Practice English Reading Exercises for B2 – Parental Influence & Generational Careers 3

Exercises:   123456

Reading 1

You are going to read an article about four professionals reflecting on how they unintentionally ended up in the exact same industry as their parents.

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 particular incident that prompted them to re-evaluate their professional path?

2   admits to displaying the same physical habits and expressions as their parent?

3   initially sought a career with highly regular working hours to contrast with their upbringing?

4   feels that their current job allows them to interact with the sector from a novel viewpoint?

5   initially accepted a position in the industry solely as a short-term solution?

6   felt a profound sense of emptiness despite earning a very lucrative salary?

7   realised they needed a tense, fast-paced atmosphere to maintain their intellectual focus?

8   acknowledges that the sensory conditions of the workplace originally drove them away?

9   feels remorse for having been so unsupportive of their parent’s demanding work schedule?

10   discovered an unexpected ability while carrying out duties in an unrelated job?

Following in Their Footsteps: The Accidental Family Business

A Leo

Growing up with a mother who was a prominent political correspondent, I deeply resented the constant ringing of the phone at dinner. I was fiercely determined to become a graphic designer, seeking a creative life far away from the relentless demands of breaking news. However, after graduating, I struggled to secure a permanent position and ended up taking a junior researcher role at a local newspaper purely as a stopgap. I never intended to stay, assuming I would leave as soon as an agency called. Yet, I quickly realised that I actually thrive on the adrenaline rush of chasing a difficult story. Had I not accepted that temporary gig, I would never have discovered how closely my temperament matches my mother’s. I used to think her job was overwhelmingly chaotic, but now I clearly understand that the unpredictable atmosphere is exactly what keeps me intellectually engaged. We frequently laugh about the irony now, and her professional advice has become absolutely invaluable to me.

B Maya

I spent my entire adolescence stubbornly vowing that I would never set foot in a hospital as a professional. My father was a dedicated surgeon, and his grueling, unpredictable shifts meant he was absent for countless school plays and family birthdays. Deliberately seeking the exact opposite lifestyle, I pursued a corporate administrative role that guaranteed a strict nine-to-five schedule. I genuinely thought I had it all figured out, but sitting at a desk staring at spreadsheets all day left me feeling entirely unfulfilled and disconnected from the real world. The undeniable turning point occurred when a colleague suddenly collapsed in the office, and I was forced to perform first aid until the paramedics arrived. That intense, terrifying moment of helping someone in distress triggered a profound epiphany. I immediately resigned and went back to university to study nursing. Now that I’m working on a busy ward, I deeply regret having been so critical of my dad’s dedication. He must have felt terribly torn between his patients and his family.

C Toby

As the son of two highly committed secondary school teachers, my childhood was dominated by endless dinner-table conversations about lesson plans, difficult students, and unmarked essays. I swore I’d choose a significantly more glamorous path, and initially, I succeeded in doing just that. I landed a highly-paid position in corporate finance, but despite the generous compensation and the fancy title, the day-to-day work felt remarkably hollow. Interestingly, I found myself eagerly volunteering to train the new graduate recruits at our firm. It turned out I had a natural aptitude for breaking down incredibly complex financial concepts into easily digestible chunks. This realisation prompted me to re-evaluate my priorities, and within a year, I had retrained as a secondary school mathematics teacher. The sheer irony of the situation certainly isn’t lost on me. Just the other day, I caught myself using the exact same phrases and authoritative hand gestures my mother used whenever she was explaining my homework to me. I guess you simply cannot escape your genetics!

D Chloe

Having been raised in the flat above my parents’ bustling Italian restaurant, I was completely put off by the relentless heat, the clattering of heavy pans, and the constant shouting in the kitchen. I promised myself a quiet, orderly existence, eventually completing a degree in business management. After spending a few years working in a sterile, silent corporate office, however, I realised I desperately missed the vibrant, chaotic energy of the hospitality sector. Instead of putting on an apron and learning how to cook, though, I decided to utilise my academic background to approach the industry from a completely different angle. I launched a specialized consultancy firm that helps traditional, family-run eateries modernise their outdated operational systems and digital marketing strategies. It’s incredibly rewarding to assist these independent businesses in thriving within the competitive digital age. I’m back in the noisy, demanding environment I once desperately tried to escape, but by focusing strictly on the corporate operations, I’ve finally found a way to make it work perfectly for me.

Reading 2

You are going to read an article about four young adults sharing the advantages of having a parent in the same industry who can offer insider advice and professional networking.

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

Which person/section

1   was initially concerned about being accused of relying on family connections?

2   appreciates their parent’s ability to comprehend the unique stresses of the role?

3   highlights learning the unwritten etiquette of their profession from their parent?

4   managed to secure a crucial introduction through a parent’s contact?

5   regularly seeks their parent’s guidance when navigating tricky career decisions?

6   credits their parent with helping them build resilience against criticism?

7   mentions that their parent’s past professional failures provided a useful lesson?

8   acknowledges that they still had to prove their own capabilities to employers?

9   points out that their parent discouraged them from giving up during a tough period?

10   relies on their parent’s past experiences to maintain a healthy routine?

Following in Their Footsteps: The Perks of an Industry Parent

A Leo

When I first decided to follow in my father’s footsteps and become an architect, I was actually terrified that my colleagues would assume everything had been handed to me on a silver platter. I desperately wanted to avoid accusations of nepotism. However, having a parent in the industry is undeniably advantageous. When I was looking for my first internship, my dad put in a good word with a highly respected senior partner at a top firm, which undoubtedly got my foot in the door. If he hadn’t made that initial introduction, my CV would probably have been completely ignored. Nevertheless, he made it abundantly clear that once I was in the interview room, I was completely on my own. I still had to demonstrate my own flair and technical competence to actually secure the job. Looking back, his professional network gave me a head start, but I had to work incredibly hard to earn the respect of my peers.

B Maya

My mother has been a broadcast journalist for decades, and her insider knowledge has been an absolute lifesaver. University taught me how to write compelling articles, but it didn’t teach me anything about office politics. Fortunately, my mum explained the unspoken rules of the newsroom, such as how to pitch ideas to intimidating editors without stepping on anyone’s toes. That kind of practical wisdom simply isn’t written in any textbook. Furthermore, the media industry can be brutal, and my first few published pieces received some harsh comments online. I was ready to throw in the towel, but my mum helped me develop a thicker skin. She pointed out that if I hadn’t received any negative feedback, my writing probably wasn’t challenging enough. Learning how to process external opinions constructively, rather than taking them personally, has dramatically improved my confidence and allowed me to thrive in a highly competitive environment.

C Sam

Working in the software development sector is incredibly fast-paced, and it is dangerously easy to make poor career choices. My dad worked through the initial dot-com boom in the late 1990s, and his historical perspective is absolutely invaluable to me. He made some significant missteps back then, such as accepting stock options instead of a reliable salary, and he has openly shared those failures with me. Consequently, whenever I am faced with a complex dilemma, like whether to join a risky startup or a stable corporation, I always run it by him first. His foresight prevents me from repeating his errors. Additionally, he constantly reminds me to maintain a sensible work-life balance. He burned out badly in his thirties, and his stern warnings have stopped me from falling into the same trap of working endless weekends. Having a mentor who genuinely cares about your well-being, rather than just your productivity, is a rare privilege.

D Chloe

Being a chef is notorious for its grueling hours and intense pressure. When I told my mum, who is an executive chef herself, that I wanted to go to culinary school, she was incredibly supportive. What I value most about our relationship is her profound understanding of what I go through on a daily basis. If I complain about the chaotic environment of a commercial kitchen, she completely gets it, whereas my friends in corporate jobs simply cannot relate to the heat and the shouting. During my first year as a junior chef, I was completely overwhelmed by the workload and seriously considered quitting. However, my mum sat me down and refused to let me abandon my dreams. She reminded me of why I loved cooking in the first place and helped me find the mental toughness to endure that difficult transition. I honestly wouldn’t have made it without her unwavering encouragement.

Exercises:   123456