Practice English Reading Exercises for B2 – Impact of Tourism on Locals 5

Exercises:   123456

Reading 1

You are going to read an article about four local politicians reflecting on the delicate balancing act of spending city taxes on improving tourist infrastructure versus funding local public schools.

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 feeling remorseful about a specific choice they made in the past?

2   notes that a particular part of the town fails to reap the rewards of visitor spending?

3   faced intense disapproval from relatives of students over a beautification project?

4   introduced a specific policy that forces holidaymakers to subsidise local education?

5   was pleasantly surprised when corporate leaders backed their stance on school funding?

6   points out the vivid discrepancy in appearance between tourist areas and educational facilities?

7   believes that without attracting outsiders, the financial burden on citizens would be too great?

8   struggles to clarify complicated economic figures to angry voters?

9   warns that failing to invest in children now will heavily cost the community later on?

10   acknowledges that their current strategy means neither sector gets exactly what it wants?

The Budget Battle: Tourists or Teachers?

A Arthur

As a city councillor, I frequently find myself caught between a rock and a hard place. Whenever we allocate municipal funds to upgrade our tourist infrastructure, such as the newly renovated riverfront plaza, the immediate backlash is intense. Last month, local parents were absolutely furious, arguing that the money should have been spent on fixing a leaking high school roof instead. I completely understand their frustration. However, if we hadn’t invested in making our city attractive, the influx of international visitors would simply dry up. Unless we draw in those tourist dollars, the tax burden on our own residents would be overwhelmingly heavy. It is often taken for granted that our education budget is heavily supplemented by the revenue generated from these visitors. In the long run, pouring money into the hospitality sector creates a thriving economy which, consequently, ensures our schools receive the steady financial support they so desperately need.

B Beatrice

Having served on the education board for over a decade, I’ve seen first-hand how the constant push for tourism can marginalise our students. Walk through our historic downtown and you’ll see spotless pavements and state-of-the-art visitor centres. Yet, just two miles away, our public schools are falling to pieces, with outdated textbooks and peeling paint. This stark visual contrast is something I find deeply troubling. Looking back, I honestly wish I hadn’t backed the proposal to fund the new convention centre three years ago. I was promised it would generate endless wealth, but the schools haven’t seen a penny of it. We must come to terms with the fact that neglecting our educational institutions is a ticking time bomb. If we fail to provide our youth with adequate resources today, the city will undoubtedly pay a much higher price in the future when we lack a skilled and capable workforce.

C Carlos

Balancing the books is undeniably the most challenging aspect of local government. People often demand immediate solutions, but attempting to break down convoluted municipal spreadsheets to furious taxpayers at town hall meetings is an uphill battle. They rarely grasp how restricted certain funding streams actually are. To address the endless tug-of-war between upgrading tourist hotspots and financing public schools, I recently championed a new hotel levy. Essentially, anyone staying overnight in our city pays a small surcharge, which goes directly into a protected educational fund. It’s a pragmatic solution, though it hasn’t completely stopped the complaints. By splitting our resources, we end up in a situation where the tourism board feels underfunded and the schools still want more. Ultimately, it’s about finding a middle ground where both parties have to accept slightly less than their ideal scenario, ensuring the city functions smoothly as a whole.

D Diana

The primary issue with our current financial model is the uneven distribution of wealth. The city council pours millions into upgrading the central district to keep holidaymakers happy, while suburban neighbourhoods, where the majority of our public schools are located, are completely left behind. The economic boom simply doesn’t reach the outskirts, leaving local teachers to fundraise for basic supplies. I’ve been fiercely campaigning to redirect a portion of the tourism budget to these neglected districts. Surprisingly, my strongest allies haven’t just been parents, but local entrepreneurs. I had anticipated that shop owners would demand more tourist attractions, but they’ve actually been highly vocal about the need for better-funded schools. They recognise that today’s students are tomorrow’s employees, and without a solid educational foundation, local businesses will struggle to recruit capable staff. This unexpected collaboration has given my campaign a massive and much-needed boost.

Reading 2

You are going to read an article about four individuals describing how their sleepy, quiet village was completely transformed into a loud, chaotic party destination.

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

Which person/section

1   admits they were originally in favour of the town attracting more visitors?

2   mentions relying on a specific device to help them tolerate the disruption?

3   highlights the negative consequences that the influx of people has had on the local wildlife?

4   feels as though they have become an outsider in their own hometown?

5   points out that the economic advantages of this trend rarely reach the actual residents?

6   complains about the dreadful condition the town is left in after a night of celebrations?

7   contemplates leaving the area permanently to escape the current situation?

8   explains that places providing everyday necessities have disappeared?

9   regrets ignoring early indications of what the town might become?

10   states that their personal timetable is completely incompatible with that of the crowds?

Paradise Lost: When the Party Came to Town

A Arthur

I’ve lived in this coastal village for over four decades, and it breaks my heart to see what it has become. Years ago, everyone knew everyone; it was a tight-knit community where you could leave your front door unlocked. Nowadays, I walk down the high street and I might as well be in a foreign city. I hardly recognise a single face, which makes me feel incredibly isolated. The most frustrating change, however, is the commercial shift. The family-run bakery and the little hardware store I used to rely on have been bought out and converted into neon-lit nightclubs and cheap souvenir shops. While some neighbours complain that the nighttime noise is the worst part, I can actually sleep through the loud music. For me, the real tragedy is the complete loss of our village’s soul. It has turned into a giant amusement park, and the authentic, peaceful charm we once took for granted has been wiped out forever.

B Beatrice

As someone who has always enjoyed waking up at the crack of dawn, my mornings used to be sacred. I would walk my dog along the promenade, listening to the seagulls and the crashing waves. Now, my early schedule completely clashes with the holidaymakers, who are usually just stumbling out of the clubs as I’m having my breakfast. Honestly, the sheer volume of rubbish they leave behind is appalling. The pavements are inevitably covered in discarded takeaway boxes, plastic cups, and broken glass, which the council has to frantically clean up before noon. Furthermore, the constant thumping bass and bright laser lights have frightened off the coastal birds that used to nest along the cliffs. It’s devastating to witness nature being pushed out to make way for endless parties. Some locals have considered moving away, but I stubbornly refuse to be driven out of a place I’ve loved my entire life.

C Callum

When I purchased my cottage here five years ago, I was looking forward to a tranquil environment where I could work remotely. In hindsight, I really should have paid attention to the sudden surge in online holiday rentals appearing in the area, but I naively brushed it off. It was a dreadful mistake. Throughout the summer, the volume of the all-night raves is absolutely deafening. I eventually had to invest in high-quality, noise-cancelling headphones just to get through my working day, and I sleep with heavy-duty earplugs. If I hadn’t bought them, I would have lost my mind by now. The stress of dealing with rowdy tourists shouting in the streets until 4 a.m. has taken a massive toll on my well-being. Consequently, I’ve recently contacted an estate agent to value my property. As much as I adore the house itself, the sheer exhaustion means I’m seriously looking into selling up and finding somewhere genuinely remote.

D Diana

When the local council first proposed a major marketing campaign to brand our village as a premier summer hotspot, I was actually one of its biggest supporters. I genuinely believed that an influx of tourists would inject much-needed cash into our struggling local economy. Unfortunately, I couldn’t have been more wrong. The problem is the demographic we’ve attracted: massive groups looking for cheap drinks and 24-hour partying. They don’t eat at our traditional restaurants or hire local tour guides. Instead, they spend all their money at the multinational fast-food chains and giant resort complexes that have suddenly sprung up. The vast majority of the profits are siphoned off by large corporations, leaving the actual residents with nothing but the bill for extra security and street cleaning. We’ve sacrificed our quiet, peaceful existence for an economic boom that, in reality, has completely bypassed the people who actually live here.

Exercises:   123456