Practice English Reading Exercises for B2 – Impact of Tourism on Locals 6

Exercises:   123456

Reading 1

You are going to read an article about four indigenous people sharing their complex feelings about performing their sacred cultural dances as paid entertainment for tour groups.

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

Which person/section

1   explains that the routines shown to outsiders are deliberately altered?

2   expresses frustration over the distracting technology used by visitors during the event?

3   admits their current positive view of the shows contrasts with their initial reservations?

4   feels disappointed by the audience’s failure to grasp the profound significance of the performance?

5   values having specific rituals that remain entirely private and uncommercialised?

6   points out that tourism has unexpectedly encouraged younger people to embrace their heritage?

7   advocates for visitors to receive clearer guidelines on appropriate conduct beforehand?

8   describes experiencing a sense of detachment, as if they are simply acting out a role?

9   mentions that the performances are a crucial means of financial support for their people?

10   highlights the physical exhaustion resulting from the frequency of the performances?

Dancing for Strangers: A Cultural Compromise

A Kanti

I have been participating in our ceremonial dances since I was a child. To our people, these movements are a profound prayer to the earth. To the holidaymakers, however, they are merely a colourful spectacle. Sometimes, when the music starts, I feel an unsettling sense of detachment; it is as though I am simply putting on a theatrical mask and going through the motions rather than genuinely connecting with my ancestors. It truly breaks my heart when I look out at the audience and see them clapping out of rhythm, completely oblivious to the deep spiritual message we are striving to convey. Nevertheless, I am forced to be pragmatic about our situation. Without the substantial income these daily tour groups generate, our remote village would struggle to afford basic healthcare and education. That revenue effectively keeps our community afloat. We execute the exact same steps my grandfather taught me, yet the emotional context has irrevocably shifted.

B Elara

When the village elders initially proposed opening our sacred ceremonies up to paying guests, I was fiercely opposed to the idea. I was absolutely convinced that commercialising our customs would inevitably cheapen them. However, over the last few years, my perspective has been completely transformed. What I hadn’t anticipated was the remarkably positive effect the tourism would have on our youth. Previously, the teenagers were only interested in digital technology and migrating to the city, ignoring their heritage. Now, seeing foreigners travel thousands of miles specifically to watch us, they have realised the immense value of their roots. They are eagerly volunteering to learn the complex steps and traditional drum beats. We do make a modest profit, which is certainly helpful, but for me, the true triumph is cultural preservation. Naturally, the visitors all film the shows on their devices, but if that modern exposure encourages the younger generation to embrace who they are, I am all for it.

C Makya

Performing these intricate cultural dances is incredibly demanding on the body. We are expected to leap and spin while wearing heavy, intricately woven garments, and doing this up to three times a day during the peak tourist season completely drains my physical energy. What makes the exhaustion harder to bear, though, is the attitude of certain crowds. You are trying to enter a tranquil, meditative state, and suddenly you are blinded by a barrage of camera flashes from the front row. It completely shatters our concentration and disrupts the atmosphere. I try not to blame the tourists entirely, as they usually don’t know any better. What we desperately need is for the agencies to provide a mandatory briefing before anyone sets foot in our village, explicitly outlining how to behave respectfully. They might not comprehend every single aspect of the performance, but they could at least be taught to sit quietly and watch.

D Tala

The vibrant routine we perform for the visiting crowds is undeniably beautiful, but it is not our truly authentic ceremony. Several years ago, our elders wisely made the decision to choreograph a modified, shortened version specifically tailored for the tourism market. We wear similar feathered costumes and play familiar melodies, but we deliberately leave out the most sacred chants and highly symbolic gestures. Those profound elements are strictly reserved for our own private community gatherings, kept far away from flashing cameras and paying eyes. This clever compromise allows us to proudly share a vibrant piece of our indigenous identity with the world while effectively safeguarding the vulnerable core of our ancient beliefs. I never feel like a fraud or an actor when I’m out there in front of the crowds; I always put my whole heart into the public shows. The young ones learn both versions, meaning our true history remains intact.

Reading 2

You are going to read an article about four local business owners talking about the positive initiative of “eco-tourism,” where foreign visitors volunteer to help reforest the local area during their stay.

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 financial advantage during a time of year when business is usually slow?

2   completely altered their company structure to cater to a different type of holidaymaker?

3   is driven primarily by the restoration of nature rather than accumulating financial wealth?

4   mentions a noticeable surge in the purchase of specific practical goods?

5   points out how the initiative serves as an inspiring lesson for the local youth?

6   appreciates how a shared physical task bridged the communication gap between different cultures?

7   observes that participants desperately want to leave a lasting, positive mark on the destination?

8   acknowledges the physically exhausting nature of the conservation tasks?

9   notes that modern travellers are actively turning away from holidays purely focused on relaxation?

10   was initially cynical about why the foreigners were participating in the scheme?

Planting Roots: The Rise of the Eco-Tourist

A Mateo – Café Owner

When the local council first proposed this eco-tourism scheme, I must admit I took it with a grain of salt. I honestly figured these foreigners just wanted to plant a single tree, snap a quick photo for their social media profiles, and head straight back to the comfort of their hotels. However, I’ve been forced to eat my words. Their level of commitment is absolutely astonishing; they are out there digging in the soil from dawn to dusk, regardless of the pouring rain or blistering heat. From a business perspective, the impact has been nothing short of a lifesaver. Historically, our town practically shut down during the autumn months, leaving many of us struggling to make ends meet. Now, these dedicated volunteers keep my café bustling year-round, filling the tables when we would normally be entirely empty. It’s wonderful to see the hills slowly turning green again, but it’s their relentless work ethic that has truly won me over.

B Sofia – Guesthouse Owner

Hosting these eco-volunteers at my guesthouse has been a remarkably enriching experience for my entire family. At first, I was quite anxious about how we would interact, considering my English is rather basic and their knowledge of our local dialect is usually non-existent. Yet, working side-by-side on the muddy slopes has a wonderful way of breaking down those social barriers. A simple smile or a shared laugh over a stubbornly tangled tree root speaks volumes, allowing us to connect deeply. Make no mistake, the actual reforestation process is back-breaking work. Carrying heavy saplings up steep, rocky paths takes a massive toll on the body, and many visitors return to the guesthouse completely exhausted and covered in dirt. Despite the physical strain, their spirits are always remarkably high. Some villagers originally thought the project was a foolish endeavor that wouldn’t bring in much money, but the cultural exchange we experience around the dinner table is worth far more than any monetary profit.

C Yannis – Hardware Store Owner

For decades, the severe deforestation in our region was a thoroughly depressing sight, heavily eroding the beautiful landscape I grew up loving. When the international volunteer programme was finally launched, my equipment shop naturally saw an immediate increase in sales for gardening tools, boots, and heavy-duty gloves. However, my primary motivation for supporting this incredible scheme has never been about boosting my bottom line. If I only cared about maximizing revenue, I would have relocated my business to a busy coastal resort many years ago. My true reward is witnessing the steady environmental revival of our valley. What fascinates me most about these tourists is their profound desire to create a permanent, living legacy. They aren’t interested in buying cheap souvenirs to take home; instead, they desperately want to leave something behind that will flourish for generations. It is incredibly moving to watch a visitor carefully plant a sapling, knowing they have forged an emotional bond with our land.

D Clara – Tour Operator

Just five years ago, my travel agency exclusively offered standard sightseeing tours and relaxing beach excursions. However, I quickly picked up on a significant shift in consumer demands. It seems that modern travelers are increasingly rejecting the outdated idea of spending two weeks simply lounging passively by a hotel swimming pool. They crave meaningful engagement with the places they visit. Consequently, I completely overhauled my entire business strategy, replacing luxury sightseeing tours with hands-on conservation packages. It was a massive financial risk at the time, but it has paid off spectacularly. Furthermore, the volunteers work tirelessly alongside our community, which has had a wonderfully unexpected side effect. Our local teenagers, who used to take the surrounding forests entirely for granted, are now seeing people from halfway across the world travelling here simply to protect our trees. It has been a powerful wake-up call, instilling a renewed sense of pride and a desire to preserve their ecological heritage.

Exercises:   123456