Practice English Reading Exercises for B2 – Social Psychology & Human Interaction
Reading 1
You are going to read a magazine article about a person who decided to radically reduce their social media network.
For questions 1-6, choose the answer (A, B, C or D) which you think fits best according to the text.
Dunbar’s Number
A few years ago, I reached a milestone that I genuinely believed would make me happy: two thousand connections on my social media profile. For someone who had been quite shy at school, this digital popularity felt like a spectacular achievement. Every time I posted a photo or shared an update, my phone would buzz endlessly with likes, comments, and notifications. It provided a constant stream of social validation. If asked, I would have confidently claimed that I had a vast network of people who cared about me. I felt incredibly well-connected, wrapped in a comfortable blanket of virtual approval.
However, the illusion of this digital popularity was brutally shattered during a particularly gloomy week last November. I had caught a nasty flu and was confined to my flat for several days. Naturally, I posted a sad picture of my medicine and a cup of tea online, which immediately gathered dozens of sympathetic emojis. Yet, as the weekend approached, my phone remained completely silent in terms of actual human contact. Not a single person from my impressive list of two thousand contacts called to ask if I needed soup, or even just to have a chat. As I lay on my sofa staring at the ceiling, a hollow sense of emptiness washed over me. The contrast between my online popularity and my real-life isolation was stark and depressing.
Determined to understand why I felt so isolated despite having so many supposed friends, I stumbled upon a fascinating psychological concept known as ‘Dunbar’s Number’. Developed by British anthropologist Robin Dunbar in the 1990s, the theory suggests that human beings are only cognitively capable of maintaining around one hundred and fifty stable social relationships. Furthermore, Dunbar argued that our absolute core circle—the people we can truly rely on in times of emotional or physical need—consists of a mere five individuals. Reading this felt like a sudden awakening. My brain had been exhausted by trying to keep up with the trivial updates of hundreds of mere acquaintances, leaving me with no mental energy to nurture genuine bonds.
Armed with this new perspective, I decided to embark on a radical social experiment. I would deliberately cut down my sprawling network and focus exclusively on my core five relationships. The first step involved logging out of my primary social accounts and deleting the applications from my smartphone. Initially, the process induced a mild state of panic. I worried that I would miss out on important news or that people would think I was ignoring them. There was a nagging fear that by making myself invisible online, I would fade into obscurity completely.
Nevertheless, I persisted, redirecting my freed-up time and attention toward the people who actually mattered. Instead of casually ‘liking’ a friend’s holiday pictures, I invited them for a coffee to hear about their trip in person. Rather than sending a generic birthday message to my sister, I cooked her dinner. Slowly but surely, the awkwardness of adjusting to this new lifestyle disappeared. I began to have deep, meaningful conversations that lasted for hours, replacing the shallow exchange of digital comments that had previously dominated my social life.
Looking back, stepping away from the numbers game was the most beneficial decision I have ever made. While my virtual network has shrunk drastically, my actual social life has never felt richer. I no longer waste hours scrolling through the carefully filtered lives of people I barely know. By investing my energy into a tight-knit circle of five genuine friends, I have discovered a profound sense of fulfilment. I now realise that regarding human connection, true wealth is measured not by the thousands of people who view your profile, but by the handful of people who actually show up when it matters.
1 How did the writer initially feel about having two thousand social media connections?
(A) They provided proof that the writer had permanently overcome their extreme shyness.
(B) They made the writer feel an obligation to constantly post updates and new photos.
(C) They gave the writer a strong, comforting sense of being accepted and liked.
(D) They demonstrated that the writer was genuinely cared for by a vast community.
2 What was the writer’s attitude toward their situation when they were ill?
(A) They were deeply disappointed that their online network failed to offer real-world support.
(B) They felt annoyed that their followers only left emojis instead of bringing them soup.
(C) They were surprised that their closest friends hadn’t noticed they were unwell.
(D) They felt frustrated because being sick prevented them from updating their social media.
3 What does ‘this‘ refer to in the third paragraph?
(A) the struggle to understand why people feel isolated despite having many friends
(B) the knowledge that humans have an absolute limit of one hundred and fifty friends
(C) the writer’s lack of mental energy for nurturing genuine, meaningful bonds
(D) the argument that a person’s most reliable social circle is limited to just five people
4 What can be inferred about the writer’s decision to delete their social media applications?
(A) It caused their core group of friends to wrongly assume they were being ignored.
(B) It was initially accompanied by an irrational fear of being forgotten by others.
(C) It was a simple and relaxing transition because they were tired of scrolling.
(D) It was carefully planned out as part of a formal university experiment.
5 How did the writer’s behaviour change after altering their social network?
(A) They began spending several hours a day writing thoughtful digital messages.
(B) They replaced superficial online interactions with in-person experiences.
(C) They found it awkward to have meaningful conversations with new people.
(D) They stopped taking holidays in order to spend more time with their sister.
6 What is the writer’s main conclusion from their experience?
(A) Having a dedicated group of friends brings far more satisfaction than digital popularity.
(B) People with two thousand online friends are incapable of maintaining deep bonds.
(C) It is impossible for anyone to maintain more than five friendships over a lifetime.
(D) Social media is entirely useless and should be deleted by everyone who feels lonely.
Answer Key & Explanations
1 C: The text states that the connections provided a “constant stream of social validation” and that the writer felt “wrapped in a comfortable blanket of virtual approval.” This perfectly matches option C. A is an Over-inference; the writer was shy, but the text doesn’t say the shyness was permanently cured. B is Unstated; the writer did post, but didn’t state they felt an obligation to. D is a False Match; the writer believed they were cared for, but the second paragraph proves this was an illusion.
2 A: The writer reflects that despite getting emojis, “my phone remained completely silent in terms of actual human contact,” leading to a “hollow sense of emptiness” and a “stark and depressing” contrast. This shows deep disappointment at the lack of real-world support. B is Too Specific/Extreme; soup is just an example of human contact, not a specific demand. C is a False Match; the text says the network of 2,000 didn’t reach out, not just close friends. D is the Opposite; they did update their social media.
3 D: The pronoun ‘this’ refers back to the immediately preceding sentence outlining Dunbar’s argument: “that our absolute core circle… consists of a mere five individuals. Reading this felt like a sudden awakening.” A and B are other details mentioned in the paragraph, but not the specific revelation that triggered the “awakening.” C is the result of the awakening, not what ‘this’ points to.
4 B: The text notes that “Initially, the process induced a mild state of panic” and there was “a nagging fear that by making myself invisible online, I would fade into obscurity completely.” This implies an irrational fear of being forgotten. A is a False Match; the writer worried people would think they were ignoring them, but it isn’t stated that friends actually assumed this. C is the Opposite. D is a False Match; it was a personal “radical social experiment,” not a university one.
5 B: The text shows the writer “redirecting my freed-up time and attention toward the people who actually mattered,” such as inviting a friend for coffee instead of liking photos, and cooking dinner instead of sending a message. This is replacing superficial interactions with in-person ones. A is the Opposite; they stopped sending digital messages. C is a False Match; the “awkwardness… disappeared” and they were talking to existing core friends, not new people. D is a False Match; a friend’s holiday is mentioned, but the writer didn’t stop taking holidays.
6 A: The final paragraph summarizes the writer’s realization: “By investing my energy into a tight-knit circle of five genuine friends, I have discovered a profound sense of fulfilment” and “true wealth is measured not by the thousands… but by the handful of people who actually show up.” This matches option A. B is an Over-inference; it was true for the writer, but they don’t claim it is true for everyone. C is a False Match; Dunbar’s number allows 150 relationships, not just 5 over a lifetime. D uses Extreme Language (“entirely useless”, “deleted by everyone”) which is not supported by the writer’s personal reflection.
Reading 2
You are going to read a magazine article about a woman exploring the psychology behind giving presents.
For questions 1-6, choose the answer (A, B, C or D) which you think fits best according to the text.
The Psychology of Gift-Giving
For as long as I can remember, the approach of a friend’s birthday has filled me with a distinct sense of dread. While some people seem to possess a natural talent for selecting the ideal present, I have always suffered from severe gift-giving anxiety. Society tells us that the items we choose to give reflect the depth of our relationships. Consequently, I would spend hours trudging through crowded shopping centres, frantically searching for a physical object that perfectly encapsulated my appreciation for the recipient. I would often end up purchasing an expensive gadget, terrified that a cheaper alternative might suggest I simply didn’t care enough.
In moments of sheer desperation, I would frequently consider the highly practical alternative: the gift card. Psychologists suggest that receivers actually prefer gift cards because they offer the freedom to purchase exactly what they want or need. Yet, I rarely took this route. There is an unspoken stigma attached to handing over a piece of plastic. It carries the implication that you were too lazy to put any genuine thought into the occasion. So, I remained trapped in a cycle of overthinking, constantly trying to balance the recipient’s personal tastes with the societal expectation of presenting a beautifully wrapped box.
This internal conflict reached its peak last month when my closest friend, Julian, celebrated his thirtieth birthday. I knew this milestone required something significantly more meaningful than a generic designer watch. I recalled a conversation we had months prior, where he briefly mentioned his lifelong desire to see a particular jazz band perform live. Taking a leap of faith, I decided to abandon my usual strategy of purchasing physical items. Instead, I bought two premium tickets to their upcoming concert. However, almost as soon as the online transaction was confirmed, a wave of apprehension washed over me. What if he had already lost interest in the band?
When the day of the birthday dinner finally arrived, my nerves were completely frayed. As the other guests presented Julian with large, heavy parcels wrapped in shiny paper, I nervously clutched a plain white envelope. When it was my turn, I handed it over, apologising unnecessarily for its lack of physical weight. As he tore through the paper, my mind raced with worst-case scenarios. I assumed that this would undoubtedly be the moment our friendship became painfully awkward. I prepared myself for a polite but forced smile, the kind people use to mask their secret disappointment when a gift falls short.
Fortunately, my catastrophic predictions were entirely unfounded. Julian’s eyes widened in genuine shock, and his enthusiastic reaction was far more rewarding than any response I had previously received for a physical gift. A few weeks later, we attended the concert together. Standing in the dimly lit auditorium, surrounded by the incredible music Julian loved, I watched him enjoy every single second of the performance. We shared an unforgettable evening, singing along and discussing the fantastic solos long after the final applause had faded. It was a bonding experience that no luxury item could ever hope to replicate.
Looking back, I realise how misguided my previous approach to gift-giving had been. I had mistakenly equated the physical substance of a present with its emotional value. By taking the risk of giving an experience, I learned that the best gifts are not those that sit collecting dust on a bedroom shelf. Rather, they are the ones that foster genuine human connection and create lasting memories. I have finally overcome my performance anxiety, knowing that true generosity is about sharing your time, rather than emptying your wallet.
1 In the first paragraph, why did the writer usually buy expensive gifts?
(A) She possessed a natural talent for spotting high-quality gadgets in shops.
(B) She believed they accurately reflected the true depth of all her friendships.
(C) She was anxious that spending less money would make her seem uncaring.
(D) She wanted to avoid spending hours trudging through crowded shopping centres.
2 How did the writer feel about giving gift cards?
(A) She preferred them because they gave the receiver ultimate practical freedom.
(B) She avoided them because she worried they made her appear unthoughtful.
(C) She believed the psychological stigma attached to them was completely unfair.
(D) She felt they were the best way to balance a person’s individual tastes.
3 Why did the writer choose to buy concert tickets for Julian?
(A) She remembered him previously expressing an interest in seeing the group.
(B) She knew he strongly disliked receiving generic designer watches.
(C) She thought it was the most practical alternative for a thirtieth birthday.
(D) She wanted to confront her own fear of making online transactions.
4 What does the word ‘this‘ refer to in the fourth paragraph?
(A) the writer apologising for the envelope’s lack of weight
(B) the other guests presenting their large, shiny parcels
(C) Julian masking his secret disappointment with a forced smile
(D) Julian seeing what the writer had actually given him
5 What does the writer imply about the concert experience in the fifth paragraph?
(A) It made the writer realise she also had a lifelong passion for jazz music.
(B) It created a stronger personal connection than any material object could have.
(C) It was somewhat ruined by the dimly lit auditorium and loud applause.
(D) It was completely different from what Julian had originally expected it to be.
6 What is the writer’s main conclusion about gift-giving?
(A) People should completely stop buying expensive physical items for their friends.
(B) Overcoming performance anxiety is impossible without taking significant risks.
(C) The most meaningful presents are those that involve spending time together.
(D) It is generally better to spend a large amount of money on shared experiences.
Answer Key & Explanations
1 C: The text states she would end up purchasing an expensive gadget, “terrified that a cheaper alternative might suggest I simply didn’t care enough.” This matches option C. Option A is a false match; she states that other people have a natural talent, not her. Option B is a partial truth; society dictates this, but her specific motivation for buying expensive gifts was the fear of looking uncaring. Option D contradicts the text, as she actively spent hours in crowded centres.
2 B: The writer explains she rarely gave gift cards because of the “unspoken stigma” and “the implication that you were too lazy to put any genuine thought into the occasion.” This aligns perfectly with option B. Option A is what psychologists suggest, not the writer’s personal preference. Option C is unstated; she explains the stigma but doesn’t judge whether it is fair or unfair. Option D is a false match using vocabulary from the paragraph (“balance… personal tastes”).
3 A: The writer states she “recalled a conversation we had months prior, where he briefly mentioned his lifelong desire to see a particular jazz band perform live.” This makes A the correct answer. Option B is an over-inference; she knew the milestone required something better than a generic watch, but not that he disliked them. Option C uses exact words from paragraph 2 (“practical alternative”) in the wrong context. Option D is never mentioned in the text.
4 D: The pronoun ‘this‘ in the sentence “I assumed that this would undoubtedly be the moment our friendship became painfully awkward” refers directly to the ongoing action of Julian tearing through the paper to reveal the gift. Option D accurately captures this moment. Option A is an action the writer took prior to this moment. Option B happened before she handed her envelope over. Option C describes what she was preparing herself for after the awkward moment.
5 B: The writer notes that “We shared an unforgettable evening” and calls it “a bonding experience that no luxury item could ever hope to replicate.” This directly implies option B. Option A is an unstated assumption; the text says Julian loved the music, but doesn’t mention the writer developing a lifelong passion for it. Option C uses negative extreme language that contradicts the positive tone of the paragraph. Option D is unstated in the text.
6 C: In the final paragraph, the writer concludes that the best gifts “foster genuine human connection” and that “true generosity is about sharing your time”. This is effectively paraphrased in option C. Option A uses extreme language (“completely stop”) which the writer does not demand of others. Option B misrepresents the text; she overcame her anxiety by changing her approach, but doesn’t say taking risks is the only way to do so. Option D contradicts the final sentence, which advises sharing time “rather than emptying your wallet.”
Reading 3
You are going to read a magazine article about a young woman who bought an ugly pair of trendy shoes.
For questions 1-6, choose the answer (A, B, C or D) which you think fits best according to the text.
Stepping Out of the Herd
For as long as I can remember, I have been a dedicated follower of fashion. I used to spend hours scrolling through social media, analyzing what my favourite celebrities were wearing and desperately trying to recreate their effortless looks. If an influential singer or actor posted a photo in a new brand, I immediately felt a burning need to own it, regardless of whether it matched my personal taste. This herd mentality peaked last winter when the internet became completely obsessed with ‘moon boots’ – heavily padded, neon-green sneakers with incredibly chunky soles. Despite my initial thought that they resembled spacesuits rather than stylish footwear, the sheer volume of influencers sporting them convinced me that I simply had to have a pair.
The highly anticipated delivery arrived a week later, but my excitement vanished the moment I opened the cardboard box. Seeing the shoes in person, entirely detached from the glamorous filters of social media, was a harsh reality check. They were undoubtedly the most hideous items I had ever purchased. Even worse, when I eagerly tried them on, they were agonizingly heavy and blisteringly uncomfortable. As I stared at my reflection in the mirror, a heavy wave of regret washed over me. I had just blown a massive portion of my monthly salary on a passing trend that didn’t even suit my wardrobe. The financial sting was profound, but the embarrassment of realizing how easily I had been manipulated by clever marketing algorithms was even worse.
A few days later, I was invited to a large birthday party hosted by a college friend. Naturally, the unspoken expectation was that everyone would show up wearing the latest seasonal trends. As I stood in front of my open wardrobe, my eyes darted between the ridiculous neon boots and an old, out-of-style velvet blazer I had discovered in a vintage charity shop years ago. I had always adored the jacket’s unique embroidery, but I hadn’t worn it since it fell out of fashion. The safe choice would be to put on the boots, blend into the crowd, and endure a night of sore feet. However, remembering my earlier regret, I bravely decided to leave the bulky shoes in their box and put on the vintage blazer instead.
Arriving at the venue, my stomach tied itself into nervous knots. Walking into the crowded room, I felt completely exposed, convinced that everyone would be silently judging my outdated choice of clothing. Yet, as I took a deep breath and finally looked around, my anxiety quickly gave way to a fascinating realization. Almost every person at the party was wearing variations of the exact same trendy outfit, and at least five people were struggling to walk in the very same neon ‘moon boots’ I had left at home. Instead of looking cutting-edge and stylish, the entire crowd looked strangely uniform. Seeing this from an outsider’s perspective, the desperate need to conform suddenly seemed rather absurd and restrictive.
The defining moment of the evening occurred when a stylish girl approached me by the buffet table. Rather than mocking my outfit, she enthusiastically praised the velvet blazer, asking where I had managed to find such a unique piece. That single, genuine compliment completely validated my decision. The crushing need to fit in evaporated, instantly replaced by a thrilling sense of empowerment. I finally understood that true style isn’t about mindlessly copying whatever a famous stranger wears on the internet; it is about having the confidence to express your own individual personality. I might have wasted a small fortune on those terrible green shoes, but the valuable lesson I learned about authentic self-expression was ultimately worth the costly mistake.
1 Why did the writer purchase the neon-green moon boots?
(A) She was heavily influenced by the large number of famous people promoting them online.
(B) She thought their unique, chunky design closely resembled a cool spacesuit.
(C) She needed a new pair of heavy winter shoes that matched her personal taste.
(D) She wanted to buy a present for an influential singer she followed on social media.
2 How did the writer feel after trying the new shoes on at home?
(A) Annoyed that the delivery process had taken an entire week to complete.
(B) Frustrated because they were far too heavy to return in their original cardboard box.
(C) Relieved that the shoes looked much better without the glamorous social media filters.
(D) Ashamed that she had allowed online trends to dictate her financial choices.
3 What does the writer imply about her decision to wear the velvet blazer to the party?
(A) It was a safe choice that guaranteed she would easily blend in with the rest of the crowd.
(B) It was a deliberate rejection of her usual desire to conform to others’ expectations.
(C) It was the only item in her wardrobe that successfully matched the neon boots.
(D) It was chosen simply because her friends had asked her not to wear seasonal trends.
4 What does the word ‘this‘ refer to in paragraph 4?
(A) the writer’s outdated choice of clothing
(B) the nervous knots in the writer’s stomach
(C) the fact that everyone in the room looked practically identical
(D) the difficulty of walking in the chunky neon moon boots
5 What was the immediate result of the interaction by the buffet table?
(A) It made the writer realize she should have mocked the other guests’ identical outfits.
(B) It helped the writer to finally meet a famous stranger she admired on the internet.
(C) It confirmed to the writer that choosing to dress uniquely had been the right decision.
(D) It caused the writer to deeply regret spending so much money on the velvet blazer.
6 What is the writer’s main message in the article?
(A) Spending a large portion of your salary on shoes is never a wise investment.
(B) True fashion relies on expressing your individuality rather than copying popular trends.
(C) People should exclusively buy their clothes from vintage charity shops.
(D) Fitting in with the crowd is the most effective way to gain confidence at parties.
Answer Key & Explanations
1 A: The text states that “the sheer volume of influencers sporting them convinced me that I simply had to have a pair,” which matches option A. Distractor B is a false match; she initially thought they looked like spacesuits rather than stylish footwear, which was a negative thought. Distractor C is the opposite of the text (“regardless of whether it matched my personal taste”). Distractor D is entirely unstated.
2 D: The writer felt a “heavy wave of regret,” noting the “financial sting” and the “embarrassment of realizing how easily I had been manipulated by clever marketing algorithms.” Distractor A is a false match; she mentions they arrived a week later, but is not annoyed by the delivery time. Distractor B uses text words but misrepresents them; they were heavy to wear, not heavy to return. Distractor C is the opposite; she thought they were “hideous” without the filters.
3 B: In paragraph 3, the writer notes that the “safe choice would be to put on the boots, blend into the crowd,” but she “bravely decided” to wear the blazer instead due to her earlier regret. This shows a rejection of conformity. Distractor A is the opposite; wearing the boots would have made her blend in. Distractor C is incorrect; she chose between the two items, she didn’t wear them together. Distractor D contradicts the text, which says the “unspoken expectation was that everyone would show up wearing the latest seasonal trends.”
4 C: In the text, the sentence preceding the pronoun reads, “Instead of looking cutting-edge and stylish, the entire crowd looked strangely uniform.” The writer then says, “Seeing this from an outsider’s perspective…” Therefore, “this” refers to the entire crowd looking uniform/identical.
5 C: The text explains that the girl praised the blazer and that “That single, genuine compliment completely validated my decision.” Distractor A is a false match; the other girl didn’t mock the writer’s outfit, but the writer didn’t realize she should mock anyone else. Distractor B is a partial truth trap; the text mentions “famous strangers on the internet” later, but not that she met one at the buffet. Distractor D is the opposite; she regretted spending money on the shoes, not the blazer.
6 B: The writer concludes by stating, “true style isn’t about mindlessly copying whatever a famous stranger wears on the internet; it is about having the confidence to express your own individual personality.” Distractor A is too specific; while she regretted her shoe purchase, it is not the main overriding message. Distractor C uses extreme language (“exclusively”) that the writer never suggests. Distractor D is the exact opposite of her final realization.