Practice English Reading Exercises for B2 – Wildlife & Nature Conservation 6

Exercises:   123456

Reading 1

You are going to read an article about four individuals describing the awe-inspiring experience of a whale-watching tour and their anger towards tourists who disrespect the animals’ space.

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

Which person/section

1   expresses frustration at fellow passengers disregarding the crew’s explicit safety warnings?

2   was annoyed by the inappropriate use of camera equipment?

3   felt a powerful, unspoken bond when a whale looked directly at them?

4   points out a rival vessel failing to adhere to maritime regulations?

5   was moved by witnessing a nurturing relationship between two animals?

6   highlights the irritating volume of other sightseers trying to attract the whales?

7   mentions an ignorant attempt to feed the marine life?

8   was captivated by the unique noises the animals produced?

9   mentions that the sheer proximity of the animals made them realise how fragile their own vessel was?

10   felt that an animal deliberately approached the boat out of inquisitiveness?

Majesty and Madness: Surviving a Whale-Watching Tour

A Liam

I’ll never forget the moment a humpback whale broke the surface just meters from our vessel. If someone had told me how immense they actually are, I wouldn’t have believed them. Seeing this colossal creature glide effortlessly made me acutely aware of how delicate our tiny boat was in comparison. It was a truly humbling experience. However, my sense of wonder was abruptly shattered by the arrival of another tour group. Instead of cutting their engine and drifting respectfully, the captain sped up, aggressively cutting across the whale’s path to guarantee his clients a better view. I was absolutely incensed by this blatant disregard for maritime guidelines. These animals are in their natural habitat, and we are merely guests. To see a commercial vessel prioritize a photo opportunity over the welfare of such magnificent wildlife was profoundly disappointing. It completely took the edge off an otherwise magical afternoon on the water.

B Chloe

For me, the most spellbinding aspect of the trip wasn’t just visual; it was auditory. The haunting, melodic songs resonating through the hull of the boat left me entirely mesmerised. It’s hard to put into words how moving it is to hear them communicating in the deep. Sadly, the behaviour of some fellow passengers left a lot to be desired. Despite being briefed beforehand, a handful of ignorant tourists actually thought it would be amusing to toss leftover sandwiches into the water, foolishly hoping to lure the whales closer to the surface. Furthermore, whenever a whale did emerge, these same individuals relentlessly used sudden flashes on their cameras, completely oblivious to the fact that sudden, bright bursts of light can startle marine life. I couldn’t help but feel a surge of anger. We are incredibly privileged to witness these creatures in the wild, and treating the ocean like a petting zoo is beyond disrespectful.

C Mateo

Nothing could have prepared me for the sheer emotional impact of our encounter. At one point, a curious minke whale slowly swam right alongside our hull and rolled slightly onto its side. For a fleeting second, we made direct eye contact. It felt as though there was a mutual, unspoken understanding between us, which brought a lump to my throat. Yet, this profound serenity was ruined by the sheer volume of the people around me. Rather than observing in respectful silence, several teenagers started shouting at the top of their lungs and banging on the metal railings, desperately trying to catch the animal’s attention. I was absolutely appalled. If they had possessed an ounce of common sense, they would have realised that such a deafening racket is highly distressing for animals that rely on sensitive hearing. It’s infuriating how some people demand a dramatic performance rather than simply appreciating nature’s quiet majesty.

D Sarah

The undeniable highlight of our excursion was coming across a mother gray whale and her young calf. Watching the gentle, nurturing way she guided her baby through the ocean swells was a privilege I’ll cherish forever. It was a beautiful display of maternal affection. Unfortunately, my enjoyment was severely compromised by the reckless actions of several people on board our own catamaran. In their desperation to capture the perfect video, a group of sightseers pushed their way to the front, leaning dangerously far over the protective barriers. Our guide repeatedly instructed them to step back and remain seated, but his explicit warnings fell on deaf ears. It was infuriating to witness such selfish arrogance. Not only were they putting themselves at risk of falling overboard, but their frantic, unpredictable movements were clearly causing the mother whale to alter her course nervously. Such an awe-inspiring environment shouldn’t be tarnished by entitled individuals refusing to follow basic rules.

Reading 2

You are going to read an article about four individuals discussing the devastating consequences of introducing invasive species into a delicate local ecosystem and the costly efforts to eradicate them.

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

Which person/section

1   was initially deceived by the appealing look of the non-native species?

2   points out that a financial loss to the community could have been avoided?

3   spent their own funds to combat the environmental damage?

4   believes that total removal of the pest is highly unlikely?

5   warns that a seemingly successful method had hidden negative consequences?

6   was shocked by how quickly the foreign species multiplied?

7   mentions that local animals suffered due to a lack of their usual food source?

8   admits to unknowingly introducing the species themselves?

9   expresses annoyance at the lack of public awareness regarding the issue?

10   explains how a technological tool helped track the spread of the species?

Eco-Invaders: The Battle for Our Ecosystems

A Liam

I originally purchased the ornamental water lily for my garden pond simply because I was captivated by its stunning vibrant color. I took it for granted that such a beautiful plant would be completely harmless, but it turned out to be a disaster. Within months, it had escaped into our local wetlands, and I was utterly shocked by how rapidly it multiplied, blanketing the entire surface of the lake by the end of summer. It suffocated the native aquatic plants, blocking out all sunlight. Volunteers have spent weeks trying to pull it out by hand, which is exhausting work. If we had realized the potential danger earlier, we might have prevented this environmental crisis. Some neighbors suggest using expensive mechanical harvesters, but the community lacks the budget. It has been a massive wake-up call for all of us about the hidden dangers of importing exotic flora.

B Chloe

Our valley used to be famous for its diverse wildlife, but the introduction of a non-native vine has completely devastated the delicate ecosystem. The most heartbreaking consequence is how it has affected local fauna; native birds have completely vanished from the area because this aggressive weed choked out the unique shrubs and berries they traditionally depended on for food. To protect my own property, I was forced to dip into my personal savings to purchase specialized clearing tools and hire assistance, which was an unexpected financial blow. I tried contacting environmental agencies, but they were overwhelmed. It is clear that ignoring the threat early on has led to astronomical bills for property owners. Many people are still buying these vines because of their attractive green foliage, completely oblivious to the ecological nightmare they are propagating.

C Marcus

Tackling the grey squirrel invasion in our local forestry reserve has been an uphill struggle. If the district council had listened to conservationists and intervened years ago, a massive financial loss to our community could easily have been avoided, as timber businesses are now suffering heavily from damaged trees. What irritates me most, however, is the general lack of public awareness; people still leave food out in parks, which directly supports the pest population. To fight back, our team has recently started utilizing advanced drone mapping software, which has been highly effective in tracking the animals’ nesting habits across dense terrain. Nevertheless, the manual labor required to set humane traps is still incredibly time-consuming and costly. We are doing our absolute best to protect our native red squirrels, but without stricter municipal regulations and community cooperation, our costly eradication campaigns will continue to drain valuable local resources.

D Sarah

I have to confess that I am partly to blame for our neighborhood’s current crisis. I accidentally introduced the destructive wood-boring beetle to my property after bringing back an untreated timber souvenir from my holiday in 2025. I realized my mistake far too late, once the larvae had already spread to the ancient oak trees in our nearby reserve. The park rangers initially used intensive chemical sprays to eradicate the insects, but this seemingly successful strategy had severe hidden consequences, as the toxic runoff unfortunately contaminated a local stream, harming the fish. We have now shifted to biological controls, but I believe we must eventually come to terms with the reality that total eradication is highly unlikely. The species is simply too deeply entrenched in the bark. It is a devastating situation, and the ongoing costs of monitoring the damage are bound to rise.

Exercises:   123456