Practice English Reading Exercises for B2 – Mass Media, Social Media & Advertising 6

Exercises:   123456

Reading 1

You are going to read an article about four people sharing their annoyance with loud, repetitive advertising jingles that get stuck in their heads for days.

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

Which person/section

1   successfully employs a psychological trick to remove the melody from their thoughts?

2   is frustrated to find themselves financially supporting the brand behind the irritating tune?

3   resents the fact that they are not permitted to bypass the promotional content?

4   highlights how the enthusiastic nature of the track contrasts sharply with how they are feeling?

5   feels foolish after catching themselves unconsciously making the sound of the advert?

6   explains that the catchy melodies severely disrupt their professional concentration?

7   states that the extreme frequency of the same commercial is what makes it unbearable?

8   complains that premium audio gear doesn’t prevent the song from getting stuck in their head?

9   points out that broadcasters deliberately raise the audio levels during commercial breaks?

10   feels resentful when a highly anticipated period of relaxation is ruined by a jingle?

Earworms: The Advertising Jingles We Just Can’t Escape

A Liam

As a freelance graphic designer, I work from home, meaning I need absolute silence to stay focused. Unfortunately, I like to have the radio on for background company. What completely drives me round the bend is the way broadcasters deliberately crank up the volume the second the commercial break hits. It’s a blatant tactic to grab your attention. Suddenly, an aggressive, booming jingle for a local car dealership shatters my concentration, and that’s my productivity ruined for the morning. I even invested a small fortune in high-end, noise-cancelling headphones to block out the street traffic, but ironically, they are utterly useless against an ‘earworm’. Once that incredibly loud, repetitive slogan enters my brain, the headphones can’t extract it. I find myself staring blankly at my monitor, the annoying tune playing on an endless loop in my mind. It’s infuriating how a ten-second piece of cheap marketing music can completely derail my workflow for hours on end.

B Chloe

I genuinely resent how effective supermarket advertising jingles are. You walk down the aisles trying to remember your grocery list, and they blast these ridiculously catchy, repetitive songs over the store’s speakers. I usually try to drown them out by putting in my earphones and listening to my favourite rock albums from when I was a teenager, but somehow, the promotional melodies still manage to seep through. The most humiliating part is when I catch myself mindlessly humming the tune for a brand of washing powder while waiting in the checkout queue. People actually turn and stare! Worse still, I’ll often get home, unpack my shopping bags, and realise I’ve unconsciously purchased the exact product from the advert, despite previously swearing I’d never buy it on principle. It absolutely infuriates me that I am handing over my hard-earned cash to the very companies whose irritating marketing strategies drive me completely mad.

C Mateo

For me, the absolute worst time to be subjected to advertising jingles is during the morning commute. I’m naturally quite a grumpy person before 9 a.m., so when the bus driver plays a commercial radio station, the overly enthusiastic, bouncy melodies genuinely set my teeth on edge. The sheer forced cheerfulness of a breakfast cereal advert clashes horribly with my sleepy, miserable mood. Previously, those irritating little tunes would loop in my brain all day, driving me to the brink of despair. However, I recently read an article about how to cure an ‘earworm’, and it works like a charm. Apparently, the brain gets stuck on a song because the melody is left unresolved. So, the moment the jingle starts playing in my head, I force myself to consciously sing the final line of the track. Providing that sense of closure miraculously tricks my brain into dropping the tune entirely. It’s been a total lifesaver!

D Priya

There is nothing I look forward to more than curling up on the sofa after a stressful day to stream a new drama series. Unfortunately, because I use the free, ad-supported tier of my streaming service, this relaxation is constantly hijacked. The main issue isn’t simply the poor quality of the advertising music; it’s the sheer, relentless repetition. During a single forty-minute episode, I am often forced to sit through the exact same upbeat jingle for a fast-food delivery app at least four or five times. Because the platform disables the skip button during these mandatory breaks, I am a captive audience. I try to mute the television, but the incredibly catchy, repetitive beat is already permanently lodged in my memory. It feels incredibly unfair that a long-awaited moment of evening peace can be so thoroughly ruined by a digital algorithm that insists on hammering the same irritating melody into your skull until you surrender.

Reading 2

You are going to read an article about four young adults discussing how their daily news consumption has shifted entirely from reading physical newspapers to scrolling through social media feeds, which follows the testing structures found in the reference file B2 FCE Part 7_14.

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

Which person/section

1   expresses nostalgia for the sensory experience of a traditional newspaper?

2   mentions being introduced to news-seeking habits by an older relative?

3   admits that the constant influx of real-time updates causes them anxiety?

4   confesses to skimming brief summaries instead of thoroughly investigating stories?

5   altered their view regarding the trustworthiness of reports found online?

6   appreciates how digital consumption aligns with their eco-friendly values?

7   details a situation where a chance discovery online had a practical benefit?

8   values the opportunity to compare contrasting international perspectives on a single event?

9   objects to the high volume of sponsored content masquerading as genuine updates?

10   considers public feedback on a post to be uniquely insightful?

The Shift to Scrollytelling: How We Get Our News Now

A Liam

For years, my morning ritual was completely predictable: unrolling the crisp paper delivery over breakfast. I must confess I feel an intense nostalgia for that sensory experience—the smell of the fresh ink and the physical texture of the pages. Now, like my peers, I spend my mornings scanning my smartphone. Initially, I was highly skeptical about the trustworthiness of reports found online, preferring the vetted authority of established print journalists. However, I’ve gradually altered my view regarding the reliability of these alternative digital channels, realising they can be incredibly accurate. My main grievance nowadays revolves around my current feed; it is absolutely saturated with sponsored content masquerading as genuine updates, which makes tracking down real stories quite frustrating. I tried using a paid filter app to block them, but it was money down the drain. Nevertheless, the speed of digital media means I am never left out of the loop.

B Chloe

I was first introduced to news-seeking habits by an older relative, my grandfather, who wouldn’t let a day pass without completing the crossword and reading the front page. I took it for granted that I’d follow in his footsteps, but print media simply couldn’t keep pace with my lifestyle. Switching to social feeds was inevitable, and I appreciate how this complete transition to digital consumption perfectly aligns with my eco-friendly values, as the sheer waste of paper production used to bother me. Some of my friends find social media shallow, but I actually consider the public feedback and debates on a post to be uniquely insightful, sometimes offering a more grounded perspective than the piece itself. Of course, you have to watch out for false claims, but the community aspect is incredibly engaging. I even started a discussion group online last month, which has helped me feel more connected than ever to local issues.

C Sam

I used to think that keeping up with current affairs was an effortless task, but ever since I abandoned traditional print for social media, it has become overwhelming. I must admit that the constant influx of real-time updates causes me anxiety; your screen never stops blinking, and it feels as though everything is a major crisis. To prevent myself from panicking, I try to take mandatory breaks, but the temptation to scroll is relentless. Despite this psychological strain, there are undeniable advantages. Just last week, I experienced a situation where a chance discovery online had a practical benefit: I stumbled upon a local traffic update on my feed that allowed me to avoid a massive delay on my way to a crucial university exam. Had I relied on a delayed daily paper, I would have missed it entirely. While the non-stop pace is draining, instances like that prove the practical necessity of digital feeds.

D Elena

My lifestyle is incredibly fast-paced, so sitting down with a bulky, physical newspaper is something I simply don’t have time for anymore. Social platforms have completely revolutionized how I consume data. I must confess, though, that I have developed a habit of skimming brief summaries instead of thoroughly investigating stories. I rarely click through to the full text, choosing instead to get the gist of an issue in seconds before moving on. However, what I value most about this medium is the opportunity to compare contrasting international perspectives on a single event. By looking at how journalists from completely different backgrounds cover the same headline on my feed, I gain a far more balanced understanding than a national paper could ever provide. My parents think my attention span is ruined, but I believe I’m just consuming a wider range of opinions more efficiently than they ever did.

Exercises:   123456