Practice English Reading Exercises for B2 – Urban Cycling & Everyday Fitness 3

Exercises:   123456

Reading 1

You are going to read an article about four cyclists sharing their terrifying but educational experiences of dealing with a flat tire or mechanical breakdown far from home.

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

Which person/section

1   regrets skipping a routine safety inspection?

2   had to figure out a makeshift mechanical solution to continue their journey?

3   experienced a sense of dread due to changing weather conditions?

4   was unable to call for assistance due to a lack of a phone signal?

5   was forced to use a repair technique they usually try to avoid?

6   prevented a serious injury by making a split-second decision?

7   mentions that their anxiety was heightened by the potential presence of wildlife?

8   realised the absolute importance of remaining calm in a crisis?

9   underestimated the number of spare parts they might need?

10   now carries specific tools they previously considered unnecessary?

Breaking Down: Lessons from the Open Road

A Alex

I was tackling a challenging ascent in the Scottish Highlands when my chain suddenly snapped. With the sun rapidly setting and the temperature plummeting, a wave of panic washed over me. I was miles from the nearest village, and the prospect of spending the night exposed to the freezing elements was genuinely terrifying. Initially, I just sat by the roadside, feeling utterly helpless. However, I soon realised that losing my head wouldn’t fix the bike. I managed to flag down a passing cyclist who kindly repaired it for me. That chilling experience was a harsh but valuable lesson. I had always relied on others or nearby bike shops, but that incident changed my mindset. Nowadays, I wouldn’t dream of setting off without a chain tool and a set of spare links stashed in my saddlebag, items I previously thought were far too heavy to bother carrying. More importantly, I learnt that keeping a cool head is your best survival tool.

B Bianca

There is nothing quite like the sickening hiss of a punctured tyre to ruin a perfect ride. I was navigating a beautifully remote stretch of coastline when I suffered a flat. I quickly swapped the inner tube, but barely a mile later, I ran over a piece of sharp glass and heard that dreadful sound again. To my horror, I looked at my phone and saw there was absolutely no network coverage. I was entirely cut off, and I had foolishly assumed one spare tube would be sufficient for a short morning ride. Fortunately, I had a puncture repair kit at the bottom of my bag. Historically, I’ve always been too impatient to glue patches on the roadside, preferring the quick fix of a replacement tube. Left with no alternative, I sat on the grass and painstakingly followed the instructions to seal the hole. It was a nerve-wracking hour, but it taught me never to underestimate the unpredictable nature of the road.

C Charlie

If I had known what was going to happen on the descent of Mount Ventoux, I would have stayed in bed. I was flying down the winding mountain road when I squeezed the brake levers, only to find they went straight to the handlebars. The cables had snapped. My heart leapt into my mouth as my speed increased. Knowing that a hairpin bend was approaching and a sheer drop awaited me, I had to act instantly. I spotted a muddy, overgrown ditch to my left and deliberately steered my bike into the soft vegetation. I went over the handlebars but miraculously walked away with just a few bruises. Looking back, I feel incredibly foolish. I had been in such a rush that morning that I completely ignored my usual pre-ride equipment check. Had I spent five minutes examining my bike, I would have noticed the frayed cables. It was a terrifying wake-up call that I will never forget.

D Diana

I was embarking on a multi-day bikepacking adventure through a dense, isolated national park. Things took a turn for the worse when a thick branch got caught in my rear wheel, completely ripping off the derailleur. It was late afternoon, and the sheer isolation of the forest suddenly felt overwhelming. Every rustle in the bushes made me jump, as the area was well-known for its bear population, and the thought of being stranded there after dark was petrifying. With walking out of the question due to the sheer distance, I had to get creative. Using my multi-tool, I removed the broken mechanism, shortened the chain, and forced the bike into a single gear. It was an incredibly clunky and exhausting ride back to civilisation, but it worked. The ordeal taught me that having a solid grasp of basic bike mechanics isn’t just about convenience; in extreme situations, it can be the only way to guarantee your own safety.

Reading 2

You are going to read an article about four young adults discussing their struggles to maintain a consistent gym routine and the strategies that finally worked for them.

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

Which person

1   states that altering the time of day they exercised was the key to their success?

2   mentions feeling self-conscious around other people working out?

3   realised their initial fitness targets were far too ambitious?

4   relies on a sense of obligation to others to ensure they don’t skip a session?

5   sought professional guidance to overcome their lack of knowledge?

6   points out that physical discomfort led to them giving up previously?

7   admits that they used to invent justifications to avoid exercising?

8   initially thought a companion would help, but found the arrangement fell apart?

9   found the repetitive nature of their original workouts uninspiring?

10   found that gradually increasing their effort was the best approach?

Finding the Rhythm: How We Finally Stuck to the Gym

A Liam

For years, my gym membership was a complete waste of money. I’d always pack my sports gear with the best intentions, but by the time 5 p.m. rolled around, I’d inevitably come up with a reason not to go. Whether it was being bogged down with paperwork or simply feeling drained, I was a master at justifying my absence. I’d briefly considered hiring a personal trainer to keep me on track, but it was out of the question financially. The turning point came when I decided to set my alarm an hour earlier. Dragging myself out of bed at 6 a.m. was agonising at first, but completing my workout before my brain even had a chance to formulate an excuse changed everything. I’m currently training for a half-marathon, which is a massive goal, but since I switched my routine to the crack of dawn, I haven’t missed a single session.

B Chloe

I’ve always been someone who gets bored easily, and staring at a blank wall while running on a treadmill is my idea of torture. I tried going to the gym at sunrise, hoping to get it out of the way, but it just left me feeling exhausted for the rest of the day. The monotony of lifting weights by myself meant I rarely lasted more than a couple of weeks before throwing in the towel. Eventually, a colleague suggested I try group fitness classes. I signed up for a spinning course, and it was a revelation. It’s not just the upbeat music and energetic instructors; it’s the community aspect. If I don’t show up, the people I’ve befriended will definitely ask where I was. That subtle social pressure is exactly what I need to stay committed. It’s impossible to feel uninspired when you’re sweating alongside twenty other people!

C Marcus

Stepping onto the gym floor used to fill me with absolute dread. Surrounded by incredibly fit individuals who seemed to know exactly what they were doing, I felt completely out of place and judged. At first, I talked a close friend into joining with me, assuming having a familiar face around would ease my anxiety. Unfortunately, he lost interest and cancelled his membership after a month, leaving me back at square one. I tried logging my workouts in an app, but without knowing the proper techniques, it was pointless. Ultimately, I bit the bullet and invested in a block of sessions with a fitness instructor. Having an expert walk me through the correct form for each machine was a game-changer. Once I understood the mechanics of the exercises, the fear of embarrassing myself vanished. Now, I put my headphones on, tune out the crowd, and get to work.

D Maya

My downfall was always my ‘all or nothing’ mentality. Every January, I would vow to work out six days a week, pushing myself to the absolute limit. Predictably, this would result in such severe muscle aches that I couldn’t walk properly for days, inevitably causing me to abandon the gym entirely by February. I even considered joining group classes, but the competitive atmosphere seemed counterproductive to my recovery. It wasn’t until I read an article about sustainable habits that I realised how flawed my approach was. I had been setting myself up for failure with targets that were virtually impossible to maintain. I decided to start from scratch, committing to just two gentle twenty-minute sessions a week. Gradually, as my stamina improved, I began to increase the duration and intensity. Taking it slowly allowed my body to adapt without the dreaded soreness, and for the first time, fitness has become a permanent lifestyle choice.

Exercises:   123456