Text to practice Reading B1
Posted: Wed Dec 18, 2024 6:39 am
Have you ever wondered whether you should take off your shoes when entering a friend's house? This dilemma, which combines cultural traditions and personal preferences , has more importance than you might imagine. This Reading B1 explores why scientists recommend leaving shoes outside the house and how this simple action can improve the health of your home. Find out the reasons and decide for yourself if you should adopt this practice!
In this Reading B1 , which we have adapted, we are also going to learn new bc data thailand vocabulary in English. Here are some words that appear in the text that we liked.
Tricky : Complicated/a
Barefoot : Barefoot/a
Lead : Lead
Trap : Catch
Cracked heels : Cracked heels
Sole : Sole
This text talks about taking off and putting on shoes, which is very useful everyday vocabulary. Here is a list of antonyms for everyday life with very useful words that will save you in your day to day life .
Take off and put on are also phrasal verbs, which are essential to enrich our vocabulary. Don't like them? Cheat! Learn the most used ones, here is the definitive list of the most common phrasal verbs in English according to academics with downloadable PDF.
Learn more English:
How to learn English fast: active and passive learning
How to find a native English teacher in Madrid
Read in English B1: Why some countries drive on the left and others on the right
Reading to practice
Here is the reading, we recommend that you read it twice, one for yourself and one out loud to practice pronunciation.
Shoes on or off? Here's what you need to know
When you visit a friend's house, you might wonder if you should take off your shoes. It's a complicated situation that depends on cultural traditions and personal preferences. Scientists say taking off your shoes might help keep your host's home healthier.
Who takes off their shoes at home?
In many cultures, removing shoes before entering a home is common. In Southeast Asia, homes are designed for a shoeless lifestyle. In New Zealand, people often go barefoot indoors and outdoors. In Germany, people wear special “house shoes” inside. In the US, it's more divided: 63% of people remove their shoes at home, but only 24% ask their guests to do the same.
What do etiquette experts say?
Experts don't agree on this issue. Some say asking guests to remove their shoes shows you care more about your floor than their comfort. Others say it's okay for hosts to ask guests to take off their shoes. Generally, American etiquette focuses on making others comfortable, so the decision is up to the host.
Is there a scientific reason to keep your shoes on inside?
Scientists have found that shoes can bring in dirt and germs from outside. A 2023 study showed that more than half of indoor dust comes from outside, including harmful substances like lead and bacteria. One study found that 26.4% of shoes tested had a dangerous bacterium called Clostridium difficile (C. diff), which can cause severe health issues. Carpets can trap dirt and germs, making it easy to inhale or ingest them.
Some experts argue against removing shoes indoors due to the risk of foot injuries or skin infections. Walking barefoot can also cause dry, cracked heels and other foot problems.
The case against indoor shoes
To reduce the risk of dirt and germs, many experts recommend taking off your shoes before going inside. Mark Patrick Taylor, an environmental scientist, suggests using two door mats (one outside and one inside) or even towels to clean your feet. He also recommends wearing house shoes or slippers indoors and occasionally cleaning their soles.
Taking simple steps to keep your home clean can make a big difference. “Your home is your castle,” Taylor says, “It doesn't take a lot of time or money to keep it clean. Nothing lost. No harm done.”
In this Reading B1 , which we have adapted, we are also going to learn new bc data thailand vocabulary in English. Here are some words that appear in the text that we liked.
Tricky : Complicated/a
Barefoot : Barefoot/a
Lead : Lead
Trap : Catch
Cracked heels : Cracked heels
Sole : Sole
This text talks about taking off and putting on shoes, which is very useful everyday vocabulary. Here is a list of antonyms for everyday life with very useful words that will save you in your day to day life .
Take off and put on are also phrasal verbs, which are essential to enrich our vocabulary. Don't like them? Cheat! Learn the most used ones, here is the definitive list of the most common phrasal verbs in English according to academics with downloadable PDF.
Learn more English:
How to learn English fast: active and passive learning
How to find a native English teacher in Madrid
Read in English B1: Why some countries drive on the left and others on the right
Reading to practice
Here is the reading, we recommend that you read it twice, one for yourself and one out loud to practice pronunciation.
Shoes on or off? Here's what you need to know
When you visit a friend's house, you might wonder if you should take off your shoes. It's a complicated situation that depends on cultural traditions and personal preferences. Scientists say taking off your shoes might help keep your host's home healthier.
Who takes off their shoes at home?
In many cultures, removing shoes before entering a home is common. In Southeast Asia, homes are designed for a shoeless lifestyle. In New Zealand, people often go barefoot indoors and outdoors. In Germany, people wear special “house shoes” inside. In the US, it's more divided: 63% of people remove their shoes at home, but only 24% ask their guests to do the same.
What do etiquette experts say?
Experts don't agree on this issue. Some say asking guests to remove their shoes shows you care more about your floor than their comfort. Others say it's okay for hosts to ask guests to take off their shoes. Generally, American etiquette focuses on making others comfortable, so the decision is up to the host.
Is there a scientific reason to keep your shoes on inside?
Scientists have found that shoes can bring in dirt and germs from outside. A 2023 study showed that more than half of indoor dust comes from outside, including harmful substances like lead and bacteria. One study found that 26.4% of shoes tested had a dangerous bacterium called Clostridium difficile (C. diff), which can cause severe health issues. Carpets can trap dirt and germs, making it easy to inhale or ingest them.
Some experts argue against removing shoes indoors due to the risk of foot injuries or skin infections. Walking barefoot can also cause dry, cracked heels and other foot problems.
The case against indoor shoes
To reduce the risk of dirt and germs, many experts recommend taking off your shoes before going inside. Mark Patrick Taylor, an environmental scientist, suggests using two door mats (one outside and one inside) or even towels to clean your feet. He also recommends wearing house shoes or slippers indoors and occasionally cleaning their soles.
Taking simple steps to keep your home clean can make a big difference. “Your home is your castle,” Taylor says, “It doesn't take a lot of time or money to keep it clean. Nothing lost. No harm done.”