Intermediate (& higher) Reading Exercises

 

Below is the first of many Intermediate + exercises which I will upload to this page. They are uploaded as .jpg.   If you want to download the .doc file for this exercise, so you can print it,  please do so here  – Kahneman Reading

 

To download the exercise below as a Word Doc. if you want to print it, you can do so here

If you want to download the next exercise “Message in a Bottle”, to print it, you can get the file here

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Relationships

 

A challenging Intermediate+ reading comprehension and gap fill exercise. (text source – viralbuzz.press) Adapted for ESL learners by Joe Kilroy.

Students read an article about relationships. They then complete a gap fill using given words and phrases in the box under the photo and then match the words and phrases below with their correct definitions.  Language focus: idioms, phrasal verbs, adjectives of relationships. Key provided.

7 signs it’s  time you called it quits in your relationship

 

 

 

Exercise one – Fill the gaps in the text below, with words from this box. Some are similar, so be careful.

Crucial	enjoy	confusing	care	sign
quarrels	rough	indicate	avoid	honesty
argument	willing	anxiety	maintain	valuables
share	stressful	ego	together	competition
unsure	justified	other	afraid	person

 

 

Going through a ______ relationship? Think it’s getting tougher and tougher to _________ the relationship but still _________ if you should quit or not? Well, sometimes things just don’t work out, no matter how hard you try.

 

 

In such a situation it can be really ___________for you to know what to do. On one hand you don’t want to lose the person, you are ______ of the future and on the other hand the relationship is simply causing you _________and pain. If you are still confused what to do, we have compiled seven _______ signs which _________, it’s time for you to quit.

 

1. Holding grudges:

If you and your partner have started holding grudges against one another, it is a clear______ that you two are not getting along well with each ______. This shows that you don’t _____ for each other and you two have developed a sort of __________that is unhealthy for both of you.

 

 

2. Lying regularly:

 

_________ is very important in any relationship. Sometimes people have to lie about little things in order to cover their tracks or in order to not get into an ________, but lying regularly is not good for any relationship and it shows that you are not __________ to share everything with your partner.

 

 

3. Laughing at each other’s expense:

 

Laughing at each other’s expense cannot be_________in any relationship. If this is something that is common between you and your partner, it’s time for you to quit.

 

 

4. Lack of trust:

Trust is very important in a relationship. Everything revolves around trust. If you don’t trust your partner, your life can become very __________. After all, your partner is supposed to be someone with whom you should be able to share everything. And if you don’t trust them, you would not be able to _______the important things in your life with them. Nor you would be able to trust them with your ________and important matters of life.

 

 

5. Not enjoying each other’s company:

 

A relationship is meant to be fun. You should _______ the company of your partner and if this is not the case and you two actually try to ________ each other instead of being with each other, then it’s about time that you quit the relationship.

 

 

6. Neither of you is willing to back off in an argument:

 

Misunderstandings, _________, and small fights happen in every relationship. But usually one _______ backs off, apologizes and things get back to normal. The problem arises when neither of you is willing to back off in an argument. In such a case it becomes a matter of ____ and you two simply cannot get along well.

 

 

7. Not making quality time for each other:

 

What use is a relationship if you are not enjoying it? If you and your partner are just taking the relationship as a formality and neither you are spending any quality time __________, nor you are trying to do so, then the relationship is very much over.

 

 

Match the words and phrases on the left with their correct definitions on the right.

 

1- To call it quits		a-something with no deep meaning, just a habit
2- To hold a grudge		b- to try not to have contact because you don’t like to be near someone.
3-To get along well with someone		c- to do things you love and enjoy with someone because they make you feel good.
4-To cover your tracks		d-to stop trying, to give up.
5-To laugh at someone’s expense		e-to have a good relationship with someone
6-To quit		F-to get better, solve
7-To revolve around		g- to leave
8-a quarrel		h-to refuse to forgive a past insult or offence
9-to back off		i-despite
10- a formality		j-to hide things you don’t want your partner to find out about.
11- to avoid someone		k-to stop fighting or attacking
12- to spend quality time with someone		l-To find it funny when someone feels discomfort or pain.
13 – to work out	m-an argument
14 – no matter	n- to be based on

 

 

Key

 

Exercise one – Full text

Going through a rough relationship? Think it’s getting tougher and tougher to maintain the relationship but still unsure if you should quit or not? Well, sometimes things just don’t work out, no matter how hard you try.

In such a situation it can be really confusing for you to know what to do. On one hand you don’t want to lose the person, you are afraid of the future and on the other hand the relationship is simply causing you anxiety and pain. If you are still confused what to do, we have compiled seven crucial signs which indicate, it’s time for you to quit.

1.Holding grudges:

If you and your partner have started holding grudges against one another, it is a clear sign that you two are not getting along well with each other. This shows that you don’t care for each other and you two have developed a sort of competition that is unhealthy for both of you.

 

2.Lying regularly:

 

Honesty is very important in any relationship. Sometimes people have to lie about little things in order to cover their tracks or in order to not get into an argument, but lying regularly is not good for any relationship and it shows that you are not willing to share everything with your partner.

 

3.Laughing at each other’s expense:

 

Laughing at each other’s expense cannot be justified in any relationship. If this is something that is common between you and your partner, it’s time for you to quit.

 

4.Lack of trust:

 

Trust is very important in a relationship. Everything revolves around trust. If you don’t trust your partner, your life can become very stressful. After all, your partner is supposed to be someone with whom you should be able to share everything. And if you don’t trust them, you would not be able to share the important things in your life with them. Nor you would be able to trust them with your valuables and important matters of life.

 

 

 

5. Not enjoying each other’s company:

 

A relationship is meant to be fun. You should enjoy the company of your partner and if this is not the case and you two actually try to avoid each other instead of being with each other, then it’s about time that you quit the relationship.

 

6.Neither of you is willing to back off in an argument:

 

Misunderstandings, quarrels, and small fights happen in every relationship. But usually one person backs off, apologizes and things get back to normal. The problem arises when neither of you is willing to back off in an argument. In such a case it becomes a matter of ego and you two simply cannot get along well.

 

 

 

7.Not making quality time for each other:

 

What use is a relationship if you are not enjoying it? If you and your partner are just taking the relationship as a formality and neither you are spending any quality time together, nor you are trying to do so, then the relationship is very much over.

Exercise 2 – Matching words and definitions.

 

1-d

2-h

3-e

4-j

5-l

6-g

7-n

8-m

9-k

10-a

11-b

12-c

13-f

14-i