Practice English Reading Exercises for B2 – Water Sports & Extreme Adventures 3

Exercises:   123456

Reading 1

You are going to read an article about four people sharing their terrifying yet awe-inspiring encounters with marine wildlife while scuba diving for the first time.

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 being taken aback by the creature’s surprisingly graceful movements?

2   felt reassured by the presence and reaction of their instructor?

3   experienced a brief equipment issue caused by their emotional reaction?

4   states that the encounter changed a long-held negative preconception?

5   was initially startled by the sudden emergence of the animal from its hiding place?

6   points out how insignificant humans seem in comparison to nature?

7   admits they were tempted to abandon the dive before the excursion even began?

8   describes a feeling of being closely observed by the animal?

9   regrets that they were unable to capture the moment on camera?

10   acknowledges that the experience has sparked an obsession with the sport?

Into the Deep: First-Time Encounters with Marine Giants

A Leo

I had always felt incredibly anxious about deep water, so when a two-metre reef shark glided into view during my very first open-water dive, my initial instinct was to bolt for the surface. My heart was hammering in my chest, and I was convinced I was in grave danger. However, catching a glimpse of my dive guide, who was simply floating there with a serene expression and giving me the ‘OK’ hand signal, instantly brought me back to my senses. If he hadn’t remained so calm, I would have undoubtedly rushed to the surface in a panic. As the apex predator circled us, what struck me most was its piercing, unblinking gaze; I felt an undeniable sense that it was scrutinising me just as closely as I was watching it. Once my breathing finally settled, the sheer majesty of the animal took my breath away. It was an unforgettable, if nerve-wracking, introduction to the underwater realm.

B Mia

To be completely honest, I was on the verge of calling it quits before we even descended. The water was exceptionally choppy, and shivering in my wetsuit on the edge of the boat, I genuinely questioned why I had signed up for this. Nevertheless, I eventually gathered my courage and plunged in. We had been exploring a vibrant coral reef for about twenty minutes when a colossal shadow passed overhead. I looked up to see a manta ray blocking out the sunlight. Given its massive wingspan, which must have been at least four metres, I had anticipated it would be rather clumsy. Instead, I was utterly mesmerised by how elegantly it navigated the currents. It moved with the fluidity of a ballet dancer, performing effortless somersaults right above us. All my previous misgivings evaporated instantly, replaced by a profound sense of awe. Witnessing such a gentle giant was entirely worth the initial discomfort.

C Sam

My first foray into scuba diving took place near some steep volcanic rock formations. I was busy admiring a school of tiny, colourful fish when a massive moray eel suddenly shot out from a dark crevice just inches from my mask. I practically jumped out of my skin! With their razor-sharp teeth and snake-like appearance, I had always held the firm belief that eels were aggressive, hostile beasts. Yet, after the initial shock wore off, I realised it was merely opening and closing its mouth to breathe, not to threaten me. It actually seemed quite inquisitive, hovering peacefully before retreating into its rocky home. The encounter completely shattered my unfair prejudice against them. I only wish I had thought ahead; if I had hired an underwater camera for the excursion, I could have captured that spine-tingling yet magical moment to show my friends back home.

D Chloe

Nothing can truly prepare you for the immensity of the open ocean, but being dwarfed by a humpback whale during my inaugural dive really put things into perspective. We were hovering at fifteen metres when the distant, haunting melody of whale song began to vibrate through the water. Suddenly, a colossal shape materialised from the murky blue gloom. The sheer scale of the mammal made me acutely aware of our utter triviality in the grand scheme of the natural world. I was so overwhelmed by the majesty of the sight that I gasped in astonishment, inadvertently causing my mask to fill with saltwater. After hastily clearing the water out, I spent the remaining minutes in a state of pure trance. That single, fleeting interaction has entirely changed the trajectory of my life. I am now completely hooked on the sport and spend every spare penny I earn on advanced training courses.

Reading 2

You are going to read an article about four outdoor enthusiasts describing the extreme physical demands and problem-solving skills required for outdoor rock climbing.

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 having to alter their planned path unexpectedly?

2   highlights the crucial role of relying on a companion?

3   admits they initially underestimated the difference between two climbing environments?

4   experienced a physical setback that required a period of rehabilitation?

5   describes a situation where environmental factors severely increased the difficulty?

6   compares figuring out a climb to a mental game?

7   felt an overwhelming sense of muscular fatigue in their upper body?

8   points out that maintaining emotional control is as vital as physical strength?

9   had to conquer a specific phobia while climbing?

10   states that careful pre-climb observation is their key to success?

Mastering the Wall: The Mind and Body of a Climber

A Alex

To me, scaling a sheer cliff is essentially a game of vertical chess. Long before my hands even touch the stone, I spend a considerable amount of time at the base, carefully visualizing the sequence of movements required to reach the top. Successfully piecing together that intricate mental puzzle gives me an incredible buzz. Nevertheless, the physical toll it takes on your body is undeniable. Last season, I ignored the warning signs, pushed myself too hard on a demanding overhang, and ended up tearing a tendon in my hand. It was a frustrating setback that necessitated three months of intensive physiotherapy before I could finally get back on the wall. While my friends often complain about their forearms aching mid-climb, for me, the real challenge always lies in the meticulous planning beforehand. I occasionally get anxious about encountering loose rocks, but thankfully I’ve never had a serious fall. Ultimately, deciphering the route before setting off is what keeps me totally hooked on the sport.

B Mia

People often assume climbing is all about having a strong back, but they overlook the sheer stamina required in your hands. During a recent multi-pitch ascent, I experienced what climbers call ‘the pump’. My forearms were burning so intensely, and my grip felt so incredibly weak, that I genuinely thought I was going to peel right off the rock face. I was agonizingly close to giving up. In those critical moments of physical exhaustion, you realize how much the sport depends on the person holding your rope. Knowing that my belayer was highly experienced and entirely focused on my safety gave me the reassurance I needed to push through the pain barrier. I simply didn’t have the mental capacity to plan my next move; I just followed her shouted instructions from below. While dealing with harsh weather is something I generally loathe, the ultimate test for me is managing that crushing muscular fatigue while hanging fifty metres in the air.

C Julian

I’ve always thrived on the physical exertion of climbing, but nothing prepared me for the expedition we undertook in the gorge last month. We were halfway up a highly exposed slab when a sudden, torrential downpour caught us off guard. The rock instantly transformed into a slippery nightmare, making every handhold feel utterly treacherous. My muscles were shivering, and the biting wind drained our energy reserves at an alarming rate. It was in that precarious situation that I realized psychological resilience is just as crucial as having powerful limbs. It would have been so easy to let sheer terror take over, but keeping panic at bay was the only way we were going to get down safely. We had to communicate clearly, stay entirely rational, and slowly execute our descent. Although some climbers struggle with a fear of heights, my biggest takeaway was that maintaining strict emotional control is what truly saves your life when nature turns against you.

D Sam

Making the transition from artificial indoor climbing walls to genuine outdoor crags was a massive wake-up call for me. I had foolishly assumed that because I could easily manage difficult grades in the gym, the great outdoors would be an absolute breeze. I quickly came to terms with how wrong I was! Unlike the brightly coloured, bolted-on holds indoors, real rock is entirely unpredictable. During my first outdoor lead climb, a piece of limestone snapped off right under my foot. I had to think on my feet and completely figure out a new trajectory on the fly. Furthermore, standing on a tiny ledge with nothing but empty space below forced me to confront my deep-seated vertigo. I had to deliberately slow my breathing to conquer that paralyzing dread of heights. While I certainly sustained a few scrapes and bruises, overcoming that fear and learning to adapt to an unpredictable environment made the accomplishment feel significantly more rewarding.

Exercises:   123456