Practice English Reading Exercises for B2 – Travel Writing & Approaches 10

Exercises:   123456

Reading 1

You are going to read an article about four writers sharing their philosophy that the best travel stories always come from things going disastrously wrong rather than everything going to plan.

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

Which person/section

1   changed their previously rigid attitude towards holiday preparation?

2   asserts that trips without any problems generally result in uninspiring articles?

3   highlights how a misleading advertisement resulted in an unforgettable experience?

4   claims that sharing moments of personal foolishness makes an author more relatable?

5   attended a private social event entirely by accident?

6   was compelled to manage without their usual material possessions?

7   notes that a lack of safety and comfort actually enhances a writer’s observational skills?

8   believes that experiencing extreme weather conditions fostered a connection with the local community?

9   experienced a public transport failure that ultimately provided excellent writing material?

10   points out that linguistic misunderstandings often generate highly entertaining content?

Embracing the Chaos: Why Travel Disasters Make the Best Stories

A Oliver

I used to be an absolute control freak when it came to travel. My itineraries were meticulously planned down to the very last minute, leaving no room for error. However, I eventually realised that if a journey goes off without a single hitch, writers are left with virtually nothing to recount. Readers simply don’t want to hear about a seamless flight or a perfectly timed museum visit; they crave drama. The turning point for me was in rural India when the ancient bus I was travelling on broke down in the middle of nowhere. Initially, I was furious that my schedule was ruined. Yet, while we waited for hours in the sweltering heat, I ended up sharing a fascinating conversation with the driver about his childhood. That unexpected delay became the most captivating chapter of my first book. Now, I actively welcome the chaos, knowing that mechanical faults and missed connections are the raw ingredients of a compelling narrative.

B Clara

As a travel journalist, I’ve learned that temporary misery often translates into the most brilliant prose. Take my trip to the Scottish Highlands, for example. I had booked what was proudly described online as a ‘luxurious, sun-drenched lodge’. In reality, it was a dilapidated, draughty shack. To make matters worse, a ferocious storm rolled in, knocking out the power and leaving me freezing. While a perfectly comfortable weekend might have been pleasant, this ordeal was a literary goldmine. Seeking warmth, I ventured to the only pub in the village, where I huddled around a roaring fire with the residents. Shared adversity has a remarkable way of breaking down social barriers, and the fierce winds outside ultimately sparked an evening of storytelling and laughter that I will never forget. If the accommodation had lived up to its glowing description, I would have completely missed out on the genuine warmth of the local people.

C Julian

Whenever novice writers ask me for advice, I always tell them to lean into their mistakes. If you constantly portray yourself as a seasoned, flawless explorer, your audience will quickly lose interest. Showcasing your own vulnerability and absolute cluelessness makes you far more human to your readers. My most successful articles invariably stem from embarrassing miscommunications. Once, while exploring rural Japan, a severe mistranslation of a map led me to walk into a family’s wedding reception instead of the public botanical garden I was aiming for. Rather than kicking me out, the incredibly gracious hosts insisted I join the celebration. It was a mortifying error on my part, but the resulting essay about gatecrashing a stranger’s nuptials was highly praised for its humour. I firmly believe that wrestling with a foreign vocabulary and making a fool of yourself not only generates highly amusing anecdotes, but also opens doors to authentic cultural immersions.

D Maya

It is a universally acknowledged truth in my profession that the best stories begin when your comfort zone is abruptly snatched away. During a month-long assignment in South America, the airline managed to permanently misplace my suitcase. Suddenly, I was deprived of my designer clothes, my expensive laptop, and my meticulously compiled notes. Stripped of my familiar everyday items, I experienced a brief moment of panic. However, getting by with only a borrowed t-shirt and a cheap notebook completely shifted my perspective. Without the distraction of my gadgets and the safety net of my gear, my senses were significantly heightened. I paid far more attention to the vibrant street life and the subtle details of my surroundings. Being forced to rely on the goodwill of strangers to navigate the city taught me that material security often creates an invisible wall between the traveller and the destination. A little deprivation goes a long way in sharpening a writer’s eye.

Reading 2

You are going to read an article about four travelers who realized that despite cultural differences, human experiences are universal.

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

Which traveler

1   anticipated finding lifestyles that were completely incompatible with their own?

2   was reminded of their own teenage years by watching a local family interact?

3   understood that economic anxieties are shared by parents worldwide?

4   notes that language barriers did not prevent them from enjoying an amusing situation?

5   felt included in a local event almost immediately?

6   realized that the instinct to protect one’s children is identical across cultures?

7   explains how a welcoming gesture overcame an initial feeling of loneliness?

8   claims that amusement is triggered by the same things regardless of location?

9   experienced a change in perspective after witnessing a local man’s morning tasks?

10   was amazed by the speed with which they connected with a local person?

The Common Thread

A Liam

Before embarking on my journey across Central Asia, I had subconsciously taken it for granted that the lifestyles there would be entirely alien to my own. I expected an unbridgeable divide in values. However, everything changed one morning in a remote village when I watched a local merchant setting up his market stall at dawn. His weary but determined expressions instantly brought back memories of my father opening his grocery shop back home. Later, I saw him patiently walk his young daughter to school, carefully checking both ways before crossing the dirt road. It hit me then that the core drive to shield one’s offspring from harm is absolutely identical, no matter where you live. This eye-opening routine completely altered my mindset. Although the clothes and language differed, the underlying obligations of parenthood felt completely familiar, proving that our core responsibilities connect us all.

B Chloe

While backpacking through South America, I was invited into a tiny home in a rural mountain town. As we sat down, the parents began lightheartedly teasing their teenage son about his messy room, which immediately mirrored my own upbringing. I couldn’t help but laugh as it was exactly how my parents used to handle my behaviour. That evening, the community gathered for a traditional harvest festival. Instead of being left to observe passively from the sidelines, I was pulled into the circle by the locals to join their traditional dance. Consequently, any lingering awkwardness vanished, and I felt completely integrated into their community within minutes. It became apparent to me that despite the vast geographical distance, the essential milestones of family dynamics and collective celebration are universal. We often get caught up in exotic details, but the basic ways we bond and express affection remain unchanged across the globe.

C Marcus

Arriving in a remote fishing village in Southeast Asia, I was overwhelmed by a profound sense of isolation. The cultural differences felt immense, and I worried I would remain an outsider. Nevertheless, this apprehension was swiftly dispelled when an elderly fisherman noticed me sitting alone and offered me a share of his catch. We couldn’t speak each other’s languages, yet we struck up a conversation using gestures and sketches in the sand. I was genuinely astonished by how rapidly we managed to establish common ground. As we communicated, he opened up about his deep anxieties regarding the rising costs of schooling for his grandchildren. It hit me that financial pressures burdening heads of households are universal, transcending any borders. Coming to terms with this reality made me realise that while our environments vary, the anxieties we face to support our families are practically indistinguishable.

D Hana

I used to believe that true connection depended on fluent communication, but a trip to North Africa completely disproved this theory. While waiting for a delayed bus in a small desert outpost, I found myself sitting opposite a group of local women. My complete lack of language skills could easily have resulted in an awkward silence. Instead, one woman’s grocery bag suddenly split, sending oranges rolling across the dusty floor. As we all scrambled to collect them, I made a silly, clumsy gesture that caused the entire group to burst into uncontrollable laughter. Sharing that lighthearted moment made me realize that humor is perceived in the exact same manner across every culture. You don’t need translation to share a genuine smile. It was a beautiful reminder that beneath our distinct traditions and attire, the basic impulse to find joy in accidental mishaps is a completely universal human trait.

Exercises:   123456