually triggered an overwhelming feeling of guilt that I could no longer ignore. Consequently, I vowed to keep my feet firmly on the ground. Switching to slow travel hasn’t just cleared my conscience; it has revolutionised the way I experience Europe. On a plane, you are simply teleported from one climate to another, completely detached from the geography in between. By train, the changing landscapes unfold gradually like a film. What I cherish most, though, is the freedom to hop off at a random, obscure town that catches my eye—places I would have completely overlooked from 30,000 feet up. It’s given me a profound appreciation for the journey itself, proving that taking the scenic route offers rewards that a quick, convenient flight never could.

C Tariq

Embracing the slow travel movement required a drastic overhaul of my annual leave strategy. I used to be a massive fan of the quick weekend city break, squeezing in three or four short flights a year. Now, I pool my days off to take one extensive, three-week rail expedition instead. The biggest hurdle was actually persuading my manager to approve such a long absence, as my company usually prefers staff to take shorter breaks. Thankfully, we reached a compromise when I pointed out a massive advantage of overland travel: the presence of reliable Wi-Fi and power outlets. Provided I have a stable connection, I can easily clear my inbox and finalise reports while rolling across the continent. It’s a win-win situation; my boss stays happy, and I get to indulge my wanderlust sustainably. I wouldn’t dream of going back to those exhausting, frantic weekend dashes now.

D Chloe

People tend to romanticise train travel, picturing luxurious carriages and seamless connections. I won’t pretend it’s always perfect; just last month, I was stranded at a station in Germany for four hours due to a severe signal failure. In the past, missing a flight connection would have sent my stress levels through the roof, but funnily enough, I took this hiccup completely in my stride. It felt like just another chapter of the adventure. The best part of moving at a slower pace is the sense of community you find in the carriages. I’ve ended up having fascinating, hours-long conversations with absolute strangers in the dining car—something that practically never happens when everyone has their headphones firmly on during a flight. For me, slow travel isn’t merely about reducing greenhouse gases; it’s about reconnecting with humanity and remembering that getting there should be half the fun.

Exercises:   123456