Practice English Reading Exercises for B2 – Social Connections & Reconnecting 9

Exercises:   123456

Reading 1

You are going to read an article about four people describing the surprisingly profound conversations they’ve had with completely anonymous strangers on trains or airplanes.

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

Which person/section

1   believes that knowing they would never cross paths again allowed for absolute frankness?

2   confesses they deliberately tried to avoid engaging with the person next to them?

3   felt validated in a major life decision after hearing their companion’s viewpoint?

4   had their initial, unfavourable judgement of their travel companion proven wrong?

5   mentions that an everyday, casual remark swiftly shifted into a profound discussion?

6   still possesses a minor physical object that serves as a reminder of the trip?

7   uncovered an unexpected similarity regarding how they and the stranger were raised?

8   gained a newfound sense of clarity regarding where they truly belong?

9   admits to possessing a general distaste for engaging in superficial chit-chat?

10   was profoundly moved by a story of someone risking everything for love?

Unexpected Connections: Deep Talks on Transit

A Anna

I have always steered clear of making small talk on public transport; to be completely frank, I find superficial chatter about the weather incredibly tedious. So, when a lady on the train to Edinburgh started speaking to me, I merely nodded politely, hoping she would soon stop. But something shifted unexpectedly. We ended up discussing my recent, terrifying decision to drop out of university. My family had been furious, but this stranger told me she had done the exact same thing forty years prior. Hearing her explain how she had never regretted it for a single moment was the reassurance I desperately needed. As the journey progressed, we realised our backgrounds were remarkably alike; we had both grown up in strict, military households where artistic pursuits were severely frowned upon. It was bizarre to feel so understood by someone I didn’t even know. By the time we pulled into the station, I felt as though a massive weight had been lifted off my shoulders.

B Marcus

Flying across the Atlantic usually means watching three consecutive films and trying to sleep, but on my flight to New York, I ended up talking non-stop to the man beside me. There’s a bizarre psychological phenomenon that occurs at 30,000 feet; because you are acutely aware that you will never lay eyes on this individual again, the normal social filters just vanish. We ended up confessing our deepest regrets. I told him about a broken friendship I’d been agonising over, and he opened up about his grief following his wife’s passing. It wasn’t depressing, though; it was actually incredibly cathartic. Before we landed, he wrote a quote about forgiveness on the back of his boarding pass and handed it to me. I’ve kept that little piece of paper tucked safely inside my wallet ever since, taking it out whenever I need a bit of perspective. It is a constant reminder of the remarkable kindness of strangers.

C Elena

As soon as I boarded the crowded carriage, I immediately put on my oversized headphones, making it perfectly clear that I was in no mood to socialise. However, the woman sitting opposite me gestured towards my book, asking a very basic question about the plot. I gave a brief answer, fully expecting the exchange to end there. Instead, within ten minutes, that fleeting comment about a fictional character had blossomed into an intense debate about human nature and the true meaning of happiness. She was an immigrant who had lived all over the globe, and her compelling stories forced me to re-evaluate my own life. Up until that point, I had felt incredibly torn between staying in London or accepting a job abroad. Her insights helped me figure out that my heart was truly tied to my hometown; I finally knew where my roots were. I kept my headphones off for the rest of the trip.

D David

When the man in the sharp, expensive suit took the seat next to me on my flight to Rome, I groaned internally. I had him pegged as an arrogant corporate executive who would probably spend the entire flight loudly discussing profit margins. I couldn’t have been more wrong. Once we got chatting, his tough facade completely melted away. He revealed that he was actually travelling to Italy to propose to a woman he had met briefly five years ago. He was giving up his lucrative career to move to a country where he didn’t even speak the language, all because he couldn’t stop thinking about her. Listening to his tale of unwavering romantic dedication genuinely brought tears to my eyes. I usually hate listening to strangers talk about their private lives, but his sheer bravery was awe-inspiring. He proved to me that you should never judge a book by its cover.

Reading 2

You are going to read an article about four individuals talking about the psychological damage of being ghosted (suddenly ignored) by someone they considered a close friend.

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 obsessively scrutinising previous exchanges to identify a personal error?

2   expresses a reluctance to form new bonds due to a fear of abandonment?

3   points out that the absence of a final explanation prolongs the healing process?

4   describes the specific distress caused by witnessing the friend’s online activity?

5   admits to questioning whether the friendship was ever genuine in the first place?

6   states that they made one last effort to get in touch before accepting the situation?

7   felt a sense of humiliation about how much the rejection affected them?

8   came to the conclusion that the sudden silence was a reflection of the other person’s shortcomings?

9   experienced physical symptoms as a direct result of the sudden separation?

10   confesses to envying those who experience a traditional, spoken fallout?

The Silent Treatment: Surviving a Friendship Ghosting

A Emma

When my best friend of five years vanished from my life, the immediate aftermath was pure confusion. At first, I assumed she was just swamped with work, so I gave her space. But as weeks turned into months, a heavy knot of anxiety settled in my stomach, leading to countless sleepless nights. I found myself endlessly scrolling through our old text threads, obsessively rereading every word I’d sent to see if I had inadvertently offended her. It drove me completely round the bend. The worst part wasn’t just the absence of my closest confidante; it was the intense self-doubt that crept in. I began to seriously question whether our bond had ever meant anything to her at all, or if I had completely misread our entire dynamic. I’d always thought we were inseparable. That kind of sudden, unexplained exit chips away at your self-esteem, leaving you wondering if you’re fundamentally unlovable.

B Liam

Getting ghosted by a mate you’ve grown up with leaves a very specific kind of scar. When Tom stopped replying to my calls, I initially felt a strange mix of anger and sheer embarrassment. I felt incredibly foolish for caring so deeply about someone who could just drop me without a second thought. I didn’t desperately try to track him down or demand answers, though I was tempted. Instead, the psychological damage manifested in how I treated everyone else. I put up massive emotional walls. Even now, if a colleague or a new acquaintance takes slightly too long to reply to a message, I immediately assume they’re about to cut ties with me too. It has made me deeply cynical and hesitant to invest in new friendships, simply because I’m terrified of history repeating itself. Trust is hard-earned, and having it shattered so effortlessly makes you realise how fragile human connections really are.

C Chloe

If we had had a massive, screaming argument, I honestly think I would have coped better. I actually find myself resenting people who get a proper falling-out, because at least they have a concrete reason to be angry. With ghosting, you are denied any form of closure, which entirely disrupts the natural grieving process. You can’t move on because your brain is constantly trying to solve a puzzle that has no missing pieces. For a long time, I made excuses for her, convincing myself she was going through a personal crisis. I eventually sent one final, heartfelt email expressing how much her silence hurt, but it was met with the same deafening void. Accepting that I will probably never know why she walked away has been the hardest pill to swallow. It’s an ambiguous loss; they are still out there in the world, but effectively dead to you.

D Noah

The most agonising aspect of modern ghosting is that it rarely means true invisibility; social media ensures they are still glaringly present. When my flatmate suddenly moved out and blocked my number, the psychological toll was heavily exacerbated by seeing his daily updates on Instagram. Watching him cheerfully tag new friends in photos while blatantly ignoring my existence felt like a deliberate slap in the face. It took a significant toll on my mental health, and I spent far too long wondering what I lacked. However, stepping back from the situation eventually offered me a fresh perspective. I slowly came to terms with the fact that his inability to communicate directly was a massive character flaw on his part, not a reflection of my worth. Walking away without a word is the coward’s way out. Although the sting of rejection lingers, I’ve finally stopped letting his immaturity dictate my happiness.

Exercises:   123456