Practice English Reading Exercises for B2 – Solo Travel & Independence 3

Exercises:   123456

Reading 1

You are going to read an article about four young adults sharing their disasters and lessons learned regarding managing a very tight daily budget while traveling alone for a month.

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 a lack of culinary skills led to an unexpected financial drain?

2   ended up spending more by initially trying to find the most inexpensive lodging?

3   regrets not investing in a comprehensive travel card beforehand?

4   was completely caught off guard by bank-related administrative charges?

5   resorted to a monotonous diet to make their remaining funds last?

6   sacrificed visiting famous paid attractions in order to cover an unexpected expense?

7   was forced to make a physically demanding journey due to a lack of funds?

8   discovered that participating in complimentary local activities was highly rewarding?

9   acknowledges having had an unrealistic expectation of their own daily spending habits?

10   mentions ignoring advice from a friend regarding logistical planning?

Travelling on a Shoestring: Budget Disasters and Lessons Learned

A Liam

When I set off on my solo backpacking trip across Europe, I was absolutely convinced I could survive on mere pennies. My initial strategy was to stay in the cheapest dormitories possible and cook every single one of my own meals. Unfortunately, my sheer lack of ability in the kitchen quickly became my financial downfall. After ruining a few batches of basic pasta, I gave up entirely and started eating at local cafes. I hadn’t factored in how quickly those seemingly cheap daily lunches would add up. By the end of the second week, my budget was completely in the red. Consequently, I was forced to dramatically change my lifestyle, surviving almost entirely on plain instant noodles for the final fortnight just to afford my flight home. It was a harsh lesson in self-awareness; I really should have been more realistic about my spending triggers. While the accommodation was indeed a bargain, my inability to whip up a basic dinner nearly ruined the entire adventure.

B Maya

Before departing for my solo tour, a mate strongly advised me to purchase a month-long regional rail pass. However, I stubbornly decided against it, assuming that buying individual tickets on the go would work out cheaper. What a massive miscalculation that turned out to be! I totally underestimated the extortionate cost of spontaneous, last-minute train fares. By week three, my transport budget was entirely wiped out. To compensate, I tried packing my own lunches to save cash, but the financial damage was already done. The lowest point occurred when I couldn’t even afford a local bus fare to the airport and had to drag my heavy suitcase five kilometres under the blazing sun. That gruelling, exhausting trek was the ultimate punishment for my poor foresight. I now realise that when it comes to navigating a foreign country, paying a larger sum upfront for unlimited travel is almost always the most economical choice.

C Tom

My biggest financial disaster stemmed from trying to be a bit too clever with my accommodation budget. I proudly booked what appeared to be an absolute steal of a hostel online, completely ignoring the concerning lack of recent reviews. However, upon arrival, the place was unhygienic, insecure, and located in a rather dodgy neighbourhood far from the centre. I lasted exactly one sleepless night before packing my bags and fleeing to a much safer, but significantly pricier, guesthouse. Because I hadn’t budgeted for this sudden accommodation upgrade, I had to drastically cut back elsewhere to keep my head above water. Consequently, I missed out on several renowned museums and guided castle tours I had been desperate to see, as the entry fees were suddenly well beyond my means. It was incredibly frustrating to miss those cultural highlights, but it taught me that opting for the absolute rock-bottom price can sometimes end up costing you double.

D Chloe

I had meticulously planned my daily allowances down to the last penny, allocating strict amounts for food, a bed, and public transport. However, I was completely blindsided by the extortionate administrative fees charged by foreign ATMs, not to mention the terrible exchange rates I was subjected to. Every time I withdrew cash to pay for a cheap meal, a significant chunk of my money simply vanished into thin air. It was a complete rookie mistake not to thoroughly research international banking options beforehand. To avoid going bankrupt, I had to completely rethink my itinerary. Instead of booking pricey excursions, I actively sought out complimentary walking tours led by local volunteers. Surprisingly, this forced change of plan turned out to be a genuine blessing in disguise. Exploring the hidden alleyways with enthusiastic locals provided a far more authentic and memorable experience than any commercial, paid bus tour ever could have offered.

Reading 2

You are going to read an article about four solo travelers describing the intense loneliness they sometimes feel in beautiful places and how they actively cope with homesickness.

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 feeling sad about being absent from a special family occasion back home?

2   relies on watching entertainment from their own culture to lift their spirits?

3   combats negative feelings by participating in an organised group setting?

4   finds relief by intentionally avoiding the use of their electronic devices?

5   prefers a traditional, physical way of keeping in touch with loved ones over modern technology?

6   states that a particular time of day consistently brings about feelings of isolation?

7   found that being surrounded by large groups of people actually intensified their sense of isolation?

8   admits that their internet updates do not accurately reflect their true emotional state?

9   uses strenuous physical exertion as a way to distract their mind from being homesick?

10   seeks comfort in consuming a dish that reminds them of where they grew up?

Finding My Own Way: The Thrill and Terror of Solo Travel

A Alex

I had dreamed of trekking through the dramatic landscapes of Patagonia for years. Yet, standing before a breathtaking glacier, an overwhelming wave of homesickness washed over me. It wasn’t just the sheer scale of the wilderness that made me feel small; it was the fact that my sister was getting married that very weekend. Missing out on such a significant milestone made the incredible beauty around me feel remarkably hollow. While my initial instinct was to aggressively hike further to ignore the pain, I realised that wouldn’t cure the ache. Instead, I’ve taken to carrying a stack of postcards in my backpack. Whenever the longing becomes too much, I sit down and pen lengthy messages to my family. Putting pen to paper—rather than just firing off a quick text—forces me to carefully articulate my experiences and makes me feel profoundly connected to them across the ocean. It’s a beautifully slow, tangible process that grounds me.

B Mia

You would assume that wandering through a vibrant, historic city like Rome would keep loneliness at bay. However, I soon discovered that navigating crowded piazzas filled with laughing couples and animated groups of friends actually magnified my own solitude. The stark contrast between their shared joy and my solo status was sometimes very tough to swallow. During my first week, whenever this intense isolation struck, I tried forcing myself to mingle at hostel bars, but the conversations felt incredibly superficial. Now, my coping strategy is completely different. When the homesickness creeps in, I retreat to my room, order a classic British roast dinner from an expat pub down the street, and binge-watch a couple of episodes of a familiar sitcom set in London. It might sound like a waste of being abroad, but that temporary injection of domestic normality provides exactly the emotional reset I need to face the city again.

C Tom

Bali is frequently described as paradise on earth, and the pristine coastlines certainly live up to the hype. Nevertheless, I quickly found that dusk was my absolute kryptonite. As the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in spectacular shades of orange and pink, the silence of having no one to share it with would suddenly hit me hard. I’d see other tourists taking group photos together, which only rubbed salt in the wound. To combat this predictable evening slump, I decided to stop sitting on the beach alone. Instead, I signed up for intensive sunset surfing camps. Throwing myself into such a physically demanding task meant my brain was entirely focused on catching the next wave, leaving absolutely no room for melancholy thoughts. Furthermore, being part of a structured class forced me to interact with fellow beginners, instantly providing a built-in community that chased the sunset blues away.

D Chloe

If you looked at my social media feed from my month in the Maldives, you’d think I was living an uninterrupted dream. The reality, however, was that sitting alone under swaying palm trees often left me feeling terribly adrift. I was constantly checking my phone, comparing my isolated reality with the vibrant social lives my friends were broadcasting back home. I eventually realised that this virtual connection was doing far more harm than good, significantly exacerbating my feelings of being left out. Consequently, I implemented a strict ban on my gadgets. I started locking my smartphone in the hotel safe for the entire day. Stripped of the ability to endlessly scroll, I was forced to be completely present in the moment. I began taking up mindfulness and sketching the scenery instead. Severing those digital ties was tough initially, but it ultimately allowed me to appreciate the tropical beauty without the toxic lens of comparison.

Exercises:   123456