Practice English Reading Exercises for B2 – Youth Entrepreneurship & Startups 6

Exercises:   123456

Reading 1

You are going to read an article about four young entrepreneurs sharing the ethical dilemmas they faced when sourcing sustainable materials for their handmade products.

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

Which person/section

1   had to retrieve products that were already in the hands of customers?

2   mentions prioritising local economic support over official environmental certifications?

3   accepted a reduction in earnings to stay true to their personal values?

4   acknowledges that a supposedly green manufacturing process was actually generating pollution?

5   admits to facing unexpected criticism from buyers regarding a specific choice?

6   believes that being completely honest with consumers about imperfections is crucial?

7   highlights the difficulty of securing reliable alternatives because their business isn’t large enough?

8   realised that protecting animal welfare had inadvertently come at the expense of human rights?

9   concluded that they had to accept a compromise involving the high consumption of a natural resource?

10   was deliberately misled by a supplier regarding the authenticity of their materials?

The Price of Sustainability: Young Entrepreneurs Speak Out

A Liam – Handmade Furniture

When I started my handmade furniture brand, I took it for granted that sourcing wood would be straightforward. I was torn between buying imported timber with a globally recognised eco-certificate and purchasing from a small, family-run mill down the road that couldn’t afford the official paperwork. Ultimately, I opted to back the local economy, keeping my carbon footprint down. However, I didn’t anticipate the backlash; several customers sent angry emails demanding to see the ‘official’ sustainability stamps. I could have bought the imported wood to keep them happy, but I stuck to my guns. I’ve come to terms with the fact that no choice is flawless. These days, I make a point of being entirely upfront on my website about why my wood isn’t certified. I’ve found that if you lay your cards on the table and explain your compromises, most people respect your integrity.

B Chloe – Vegan Skincare

Launching my vegan skincare line brought a serious ethical dilemma to light. My unique selling point was that everything was absolutely cruelty-free. I’d sourced a rare botanical extract that worked wonders, but after a few months, an investigative report revealed that my supplier was exploiting their farm workers, paying well below a living wage. It was a nightmare. While no animals were harmed, I couldn’t turn a blind eye to the terrible human cost. Finding a new, ethical supplier was an uphill struggle. Because my operation is tiny, large fair-trade farms just weren’t interested in fulfilling my modest orders. Eventually, I tracked down a cooperative that met all my standards, though they charge significantly more. Consequently, I’ve had to absorb the extra expense, which has eaten into my bottom line. Even so, sleeping soundly at night is worth far more than a slightly wider profit margin.

C Jamal – Upcycled Bags

I set up my handmade bag business with the intention of exclusively using fabrics made from recycled ocean plastics. On paper, it sounded like the ultimate eco-friendly solution. However, the deeper I dug into the supply chain, the more disillusioned I became. I discovered that the recycling factories breaking down these plastics were emitting huge amounts of toxic wastewater into local rivers. It completely defeated the object of being a sustainable brand. I had to rethink my entire strategy. I ended up switching to organic cotton, which isn’t without its own problems. Although it’s grown without harmful pesticides, the irrigation process requires vast quantities of water. It’s frustrating, but I realised you often have to weigh up two imperfect options and go with the lesser of two evils. If I had known about the plastic recycling issues from the start, I wouldn’t have wasted so much time designing synthetic prototypes.

D Mia – Eco-Jewellery

When you’re making bespoke silver jewellery, ensuring your materials are ethically mined is paramount. I thought I had struck gold, so to speak, when I found a supplier offering conflict-free silver at a reasonable price, complete with impressive-looking sustainability certificates. I happily launched my first collection, proud of my brand’s ethical stance. My world came crashing down when an industry watchdog contacted me to say my supplier had been forging their documentation for years; the silver was actually coming from highly unregulated mines. I was absolutely devastated and felt entirely foolish for being taken in. I couldn’t bear the thought of my customers wearing tainted goods, so I immediately offered full refunds and asked for the pieces back. It nearly bankrupted me. Since then, I’ve insisted on visiting every single mine I partner with in person, regardless of the travel costs, to ensure I’m never conned like that again.

Reading 2

You are going to read an article about four teenagers reflecting on the crucial role of finding a good mentor who guided them through their first entrepreneurial venture.

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

Which person

1   initially believed they already possessed all the necessary expertise to succeed?

2   expresses gratitude for their mentor introducing them to useful industry contacts?

3   explains how their mentor helped them recover from a severe manufacturing disaster?

4   was taught how to react appropriately to difficult and demanding customers?

5   was persuaded by their mentor not to abandon their business completely?

6   received guidance on how to complete complicated official paperwork?

7   mentions that their mentor gave them self-belief when their family was discouraging?

8   was encouraged to ask for a price that reflected the true value of their work?

9   states their mentor helped them realise the broader future potential of their project?

10   appreciates their mentor for showing them how to balance their workload effectively?

Guiding Lights: The Mentors Behind Teen Success

A Liam

When I first launched my study-planner app, I took it for granted that my coding skills were all I needed. I was convinced I had the whole process figured out and initially brushed off the idea of seeking advice. However, I soon realised I was completely out of my depth. My mentor, a retired tech entrepreneur, stepped in and gently pointed out my blind spots. While I was fine dealing with demanding users online, I was clueless about the official side of things. He patiently guided me through the maze of registering the company and filling out complicated tax documents—something I would have struggled to navigate alone. Furthermore, I had only planned to target my own school, but he opened my eyes to how the platform could be expanded nationally, fundamentally shifting my long-term vision.

B Maya

Creating intricate jewellery from recycled materials was a process that came naturally to me, but selling my pieces was a completely different ball game. I was initially so insecure about the quality of my work that I practically gave it away, barely making enough to cover my basic expenses. Fortunately, my mentor—a local boutique owner—carefully reviewed my business model and insisted I was significantly underselling myself. She empowered me to increase my prices, convincing me that consumers are willing to pay a premium for sustainable, handmade crafts. My friends were incredibly supportive of my artistic vision, but it was my mentor who taught me the harsh realities of commerce. Whenever shoppers complained about the cost or aggressively demanded unjustified discounts, I used to freeze. She role-played these scenarios with me, teaching me how to stand my ground politely but firmly.

C Toby

Setting up my own streetwear brand felt like a dream come true, right up until my first major batch of hoodies was delivered. Hoping to save money, I had opted for the cheapest overseas manufacturer available, which turned out to be a disastrous decision. The prints were already peeling, and the sizing was wildly inconsistent. I was absolutely devastated and entirely ready to throw in the towel, convinced my venture was doomed. Thankfully, my mentor, an experienced fashion designer, refused to let me walk away. Instead of letting me wallow in self-pity, he stepped in and helped me negotiate a partial refund. More importantly, he showed me how to source a reliable local factory to replace the ruined stock. If it hadn’t been for his calm, practical intervention during that chaotic supply-chain crisis, my business would undoubtedly have collapsed.

D Chloe

Transforming my weekend baking hobby into a fully-fledged catering service was a massive leap of faith. Unfortunately, my immediate family didn’t view it as a viable enterprise; they constantly urged me to drop the idea and treat baking as nothing more than a casual pastime. That lack of belief really knocked my confidence. Thankfully, I was introduced to Sarah, a professional pastry chef who generously offered to mentor me. She provided the emotional reassurance I was missing at home, repeatedly reminding me that my ambitions were valid. Furthermore, she didn’t just offer advice; she actively opened doors for me. By sharing her professional network, she connected me directly with wholesale ingredient distributors and event organisers. At first, I struggled terribly with balancing my baking orders and my coursework, but she taught me an invaluable scheduling technique that ultimately saved both my grades and my sanity.

Exercises:   123456