Practice English Reading Exercises for B2 – Urban Cycling & Everyday Fitness 2

Exercises:   123456

Reading 1

You are going to read an article about four teenagers talking about the sense of freedom they get from joining a weekend cycling club with their peers.

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

Which person

1   appreciates being in charge of deciding the group’s direction?

2   feels relieved to temporarily forget about their academic pressures?

3   states that overcoming a physical challenge gave them a new sense of self-belief?

4   enjoys the stark contrast between the riding environment and their usual surroundings?

5   initially felt reluctant about the timing of the club’s meet-ups?

6   values the fact that they don’t have to pretend to be someone they are not?

7   points out that their newfound mobility doesn’t require a lot of money?

8   fondly recalls an incident that forced them to rely on their own problem-solving skills?

9   mentions the thrilling sensation of moving rapidly through the landscape?

10   enjoys the feeling of heading out without a strict destination in mind?

Freewheeling: Teenagers and the Open Road

A Liam

Living right in the heart of a congested city, I used to feel incredibly boxed in. Everything was concrete, traffic, and noise. Joining the weekend cycling club changed everything for me. Just strapping on my helmet and leaving the urban sprawl behind gives me an unparalleled rush. There’s this one steep descent on our usual route where you can let go of the brakes, and the sheer velocity as the wind whips past your ears is exhilarating. What makes it even better is the independence it brings. Unlike catching the train or relying on my parents for a lift, covering these huge distances under my own steam doesn’t cost a penny. We can ride for hours, and it barely impacts my wallet. Sure, it can be physically demanding, and I’ve come home completely shattered on more than one occasion, but that feeling of absolute liberation is worth every aching muscle.

B Chloe

If I’m perfectly honest, when my mate first suggested joining a cycling group, I wasn’t entirely sold on the idea. Dragging myself out of a warm bed at 7:00 AM on a Saturday seemed like a form of torture. However, it didn’t take long for me to change my tune. This year has been incredibly stressful with exams looming, and my mind is usually racing with endless revision checklists. But the moment my feet hit the pedals, all that anxiety simply melts away. It’s as if the rhythmic motion of riding clears my head entirely. If I hadn’t pushed myself to attend that first session, I would probably still be drowning in stress right now. I’m no longer the worried student; I’m just a girl on a bike. Having that mental space away from textbooks is the ultimate form of freedom for me, setting me up perfectly for the week ahead.

C Noah

For me, the greatest appeal of our cycling club is the complete absence of adults telling us what to do. During the week, my life is strictly timetabled by parents and teachers, but at the weekend, we are in the driving seat. We usually meet up at a local café and figure out our itinerary over a hot chocolate. There’s something incredibly liberating about just pointing to a spot on the map and saying, “Let’s go there,” without needing anyone’s permission. We rarely stick to a rigid schedule, preferring to just follow our instincts. Once, we ended up getting completely lost in the woods and, to make matters worse, one of the guys got a puncture. Instead of panicking or calling our parents to rescue us, we just figured out how to fix it ourselves and navigated our way out. That level of self-reliance makes you feel unstoppable.

D Maya

School life can be quite suffocating sometimes, especially with all the social cliques and the constant pressure to fit in. Joining the cycling club provided me with an escape route from all that drama. When we are out on the road together, those silly school hierarchies vanish. We are just a team, looking out for one another, and I feel completely comfortable showing my true colours around them. Furthermore, the physical aspect of the sport has completely transformed my mindset. A few weeks ago, we tackled a notoriously steep incline known locally as ‘The Beast’. Halfway up, my legs were screaming, and I was on the verge of giving up. But I pushed through the exhaustion and made it to the summit. Realising I had the stamina to conquer something so tough made me feel like I could achieve anything I set my mind to.

Reading 2

You are going to read an article about four individuals reflecting on the pros and cons of using electric bikes (e-bikes) compared to traditional bicycles.

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

Which person

1   is pleased they can cycle alongside more athletic peers?

2   believes riding an e-bike doesn’t provide a genuine sense of achievement?

3   finds the weight of the e-bike problematic in certain situations?

4   enjoys the fact they don’t get sweaty on their way to work?

5   mentions that fixing an e-bike is more complicated than fixing a standard one?

6   suggests e-bikes are a sensible choice for those recovering from health issues?

7   replaced a different mode of transport with an e-bike?

8   misses the intense physical exertion of a standard bicycle?

9   expresses anxiety about the e-bike breaking down or losing charge?

10   felt the initial expense was justified in the long run?

E-bikes vs. Traditional Bicycles

A Mark

I’ve been cycling to the office for years, but last spring I finally gave in and purchased an e-bike. To be completely honest, I was initially put off by the hefty price tag, but looking back, it has more than paid for itself. The absolute best part is coasting up hills without breaking a sweat; I no longer have to bring a change of clothes or use the cramped office showers. I just arrive looking completely presentable. However, it isn’t all perfect. Because the motor does the lion’s share of the work, my cardiovascular fitness has definitely taken a hit. I genuinely miss the burn in my legs from pushing a standard bike to its limits. Sometimes I turn the motor off to get a proper workout, but the bike is quite heavy, making it a bit of a slog. Despite that, for daily commuting, it has completely transformed my morning routine.

B Sarah

For me, cycling has always been about pushing my physical boundaries, which is why I remain incredibly loyal to my traditional road bike. Whenever I see people effortlessly zooming past me on e-bikes while I’m struggling up a steep gradient, I can’t help but feel they are somewhat missing the point. If I’m not absolutely exhausted by the end of a long ride, I simply don’t feel that rush of accomplishment. Having said that, I wouldn’t dream of writing off e-bikes entirely. My uncle, who recently underwent knee surgery, bought one last month. For someone in his position, or for people battling long-term injuries, an e-bike is an absolute game-changer, allowing them to enjoy the outdoors without overstraining themselves. But for my own weekend rides, I’ll stick to relying purely on pedal power, even if it means I take a little longer to reach my destination.

C Leo

I’ve always been a bit of a tech geek, so the moment e-bikes hit the mainstream, I was eager to get my hands on one. My friends are all seasoned cyclists, and I used to dread our weekend rides because I’d constantly fall behind. Now, with the pedal-assist feature, I can easily keep pace with them without feeling like a burden. It’s been fantastic for my social life! However, there are a couple of significant drawbacks. Living in a third-floor apartment with no lift means dragging this incredibly heavy piece of machinery up the stairs every evening, which is frankly exhausting. Furthermore, I constantly suffer from what they call ‘range anxiety’. Even though the battery is supposed to last for 80 kilometres, I’m always nervously glancing at the digital display, terrified that the power will cut out and leave me stranded halfway up a mountain.

D Maya

My primary motivation for buying an e-bike was to reduce my carbon footprint. Before this, I drove my car everywhere, even for short trips to the supermarket. Swapping four wheels for two has been incredibly liberating, and I feel much better knowing I’m doing my bit for the environment. However, anyone considering the switch should be aware that owning an e-bike isn’t quite as straightforward as owning a traditional bicycle. While my old manual bike required nothing more than occasional oil on the chain and a pumped-up tyre, the e-bike is a complex machine. When the electronic gears malfunctioned last month, I couldn’t just fix it myself in the garage. I had to take it to a specialist mechanic, and the repair bill was shockingly high. Still, compared to the ongoing costs of petrol and car insurance, I am definitely saving a considerable amount of money.

Exercises:   123456