Practice English Reading Exercises for B2 – Physical Education & Extracurriculars 4

Exercises:   123456

Reading 1

You are going to read an article about four students sharing their motivations for joining the school debate team and how it improved their critical thinking.

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 primarily driven by the desire to enhance their future academic prospects?

2   discovered the value of separating their personal feelings from objective data?

3   originally joined to satisfy their desire to win arguments in their personal life?

4   admits they had to learn the importance of acknowledging when an opponent makes a good point?

5   highlights their newfound ability to process vast quantities of data quickly?

6   decided to participate in order to conquer a deep-seated anxiety?

7   mentions that the activity taught them to predict what their opponents might say next?

8   was initially motivated by a strong dedication to a particular social cause?

9   highlights that they shifted from merely waiting for their turn to speak to genuinely paying attention?

10   notes that the skills acquired helped them see topics from completely different perspectives?

Finding Our Voices: How the Debate Team Changed How We Think

A Alex

I used to be terrified of speaking in front of crowds. Just the thought of it would make me break out in a cold sweat. I finally decided to bite the bullet and join the debate society strictly to overcome this paralyzing phobia. It was incredibly daunting at first, but it turned out to be the best decision I’ve ever made. Besides building my confidence, it has completely transformed my critical thinking. Previously, I only ever considered my own viewpoint on any given topic. Now, the preparation process forces me to put myself in other people’s shoes. I’ve learned to thoroughly analyse an issue from multiple, often opposing, angles. Furthermore, to be a successful debater, you can’t just memorize a speech; you have to anticipate the counter-arguments the other team might throw at you. Being able to predict their next move and having a rebuttal ready has made my mind much sharper and far more adaptable.

B Chloe

If I’m completely honest, my initial motivation for signing up was purely strategic. I was advised by my career counselor that elite universities look favourably upon applicants with strong extracurricular activities, and debating seemed like the perfect addition to my CV. I didn’t join because I loved arguing—in fact, conflicts usually make me slightly anxious! However, the experience has been an absolute revelation. Before this, whenever I discussed a controversial topic, I would easily get swept up in my emotions and let my personal biases dictate my stance. The team coach taught us how to systematically dismantle an argument using logic and verifiable statistics. I’ve discovered the crucial importance of detaching my own feelings from the hard facts. Now, whenever I read a news article, I automatically look for the objective evidence rather than just agreeing with the emotive language. It’s a skill that will undoubtedly benefit my future studies.

C Jamal

I’ve always been incredibly competitive, and I used to drive my parents crazy by constantly arguing with them over the dinner table. I joined the debate club simply because I wanted to sharpen my skills and win every single disagreement at home. But the training process completely altered my understanding of what makes a good debate. In the past, whenever someone else was talking, I wasn’t really listening; I was merely waiting for my turn to speak so I could prove them wrong. The club taught me that active listening is actually your most powerful weapon. You have to genuinely absorb what your opponent is saying to identify the flaws in their logic. Moreover, I had to swallow my pride and learn that conceding a well-made point doesn’t make you weak; it actually makes your overall position more credible. I still love a good argument, but I approach them with much more maturity now.

D Mia

My decision to participate stemmed from a deep-rooted passion for environmental conservation. I was extremely frustrated by the lack of action on climate change in our local community, and I realized that to persuade people, I needed a proper platform to articulate my views effectively. While I initially struggled with the strict time limits during competitions, the format forced me to refine my critical thinking remarkably. When you are handed a complex motion just minutes before a round, you must sift through a mountain of data and extract the most relevant information at lightning speed. Learning how to swiftly synthesize all that dense material into a coherent, persuasive speech is incredibly challenging, but it’s immensely rewarding. Some of my peers joined to boost their university applications, but for me, it was always about making a difference. Now, I feel fully equipped to advocate for the causes I care about without getting bogged down by irrelevant details.

Reading 2

You are going to read an article about four young people discussing the hard work and teamwork required to be part of a school marching band.

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

Which person/section

1   describes how wearing a specific outfit alters their mindset?

2   confesses they originally misjudged the bodily strength required for the activity?

3   acknowledges that an individual blunder of theirs spoiled a collective routine?

4   had to stop doing a different extracurricular pursuit in order to commit to the band?

5   emphasises that blending in is more important than standing out as a musician?

6   points out that coping with harsh weather brought the team closer together?

7   believes the demanding timetable is justified by the close friendships formed?

8   talks about the difficulty of remembering both musical notes and physical positions simultaneously?

9   appreciates the practical advice received from more experienced peers?

10   admits they initially found it hard to cope with the sheer volume of sound?

Stepping in Time: The Reality of Marching Band

A Liam

When I first auditioned for the brass section, I was under the illusion that my primary focus would simply be hitting the right notes. I completely took for granted how physically draining it is to carry a heavy tuba while marching in perfectly straight lines. During my first week of summer camp, my arms and legs were absolutely aching, and I quickly realised I had drastically underestimated the stamina required. Moreover, you aren’t just playing; you have to memorise complex musical arrangements alongside dozens of specific coordinates on the football pitch. Trying to recall exactly where I was supposed to stand while flawlessly executing a difficult melody was initially mind-boggling. However, we drill these formations until they become second nature. If one person steps out of place, the entire visual effect is ruined. It demands absolute precision, but when we finally nail a complex routine, the sense of collective achievement is truly unparalleled.

B Maya

Having played the flute as a solo instrumentalist for years, joining the marching band was a massive culture shock. I was accustomed to playing at my own tempo and trying to stand out. Here, however, blending in and matching your peers’ rhythm is paramount. You have to constantly listen to the people around you, adjusting your stride and volume so the band moves and sounds as a single entity. I learned this the hard way during a regional competition. I got too enthusiastic during a crescendo, sped up my marching pace, and ended up bumping into the clarinets ahead of me, creating a domino effect that threw off the entire visual display. I was mortified by my mistake and felt like I had let everyone down. Fortunately, the director helped me bounce back, teaching me that true musicality in a marching band means putting the group’s cohesion before your own individual ego.

C Julian

Committing to the drumline essentially means waving goodbye to your free time. Between after-school rehearsals, weekend competitions, and Friday night football matches, the schedule is relentlessly demanding. In fact, I actually had to drop out of the school swimming club just to keep up with the band’s itinerary. Initially, trying to juggle my academic deadlines with band practice left me feeling utterly overwhelmed. I probably would have quit had it not been for the older drummers in my section. They took me under their wing, sharing invaluable tips on how to manage my study time efficiently during long bus rides to away games. Looking back, any sacrifices I made have been completely worth it. The sheer number of hours we spend sweating through rigorous drills creates an unbreakable bond. You endure the exhaustion together, and those deep relationships are what motivate me to keep going when the timetable feels too heavy to handle.

D Chloe

Stepping onto a massive stadium field in front of thousands of spectators is an incredibly daunting experience. At first, I found it almost impossible to concentrate. The sheer roar of the crowd, combined with the booming percussion and blaring trumpets, can be an absolute sensory overload. However, the moment I zip up my formal marching jacket and put on my plumed hat, a psychological shift occurs. It’s as if putting on the attire instantly transforms my nerves into fierce concentration. We’ve certainly faced our fair share of disasters, too. Last November, a sudden downpour struck right in the middle of our halftime show. We were soaked to the bone and shivering, yet nobody missed a single beat. Struggling through that freezing rain actually brought us closer together as a unit. We laughed about it on the coach home, realising that if we could survive that, we could tackle absolutely any performance thrown our way.

Exercises:   123456