Practice English Reading Exercises for B2 – Social Connections & Reconnecting 5

Exercises:   123456

Reading 1

You are going to read an article about four people describing the isolating experience of being the only single person left in a friend group where everyone is getting married.

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

Which person/section

1   is irritated by their peers’ well-meaning matchmaking efforts?

2   regrets the disappearance of impulsive social gatherings?

3   struggles to engage with the current themes of conversation within their circle?

4   highlights the significant expenses incurred by celebrating others’ life choices?

5   has thrown themselves into their professional life to cope with an altered social landscape?

6   feels uncomfortable with the compassionate expressions directed at them by couples?

7   has decided it is necessary to actively expand their current social network?

8   admits to concealing their true emotions behind a cheerful exterior?

9   mentions the tiring journeys required to be present at various ceremonies?

10   points out that socialising now requires a significant amount of prior planning?

The Last One Standing

A Mia

It feels like it happened overnight. One minute we were planning backpacking trips, and the next, I’m the only one without a ring on my finger. Whenever we get together now, the discussions inevitably revolve around mortgages, seating arrangements, and floral centrepieces. I genuinely try to chime in, but I find it incredibly hard to relate to these domestic matters. Consequently, I often end up nodding along in silence. It’s not that I’m not thrilled for them—I absolutely am. However, it’s tough being the odd one out. To avoid dampening the mood, I consistently put on a brave face and act as if I’m perfectly content with the situation, even when I’m feeling incredibly isolated. Sometimes, they try to arrange dinners weeks in advance, but by the time the date arrives, all they talk about is wedding stress. I’ve come to terms with the fact that our dynamic has shifted, but it still stings.

B Liam

What I miss most is the sheer spontaneity we used to share. A few years ago, I could send a quick text on a Friday afternoon, and we’d all meet up at the pub an hour later. Nowadays, trying to get my married friends together is like organising a military operation; if it isn’t penned into their shared digital calendars a month beforehand, it simply won’t happen. It’s incredibly frustrating. Because my weekends are no longer filled with impromptu road trips or casual hangouts, I’ve found myself with a vast amount of free time. To stop myself from dwelling on how lonely my apartment feels, I’ve been taking on extra shifts and putting all my energy into climbing the corporate ladder. I even volunteered for a business trip to Madrid last week just to stay busy. While it’s certainly doing wonders for my bank balance, it’s a poor substitute for the effortless friendships I used to rely on.

C Sophia

There is nothing quite as awkward as being the designated “seventh wheel” at a dinner party. My friends are wonderful, but ever since they all tied the knot, they seem to view my single status as a problem that needs fixing. At nearly every gathering, I am subtly introduced to a ‘perfect’ colleague or a distant cousin they insist I have so much in common with. It drives me up the wall! I know they mean well, but their relentless matchmaking makes me feel like a charity case. Furthermore, I absolutely loathe the sympathetic glances I get when I arrive at events unaccompanied. People look at me as if I’ve suffered a terrible tragedy, which couldn’t be further from the truth. I’m actually quite happy with my independence and the money I save by not having a lavish wedding. I just wish my peers could accept that being unmarried isn’t a condition that requires a cure.

D Noah

Over the past two years, I’ve attended no fewer than seven weddings, and the sheer logistics of it all have left me utterly drained. Between booking cross-country trains, securing hotel rooms, and navigating unfamiliar towns, I feel like a part-time travel agent. While I love seeing my friends happily married, nobody warns you about the severe financial toll it takes on the single guests. From extravagant bachelor parties to purchasing items off expensive gift registries, celebrating their life milestones has practically emptied my savings account. I recently had to politely decline a colleague’s attempt to set me up on a blind date because I literally couldn’t afford the dinner! Ultimately, this whole experience has been a massive wake-up call. If I want to enjoy my weekends without going bankrupt or feeling like a spare part, I have to make a concerted effort to cross paths with people who are currently in the same boat as me.

Reading 2

You are going to read an article about four individuals talking about the relief of intentionally losing contact with a narcissistic friend who constantly drained their energy.

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

Which person

1   mentions that their former friend viewed any success of theirs as a threat?

2   admits they initially felt a sense of grief before experiencing liberation?

3   describes how their former friend consistently shifted the focus of any discussion to themselves?

4   states they opted for a gradual withdrawal rather than a sudden, dramatic exit?

5   noticed a significant decrease in their daily stress levels after ending the relationship?

6   took decisive digital action to prevent the person from reaching out again?

7   explains that the friend had a habit of adopting their personal tastes while acting arrogant?

8   realised they had recovered their sense of self after the friendship ended?

9   highlights the sudden abundance of free hours they had once the friendship was over?

10   points out that the friend frequently pretended to be the one who had been wronged?

Cutting Ties: Walking Away from Energy Vampires

A Liam

For years, my friendship with Mark felt like a full-time job. Whenever we met up, I could barely get a word in edgeways. If I brought up a problem I was facing, he would immediately hijack the narrative, twisting the dialogue so that it revolved entirely around his own far more ‘dramatic’ experiences. Mutual acquaintances often pointed out how exhausted I looked after hanging out with him, but I kept making excuses for his self-absorbed behaviour. Eventually, I reached my breaking point. I didn’t want a messy, face-to-face confrontation, so I simply hit the ‘block’ button across all my digital platforms, ensuring he couldn’t unexpectedly message me or see my updates. Some people might think ghosting is harsh, but it was a necessary measure for my own sanity. I had assumed I’d miss our weekend catch-ups, but honestly, it just feels as though a massive weight has been lifted off my shoulders.

B Chloe

Cutting ties with Jessica wasn’t an overnight decision. Whenever I achieved something, whether it was getting a promotion at work or passing a difficult exam, she couldn’t simply be happy for me. Instead, she treated my accomplishments as a personal attack on her own status, constantly trying to downplay my hard work. It was an incredibly toxic dynamic. When I finally stopped returning her calls, I actually went through a strange mourning period, crying over the loss of someone I had known since primary school. However, that sorrow quickly evaporated, replaced by a profound sense of freedom. I was suddenly amazed by how much time I reclaimed in my week; hours that used to be spent listening to her endless complaints or reassuring her fragile ego. Looking at her perfectly curated online profiles now, I just feel relieved that I’m no longer obligated to be a part of her exhausting audience.

C Tariq

With David, everything was always someone else’s fault. He had an extraordinary talent for playing the martyr, twisting every situation to make it look as if the world was constantly against him. If you dared to disagree with him, he would manipulate the conversation until you ended up apologising for upsetting him. The emotional toll was staggering. I used to wake up with a knot in my stomach just seeing his name flash up on my phone screen. I simply didn’t have the energy for a dramatic showdown, so I just slowly faded into the background. I took longer to reply to his texts and eventually stopped making plans altogether. Within a month of our final interaction, I noticed my daily anxiety had virtually vanished. My friends told me I seemed like a completely different person. I hadn’t realised how much of my mental capacity was being drained just managing his emotions.

D Maya

It’s bizarre looking back at my friendship with Sarah. She had this baffling habit of subtly mimicking my choices—buying the exact same clothes, taking up my hobbies, and even mirroring my hairstyle. Yet, despite essentially copying my lifestyle, she always acted as though she was vastly superior, condescendingly offering me advice on things I had introduced her to in the first place. It was a deeply confusing and draining experience. The relationship was incredibly one-sided, though unlike others who might block someone outright, I formally told her I needed space. Walking away was the best thing I ever did. I hadn’t grasped how much she had been suffocating my individuality until she was gone. Free from her critical eye, my self-esteem bounced back, and I finally felt comfortable in my own skin again. I no longer have to second-guess my decisions just to avoid her subtle put-downs.

Exercises:   123456