Practice English Reading Exercises for B2 – Practical Life Skills 2

Exercises:   123456

Reading 1

You are going to read an article about four students talking about taking a personal finance class.

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

Which person/section

1   admits to initially holding a pessimistic view about the value of the lessons?

2   was intrigued by how our minds influence the way we handle money?

3   successfully altered their daily habits to finance an upcoming holiday?

4   expresses frustration that such essential skills are not taught to all pupils?

5   undertook the course to ensure they were ready for self-employment?

6   highlights how a hands-on task eliminated their fear of an official procedure?

7   realised they had a dangerous misconception about how borrowing operates?

8   felt momentarily overwhelmed by the sheer complexity of the subject matter?

9   acknowledges a past tendency to carelessly squander cash on trivial things?

10   intends to share their newfound financial knowledge with a relative?

Learning the Value of a Pound: Our Personal Finance Class

A Liam

I’ll admit, before signing up for this financial literacy module, I was incredibly naive about how credit cards actually function. I used to assume they were essentially free money, a magical plastic card that let you purchase whatever you desired instantly. The lesson on compound interest was a massive wake-up call; it suddenly dawned on me how easily a small loan can spiral into an unmanageable mountain of debt. What genuinely captivated me, however, wasn’t just the mathematics, but the behavioural economics we explored. Learning about the psychological triggers that retailers use to encourage impulse buying was absolutely fascinating. I’ve become far more mindful of my shopping habits, actively resisting the urge to buy things I don’t genuinely need. While the course required a lot of independent study, it was entirely worth the effort. It’s a relief to finally grasp how interest rates work before stepping out into the real world and potentially making a disastrous financial blunder.

B Maya

If it had been entirely up to me, I wouldn’t have gone anywhere near this personal finance class. My parents basically insisted I enrol, arguing that it would be highly beneficial, whereas I was convinced it would be a mind-numbingly dull series of lectures on accounting. I couldn’t have been more wrong. The budgeting workshops were incredibly eye-opening. When we tracked our expenses for a month, I was genuinely horrified to discover how much cash I was mindlessly throwing away on takeaway coffees and designer snacks. That realisation prompted an immediate lifestyle change. By cutting out those minor daily expenses, I’ve actually managed to put aside enough money to pay for a summer backpacking trip with my friends. It is incredibly empowering to see my savings account grow. Some of my peers struggled to keep up with the regular assignments, but I found the practical approach to managing personal wealth incredibly rewarding.

C Noah

Ever since I was young, I’ve dreamed of setting up my own freelance web design business. However, I was completely clueless about the financial obligations tied to working for oneself, which is exactly why I opted for this syllabus. Initially, I severely underestimated how dense the material would be. When we first tackled the intricacies of income tax and national insurance contributions, I was completely out of my depth. The endless jargon and complicated formulas left me feeling thoroughly overwhelmed. Thankfully, our tutor broke the concepts down into manageable chunks, and gradually, the fog lifted. Now, I understand exactly how to keep track of my invoices and declare my earnings legally. While other students found the module on credit scores more useful, getting my head around the tax system was my primary goal. It was undeniably a steep learning curve, but I now feel properly equipped to launch my career without the fear of being penalised by the tax authorities.

D Chloe

What strikes me as completely absurd is that we spend years at school studying algebra and ancient history, yet we are rarely taught how to survive financially in the real world. Taking this extracurricular class made me incredibly frustrated that such vital life skills aren’t a mandatory part of the national curriculum. For me, the most significant breakthrough came during a practical workshop where we had to complete a simulated annual tax return. I had always dreaded the prospect of filling out official government forms, assuming I would inevitably make a costly error. Being guided through the paperwork step-by-step completely cured my anxiety, making me feel remarkably capable and self-assured. The lessons on avoiding consumer debt were equally brilliant. In fact, the strategies were so straightforward that I’ve taken it upon myself to sit down and teach them to my younger brother. I firmly believe everyone should have access to this kind of practical empowerment.

Reading 2

You are going to read an article about four teenagers reviewing a survival skills workshop where they learned how to build a fire and navigate without a compass.

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

Which person/section

1   admits they originally assumed the weekend would be tedious?

2   experienced a sense of tranquility during an activity after dark?

3   acknowledges that prior reading was essential for their practical success?

4   successfully conquered a deep-seated anxiety thanks to the leader?

5   was taken aback by the level of bodily endurance required?

6   believes the mindset acquired will be beneficial in daily stressful situations?

7   felt irritated by their initial inability to master a basic survival technique?

8   made a geographical error by misinterpreting a natural sign?

9   highlights how shared adversity fostered a strong sense of group unity?

10   appreciates having had an excuse to disconnect from their smartphone?

Into the Wild: Teenagers Put Survival Skills to the Test

A Jake

If I’m completely honest, I had zero desire to attend a wilderness workshop. I had taken it for granted that spending two days in the damp woods would be mind-numbingly dull, and I was convinced I’d spend the entire time checking my watch. The first task, however, quickly wiped the smirk off my face. We were instructed to build a fire from scratch using only a bow drill and dry tinder. Having watched countless survival shows on television, I assumed it would be a breeze. In reality, I spent two hours aggressively spinning a wooden spindle until my hands were raw, without producing a single spark. I was overwhelmingly exasperated by my failure to master such a fundamental skill. Eventually, a teammate suggested I adjust my posture, and within minutes, a tiny ember began to glow. Coaxing that ember into a flame was incredibly rewarding. It was a steep learning curve, but it certainly taught me that practical skills require far more than just passive observation.

B Mia

For me, the most eye-opening aspect of the weekend was learning to navigate without a compass. Initially, I found it quite overwhelming. During our first daytime trek, we were taught to use the position of the sun and the growth patterns of moss on tree trunks to determine our heading. Unfortunately, I completely misinterpreted the shadows and led my patrol in the opposite direction for an hour! Despite that blunder, I quickly got the hang of it. My absolute favourite part, however, was the nighttime exercise. We were tasked with finding our way back to camp using solely the constellations. Rather than feeling intimidated by the pitch-black forest, I was overcome by a profound sense of serenity under the starlit sky. What’s more, there was absolutely no mobile reception in the valley. At first, I felt isolated, but I soon grew to cherish the digital detox. Being forced to unplug allowed me to fully engage with my surroundings, something I rarely do back home.

C Leo

I’ve always considered myself quite fit, but this workshop pushed me to my absolute limits. We were required to hike across rugged terrain carrying heavy equipment, and I was completely taken aback by the sheer bodily stamina it demanded. By the end of the first afternoon, my legs felt like lead. Yet, it was precisely this extreme exhaustion that forged such a tight-knit community among us. Sharing the burden of gathering firewood and building waterproof shelters in the pouring rain brought us closer together than any standard icebreaker activity ever could. We had to rely on each other to keep spirits high. Interestingly, the resilience I developed out there has shifted my perspective entirely. When we were taught how to remain calm and assess our resources in a hypothetical emergency, it resonated deeply with me. I strongly believe the mental fortitude I built during that gruelling weekend will be invaluable when dealing with the intense pressure of my upcoming university exams.

D Zoe

Knowing we would be navigating through a dense forest without modern tools, I had thoroughly immersed myself in survival literature prior to the trip. I had practically memorised the handbook on identifying edible plants and knot-tying. This extensive theoretical preparation paid off immensely, as I was able to construct a sturdy lean-to shelter on my very first attempt, much to the amazement of my peers. However, my biggest hurdle wasn’t physical, but psychological. I have always suffered from a crippling fear of the dark, so the prospect of the night navigation drill brought me out in a cold sweat. I genuinely considered dropping out of that activity. Fortunately, our instructor, Sarah, was incredibly supportive. She patiently walked alongside me, teaching me how to rely on my peripheral vision and hearing. Thanks to her reassurance, I managed to confront and defeat my phobia. It was an empowering experience that proved I am much more capable than I give myself credit for.

Exercises:   123456