Practice English Reading Exercises for B2 – Impact of Tourism on Locals 7

Exercises:   123456

Reading 1

You are going to read an article about four residents reflecting on the stark contrast in water usage between luxury tourist golf courses and local villages.

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

Which person/section

1   experiences a moral conflict because of where they work?

2   feels frustrated by the local authorities’ failure to fulfill their commitments?

3   highlights how the crisis has destroyed a traditional way of earning a living?

4   suspects that holidaymakers are completely unaware of the region’s struggles?

5   describes the physically demanding reality of securing water for everyday household tasks?

6   suggests that investing in modern technology could provide a way forward?

7   draws attention to the devastating consequences for the region’s flora and fauna?

8   expresses anger that certain businesses are seemingly excused from conservation rules?

9   points out that the younger generation is being forced to relocate?

10   mentions an unsuccessful attempt to formally demand a change in policy?

The Green Divide: When Golf Courses Thrive and Villages Run Dry

A Carlos

For generations, my family relied on the land, making a decent living growing citrus fruits. However, the last few years of severe drought have utterly wiped out our orchards. It’s absolutely infuriating to look across the valley and see the immaculate, emerald-green fairways of the luxury golf courses. While local residents face heavy fines if we are caught watering our gardens, these massive resorts appear to bypass the restrictions entirely. They keep their sprinklers running all night! I actually wrote a letter to the local paper venting my anger, but it barely made a difference. The most heartbreaking consequence is that without agricultural jobs, our youth are packing up and moving to the cities. If things don’t change soon, our village will become a ghost town. It’s a bitter pill to swallow, knowing that our historical livelihood has dried up just so wealthy tourists can enjoy a perfect round of golf.

B Maria

Every morning, before the sun even rises, I have to walk two kilometres to the communal pump just to fill plastic jugs for drinking and washing. Lugging those heavy containers back home is exhausting, but our taps have been completely dry since May. Yet, the real irony is my profession. I’m employed as a housekeeper at one of the most exclusive resorts on the coast. My daily duties involve running endless loads of laundry and ensuring the guests’ private plunge pools are topped up. It tears me apart inside. I’m enabling the exact industry that’s draining our reservoirs, but I have no other way to feed my family. Sometimes, guests complain to me about the lack of rain, which can be irritating. Still, I can’t really blame them; the glossy brochures they see promise a lush paradise, carefully hiding the harsh reality we face behind the scenes.

C Tariq

As a nature guide, I spend my life exploring the surrounding hills, and the ecological transformation I’ve witnessed recently is nothing short of tragic. The streams that used to flow year-round have been reduced to cracked mud, and the native birds and deer that depended on them are vanishing at an alarming rate. It’s devastating to see the natural habitat collapse. Meanwhile, down on the coast, millions of litres are pumped into maintaining artificial landscapes for holidaymakers. Honestly, I strongly suspect that the people staying at these resorts have absolutely no idea of the environmental damage being done. They fly in, play their tournaments, and fly out, completely shielded from the consequences of their luxury. Some people argue that better irrigation systems on the courses would solve the problem, but that completely misses the point. You simply cannot justify sacrificing a region’s entire ecosystem just to keep a few foreign visitors entertained.

D Elena

We’ve reached a boiling point in our community. Last month, over five hundred of us signed a formal petition demanding a fairer distribution of water resources, but the town council simply swept it under the rug. During the last election, politicians promised faithfully that they would prioritise local households and small-scale farms over the tourism sector, but those turned out to be empty words. It is incredibly frustrating to see our elected officials repeatedly cater to wealthy developers while we struggle. We aren’t demanding that the resorts close down entirely; tourism brings valuable income. However, we urgently need them to invest in sustainable alternatives. If the government forced these luxury complexes to fund and build their own desalination plants, they could easily convert seawater for their lawns. Instead, they continue to drain our precious groundwater, leaving the locals high and dry while the authorities conveniently look the other way.

Reading 2

You are going to read an article about four locals describing their appreciation for specific types of “slow tourists” who genuinely try to learn the language and integrate into the community.

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 change of heart regarding their attitude towards extended-stay visitors?

2   appreciates tourists who dedicate time to mastering unspoken social conventions?

3   feels touched when holidaymakers attempt to converse in the native tongue despite making errors?

4   highlights the importance of travelers providing sustained financial backing to family-run enterprises?

5   is impressed by foreigners who actively participate in maintaining the area’s physical condition?

6   points out that authentic integration involves experiencing ordinary daily routines rather than just famous sites?

7   values the way certain visitors immerse themselves in traditional community celebrations?

8   recounts a specific moment when a traveler’s physical effort proved their genuine commitment?

9   observes that the most rewarding aspect of slow tourism is the creation of long-lasting bonds?

10   criticises the misconception that a brief visit is enough to truly understand the local way of life?

The Joy of Slow Tourism: Seeing the World Through Local Eyes

A Matteo – Siena, Italy

Living in Siena, I see thousands of day-trippers who simply snap photos of the Piazza del Campo and leave. However, the ‘slow tourists’ are a breath of fresh air. Instead of rushing, they genuinely immerse themselves in our community. I absolutely love it when they show up at our traditional Palio neighbourhood dinners. They don’t just watch; they dive into the festivities alongside us. Furthermore, it is incredibly endearing when they try to chat with us in Italian. Even if they get the verb tenses completely wrong or struggle with the vocabulary, the fact that they have made the effort means the world to us. I used to work in a family-run café, and while day-trippers bought things, it was always these slower visitors who truly connected with us. They might not understand every unwritten rule immediately, but their willingness to laugh at their own linguistic blunders breaks the ice instantly.

B Elara – Crete, Greece

When the concept of ‘digital nomads’ and slow travellers first became popular here in Crete, I must confess I was rather cynical. I assumed they would just take advantage of our cheap rent and isolate themselves. Fortunately, I couldn’t have been more wrong. These extended-stay visitors have breathed new life into our village. Unlike transient tourists who only buy cheap souvenirs, these individuals do their weekly shopping at our local bakeries and greengrocers, providing a steady, reliable income that keeps our independent shops afloat. They also enrol in Greek language classes, though they rarely participate in our loud village festivals. For me, the most remarkable thing is the enduring friendships that blossom. Many of them stay in touch long after they’ve returned home. If they hadn’t chosen to stay for months at a time, we would never have had the chance to form such meaningful connections.

C Lars – Lofoten, Norway

Here in the Lofoten Islands, nature is our greatest asset, but it is extremely fragile. We get plenty of tourists who claim to love the landscape, yet leave their rubbish behind. That is why I have immense respect for slow tourists who take their environmental responsibilities seriously. They don’t just admire the fjords; they actively help us preserve them. Last autumn, we organised a beach clean-up after a severe storm. I was absolutely astounded when a couple from Germany, who had been renting a cabin for the month, turned up at dawn in the freezing cold to haul heavy bags of debris alongside us. That level of physical dedication spoke volumes. While they did try to learn a few Norwegian phrases, it was their proactive approach to protecting our surroundings that truly won us over. It proved that they didn’t just want to consume our culture; they wanted to contribute to it.

D Mei – Kyoto, Japan

Kyoto is often overwhelmed by crowds rushing from one golden temple to the next. It irritates me when people spend 48 hours here and arrogantly assume they have grasped the essence of Japanese culture. In stark contrast, slow tourists understand that true integration takes time. They deliberately avoid the congested landmarks, preferring to navigate the quiet, residential alleyways to observe mundane, everyday activities, like how locals sort their recycling or tend to their tiny gardens. Japanese society is governed by countless subtle etiquettes, which can be baffling for foreigners. Therefore, I highly value those visitors who patiently educate themselves on these unspoken norms—such as knowing exactly when to bow or how to correctly handle chopsticks—before interacting with locals. They recognise that authentic travel isn’t about ticking boxes on a sightseeing list; it’s about slowing down and respectfully blending into the rhythm of domestic life.

Exercises:   123456