Practice English Reading Exercises for B2 – Physical Education & Extracurriculars 10

Exercises:   123456

Reading 1

You are going to read an article about four students talking about the cultural exchange they experienced while hosting foreign students from a partner school.

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 somewhat ashamed of the meals they provided?

2   initially felt frustrated by their guest’s relaxed approach to punctuality?

3   managed to forge a strong connection through a mutual hobby?

4   eventually grew to value their guest’s incredibly frank way of speaking?

5   noticed a strikingly quiet atmosphere in their home after their guest departed?

6   picked up a valuable habit regarding environmental conservation?

7   admits that the visit prompted them to behave in a much more outgoing manner?

8   had to adjust their own sleeping schedule to accommodate their guest’s lifestyle?

9   initially mistook their guest’s directness for a lack of courtesy?

10   relied on creating rough illustrations to bridge a communication gap?

Opening Our Doors: The Reality of Hosting an Exchange Student

A Liam

I was incredibly apprehensive about hosting Hiro, mainly because my Japanese is virtually non-existent. For the first couple of days, the language barrier was a major hurdle. We relied heavily on translation apps and drawing crude pictures on my phone to get our points across! I also felt completely out of my depth when it came to dinner times. After hearing about the sophisticated dishes he was used to eating back in Kyoto, serving him beans on toast made me cringe inwardly. Fortunately, the ice was finally broken when I discovered we were both avid fans of a particular fantasy video game. We spent hours playing in co-op mode, and that shared enthusiasm completely bridged the gap. By the time he packed his bags, we had developed a solid friendship. The house certainly felt a bit empty when he left, but the experience taught me that genuine connection doesn’t always require perfect grammar.

B Chloe

Having Lucia stay with us was a massive eye-opener, particularly regarding our daily routines. I’ve always been a stickler for keeping to a schedule, and I tend to panic if things don’t go exactly to plan. Lucia, however, had a beautifully relaxed attitude towards the clock. At first, her tendency to run fifteen minutes late for everything drove me up the wall, but I soon realised that she simply valued living in the moment over rushing. I also had to get used to staying up much later; she was accustomed to having dinner at 9 PM and chatting well into the night, which meant my usual 10 PM bedtime was thrown out the window. Ultimately, she taught me to loosen up and take things in my stride. I still like to be on time, but I no longer let minor delays ruin my day.

C Noah

When Lukas first arrived, I actually found him quite intimidating. If he didn’t like a television programme or a meal, he would say so directly. Coming from a culture where people politely pretend to enjoy things to avoid causing offence, I initially took his bluntness to heart and assumed he was just being rude. However, once we cleared the air, I realised that his straightforwardness was actually incredibly refreshing. You always knew exactly where you stood with him. Another thing that struck me was his meticulous approach to recycling. He was genuinely shocked by how much plastic my family threw away without a second thought. His dedication rubbed off on us, and we’ve since completely overhauled our waste management at home. It’s funny how someone from a completely different background can hold up a mirror to your own daily habits and prompt you to do better.

D Mia

I’ve always been naturally introverted, so inviting a stranger into my sanctuary was a big leap of faith. Gabriela was a whirlwind of energy from the moment she walked through the door. She brought an infectious enthusiasm to our home, constantly playing music and involving my whole family in lively discussions over dinner. Initially, the sheer volume of her personality was a little much for me to process, but her warmth was impossible to resist. To my absolute amazement, I found myself coming out of my shell, joining in with her spontaneous kitchen dance routines and suggesting group outings. I behaved in ways my friends had never seen before! When she eventually flew back to São Paulo, the sudden silence in our house was almost deafening. It took me a few weeks to adjust to the peace again, but she left me with a newfound sense of self-assurance.

Reading 2

You are going to read an article about four teenagers reviewing the benefits of a school program that requires them to do 50 hours of community volunteering.

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 feared the commitment would negatively impact their academic performance?

2   appreciates seeing the immediate physical impact of their efforts?

3   mentions that the experience unexpectedly influenced their future study plans?

4   successfully conquered a personal insecurity during their placement?

5   was surprised to form a connection with someone from a completely different generation?

6   points out that the initiative helped break down social barriers among students?

7   learned to adapt their communication style to suit others?

8   admits they initially resented being forced to participate in the scheme?

9   found that the physical demands of the role were heavier than anticipated?

10   discovered that the voluntary work actually served as an effective way to relieve tension?

Giving Back: How 50 Hours Changed Our Lives

A Leo

When the school announced the mandatory fifty-hour volunteering initiative, I was bitterly disappointed. I was already struggling to juggle my coursework and basketball practice, so I naturally assumed this extra burden would cause my grades to plummet. I chose to help out at a local food bank, purely because it was close to home. However, to my absolute astonishment, I soon realised I was actually looking forward to my weekly shifts. Rather than hindering my studies, sorting donations and interacting with the public provided a much-needed escape from exam pressure. It was incredibly therapeutic to focus on something other than myself. Furthermore, being forced to stick to a strict schedule meant I stopped procrastinating and became far more efficient with my revision time. I can honestly say I wouldn’t have started volunteering if I hadn’t been made to, but I plan to keep going even now that my fifty hours are officially up.

B Maya

I decided to complete my hours at a nearby residential care home, although I initially suspected it would be rather dull. I couldn’t have been more wrong. I was paired up with a resident named Arthur, who is in his eighties, to help him write his memoirs. I hadn’t expected to have anything in common with someone decades older than me, but we instantly hit it off. Listening to his fascinating tales of growing up during the mid-twentieth century completely changed my perspective on the past. In fact, it was so inspiring that I’ve decided to apply for a History degree next year, something I had never previously considered. The experience taught me not to take my youth for granted and showed me the value of preserving personal histories. While some of my classmates complained about the time commitment, I genuinely cherished every single minute I spent chatting with Arthur.

C Sam

For my placement, a group of us were tasked with transforming a derelict plot of land behind the school into a community garden. I am fairly active, but hauling heavy bags of soil and digging flowerbeds in the blazing sun was utterly exhausting; I certainly hadn’t bargained for such a rigorous bodily workout! Nevertheless, there is a profound sense of satisfaction that comes from looking at a vibrant, blossoming space and knowing you built it from scratch. It is incredibly rewarding to witness the literal fruits of your labour. Another unexpected bonus was the camaraderie. Our team consisted of teenagers from various classes who wouldn’t ordinarily hang out together. However, working towards a shared goal forced us to collaborate, and those awkward social divisions quickly melted away. Although I don’t plan on taking up landscaping professionally, I feel incredibly proud of what we achieved and the new friendships that blossomed along with the garden.

D Chloe

My fifty hours were spent as a peer mentor at a primary school’s after-school homework club. As someone who has always been incredibly shy, the prospect of standing up and explaining maths concepts to a room full of energetic ten-year-olds was absolutely terrifying. During the first few sessions, my voice would shake, and I struggled to keep their attention. Slowly but surely, however, I learned to project my voice and command the room. I also quickly discovered that a one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t work; if a child couldn’t grasp a concept, I had to completely alter my explanation to match their individual learning style. It was a steep learning curve, but seeing their faces light up when they finally understood a difficult problem was magical. This programme pushed me well out of my comfort zone, and the self-assurance I’ve gained has been invaluable. I no longer dread speaking up in my own classes.

Exercises:   123456