Practice English Reading Exercises for B2 – Wildlife & Nature Conservation 7

Exercises:   123456

Reading 1

You are going to read an article about four young adults reflecting on the psychological benefits of “forest bathing” (Shinrin-yoku) and arguing that preserving forests is essential for human mental health.

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

Which person/section

1   admits to having initially dismissed the practice as a trendy gimmick?

2   points out a biological explanation for why being among trees is so calming?

3   argues that protecting the environment is essentially a way of protecting our own minds?

4   deliberately focuses on what they can hear, smell, and touch while in the woods?

5   believes that mature, untouched woodlands provide superior therapeutic effects?

6   states that the activity is entirely unrelated to improving one’s physical fitness?

7   views the loss of green spaces as the destruction of a natural form of medication?

8   found that the practice helped alleviate their deep-seated fears regarding global warming?

9   mentions experiencing a measurable change in a specific bodily function?

10   appreciates having a sanctuary where they are completely disconnected from digital devices?

Healing Under the Canopy: The Power of Forest Bathing

A Liam

I work in a fast-paced tech startup, and my daily routine is ruled by endless notifications. I was desperate for a way to unplug, which is how I stumbled upon Shinrin-yoku, or forest bathing. To be clear, this isn’t about hiking at top speed to burn calories or hitting a daily step count; it’s the exact opposite. You stroll aimlessly and let the woodland atmosphere wash over you. For me, the real magic happens when I actively tune into my surroundings—inhaling the scent of damp earth, feeling the rough bark of the trunks, and listening to the rustling leaves overhead. Leaving my smartphone securely locked in the car is a non-negotiable rule. Without this peaceful sanctuary away from glowing screens, my anxiety would undoubtedly spiral out of control. When developers bulldoze local woods to build more shopping centres, they aren’t just cutting down timber; they are tearing down vital refuges that many of us desperately rely on to escape the modern digital grind.

B Maya

When my doctor first brought up the concept of forest bathing to help manage my chronic stress, I honestly thought it sounded like a ridiculous wellness fad. I was highly doubtful that merely wandering around some trees could compete with proper medical therapy. However, I decided to give it a go, and the results completely took me by surprise. Immersing myself in the tranquil environment acted like a giant reset button for my nervous system. Within an hour, the heavy fog of worry that usually clouds my mind had lifted entirely. It made me realise that nature is essentially a free, highly effective pharmacy. That’s precisely why the ongoing deforestation in our region is so deeply troubling. Every time a wooded area is cleared for housing, we are permanently losing a natural prescription that possesses incredible healing properties. We urgently need to re-evaluate how we view these green spaces; they are vital healthcare infrastructure.

C Noah

As a biology graduate, I’ve always been fascinated by the tangible, physiological impact that the natural world has on the human body. Forest bathing isn’t just some abstract spiritual concept; it’s backed by robust science. Trees release organic compounds called phytoncides into the air to protect themselves from insects and rot. When we breathe these in, they significantly lower our stress hormones. I’ve even tracked it on my smartwatch—after just thirty minutes among the pines, my heart rate consistently drops by a considerable margin. However, it’s crucial to understand that a newly planted, landscaped park simply doesn’t have the same effect. Ancient, untouched woodlands boast a complex ecosystem that produces a much higher concentration of these beneficial chemicals. This is why we must fight tooth and nail to preserve old-growth forests. If we allow these ancient ecosystems to be logged, we are wiping out biological networks that have a profound ability to soothe us.

D Chloe

Over the past few years, I’ve suffered terribly from what psychologists call ‘eco-anxiety’—a paralysing sense of dread about the future of our climate. Reading endless news reports about rising global temperatures left me feeling utterly hopeless. Curiously, the only thing that genuinely alleviates this overwhelming despair is practising Shinrin-yoku. Sitting quietly under the thick canopy of a sprawling oak tree reminds me that the earth is still incredibly resilient and full of life. It grounds me and stops my thoughts from spiralling into worst-case scenarios. Conservation is frequently framed as a moral duty to save endangered wildlife, which is obviously true, but it goes much deeper than that. Safeguarding these wild spaces is fundamentally an act of self-preservation. Without access to wild forests to seek solace and recharge our battered psyches, the human race will collectively suffer. By protecting the trees, we are, in a very literal sense, preserving our own collective sanity in an increasingly uncertain world.

Reading 2

You are going to read an article about four teenagers talking about how a school biology trip to a highly polluted river motivated them to organize regular community riverbank clean-ups.

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 a change in how their classmates viewed the initiative?

2   was surprised by the strange variety of rubbish they pulled from the water?

3   had to overcome concerns regarding official regulations before starting?

4   notes that seeing the environment firsthand was much more shocking than reading about it?

5   successfully approached local businesses for practical contributions?

6   highlights the unexpected cooperation between people of different age groups?

7   felt compelled to act after witnessing an animal in distress?

8   used modern communication methods to attract people to their first gathering?

9   stresses that solving the problem requires continuous, regular effort?

10   admits they underestimated the physical stamina required for the task?

Turning the Tide: Teenagers Taking Back Their River

A Alex

When our biology teacher announced a field trip to the River Ouse, I assumed it would be a routine afternoon of taking water samples. However, nothing could have prepared me for the grim reality. Seeing the water choked with plastic bottles was a far cry from the tidy diagrams of ecosystems in our textbooks; it was genuinely heart-breaking. I knew we couldn’t just walk away, so I decided to take action. Initially, I felt completely overwhelmed by the sheer scale of the mess, but I figured we had to start somewhere. I set up a dedicated page on a popular networking site, hoping to drum up a bit of interest for a weekend litter-pick. To my astonishment, the post went viral locally! We had over fifty volunteers turn up on that first Saturday. While the river is far from pristine, taking that initial step proved to me that digital platforms can be a powerful tool for environmental mobilization.

B Maya

During our biology excursion, I strayed from the main group and stumbled upon a heron with its wings hopelessly tangled in a discarded fishing net. Had we not managed to free it, the poor creature would undoubtedly have perished. That distressing sight was the catalyst for my involvement in the clean-ups. At first, trying to recruit people from my year group was an uphill struggle. Many of them turned their noses up at the idea, claiming that wading through mud picking up other people’s filth was disgusting. However, once we started posting photos of the cleared areas, their reluctance vanished, and soon half my class was begging to join in! Of course, we needed heavy-duty rubbish bags and proper protective gloves, which aren’t cheap. I took it upon myself to visit several hardware stores in town, successfully talking the managers into donating the supplies we desperately needed. It was a steep learning curve, but totally worth it.

C Sam

What struck me most during our initial school trip wasn’t just the volume of waste, but the bizarre nature of what had been dumped. When we returned a week later for our first official clean-up, we dragged out everything from a rusty shopping trolley to a collection of vintage ceramic dolls! It was absolutely baffling. As a keen science student, I regularly test the river’s pH and oxygen levels, and it’s obvious that this level of pollution causes severe ecological damage. Because of this, I’ve always stressed to our volunteer group that a single afternoon of clearing rubbish is just a drop in the ocean. To genuinely allow the ecosystem to bounce back, we must maintain a strict schedule of monthly interventions. Some people lose enthusiasm when the weather turns miserable, but I constantly remind them that consistency is the only way we will ever see a lasting improvement in the water quality.

D Chloe

Before we even launched our first community clean-up, I was incredibly anxious about the legalities. I spent hours reading up on local council by-laws, terrified we might be inadvertently trespassing or breaching health and safety codes by removing waste from public waterways. Once permission had been officially granted by the authorities, the project truly took off. What has been most rewarding for me is the incredible sense of camaraderie. I’d always assumed that teenagers and pensioners had very little in common, but watching my friends working shoulder-to-shoulder with local retirees has been a revelation. They share stories while hauling heavy sodden carpets out of the mud! Speaking of which, dragging waterlogged debris up a steep riverbank completely wiped me out on the first day. I woke up the next morning with muscles aching that I didn’t even know I had! Now, I make sure everyone takes regular breaks, as it’s far more strenuous than it looks.

Exercises:   123456