Practice English Reading Exercises for B2 – Social Connections & Reconnecting 3

Exercises:   123456

Reading 1

You are going to read an article about four students describing the psychological phenomenon of creating an entirely fake, glamorous online persona to mask their real-life insecurities.

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

Which person/section

1   used software to alter their surroundings in pictures?

2   felt a persistent anxiety about being unmasked by people they actually knew?

3   eventually chose to completely eliminate their digital alter ego?

4   explains that their fabricated life was designed to look financially successful?

5   reveals that their motivation was a profound sense of isolation in the real world?

6   voluntarily admitted the truth about their profile to someone else?

7   acquired physical objects short-term just to feature them in posts?

8   felt that maintaining the fiction was causing them to forget who they really were?

9   was taken aback by how swiftly their imaginary life attracted an audience?

10   realised that their online habits were actively stopping them from forming genuine relationships?

The Illusion of Perfection: Masking Insecurities Online

A Liam

I have always struggled with my self-image, constantly comparing myself to the flawless influencers on my feed. To compensate for my crippling insecurities, I constructed an elaborate facade online. I created ‘Leo’, a highly glamorous, wealthy version of myself. I would purchase high-end designer garments, carefully conceal the price tags while snapping dozens of selfies, and then return them to the shop the very next morning. While I regularly used filters to smooth out my complexion, I deliberately avoided pretending to be in exotic locations, as that seemed far too risky. Nevertheless, the charade took a massive toll on my nerves. Every time I stepped out of my house in my scruffy tracksuits, I lived in constant dread that a classmate would spot me, connect the dots, and expose my deception. The adrenaline rush of receiving hundreds of likes was undeniably thrilling at first, but it simply wasn’t worth the sheer paranoia that accompanied it.

B Chloe

While my peers were landing prestigious university internships, I was working minimum wage at a local café and feeling like an utter failure. Consequently, to mask my imposter syndrome, I fabricated a narrative where I was a high-flying entrepreneur. I posted about non-existent corporate meetings and hinted at lucrative investments that were supposedly raking in profits. I was utterly astounded by how quickly the profile gained traction; within months, I had thousands of strangers hanging onto my every word for career advice. However, the deeper I got into the lie, the more the boundary between fiction and reality blurred. I genuinely felt I was losing sight of my true identity, acting arrogant and detached even when speaking to my family. I frequently considered coming clean to them about the immense pressure I was under, but the shame was too great. I’ve recently deleted the app from my phone to clear my head, although the profile itself remains active.

C Sam

Living in a remarkably unremarkable suburban town, my day-to-day existence felt unbearably mundane. I yearned for adventure but couldn’t afford a train ticket, let alone an international flight. Therefore, I relied heavily on sophisticated graphic design tools to transport myself. I spent hours carefully cutting my image out of my dreary bedroom and seamlessly superimposing it onto spectacular landscapes, from tropical beaches to snowy mountain peaks. My followers praised my ‘wanderlust lifestyle’. Because I didn’t want to seem arrogant, I never pretended to be staying in five-star luxury resorts, but the deception still weighed heavily on my conscience. The guilt finally peaked when a close friend asked me for specific travel tips for a destination I had supposedly just visited. Unable to keep up the pretence any longer, I broke down, spilled the beans and confessed the entire fabrication. I haven’t deactivated the page yet, but I have completely ceased posting those deceptive images.

D Maya

Struggling to adapt to university life, I found myself entirely isolated during my first semester. To disguise my total lack of companionship from my family back home, I decided to invent a vibrant, action-packed social life online. I would download obscure pictures of crowded concerts and lively parties from the internet, deliberately cropping them to imply I was right in the middle of the fun. Ironically, I spent so much time curating this illusion of popularity in my dorm room that I regularly turned down genuine invitations to grab coffee with my actual roommates. It dawned on me that by obsessing over a fake digital life, I was actively sabotaging my chances of making authentic friends. It was a tough pill to swallow, but I eventually realised the absurdity of sacrificing real human contact for virtual validation. Last month, I finally pulled the plug and erased the account for good, which has been a massive relief.

Reading 2

You are going to read an article about four individuals sharing their experiences of trying to rebuild trust with a sibling after a massive, years-long family argument.

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 setting clear boundaries was necessary to move forward?

2   admits they had to accept their own share of the blame to initiate the reconciliation?

3   was surprised by the positive outcome of an unavoidable reunion?

4   accepts that a certain level of their previous bond has been permanently lost?

5   points out that reaching out in writing felt safer than speaking face-to-face?

6   feels their current connection is actually stronger than it was before the dispute?

7   explains that they were forced to communicate due to a sudden medical emergency?

8   acknowledges that their initial attempt to reconnect was met with silence for a while?

9   attributes the original conflict to deep-seated feelings of envy?

10   implies that the original argument was fuelled by someone else’s false claims?

Mending Fences: Rebuilding Sibling Trust

A Mark

Our fallout stemmed from a disastrous joint venture. When our shared business went under, we relentlessly blamed each other, leading to a bitter silence that lasted five years. Eventually, I realised that cutting my brother out of my life was doing more harm than good. When we finally met up to clear the air, I made it explicitly clear that we needed to establish strict ground rules if we were going to be a family again. We agreed to keep our finances completely separate and never discuss money at family gatherings. Although we’ve managed to bury the hatchet, I’ve had to come to terms with the fact that our dynamic will never be as carefree as it once was. The blind trust we naturally shared in our twenties is gone forever. Nevertheless, we can now attend family dinners without creating an awkward atmosphere, and for the time being, that level of civility is enough for me.

B Sarah

My sister and I didn’t speak for three years because of a ridiculous misunderstanding. A mutual acquaintance had been stirring the pot, passing on twisted versions of things we had supposedly said about each other. Pride kept us both from reaching out. When I finally decided I couldn’t bear the estrangement anymore, I knew a phone call would probably just end in a shouting match. Consequently, I opted to send a lengthy email, carefully laying out my feelings and explaining how the rumours had escalated. After hitting send, the waiting was agonising. In fact, I didn’t get a response for nearly four months, which left me feeling utterly rejected. Out of the blue, she finally replied, admitting she had simply needed time to process everything. We are taking baby steps now, meeting for a quick coffee once a month. Rebuilding trust is a painstakingly slow process, but I’m relieved we are at least trying.

C David

Our family was torn apart during our parents’ messy divorce. My brother and I ended up taking opposite sides, and before long, we weren’t even on speaking terms. I honestly believed the rift was permanent. However, fate intervened when our father suffered a severe heart attack last year. Suddenly, we found ourselves sitting next to each other in the intensive care waiting room. Given the critical circumstances, we were absolutely forced to coordinate and communicate. To my amazement, the shared trauma seemed to melt away the years of resentment. Stripped of our stubbornness, we ended up comforting each other through the darkest nights of his recovery. While I wouldn’t wish such a terrifying ordeal on anyone, it inadvertently paved the way for our reconciliation. If Dad hadn’t fallen ill, we might still be giving each other the silent treatment today. Now, we are cautiously learning to rely on one another again.

D Emma

For a long time, my relationship with my younger sister was poisoned by the green-eyed monster. I had always resented the fact that she was the academic high-achiever while I constantly struggled at school. My passive-aggressive comments eventually drove a massive wedge between us, culminating in a spectacular argument where we said unforgivable things. Rebuilding bridges required me to do the hardest thing imaginable: swallow my pride and own up to my shortcomings. I sat her down and explicitly confessed that my hostility had been driven by my own insecurities, rather than anything she had done wrong. Admitting I was at fault made me feel incredibly vulnerable, but it instantly broke the ice. She responded with such empathy that I was quite taken aback. Surprisingly, navigating that messy conflict has actually resulted in a much deeper understanding. Today, our bond is significantly stronger than it ever was during our childhood.

Exercises:   123456