Практика английского языка: уровень B2. Учебное пособие для старшеклассников

Daniel felt uncertain from the beginning. He had always been good at mathematics and logical thinking, so the science track seemed like the natural choice. On the other hand, he had recently discovered an interest in writing and communication, especially after improving his English through school projects and independent reading.

For several days, he could not make up his mind. He discussed the decision with his parents, but they insisted that the choice should be his alone. He also asked his classmates, but their opinions only made him more confused. Some encouraged him to choose science for better career opportunities, while others said he should follow his interests.

One afternoon, Daniel stayed in the classroom after school. The building was quiet, and sunlight was fading through the windows. He looked at his notebooks — one filled with equations, the other with essays and vocabulary notes. For the first time, he realized that both paths reflected different parts of himself.

He thought about his past experiences: the satisfaction of solving difficult problems, but also the excitement he felt when expressing ideas clearly in writing. He understood that this was not just a school decision; it was a decision about identity.

That evening, Daniel made his choice. He decided to join the humanities track. The decision did not come easily, and he felt a sense of doubt immediately after. He worried whether he had made the practical choice or simply followed emotion.

The first weeks in the new program were challenging. The workload was different, and expectations were higher in areas he had not fully developed before. However, Daniel gradually adapted. He participated more in discussions, improved his writing skills, and began to enjoy analyzing literature and social topics.

Over time, he noticed a change in himself. He was more expressive, more confident in sharing opinions, and more open to different perspectives. Although he still respected scientific thinking, he no longer felt limited by his previous assumptions about what he should study.

Looking back, Daniel realized that the decision had changed not only his academic direction but also his understanding of himself. It taught him that important choices are rarely simple and that uncertainty is a natural part of growth.

What mattered most was not choosing the perfect path, but committing to a decision and learning from it.

Useful Words and Expressions

decision — решение

academic track — учебное направление

stability — стабильность

predictable — предсказуемый

opportunity — возможность

influence — влиять

career opportunities — карьерные возможности

interest — интерес

uncertain — неуверенный

make up one’s mind — принять решение

discuss — обсуждать

opinion — мнение

confused — запутанный

reflect — отражать / размышлять

identity — личность

choice — выбор

doubt — сомнение

workload — нагрузка

adapt — адаптироваться

express — выражать

perspective — точка зрения

assume — предполагать

commitment — приверженность

growth — развитие

direction — направление

Exercises

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

Daniel had to make an important ______ about his future studies.

He felt ______ because both options seemed reasonable.

His parents told him the final ______ should be his own.

He chose the humanities ______ at school.

The experience contributed to his personal ______.

Exercise 2: Multiple Choice

What decision did Daniel have to make?

A) Choosing a new school

B) Choosing an academic track

C) Choosing a job

What subjects was he good at?

A) Mathematics and logic

B) Art and music

C) Physical education

Why was he confused?

A) He had no interests

B) He liked both options

C) He failed all subjects

What did he choose in the end?

A) Science track

B) Humanities track

C) No track at all

What did he learn from the decision?

A) Decisions are always easy

B) Uncertainty is part of growth

C) Mistakes should be avoided

Exercise 3: Answer the questions (2—3 sentences each)

Why was the decision important for Daniel’s future?

What factors influenced his choice?

How did he feel immediately after making the decision?

What challenges did he face after joining the humanities track?

What did Daniel understand about decision-making in the end?

Answer Key

Exercise 1

decision

uncertain / confused

choice

track

growth

Exercise 2

B

A

B

B

B

Exercise 3 (Sample Answers)

The decision was important because it determined Daniel’s academic direction and future university options. It could influence his career path and long-term goals. Therefore, it had significant consequences.

His choice was influenced by both his strengths in mathematics and his interest in writing and communication. He also considered opinions from parents and classmates. However, personal reflection played the most important role.

Immediately after making the decision, Daniel felt both relief and doubt. He was relieved to have finally chosen but uncertain whether it was the right option. This mixed feeling was natural for such an important decision.

After joining the humanities track, Daniel faced a heavier workload in writing and analysis. He had to adapt to new expectations and improve his expressive skills. Initially, this required significant effort.

Daniel understood that important decisions are rarely simple or risk-free. He learned that uncertainty is a normal part of making meaningful choices. He also realized that commitment is more important than perfection.

The Mysterious Message

Story

It was a quiet evening when Daniel noticed something unusual. He was checking his school email, expecting routine announcements about homework and upcoming tests, when he found a message with no clear sender. The subject line simply read: «Do not ignore this.»

At first, he thought it might be a mistake or spam, but something about it made him pause. The message itself was short:

«If you want to understand what is really happening at school, meet near the old library after classes tomorrow. Come alone.»

Daniel read it several times. His first reaction was suspicion. It sounded like something from a movie rather than real life. He considered ignoring it completely. However, curiosity slowly replaced doubt. He could not stop thinking about it during the evening.

The next day at school, everything seemed normal. Classes passed as usual, and nothing unusual happened. Still, the message stayed in his mind. He tried to focus on lessons, but his thoughts kept returning to the mysterious invitation.

During lunch break, he asked one of his classmates if they knew anything unusual happening at school, but they only laughed and said everything was normal. This made the message feel even more confusing.

By the end of the school day, Daniel stood near the main entrance, unsure of what to do. His rational side told him to leave and forget about it. There was no evidence that the message was real or important. However, his curiosity was stronger than his caution.

Finally, he decided to go.

The old library was located at the edge of the school grounds. It was rarely used and partially closed for renovation. As Daniel walked closer, the area became quieter. The air felt colder, and the building looked more abandoned than usual.

For a moment, he considered turning back. But then he noticed someone already standing near the entrance — a teacher he recognized from his literature classes.

The teacher looked calm and slightly amused. «You came,» she said.

Daniel was confused. «Was this message from you?»

She nodded. «I wanted to see who would actually pay attention.»

It turned out that the message was part of a school project about critical thinking and decision-making. Students were being tested not on academic knowledge, but on how they reacted to uncertainty and unexpected situations.

Daniel felt a mix of relief and embarrassment. He had imagined many possibilities, but not this one. The teacher explained that many students had ignored the message completely, while others had come with friends, despite the instruction.

Daniel had followed the instructions exactly.

On his way home, he reflected on the experience. He realized how easily people could be influenced by curiosity and how important it was to balance intuition with logic. He also understood that not every unusual situation hides danger — sometimes it is simply a lesson in disguise.

That evening, the mysterious message no longer felt strange. Instead, it felt like a reminder that thinking carefully before acting is one of the most important skills in everyday life.

Useful Words and Expressions

mysterious — загадочный

message — сообщение

sender — отправитель

subject line — тема письма

spam — спам

suspicion — подозрение

curiosity — любопытство

doubt — сомнение

invitation — приглашение

ignore — игнорировать

rational — рациональный

caution — осторожность

abandoned — заброшенный

edge — край

partially closed — частично закрытый

renovation — ремонт

confused — растерянный

evidence — доказательство

decision-making — принятие решений

critical thinking — критическое мышление

react — реагировать

uncertainty — неопределённость

instruction — инструкция

embarrassment — смущение

reflect — размышлять

Exercises

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

Daniel found a ______ message in his email.

The subject line said «Do not ______ this.»

He felt both curiosity and ______.

The old library was near the school ______.

The task was about ______ thinking.

Exercise 2: Multiple Choice

Where did Daniel find the message?

A) On social media

B) In his school email

C) On a paper note

What did the message ask him to do?

A) Meet near the old library alone

B) Go home immediately

C) Report to the principal

How did Daniel feel at first?

A) Angry

B) Suspicious and curious

C) Excited and relaxed

Who sent the message?

A) A stranger

B) A classmate

C) A teacher

What was the purpose of the message?

A) A school experiment

B) A real emergency

C) A warning about danger

Exercise 3: Answer the questions (2—3 sentences each)

Why did Daniel initially doubt the message?

What influenced his decision to go to the old library?

How did the situation at the library turn out?

What was the purpose of the teacher’s message?

What did Daniel learn from this experience?

Answer Key

Exercise 1

mysterious

ignore

doubt

edge

critical

Exercise 2

B

A

B

C

A

Exercise 3 (Sample Answers)

Daniel initially doubted the message because it looked unusual and did not have a clear sender. The tone of the message seemed strange and unrealistic. He thought it might be spam or a mistake.

His decision was influenced by curiosity and his inability to stop thinking about the message. Although he was cautious, his desire to understand the situation became stronger. This led him to go to the location.

At the library, Daniel discovered that the message was part of a school experiment. A teacher was waiting for him and explained the situation. It turned out to be a controlled educational activity.

The purpose of the message was to test students’ critical thinking and decision-making skills. It was designed to observe how students react to uncertainty. The exercise focused on behavior rather than knowledge.

Daniel learned the importance of balancing curiosity with rational thinking. He understood that not every unusual situation is dangerous. He also realized the value of thinking carefully before acting.

A Weekend Without Internet

Story

On Friday evening, Daniel’s internet suddenly stopped working. At first, he assumed it was a temporary issue and restarted his router several times. When nothing changed, he checked his phone and laptop, but neither device could connect. The connection was completely gone.

He considered contacting the service provider, but it was already late, and he decided to wait until the next day. At first, he felt only mild annoyance. However, as the hours passed, he realized how dependent he had become on the internet in his daily life.

That evening, Daniel tried to study without online resources. He had planned to watch educational videos and complete an assignment, but without internet access, his usual methods were no longer available. He opened his textbook instead, something he had not done properly for a long time.

At first, he struggled to concentrate. He kept reaching for his phone out of habit, only to remember that there was nothing to check. The silence in his room felt unusual, almost uncomfortable. Without social media or messaging apps, the evening seemed longer than usual.

On Saturday morning, the situation had not changed. Daniel decided to go for a walk outside. Without the distraction of his phone, he began to notice details he normally ignored: the sound of the wind, people talking in the park, and the rhythm of everyday life around him.

Later, he visited a small café near his house. Instead of scrolling on his phone, he observed his surroundings and even started reading a printed book he had brought with him. It felt different, but also surprisingly calming.

In the afternoon, Daniel met one of his classmates by chance. They talked for a long time about school, hobbies, and future plans. Without screens between them, the conversation felt more natural and focused. Daniel realized that he had not had such a long face-to-face conversation in a while.

By Sunday, Daniel had started to adjust. He organized his study materials, wrote notes by hand, and completed part of his assignment using only offline sources. Although it was slower, he felt more focused than usual.

In the evening, his internet connection was finally restored. At first, he felt relief, but then he hesitated before turning everything back on. He thought about the quiet weekend and how different his days had been without constant notifications and online distractions.

After reconnecting, Daniel noticed something important: the internet was useful, but it had taken up more space in his life than he had realized. He decided that even though he would continue using it, he would also set limits for himself.

That weekend taught him that life offline could be slower, but also more mindful and balanced.

Useful Words and Expressions

internet connection — интернет-соединение

router — роутер

service provider — провайдер

temporary — временный

dependent — зависимый

annoyance — раздражение

resource — ресурс

concentrate — сосредотачиваться

habit — привычка

distraction — отвлечение

social media — социальные сети

messaging app — приложение для сообщений

observe — наблюдать

surroundings — окружающая среда

calm — спокойный

face-to-face — личный, офлайн

conversation — разговор

adjust — адаптироваться

offline — офлайн

notes — заметки

slower — медленнее

mindful — осознанный

balance — баланс

limit — ограничение

notification — уведомление

Exercises

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

Daniel lost his internet ______ on Friday evening.

He became more ______ on technology than he expected.

Without internet, he had to use his textbook as a ______.

He noticed his ______ and environment more carefully.

He decided to set ______ on his internet use.

Exercise 2: Multiple Choice

What happened on Friday evening?

A) Daniel broke his phone

B) The internet stopped working

C) He lost his laptop

How did Daniel feel at first?

A) Excited

B) Only mildly annoyed

C) Very angry

What did he do instead of using the internet?

A) Watched online videos

B) Used textbooks and went for a walk

C) Played video games

What did he realize during the weekend?

A) Offline life can be calmer and more mindful

B) Internet is unnecessary

C) Studying is impossible without internet

What decision did he make after the internet returned?

A) Stop using the internet completely

B) Use it with limits

C) Spend more time online

Exercise 3: Answer the questions (2—3 sentences each)

How did Daniel react when the internet stopped working?

What changes did he notice in his daily routine?

How did his experience outside the house differ without the internet?

What was special about his conversation with his classmate?

What did Daniel learn from the weekend without internet?

Answer Key

Exercise 1

connection

dependent

resource

surroundings

limits

Exercise 2

B

B

B

A

B

Exercise 3 (Sample Answers)

At first, Daniel reacted with mild annoyance because he thought the problem was temporary. Later, he realized that he was more dependent on the internet than he expected. This made him slightly uncomfortable.

He noticed that his routine changed significantly without constant online access. He used textbooks instead of digital resources and spent more time thinking independently. His evenings also felt quieter.

Outside the house, Daniel became more aware of his surroundings. He paid attention to sounds, people, and details he usually ignored. This made his experience more present and reflective.

The conversation with his classmate was longer and more focused than usual. Without phones or distractions, they communicated more naturally. This made the interaction feel more meaningful.

Daniel learned that life without the internet can be slower but more balanced. He understood the importance of limiting screen time. He also realized that offline experiences can be valuable.

The Power of First Impressions

Story

Daniel had always believed that people should not be judged too quickly. However, a recent experience at school made him reconsider how powerful first impressions can be.