Practice English Reading Exercises for B2 – School-based Environmental Activities 5

Exercises:   123456

Reading 1

You are going to read an article about four students discussing the controversy and backlash they faced from peers when they successfully campaigned for a “Meatless Monday” in the school dining hall.

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 that their mental health was negatively affected by the reactions of their friends?

2   regrets the lack of clear information provided prior to the initiative?

3   was surprised by the hostile nature of the digital response?

4   points out that the quality of the meals eventually altered student opinions?

5   almost abandoned the project due to the intense pressure?

6   mentions that they were accused of imposing their personal values on others?

7   highlights the reassuring backing they received from adults at the institution?

8   states that a concession had to be reached to get the scheme approved?

9   acknowledges that the experience taught them the importance of remaining true to their convictions?

10   originally assumed their peers would back the idea for ecological reasons?

The Cafeteria Clash: Surviving the Meatless Monday Backlash

A Liam

When our committee successfully implemented Meatless Monday, I genuinely took it for granted that our classmates would applaud the ecological benefits. I had assumed that highlighting the urgent need to reduce our carbon footprint would easily win everyone over. However, I was completely taken aback by the sheer hostility of the comments on the school forum. People were absolutely furious! To get the headteacher on board initially, a concession had to be made: we agreed to allow fish as a secondary option, meaning the menu wasn’t strictly vegetarian. Despite reaching this middle ground, the digital outrage was overwhelming. I suppose people simply resent having their daily routines disrupted without their consent. If I had known how toxic the online environment would become, I would have mentally prepared myself better. Luckily, I bounced back, but it was a harsh introduction to campus politics.

B Chloe

The number of face-to-face confrontations I had to deal with in the aftermath was thoroughly exhausting. As soon as the first meat-free menu was officially posted, I was frequently cornered by angry students in the corridors. They aggressively claimed that our committee was dictating their diets and unfairly forcing our personal ethical standards onto the entire student body. Looking back with hindsight, I realise we made a significant tactical error. We really should have launched a comprehensive awareness campaign beforehand, focusing heavily on the health advantages of plant-based eating. Had we clearly communicated how balanced and nutritious the new dishes were going to be, the transition would undoubtedly have been much smoother. I have certainly come to terms with the fact that you cannot alter people’s lifelong eating habits overnight without providing them with a solid, well-reasoned explanation prior to the change.

C Noah

Navigating the sudden backlash was undeniably tough, and the constant stream of complaints was draining. What truly kept our campaign afloat during the darkest days was the unexpected solidarity we received from the faculty. Several senior teachers publicly praised our initiative during morning assembly, which provided a massive morale boost and validated our efforts. Interestingly, the actual turning point for many of the most vocal student critics wasn’t an environmental debate, but the lunch service itself. The catering staff went out of their way to prepare fantastic, flavourful dishes, such as spicy lentil enchiladas and rich mushroom moussaka. Once the students actually sat down and tasted the meals, the grumbling died down considerably. It proved that the outrage was mostly based on the false assumption that vegetarian food is always bland. Watching people ask for second helpings of a dish they had protested against was incredibly satisfying.

D Maya

I honestly hadn’t anticipated how much a simple debate over cafeteria food could end up straining personal relationships. Some individuals in my own close friendship circle were highly critical of the campaign, which quickly resulted in some incredibly awkward and tense lunch breaks. Dealing with their persistent, sarcastic remarks took a severe toll on my emotional well-being, leaving me feeling deeply isolated. There was actually a moment when the social pressure became so suffocating that I seriously considered asking the principal to pull the plug on the whole project. Fortunately, I managed to brush that defeatist thought aside. I realised that abandoning a cause I deeply believed in simply to avoid social friction would be something I’d always regret. Pushing through the hostility ultimately taught me that standing up for your core principles is rarely comfortable, but it is absolutely essential for your own integrity.

Reading 2

You are going to read an article about four teenagers describing the meticulous process of setting up a school composting system and dealing with the unpleasant smells initially.

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 that official approval was required before they could proceed?

2   was initially tempted to abandon the initiative because of the unbearable stench?

3   had to source specific dry ingredients to resolve the odour problem?

4   explains that a chemical imbalance was the root cause of the initial stink?

5   took responsibility for instructing peers on appropriate waste disposal?

6   admits they hadn’t anticipated how exhausting the maintenance would be?

7   highlights the satisfaction of seeing the end product put to practical use?

8   was forced to defend the project when school staff voiced their displeasure?

9   regularly recorded environmental measurements to ensure the system functioned correctly?

10   describes the hands-on process of assembling the physical containers themselves?

The Sweet Smell of Success: Our Composting Journey

A Leo

When I first pitched the idea of a school composting system, I took it for granted that the hardest part would be building the infrastructure. My friends and I spent weeks sourcing discarded wooden pallets and meticulously assembling them into three massive containers at the edge of the playing field. However, the real challenge began once the bins were filled. We enthusiastically dumped in mountains of leftover fruit and vegetable scraps from the cafeteria. Within a fortnight, an absolutely revolting smell began to emanate from our creation. It was a steep learning curve; I hadn’t done enough research and failed to realise that a healthy compost pile requires a strict ratio of carbon-rich materials to nitrogen-rich food waste. Because we had created a sloppy, oxygen-deprived mess, it began to rot instead of decompose properly. Once we grasped the science behind the stench, we were able to rectify our pungent mistake, but those first few weeks were definitely a trial by fire.

B Maya

Getting the composting initiative off the ground wasn’t simply a matter of collecting apple cores; it involved navigating a maze of red tape. Before we could even place a small bin on the premises, I had to formally present a comprehensive proposal to the headteacher to secure his official go-ahead. Once approved, my primary role shifted to public relations. I quickly realised that unless we actively taught the student body which items were biodegradable, our bins would be contaminated with plastic. Therefore, I organised assemblies to clarify the rules. Unfortunately, despite my efforts, our early attempts produced a horrific odour that wafted into the ground-floor classrooms. Several teachers were up in arms about the disruption, and I found myself repeatedly called into the staffroom to justify our actions and plead for more time. Thankfully, I managed to talk them out of shutting us down, promising that the vile scent was only a temporary teething problem.

C Tariq

I volunteered to be the site manager, blissfully unaware of what the role actually entailed. I honestly thought composting just meant throwing rubbish into a pile and letting nature take its course. I soon discovered that to prevent it from smelling like a landfill, the pile needs to breathe. That meant I had to pitchfork heavy, damp waste every single Tuesday, which was far more strenuous than I had ever bargained for. Furthermore, to monitor the decomposition process, I meticulously noted down the internal heat using a long probe thermometer, ensuring it stayed within the optimal range. When the notorious bad smell hit us during the first month, I was the one tasked with fixing it. I reached out to the local woodworking shop and convinced them to donate sacks of wood shavings. By vigorously mixing these dry materials into the wet sludge, I finally managed to soak up the excess moisture and eliminate the dreadful stink.

D Chloe

There was a specific moment during the first month of our project when the smell became so extraordinarily foul that I genuinely regretted getting involved. The stench was clinging to my uniform, and I seriously considered throwing in the towel. It felt as though we had created a toxic swamp rather than an eco-friendly waste solution. I was on the verge of resigning from the committee, but my friends persuaded me to stick it out. Looking back, I am incredibly relieved that I didn’t walk away. After several months of meticulous turning and balancing the materials, that initial foul sludge miraculously transformed into rich, dark, earthy soil. Last week, we finally harvested our first batch and used it to fertilize the school’s vegetable patches. Watching the biology students plant seeds in the compost we had tirelessly produced was immensely rewarding. It completely validated all the initial struggles and proved that patience truly pays off in the end.

Exercises:   123456