Practice English Reading Exercises for B2 – Travel Mishaps & Problem Solving
Reading 1
You are going to read a magazine article about a traveller who arrived at his destination to find his hotel did not exist.
For questions 1-6, choose the answer (A, B, C or D) which you think fits best according to the text.
The Mirage of Midnight
My flight had been delayed by four hours, and by the time I finally navigated the confusing public transport system of the foreign capital, it was approaching midnight. Dragging a heavy suitcase across the uneven cobblestones, I was operating purely on adrenaline and the desperate desire for a hot shower. Having travelled for over twenty hours, the only thing keeping me going was the thought of the boutique hotel I had booked months in advance. The online pictures had showcased plush pillows and elegant decor, which felt like a mirage after such an exhausting journey. I confidently turned down the narrow street indicated by my digital map, anticipating the warm glow of a reception desk.
However, as I approached the specific address, my confident stride faltered. Instead of a welcoming, well-lit building with a polished entrance, I found myself standing in front of a chain-link fence. Behind it lay a massive, empty lot covered in weeds and rubble. I stared at my phone screen, convinced that my GPS must be malfunctioning. I refreshed the app, double-checked the booking confirmation, and even walked up and down the street to see if I had simply misread the numbers. There was no mistake. The hotel I had paid for simply did not exist. It must have been demolished recently, or worse, it had been an elaborate online scam from the very beginning.
A cold wave of disbelief washed over me, swiftly followed by a surge of intense anger. I had used a supposedly reputable booking website, trusting their verification processes. Now, stranded in an unfamiliar neighbourhood at midnight, I felt incredibly vulnerable. The temperature was dropping rapidly, and the streets were completely deserted. If I had known the area better, I wouldn’t have felt so intimidated, but every shadow seemed threatening. My frustration at the situation was immense, but I knew that standing there feeling sorry for myself wouldn’t magically produce a bed for the night.
Taking a deep breath to calm my racing heart, I began to wander through the adjacent streets, my suitcase wheels rattling loudly in the quiet night. I approached two different bed-and-breakfasts, but both displayed glowing ‘No Vacancies’ signs in their windows. Desperation was beginning to set in. I was too exhausted to think clearly, and my phone battery was dangerously low, meaning I couldn’t even search for alternatives online. The physical weight of my luggage was becoming unbearable, but the psychological burden of not knowing where I would safely spend the night was far worse.
Just as I was considering sleeping in a brightly lit train station, I spotted a faded sign for a youth hostel tucked away down a side alley. I pushed open the door and practically collapsed onto the reception desk. The night receptionist, a sympathetic-looking student, informed me apologetically that every bed was taken. Refusing to be turned away, I explained my disastrous evening. I pleaded with him, using every ounce of charm and desperation I had left, explaining that I just needed a safe corner out of the cold. Touched by my predicament, he hesitated, then offered me a battered, faux-leather sofa in the communal lounge, handing me a spare blanket.
I accepted the offer with profound gratitude. Curled up on that lumpy sofa, listening to the distant hum of the city, my anger gradually faded. Although a far cry from the luxurious room I had paid for, that worn couch felt like a genuine sanctuary. Waking up the next morning with a stiff neck, I realised that the crisis had taught me a valuable lesson. While meticulous planning is useful, travel is ultimately about resilience when things inevitably go wrong. The experience proved that even during a traveller’s worst nightmare, a little persistence and human kindness can safely get you through.
1 What kept the writer going during his journey from the airport?
(A) The desire to explore the foreign capital at night.
(B) The anticipation of staying in the comfortable accommodation he had reserved.
(C) The adrenaline rush of navigating a confusing public transport system.
(D) The prospect of writing a review about the elegant boutique hotel.
2 How did the writer initially react when he reached the address on his map?
(A) He suspected that his phone was providing him with incorrect directions.
(B) He was furious that the booking website had lied to him about the location.
(C) He felt relieved that he hadn’t actually paid for the hotel room yet.
(D) He thought he had accidentally walked into a restricted construction site.
3 What does the word ‘It‘ refer to in the second paragraph?
(A) The booking confirmation
(B) The digital map
(C) The chain-link fence
(D) The missing hotel
4 What made the writer’s situation particularly difficult while searching for a room?
(A) He did not have enough cash to pay for a bed-and-breakfast.
(B) The constant noise of his suitcase was drawing unwanted attention.
(C) He lacked the technological means to easily look for other options.
(D) He was physically too weak to continue carrying his heavy luggage.
5 How did the writer manage to get a place to sleep at the youth hostel?
(A) He paid the receptionist extra money to use the communal lounge.
(B) He waited patiently until another guest cancelled their reservation.
(C) He successfully persuaded the staff member to make a special exception.
(D) He demanded a safe corner because the city owed him a favour.
6 What is the writer’s main message in the article?
(A) Travellers should always carry a backup power source for their phones.
(B) Being able to cope with unexpected disasters is a crucial part of travelling.
(C) Booking websites cannot be trusted to provide accurate information.
(D) Staying in youth hostels is often more rewarding than luxury hotels.
Answer Key & Explanations
1 B: The text states that “the only thing keeping me going was the thought of the boutique hotel I had booked,” where he pictured “plush pillows and elegant decor.” Distractor A is the opposite; he was exhausted and just wanted a hot shower. Distractor C is a false match; adrenaline and the transport system are mentioned, but they were not what motivated him to keep going. Distractor D is completely unstated.
2 A: In the second paragraph, the writer states, “I stared at my phone screen, convinced that my GPS must be malfunctioning,” meaning he blamed his phone’s directions first. Distractor B happens in the third paragraph, not initially. Distractor C contradicts the text, which says “The hotel I had paid for…” Distractor D is a partial truth; he saw a construction site, but he didn’t think he walked into it by accident, he thought he was at the wrong address.
3 D: The pronoun ‘It’ directly follows the sentence: “The hotel I had paid for simply did not exist.” Therefore, ‘It’ refers to the hotel, which he hypothesises “must have been demolished recently”. Distractors A, B, and C refer to nouns that appear earlier in the text but do not logically fit the action of being “demolished” or being an “online scam”.
4 C: The writer notes that his “phone battery was dangerously low, meaning I couldn’t even search for alternatives online.” Distractor A is an unstated assumption; the B&Bs were simply full. Distractor B is a partial truth; his suitcase was noisy, but the text doesn’t say it drew unwanted attention. Distractor D is a false match; the weight was “unbearable,” but he kept moving because the “psychological burden” was worse.
5 C: The text explains that the writer “pleaded with him, using every ounce of charm and desperation” and that the receptionist, “touched by my predicament,” hesitated before offering the sofa. This shows he persuaded him. Distractor A is incorrect; money is not mentioned. Distractor B is a false match; no one cancelled. Distractor D uses extreme language (“demanded”); he pleaded rather than demanded.
6 B: The writer reflects in the final paragraph that “travel is ultimately about resilience when things inevitably go wrong” and that persistence can get you through a nightmare. Option B perfectly summarises this takeaway. Distractor A is too specific; it’s a minor detail from paragraph four, not the overall message. Distractor C is a partial truth from the middle of the text, but not the final philosophical lesson. Distractor D is an over-inference; he appreciated the hostel couch, but doesn’t claim hostels are generally better than luxury hotels.
Reading 2
You are going to read a magazine article about a solo traveller who experienced extreme homesickness.
For questions 1-6, choose the answer (A, B, C or D) which you think fits best according to the text.
A Ticket Home or a Reason to Stay?
For the first four weeks, my solo backpacking trip across South America was everything I had dreamed of. I was conquering ancient hiking trails, sampling exotic street food, and making friends in crowded hostels. My social media feed was a vibrant display of breathtaking landscapes, and I felt invincible. But exactly thirty days in, the initial adrenaline wore off, and I hit a massive psychological wall. I woke up in a freezing hostel room in La Paz, and suddenly, the thrill of the unknown was replaced by an intense, hollow ache in my chest. I didn’t want to explore anymore; I experienced a sudden and dramatic loss of enthusiasm and just wanted my own bed.
The sheer intensity of my homesickness took me completely by surprise. Seasoned travellers often talk about culture shock, but few mention the crushing weight of isolation that can descend upon you when you are thousands of miles away from your loved ones. Even though I was surrounded by magnificent Andean peaks, I felt entirely disconnected from my environment. The local markets, which had fascinated me only days prior, now seemed noisy and overwhelming. I spent two days entirely confined to my bunk bed, staring blankly at the ceiling and seriously considering whether I should abandon the entire expedition. My mind was playing tricks on me, constantly reminding me of the comforts I had left behind: the familiar taste of my favourite tea, the effortless conversations with childhood friends, and the reassuring predictability of my daily routine.
The breaking point arrived on a Tuesday afternoon. I had forced myself to go out and buy groceries, hoping some fresh air would lift my spirits. While walking back, a sudden, torrential downpour soaked me to the bone, and the flimsy plastic bag carrying my supplies split open, scattering my food across the muddy pavement. This was the final straw. Standing in the rain, looking at my ruined dinner, I pulled out my smartphone and frantically started searching for the next available flight back to London. I was thoroughly convinced that my adventure had reached its bitter end.
Soaking wet and shivering, I retreated to a quiet corner of a local café that advertised free Wi-Fi. I ordered a hot drink, logged on, and initiated a video call to my parents. The moment my mother’s familiar, comforting face appeared on the screen, my brave facade crumbled, and I burst into tears. I sobbed about the rain, the isolation, and the overwhelming desire to come home. Instead of telling me to toughen up or reminding me of how much money I had spent on this trip, they simply listened. My father gently pointed out that feeling miserable didn’t mean I had failed; it just meant I was human.
That tearful conversation acted as a crucial emotional release. After hanging up, I sat in the café for another hour, watching the rain gradually subside and the bustling city come back to life. A strange sense of calm washed over me. I realised that the homesickness hadn’t magically vanished, but it no longer felt like an unbearable burden. I looked at the open browser tab displaying expensive flights back to the UK, and, with a newfound sense of determination, I firmly closed it. I wasn’t quite ready to give up yet. I wiped my eyes, finished my now-lukewarm coffee, and decided to take things one day at a time. I would allow myself to miss home, but I wouldn’t let it dictate my actions.
Now, looking back on that six-month journey, I view that miserable, rainy afternoon in Bolivia as the most defining moment of my trip. If I hadn’t experienced that profound vulnerability, I wouldn’t have discovered my own resilience. Travel isn’t just about collecting stamps in a passport or witnessing spectacular sunsets; it is equally about navigating the uncomfortable, lonely spaces in between. Embracing that intense homesickness ultimately allowed me to continue my journey with a deeper, more authentic appreciation for both the world around me and the home I had left behind.
1 How did the writer feel at the one-month mark of her trip?
(A) She was physically exhausted from conquering ancient trails.
(B) She experienced a sudden and severe loss of motivation.
(C) She was frustrated by the freezing conditions in her hostel.
(D) She regretted posting misleading photos on her social media.
2 What does the writer say about her experience of homesickness in the second paragraph?
(A) It was a common symptom of the culture shock she had read about.
(B) It made her appreciate the magnificent Andean peaks even more.
(C) It caused her to idealise the mundane aspects of her life back home.
(D) It was worse than anything experienced by the seasoned travellers she met.
3 What does the word ‘This‘ refer to in paragraph 3?
(A) The task of buying groceries in bad weather.
(B) The combination of getting wet and dropping her food.
(C) The realisation that she needed to book a flight.
(D) The sudden change in the local climate.
4 What can be inferred about the parents’ reaction to the writer’s phone call?
(A) They were secretly disappointed that she wanted to quit.
(B) Their validating approach helped her process her negative emotions.
(C) They were concerned about the financial implications of her return.
(D) They urged her to ignore the rain and focus on the positives.
5 How did the writer’s mindset change after the phone call?
(A) She decided to ignore her feelings of homesickness completely.
(B) She felt ready to immediately resume her intense travel schedule.
(C) She accepted her negative feelings without letting them control her.
(D) She realised the weather in the city was starting to improve.
6 What is the writer’s main conclusion about her experience?
(A) Overcoming emotional obstacles is a vital and rewarding part of travelling.
(B) Travelling alone is too difficult and should be avoided by most people.
(C) The best travel memories are usually made during bad weather.
(D) Homesickness is a sign that a traveller should return to their comfort zone.
Answer Key & Explanations
1 B: The text states that “the thrill of the unknown was replaced by an intense, hollow ache” and she “didn’t want to explore anymore”, which paraphrases a severe loss of motivation. Distractor A is a False Match; she had conquered trails, but this is not given as the cause of her current feeling. Distractor C is a Partial Truth; her room was freezing, but this was just the setting, not the main emotion. Distractor D is Unstated.
2 C: The writer notes that her mind was “constantly reminding me of the comforts I had left behind,” listing normal things like tea, conversations, and routine. This matches idealising mundane aspects of home (C). Distractor A is the Opposite; she contrasts homesickness with culture shock. Distractor B is the Opposite; she felt disconnected from the peaks. Distractor D is an Over-Inference; she says few mention it, not that hers was worse than theirs.
3 B: In the text, a sudden downpour “soaked me to the bone, and the flimsy plastic bag carrying my supplies split open, scattering my food… This was the final straw.” The pronoun refers to this specific sequence of unfortunate physical events. Distractor C is a False Sequence; searching for the flight happened after this breaking point.
4 B: The text explains that instead of telling her to toughen up, “they simply listened” and gently pointed out that her misery just meant she was human. This empathetic validation helped provide the “crucial emotional release” mentioned in the next paragraph (B). Distractor C is a False Match; the text explicitly states they did not remind her of the money she had spent. Distractor D is the Opposite; they did not tell her to just toughen up and ignore it.
5 C: The writer states, “I would allow myself to miss home, but I wouldn’t let it dictate my actions.” This perfectly paraphrases accepting the feelings without being controlled by them. Distractor A is the Opposite; she allowed herself to miss home, rather than ignoring it. Distractor D is a Partial Truth; the weather did improve, but that is a physical observation, not the fundamental change in her mindset.
6 A: The final paragraph asserts that travel is “equally about navigating the uncomfortable, lonely spaces in between” and that embracing the vulnerability allowed for a deeper appreciation of the journey. This matches A. Distractor B is the Opposite of her empowering conclusion. Distractor C uses Extreme Language; while this specific memory happened in bad weather, she doesn’t claim the best memories usually do.