Practice English Reading Exercises for B2 – Wildlife & Nature Conservation 9

Exercises:   123456

Reading 1

You are going to read an article about four young conservationists discussing the danger of losing ancient, old-growth forests to logging corporations and the activists chaining themselves to trees to stop it.

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 the severe physical hardship experienced while defending the site?

2   expresses concern over the potential destruction of unresearched natural cures?

3   feels a strong sense of duty to preserve the environment for those yet to be born?

4   points out how the press gives the wider public a false impression of their cause?

5   admits to feeling extremely frightened about acquiring a criminal record?

6   initially questioned whether participating in radical action would actually work?

7   highlights the dangerous misconception that newly planted woods are equal to ancient ones?

8   notes how massive companies successfully manipulate legislation to their advantage?

9   claims that direct protests must be combined with talking to residents to be truly effective?

10   describes a deep emotional reaction to the sheer historical age of the woodland?

Standing Firm: The Fight for Our Ancient Forests

A Mia

I used to believe that signing petitions was the only way to protect our old-growth woodlands. When fellow campaigners suggested physically attaching ourselves to the ancient trunks to halt the heavy machinery, I initially dismissed the idea, assuming such extreme tactics would achieve absolutely nothing. However, observing the ruthless speed of the logging crews changed my mind entirely; I realised I had to take a stand. What devastates me most about this destruction is the irreversible loss of biodiversity. These pristine habitats are incredibly complex and harbour thousands of unexamined plant species. By allowing corporations to indiscriminately clear-cut the area, we run the very real risk of destroying undiscovered medicinal remedies before scientists even have the chance to study them in a laboratory. Securing myself to a giant oak was incredibly daunting, but knowing exactly what was at stake gave me the necessary courage.

B David

It is absolutely infuriating how multinational timber conglomerates operate nowadays. They frequently exploit obscure loopholes in environmental regulations, legally bypassing the strict protections meant to keep these ancient woodlands safe from harm. They also try to justify their actions by loudly claiming they will plant two trees for every single one they cut down. However, this is a dangerous myth; a sterile plantation of identical young pines cannot replicate the intricate, life-sustaining network of a primary forest that has evolved over several centuries. When we set up our most recent blockade, I was tasked with locking myself to a commercial harvester. I won’t lie, as the police sirens wailed in the distance, a wave of panic washed over me. The prospect of ending up with a permanent legal conviction was genuinely terrifying, as it could severely impact my future career. Nevertheless, I swallowed my fear to protect the forest.

C Sarah

Spending an entire week suspended in a canopy net high above the forest floor was undoubtedly one of the most demanding experiences of my life. Enduring freezing nighttime temperatures, relentless rain, and constant hunger took an enormous toll on my body. Yet, whenever I touched the rough bark of a tree that had literally been standing since the Middle Ages, I felt an overwhelming sense of reverence. The historical weight of these magnificent giants is palpable, making the physical discomfort entirely worth it. Unfortunately, reading the newspaper reports after our camp was evicted was deeply frustrating. The journalists painted us as reckless troublemakers out to ruin the local economy, completely ignoring our peaceful methods and valid ecological arguments. It is incredibly unfair how the press routinely twists the narrative to suit the financial agenda of the logging industry, distracting people from the tragic deforestation happening right on their doorstep.

D Ben

The recent occupation of the Blackwood tract proved to me that direct intervention can temporarily halt the chainsaws, but it isn’t a permanent cure. While chaining ourselves to the machinery bought us precious time, I quickly realised that these blockades are futile unless we also manage to shift public opinion. We must actively engage with the surrounding communities, holding town hall meetings to explain why preserving these habitats is vital for carbon storage. Without getting the locals on our side, our protests simply generate noise rather than lasting change. Ultimately, defending these woodlands isn’t just about saving trees; it’s about our moral obligation to our descendants. If we carelessly allow logging corporations to turn our oldest forests into disposable furniture, we are essentially stealing a healthy, vibrant planet from our children and grandchildren. It’s a heavy burden, but ensuring the survival of these ancient ecosystems for tomorrow’s youth is essential.

Reading 2

You are going to read an article about four teenagers reflecting on the surreal experience of living near a national park where bears or foxes frequently wander into suburban backyards looking for food.

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 they were personally responsible for a potentially dangerous wildlife encounter?

2   expresses intense frustration with outsiders who visit the local area?

3   mentions a drastic shift in their initial emotional reaction to the local wildlife?

4   feels a strong sense of personal obligation to keep the animals safe from harm?

5   had to bear the financial cost of repairing a severely damaged possession?

6   believes that the creatures are merely trying to survive in a human-dominated landscape?

7   highlights the absolute necessity of strictly adhering to specific household chores?

8   finds a particular animal activity surprisingly entertaining to observe?

9   acknowledges that people from other areas find their living situation hard to believe?

10   points out that the wildlife has dangerously lost its innate apprehension of humans?

Backyard Beasts: Growing Up Next to the Wild

A Liam

When my family relocated to the edge of a sprawling national park, I took it for granted that the wildlife would politely stay in the woods. I couldn’t have been more wrong. Our suburban street is a regular thoroughfare for black bears. Initially, I was absolutely petrified; if I hadn’t been assured by our neighbours that attacks were incredibly rare, I would have begged my parents to move back to the city. However, I’ve long since come to terms with our massive, furry visitors. Whenever my city-dwelling mates come over, they are utterly flabbergasted by how casually we react to a bear lumbering past the kitchen window. To coexist safely, unwavering routines are essential. It is mandatory that all food waste is securely locked away in reinforced containers. If we didn’t rigidly stick to these waste disposal protocols, our driveway would be turned into a chaotic, messy buffet every single night.

B Chloe

Urban foxes and raccoons are permanent fixtures in our garden, much to the dismay of some local residents who view them as a destructive nuisance. Personally, I find sharing our space with them absolutely fascinating. The highlight of my week is often catching the young fox cubs leaping around in the moonlight, playfully wrestling with my dog’s discarded tennis balls. It never fails to crack me up. Nevertheless, my affection for these creatures is heavily tinged with anxiety. The main commuter road adjacent to our estate is notoriously busy, and I constantly fret about the animals being struck by speeding vehicles when they roam at dusk. If local authorities had implemented stricter speed limits years ago, countless accidents could have been easily avoided. I strongly feel it is our duty to look out for their wellbeing, seeing as we are the ones who built our houses right in the middle of their natural habitat.

C Toby

Living in close proximity to a wildlife reserve guarantees that complacency will eventually be punished. I learned this the hard way last summer. Despite constant reminders, I foolishly neglected to lock my car doors after returning from a late-night shift. Lured by the lingering scent of a takeaway burger wrapper, a rather opportunistic brown bear managed to pull the door handle and climb inside. The poor creature must have panicked when the door swung shut behind it. In its desperate bid to escape, it completely shredded the interior. Naturally, I was forced to dip into my savings to have the backseat entirely reupholstered, which was a painfully expensive lesson. My parents were understandably furious, pointing out that if I had only double-checked the locks, the whole fiasco would never have occurred. Needless to say, I am now relentlessly thorough about securing my vehicle every evening.

D Maya

The primary issue in our town isn’t the roaming wildlife; it is the constant influx of ignorant visitors. Because we live right on the boundary of a spectacular nature reserve, the area is constantly flooded with weekend sightseers. It absolutely makes my blood boil when I catch tourists deliberately feeding the wandering foxes and deer just to capture the perfect social media photo. Consequently, these wild animals have become entirely desensitised to our presence, completely abandoning their healthy instinct to flee. This artificial boldness puts them at immense risk. What people fail to grasp is that relentless human expansion has already decimated their natural foraging territories. The wildlife isn’t invading our space out of malice; they are simply being forced to scavenge in our backyards in order to survive. We are the ones steadily encroaching on their territory, yet the animals are invariably the ones blamed when conflicts inevitably arise.

Exercises:   123456