Practice English Reading Exercises for B2 – Musical Journeys & Creative Hobbies 4

Exercises:   123456

Reading 1

You are going to read an article about four individuals discussing how painting landscapes with watercolors completely changed the way they observe light and nature.

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 felt frustrated by the medium’s unpredictability before seeing it as a reflection of the natural world?

2   realised that parts of a scene hidden from the sun still contain a rich variety of colours?

3   mentions that their new hobby forced them to abandon a faster-paced method of recording scenery?

4   experienced a shift in attitude towards a time of year they previously found uninspiring?

5   appreciates how the necessary speed of the painting process mirrors the temporary nature of their subject?

6   admits that their early attempts at capturing nature were overly simplistic in their use of shades?

7   states that observing the environment closely has made them accept flaws in their own artwork?

8   discovered unexpected beauty in vegetation that has shed its foliage?

9   admits to habitually visualising the precise colour combinations required to recreate the scenery during everyday walks?

10   explains that the physical behaviour of the paint itself taught them to observe moving elements more closely?

A New Perspective: How Watercolours Change the Way We See

A Liam

Before taking up watercolours, my primary way of capturing the outdoors was through the lens of a camera. I would snap dozens of photos during a hike, barely pausing to actually look at my surroundings. Swapping my digital camera for a sketchbook completely altered my pace. Watercolours dry incredibly fast, meaning you have to work with a sense of urgency, especially when trying to document the fading glow of a sunset. This constant race against time made me acutely aware of how transient natural illumination truly is. I used to think a sunset was a static image, but now I notice how the golden rays shift and morph every few seconds. If I hadn’t made the switch, I would still be rushing through the countryside, entirely missing the subtle transitions of dusk. Although I occasionally miss the convenience of photography, the sheer concentration required to paint has made me appreciate the fleeting magic of nature in a way I never thought possible.

B Maya

When I first dabbled in painting, my approach to capturing the landscape was embarrassingly basic. Grass was simply green, the sky was merely blue, and anything cast in shade was inevitably painted with a heavy, flat black. It wasn’t until an instructor pointed out my mistake that my eyes were truly opened. Now, I realise that areas deprived of direct sunlight are actually teeming with vibrant, hidden hues. Shadows aren’t just dark voids; they reflect the deep purples, cool blues, and rich browns of their environment. This revelation has profoundly changed my daily routine. I honestly can no longer stroll through the local park without automatically calculating the exact ratio of pigments I’d need to recreate the dappled shade beneath an oak tree. Coming to terms with this complexity was challenging at first, but it has completely cured me of taking the visual richness of the natural world for granted.

C Thomas

I have always been a bit of a perfectionist, so my initial encounters with watercolours were infuriating. Unlike oil paints, which stay exactly where you put them, watercolours have a mind of their own. They bleed, pool, and blend unpredictably on the paper. For weeks, I struggled against the medium, desperately trying to dictate its flow. However, my perspective shifted when I started painting beside a local stream. I watched the water carving its own path around rocks, realising that nature itself refuses to be perfectly controlled. Consequently, I learned to let the paint mimic the erratic behaviour of the river. Letting go of my need for absolute precision not only improved my technique but also helped me embrace the charming imperfections in my own creations. By allowing the watery pigments to interact naturally, I finally learned to observe and respect the raw, untamed movement of the environment.

D Elena

In the past, I dreaded the arrival of December. To my mind, the countryside became a bleak, desolate wasteland, completely devoid of anything worth looking at. I would pack away my art supplies in autumn and ignore them until spring. However, challenging myself to paint outdoors year-round sparked a remarkable transformation in my attitude. Forcing myself to observe the stark, freezing landscape revealed a captivating beauty I had previously dismissed. Without the distraction of lush foliage, the intricate, skeletal structures of bare trees suddenly became fascinating to draw. Furthermore, I started to notice the delicate, pale tones of the winter sun filtering through the frost. It was a steep learning curve, braving the bitter cold to mix icy washes on paper, but it effectively broke my prejudice. I now find myself eagerly anticipating the stark contrasts of the colder months, seeing them as a canvas full of subtle possibilities.

Reading 2

You are going to read an article about four teenagers talking about the self-discipline required to practice their instruments for hours a day instead of hanging out with friends.

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 a sense of isolation during their individual practice sessions?

2   relies on a strict timetable to manage their commitments?

3   missed a significant social event to prepare for an important performance?

4   feels that playing their instrument helps them relieve stress?

5   struggles with restricted hours for practicing due to the nature of their instrument?

6   is motivated by keeping their future objectives clearly visible?

7   states that the drive to succeed comes entirely from within themselves?

8   admits to experiencing moments where they wanted to give up entirely?

9   finds a social aspect in their musical journey despite the solitary practice?

10   views the visible improvement in their skills as the ultimate reward?

The Price of Practice: Teenagers and their Instruments

A Leo

I’ve been playing the piano since I was eight, and to be honest, dedicating three hours a day to scales is incredibly draining. There have been countless times when I’ve been on the verge of throwing in the towel, especially when my phone is buzzing with messages from mates meeting up at the park. What prevents me from quitting is the undeniable sense of achievement when I finally master a complex piece. That tangible progress makes the sacrifice worthwhile. To balance my academic workload and my music, I stick rigidly to a daily schedule. If I didn’t map out my week in advance, I would easily get distracted and end up achieving nothing. I do suffer from a bit of a fear of missing out, but I’ve come to terms with the fact that you can’t excel at a high level without making some tough choices. Had I given in to temptation last year, I would never have passed my grade eight exam.

B Maya

Playing the violin at a competitive level requires an immense amount of dedication. Unlike some kids whose parents force them to practice, my folks have always left it up to me. Ultimately, the burning desire to succeed has to come from my own ambition, not external pressure. It can be a lonely journey, though. Just last weekend, my best friend threw a massive birthday bash, and I had to turn down the invitation because I had a crucial regional audition the following morning. Turning off my phone and picking up my bow instead of putting on a party dress was heartbreaking. However, when I walked out on stage and delivered a flawless performance, I knew I had made the right call. It’s hard to watch my peers hang out effortlessly, but achieving my musical dreams demands a level of focus that leaves little room for spontaneous socializing. I often remind myself that the temporary disappointment of missing out pales in comparison to the thrill of winning a competition.

C Sam

As a drummer, my biggest hurdle isn’t necessarily a lack of motivation, but rather the sheer volume of my instrument. Because of the noise, my neighbours have imposed a strict window for me to play: strictly between five and seven in the evening. Unfortunately, this is the exact time my friends usually gather at the local café after school. Knowing they are all chatting and laughing while I am sweating away in a stuffy garage can be deeply frustrating. Nevertheless, whenever I feel overwhelmed by exam pressure or teenage drama, thrashing out a heavy rock rhythm is the perfect way to let off steam. It clears my head completely. I might miss out on a few jokes or after-school hangouts, but the therapeutic effect of my practice sessions is invaluable. If I were forced to give up drumming, I’d probably be a much more anxious person overall. My mates occasionally tease me about my rigid routine, but they ultimately respect my commitment to the band.

D Chloe

The cello is a beautiful but demanding companion. While I absolutely love performing as part of the county youth orchestra, which provides a fantastic circle of like-minded friends, the reality of solo practice is entirely different. Spending four hours alone in my bedroom running through intricate bowing techniques brings on a profound sense of isolation. When the silence of the house gets too much, I sometimes catch myself staring out the window, wishing I could join my classmates at the cinema. To combat this, I’ve stuck a list of my long-term musical targets on the wall directly above my music stand. Looking up and seeing those goals printed out serves as a constant reminder of why I’m putting myself through this gruelling routine. While my non-musical friends don’t always grasp why I can’t just hang out on a Saturday afternoon, my orchestral peers completely understand the necessary sacrifices. Together, we share the burden of this demanding lifestyle, making the solitary hours feel like part of a much bigger, shared journey.

Exercises:   123456