Practice English Reading Exercises for B2 – Practical Life Skills 11

Exercises:   123456

Reading 1

You are going to read an article about four students discussing different study techniques they experimented with.

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

Which person

1   admits they used to mistakenly believe that reading passively was an effective strategy?

2   appreciates being forced to step away from their work regularly?

3   found that their new method highlights the specific areas they haven’t truly grasped?

4   says their chosen technique ensures knowledge is retained over a long period?

5   struggled to see how different concepts related to one another in the past?

6   mentions a previous tendency to push themselves to the point of exhaustion?

7   relies on a piece of software to dictate when they should review topics?

8   initially felt self-conscious when applying their new study method?

9   notes that their technique allows them to express their artistic side?

10   used to suffer from extreme anxiety due to leaving their revision late?

Finding the Perfect Formula: Our Study Technique Experiments

A Leo

I used to be under the illusion that staring at my textbooks for six uninterrupted hours was the hallmark of a dedicated student. Consequently, I would push myself to the limit, burning the midnight oil until my brain simply stopped absorbing data. Then, a tutor suggested the Pomodoro technique. It works by breaking your study time into twenty-five-minute intervals of intense focus, followed by a mandatory five-minute rest. At first, it felt counterproductive to stop just when I was getting into the flow of an essay, but I soon realised how vital those short pauses are. I no longer feel completely drained by the end of the day. Although I occasionally use colourful diagrams to brainstorm ideas, the real secret to my recent academic success has been these enforced periods of downtime. The constant ticking of the timer keeps me focused, and I bounce back from study fatigue much faster than I ever did before.

B Maya

For a long time, my revision notes consisted of endless, monotonous lists of bullet points. While I could easily memorise individual facts, I frequently found it impossible to figure out how all the different historical events linked together; the broader context completely escaped me. Out of sheer frustration, I switched to mind mapping. Taking a blank sheet of paper and drawing branches that connect central themes to smaller subtopics was an absolute revelation. It fundamentally altered my perspective. Furthermore, it gives me a chance to unleash my imagination, using different coloured pens and doodles to represent various theories. It’s far more engaging than simply copying out textbook paragraphs! Some of my friends swear by studying in short bursts with a timer, but my priority is visualising the entire syllabus at a single glance. Since adopting this highly creative strategy, my essays have become far more coherent, as I finally comprehend how the underlying arguments interrelate.

C Sam

I was notorious for putting off my revision until the eleventh hour. The night before a biology exam, I would be in an absolute state of panic, desperately trying to cram hundreds of scientific terms into my head. Unsurprisingly, I’d pass the test but forget absolutely everything a week later. Now, I use a digital flashcard application based on spaced repetition. The software uses a clever algorithm to calculate exactly when I’m about to forget a piece of information and prompts me to review it right then. I essentially let the application manage my entire revision schedule. It took a while to get the hang of it, and setting up the flashcards requires a considerable amount of upfront effort. However, this systematic approach ensures that the facts are permanently locked into my long-term memory. I no longer experience those terrifying late-night cramming sessions, and my grades have steadily improved without any of the unnecessary stress.

D Chloe

I used to take it for granted that if I highlighted a page in my textbook in neon yellow, I had magically absorbed the information. That passive approach gave me a false sense of security, which quickly crumbled under exam conditions. To tackle this, I adopted the Feynman technique, which essentially involves explaining complex concepts in the simplest terms possible, as if you were teaching a child. Initially, I felt incredibly foolish standing in my bedroom, talking aloud to an imaginary classroom. However, that awkwardness quickly faded. As soon as I stumble over my words or resort to using confusing jargon, it instantly exposes the exact areas where my comprehension is flawed. I can then go back and review those specific gaps. Instead of mindlessly scanning pages for hours on end, I am actively interacting with the material. This method ensures I genuinely understand the core mechanics of a topic, rather than just reciting phrases like a parrot.

Reading 2

You are going to read an article about four teenagers sharing their intense experiences and strategies for surviving the final week of exam preparations.

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

Which person/section

1   deliberately explains concepts aloud to check their own understanding?

2   found that altering their physical study environment proved beneficial?

3   experienced a negative outcome when trying to collaborate with peers?

4   relies on a specific audio background to maintain their concentration?

5   admits that their nutritional habits worsen during this stressful period?

6   uses physical activity as a primary method to alleviate tension?

7   struggles to switch off and get adequate rest at night?

8   depends on a time-management method to prevent mental fatigue?

9   successfully eliminated online distractions by cutting off their internet access?

10   transforms their written notes into colourful diagrams to remember facts better?

Crunch Time: Surviving the Final Week of Exams

A Liam

The final week before exams is always a gruelling marathon. Initially, I thought that teaming up with my classmates would be a brilliant strategy to cover more ground. However, that approach completely backfired; our sessions inevitably deteriorated into endless chatting, meaning we got absolutely nothing done. Consequently, I now firmly believe in flying solo. To prevent myself from having a total meltdown, I make a point of hitting the gym or going for a vigorous run every single evening. Sweating it out genuinely clears my head and stops me from feeling overwhelmed. I’ve also come to terms with the fact that cramming until 3 a.m. is incredibly counterproductive. Even though my parents constantly nag me to eat healthier, I manage to stick to a balanced diet, which keeps my energy levels stable throughout the day. If I hadn’t incorporated physical workouts into my daily routine, I would definitely have burnt out by now.

B Chloe

Surviving the ultimate week of revision requires a massive amount of self-discipline. Personally, I am a highly visual learner, so reading endless chunks of black-and-white text is a complete waste of time for me. Instead, I heavily rely on converting my textbooks into vibrant, colour-coded mind maps. Illustrating the connections between theories really helps cement the information in my memory. One major issue I continually grapple with, though, is insomnia. My brain refuses to shut down after staring at notes all day, leaving me tossing and turning for hours. To stop myself from going stir-crazy in my bedroom, I make a conscious effort to mix up my surroundings. Shifting my books to the local library or a quiet café does wonders for my productivity. A change of scenery essentially tricks my mind into staying alert. Some people swear by listening to classical music while they work, but I need absolute silence to absorb anything complex.

C Noah

When the academic pressure really mounts, my biggest enemy is undoubtedly my smartphone. I used to be terribly prone to procrastinating, endlessly scrolling through social media feeds when I should have been revising. To tackle this, I installed an aggressive software blocker that entirely restricts my access to distracting websites until my exams are over. Unplugging like this has been an absolute game-changer. In addition, I swear by dividing my study hours into manageable chunks. I tackle past papers in strict twenty-five-minute bursts, followed by a brief break. This structured rhythm stops my brain from turning to mush and keeps me surprisingly sharp. Sadly, my self-control doesn’t extend to my eating habits. The moment stress kicks in, I completely abandon home-cooked meals and practically survive on sugary snacks and fizzy drinks. I know it’s a terrible coping mechanism, but having a stash of chocolate on my desk is the only thing keeping me going!

D Maya

My ultimate survival tactic for the final revision push might sound a bit bizarre to some. Instead of silently highlighting paragraphs, I pretend I’m a teacher giving a lecture to an imaginary classroom. By attempting to break down complicated subjects and say them out loud, I quickly expose the gaps in my own knowledge. If I can’t articulate a concept simply, it means I haven’t genuinely grasped it. Another absolute must for me is having the right soundtrack. I’ve curated a specific playlist of instrumental movie scores that instantly gets me into the zone. The moment I put my headphones on, all the background noise fades away, and I can completely immerse myself in my work. My brother prefers dragging his laptop to different coffee shops, but I find packing up and moving around far too disruptive. As long as I have my tunes and my whiteboard, I can hunker down at my desk and weather the academic storm.

Exercises:   123456