Топики на английском языке для продолжающих. Сборник текстов, устойчивых выражений и фразовых глаголов уровня B1–B2

Word Power

1. stick to a routine

Значение: придерживаться распорядка

It is difficult to stick to a routine when you work irregular hours.

Трудно придерживаться распорядка, когда работаешь по нестабильному графику.

She tries to stick to a routine even on weekends.

Она старается придерживаться распорядка даже по выходным.

2. get into the habit of

Значение: войти в привычку, приучить себя

He got into the habit of checking his email first thing in the morning.

Он вошёл в привычку проверять почту первым делом утром.

It takes time to get into the habit of exercising regularly.

Нужно время, чтобы приучить себя регулярно заниматься спортом.

3. fall behind

Значение: отставать, не успевать

If you don’t plan your week, you may fall behind.

Если не планировать неделю, можно начать отставать.

She fell behind with her tasks after taking a few days off.

Она начала отставать по задачам после нескольких выходных.

4. keep track of

Значение: отслеживать, держать под контролем

It helps to keep track of your daily activities.

Полезно отслеживать свои ежедневные дела.

He uses an app to keep track of his goals.

Он использует приложение, чтобы отслеживать свои цели.

Reading Text

Many people want to be more productive, but they often struggle to stick to a routine. At first, a new schedule feels exciting. However, after a few days, motivation starts to drop. This is when it becomes difficult to stick to a routine and stay consistent.

One of the most effective strategies is to get into the habit of doing small tasks at the same time every day. For example, you can get into the habit of planning your day each morning or reviewing your progress each evening. These simple actions help you keep track of your responsibilities and reduce stress.

Without a clear routine, it is easy to fall behind. When you fall behind, you may feel overwhelmed, and catching up becomes harder. This often leads to frustration and lower productivity. On the other hand, when you keep track of your tasks and priorities, you feel more in control.

Building a routine does not mean planning every minute of your day. Instead, it means creating a structure that supports your goals. If you stick to a routine and get into the habit of reviewing your progress, you are less likely to fall behind and more likely to succeed in the long term.

Check Your Understanding

Why do many people struggle to stick to a routine?

What small habits does the text suggest developing?

Why can falling behind make catching up more difficult?

How does keeping track of tasks affect stress levels?

Do you prefer having a strict routine or a flexible schedule? Why?

Build Your Vocabulary

Exercise 1 – Multiple Choice

If you don’t organise your time, you may ______.

a) keep track

b) fall behind

c) get into

d) stick to

It takes time to ______ a new routine.

a) fall behind

b) keep track

c) get into the habit of

d) lose track

She uses a notebook to ______ her goals.

a) fall behind

b) stick to

c) keep track of

d) get into

He finds it hard to ______ his routine during holidays.

a) fall behind

b) stick to

c) keep track

d) get into

Exercise 2 – Matching

stick to a routine

fall behind

keep track of

get into the habit of

a. отставать

b. придерживаться распорядка

c. войти в привычку

d. отслеживать

Exercise 3 – Use It!

Напишите 3—4 предложения о своём распорядке дня, используя минимум 2—3 выражения из Word Power.

Answer Key

Check Your Understanding (Sample Answers)

They struggle because motivation drops after a few days.

Planning the day in the morning and reviewing progress in the evening.

Because tasks accumulate, which makes the situation more stressful and difficult to manage.

It reduces stress because you feel more organised and in control.

Example answer: I prefer a flexible schedule, but I try to stick to a routine during the week to avoid falling behind.

Exercise 1 – Multiple Choice

1 – b) fall behind

Explanation: «Fall behind» means not keeping up with tasks.

2 – c) get into the habit of

Explanation: The full phrase is required to express forming a habit.

3 – c) keep track of

Explanation: The correct collocation is «keep track of goals.»

4 – b) stick to

Explanation: We say «stick to a routine.»

Exercise 2 – Matching

1 – b

2 – a

3 – d

4 – c

Exercise 3 – Sample Answer

I try to stick to a routine during the week. I have recently got into the habit of planning my day every morning. This helps me keep track of my tasks and avoid falling behind.

Word Power

1. run out of time

Значение: не хватить времени

We ran out of time and couldn’t finish the project.

У нас не хватило времени, и мы не смогли закончить проект.

She often runs out of time in the evening.

У неё часто не хватает времени вечером.

2. prioritize tasks

Значение: расставлять приоритеты в задачах

It is important to prioritize tasks before you start working.

Важно расставить приоритеты перед началом работы.

He learned to prioritize tasks more effectively.

Он научился более эффективно расставлять приоритеты.

3. put off

Значение: откладывать

Don’t put off important decisions.

Не откладывай важные решения.

She tends to put off difficult conversations.

Она склонна откладывать сложные разговоры.

4. stay focused

Значение: оставаться сосредоточенным

It is hard to stay focused when your phone keeps ringing.

Трудно оставаться сосредоточенным, когда телефон постоянно звонит.

He works better when he can stay focused without interruptions.

Он работает лучше, когда может оставаться сосредоточенным без перерывов.

Reading Text

In theory, time management sounds simple. In real life, however, many people run out of time almost every day. They start the morning with clear plans, but unexpected tasks appear, and it becomes difficult to stay focused. As a result, important responsibilities are often put off until the last minute.

One of the main reasons people run out of time is that they do not prioritize tasks. When everything feels urgent, it is hard to decide what to do first. Learning to prioritize tasks helps reduce stress and increase productivity. Instead of trying to do everything at once, successful people focus on what truly matters.

Another common problem is the habit of putting off unpleasant tasks. The more you put off something, the more stressful it becomes. This creates a cycle: you run out of time because you delay important work, and then you feel overwhelmed.

To manage time effectively, it is essential to stay focused. This may mean turning off notifications or setting clear deadlines. When you prioritize tasks and stay focused, you are less likely to run out of time. Time management in real life is not about being busy all the time; it is about making conscious choices and avoiding the temptation to put off what needs to be done.

Check Your Understanding

Why do many people run out of time?

What happens when people do not prioritize tasks?

Why does putting off unpleasant tasks create stress?

How can staying focused improve productivity?

What is the biggest time management challenge in your daily life?

Build Your Vocabulary

Exercise 1 – Multiple Choice

If you don’t plan your day, you may ______.

a) stay focused

b) prioritize tasks

c) run out of time

d) turn on

It is important to ______ before starting a big project.

a) put off

b) prioritize tasks

c) run out

d) fall behind

She tends to ______ difficult assignments until the deadline.

a) stay focused

b) run out of

c) prioritize

d) put off

Turning off your phone can help you ______.

a) run out of time

b) put off

c) stay focused

d) prioritize off

Exercise 2 – Matching

run out of time

prioritize tasks

put off

stay focused

a. откладывать

b. не хватить времени

c. оставаться сосредоточенным

d. расставлять приоритеты

Exercise 3 – Use It!

Напишите 3—4 предложения о том, как вы управляете своим временем, используя минимум 2—3 выражения из Word Power.

Answer Key

Check Your Understanding (Sample Answers)

Because unexpected tasks appear and they do not prioritize tasks.

Everything feels urgent, and they do not know what to do first.

Because delayed tasks accumulate and become more stressful over time.

Staying focused reduces distractions and helps complete tasks more efficiently.

Example answer: My biggest challenge is that I sometimes put off difficult tasks and then run out of time.

Exercise 1 – Multiple Choice

1 – c) run out of time

Explanation: The sentence describes not having enough time.

2 – b) prioritize tasks

Explanation: Before starting a project, you need to decide what is most important.

3 – d) put off

Explanation: «Put off» means delay something.

4 – c) stay focused

Explanation: Turning off distractions helps you concentrate.

Exercise 2 – Matching

1 – b

2 – d

3 – a

4 – c

Exercise 3 – Sample Answer

I try to prioritize tasks every morning. If I put off important work, I usually run out of time. Turning off social media helps me stay focused and finish my tasks faster.

Word Power

1. set achievable goals

Значение: ставить достижимые цели

It is important to set achievable goals at the beginning of the year.

Важно ставить достижимые цели в начале года.

She learned to set achievable goals instead of expecting immediate success.

Она научилась ставить достижимые цели вместо того, чтобы ожидать мгновенного успеха.

2. break something down into steps

Значение: разбивать что-либо на этапы

He broke the project down into steps to make it more manageable.

Он разбил проект на этапы, чтобы сделать его более управляемым.

If you break your goal down into steps, it feels less overwhelming.

Если разбить цель на этапы, она кажется менее пугающей.

3. make steady progress

Значение: добиваться стабильного прогресса

She is making steady progress in improving her English.

Она стабильно продвигается в улучшении своего английского.

Small daily efforts help you make steady progress.

Небольшие ежедневные усилия помогают добиваться стабильного прогресса.

4. give up

Значение: сдаваться, прекращать попытки

Many people give up when they don’t see quick results.

Многие люди сдаются, когда не видят быстрых результатов.

Don’t give up just because the task seems difficult.

Не сдавайся только потому, что задача кажется сложной.

Reading Text

At the beginning of a new year or a new project, people often feel motivated and ambitious. However, they sometimes fail because they do not set achievable goals. When goals are too ambitious, it becomes easy to feel disappointed and give up.

One effective strategy is to break big goals down into steps. For example, instead of planning to completely change your lifestyle in one month, you can break your goal down into steps and focus on small improvements. When you break something down into steps, it becomes easier to manage your time and energy.

Another important factor is making steady progress. Success rarely happens overnight. People who make steady progress understand that consistency is more important than speed. They celebrate small achievements and continue working even when results are not immediate.

Many individuals give up because they expect fast success. When progress seems slow, they lose motivation. However, if you set achievable goals and make steady progress, you are less likely to give up. Real success often depends on patience and persistence.

Setting realistic goals is not about limiting yourself. It is about understanding your current situation and creating a practical plan. When you break your goals down into steps and focus on steady improvement, long-term success becomes much more realistic.

Check Your Understanding

Why do people sometimes fail to achieve their goals?

What example does the text give about breaking goals down into steps?

Why do many people give up?

Why is steady progress more important than speed?

Do you usually set achievable goals? Why or why not?

Build Your Vocabulary

Exercise 1 – Multiple Choice

If your goal is too ambitious, you may ______.

a) make steady progress

b) break it down

c) give up

d) set achievable goals

It is easier to manage a task when you ______.

a) give up

b) break it down into steps

c) lose progress

d) make up

Small daily efforts help you ______.

a) give up

b) avoid steps

c) make steady progress

d) break off

Successful people usually ______ instead of chasing unrealistic results.

a) set achievable goals

b) give up

c) fall behind

d) run out

Exercise 2 – Matching

set achievable goals

break something down into steps

make steady progress

give up

a. добиваться стабильного прогресса

b. сдаваться

c. ставить достижимые цели

d. разбивать на этапы

Exercise 3 – Use It!

Напишите 3—4 предложения о своей цели, используя минимум 2—3 выражения из Word Power.

Answer Key

Check Your Understanding (Sample Answers)

Because they set unrealistic goals and feel disappointed.

The example is changing your lifestyle gradually instead of trying to do everything in one month.

Because they expect quick results and lose motivation when progress is slow.

Because consistent small efforts lead to long-term success.

Example answer: I try to set achievable goals because unrealistic expectations make me want to give up.

Exercise 1 – Multiple Choice

1 – c) give up

Explanation: Unrealistic goals often lead to disappointment and quitting.

2 – b) break it down into steps

Explanation: Dividing a task into steps makes it more manageable.

3 – c) make steady progress

Explanation: Small daily efforts create consistent improvement.

4 – a) set achievable goals

Explanation: Realistic goals are more effective than unrealistic expectations.

Exercise 2 – Matching

1 – c

2 – d

3 – a

4 – b

Exercise 3 – Sample Answer

I want to improve my English this year. I decided to set achievable goals and study three times a week. I broke my goal down into steps and focus on making steady progress. I try not to give up even when it feels difficult.

Word Power

1. cope with stress

Значение: справляться со стрессом

It is important to learn how to cope with stress at work.

Важно научиться справляться со стрессом на работе.

She copes with stress by going for long walks.

Она справляется со стрессом, гуляя на свежем воздухе.

2. feel overwhelmed

Значение: чувствовать себя перегруженным, подавленным

He felt overwhelmed by the number of responsibilities.

Он чувствовал себя перегруженным из-за количества обязанностей.

It’s normal to feel overwhelmed before an important event.

Нормально чувствовать себя перегруженным перед важным событием.

3. take a break

Значение: сделать перерыв

You should take a break if you can’t concentrate.

Тебе стоит сделать перерыв, если ты не можешь сосредоточиться.

She decided to take a short break after finishing the report.

Она решила сделать короткий перерыв после завершения отчёта.

4. under pressure

Значение: под давлением, в условиях стресса

He works well under pressure.

Он хорошо работает под давлением.

Many students feel under pressure during exams.

Многие студенты чувствуют себя под давлением во время экзаменов.

Reading Text

Stress is a natural part of modern life. Deadlines, responsibilities, and constant communication often make people feel overwhelmed. When individuals are under pressure for a long time, it becomes difficult to concentrate and stay productive.

Learning to cope with stress is an essential life skill. Some people cope with stress by exercising regularly, while others prefer quiet activities such as reading or meditation. The key is to understand what works best for you. If you ignore stress for too long, you may feel overwhelmed and lose motivation.

Taking regular breaks is one of the simplest ways to cope with stress. When you take a break, your mind has time to recover. Even a short walk or a few minutes away from your screen can reduce the feeling of being overwhelmed. People who never take a break often remain under pressure for hours, which negatively affects their performance.

It is also important to accept that feeling under pressure is sometimes unavoidable. Instead of trying to eliminate stress completely, focus on managing it effectively. If you learn to cope with stress, take a break when necessary, and recognize when you feel overwhelmed, you will handle difficult situations more confidently.

Dealing with stress is not about avoiding responsibility. It is about developing healthy habits that help you stay balanced, even when you are under pressure.

Check Your Understanding

Why do many people feel overwhelmed in modern life?

What examples of coping strategies are mentioned in the text?

Why is taking a break important?

Why is it unrealistic to eliminate stress completely?

What helps you cope with stress in your daily life?

Build Your Vocabulary

Exercise 1 – Multiple Choice

If you work for many hours without rest, you may ______.

a) cope with stress

b) feel overwhelmed

c) take a break

d) stay calm

It is important to learn how to ______ effectively.

a) feel overwhelmed

b) put off

c) cope with stress

d) fall behind

During exams, many students feel ______.

a) under pressure

b) on break

c) steady progress

d) achievable

If you can’t concentrate, you should ______.

a) feel overwhelmed

b) take a break

c) run out

d) cope under

Exercise 2 – Matching

cope with stress

feel overwhelmed

take a break

under pressure

a. под давлением

b. справляться со стрессом

c. сделать перерыв

d. чувствовать себя перегруженным

Exercise 3 – Use It!

Напишите 3—4 предложения о том, как вы справляетесь со стрессом, используя минимум 2—3 выражения из Word Power.

Answer Key

Check Your Understanding (Sample Answers)

Because of deadlines, responsibilities, and constant communication.

Exercising, reading, meditation, and taking regular breaks.

Because it allows the mind to recover and reduces stress.

Because some pressure and responsibility are a natural part of life.

Example answer: I cope with stress by exercising and taking short breaks when I feel overwhelmed.

Exercise 1 – Multiple Choice

1 – b) feel overwhelmed

Explanation: Working too long without rest can cause emotional overload.

2 – c) cope with stress

Explanation: The correct collocation is «cope with stress.»

3 – a) under pressure

Explanation: Exams create stressful conditions.

4 – b) take a break

Explanation: A break helps restore concentration.

Exercise 2 – Matching

1 – b

2 – d

3 – c

4 – a

Exercise 3 – Sample Answer

When I feel overwhelmed at work, I try to cope with stress by going for a walk. If I am under pressure for too long, I take a short break. These habits help me stay calm and focused.

Word Power

1. maintain a healthy balance

Значение: поддерживать здоровый баланс

It is not easy to maintain a healthy balance between work and personal life.

Нелегко поддерживать здоровый баланс между работой и личной жизнью.