B2 (Intermediate) ESL Reading Comprehension and Vocabulary: English Self-Study with Stories and Dialogues

​About the Author: Jackie Bolen

I taught English in South Korea for 10 years to every level and type of student, and every age from kindergarten kids to adults. Most of my time has centered around teaching at two universities. These days, I'm teaching on Vancouver Island, Canada.

I hold a Master of Arts in Psychology, and I've completed the CELTA and DELTA teacher certification programs. You can find me here:

ESL Speaking (www.eslspeaking.org)

YouTube: (www.youtube.com/c/jackiebolen)

Email: [email protected]

You might also be interested in this book: Intermediate English Dialogues: Speak American English Like a Native Speaker with these Phrases, Idioms, & Expressions. It has hundreds of helpful English idioms and expressions. You can find it wherever you like to buy books. Learn to speak more fluently in American English.

​How to Use this Book

This book is ideal for people who want to improve their reading comprehension skills and vocabulary. To get the most bang for your buck, I recommend doing the following:

−  Read one story or dialogue a day, instead of all them in a single day! The best readers are those who do it consistently each day.

−  Be sure to do the questions for each passage.

−  Pay attention to the vocabulary words in bold (letters that are darker). Try to guess the meaning of the word, considering the other words in the sentence before looking it up in a dictionary. After that, write down any words that you don't know in a notebook to review later. Also consider making flashcards for these new words.

−  Read the stories or dialogues with a friend if possible. Discuss the questions together.

−  If you're using this book to improve your TOEFL, TOEIC or IELTS reading scores, be sure to read the questions first so you can scan for the answers instead of reading every single word. After doing this, take more time to read the story or dialogue in full.

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​Nature vs. Nurture

Emma: I just read an article about the nature vs. nurture debate.

Jake: It’s about whether our personality and behavior come from our genes or from how we are raised, right?

Emma: Exactly! Some scientists say that people are born with certain traits because of their DNA. Others believe that a person’s environment and experiences shape who they become.

Jake: Aren't both important? Some people might have a natural talent for music, but without training, they won’t become great musicians.

Emma: Do you think intelligence is mostly nature or nurture?

Jake: It's a mix of both. Some people are born smart, but education and hard work also make a difference.

Vocabulary

nature: A person’s qualities that come from birth or genetics.

nurture: The influence of environment and experiences on a person.

genes: The parts of DNA that pass traits from parents to children.

DNA: The material in cells that carries genetic information.

Comprehension Questions

What is the main idea of Emma and Jake’s conversation?

What example does Jake give to explain the debate?

According to Emma, what are the two things that shape a person?

Answers

The debate between nature and nurture and how both influence a person’s traits and behavior.

Jake gives the example of musical talent.

According to Emma, a person is shaped by their DNA (nature) and their environment and experiences (nurture).

Discussion Questions

Do you think personality is mostly shaped by nature or nurture?

Can a person completely change their behavior through their environment, or are some traits fixed from birth?

What are some skills or talents that you think come more from nature? Which ones come more from nurture?

​The Canucks Game

There was a guy named Alex who moved to Vancouver to study English. Alex had recently moved to the city and was excited to immerse himself in the local culture. He had heard a lot about ice hockey and how passionate Canadians were about the sport. So when he found out that the Vancouver Canucks, the local hockey team, had a game coming up, Alex knew he had to experience it firsthand.

With great anticipation, Alex bought a ticket to the Canucks game at Rogers Arena. He arrived early at the arena, feeling a mix of nervousness and excitement. The atmosphere was electric as fans clad in blue and green jerseys filled the stadium. The sound of cheerful conversations, laughter, and the smell of freshly made popcorn filled the air.

As Alex took his seat, he noticed the giant scoreboard above the ice rink, displaying the team's logo with pride. The lights dimmed, and the crowd erupted in cheers as the players skated onto the ice. The game began, and the speed and skill of the players amazed Alex. He could feel the intensity of the game, and it was infectious.

Throughout the game, Alex couldn't help but join in the chants and cheers with the other fans. He learned the popular chants like Go Canucks, Go! and Let's go, Vancouver! It didn't matter if he didn't understand every word; the energy in the arena carried him along.

During the intermission, Alex decided to explore the concourse. They discovered various food stands offering classic Canadian treats like poutine and maple syrup-flavored donuts. Alex indulged in a delicious hot dog, feeling grateful for this wonderful cultural experience. Of course, he bought a