C1 English Reading – Short Story & Vocabulary Quiz
Eliza lived a sedentary life of pure indulgence. Her apartment, an impeccable place, seemed to showcase minimalist design. It was her safe space. She spent her days engrossed in digital games and virtual worlds. This was a clear contradiction to the active life she once had. Her strong affinity for virtual reality meant the real world’s allure became a vague memory. Her friends, living their own respective busy lives, found her growing fixation on screens strange.
She often ignored their worries, believing her lifestyle was the ultimate way to relax. Her only movement was a moderate walk to the kitchen. There, she would indulge in fancy snacks. This daily routine felt gratifying at first, but it slowly started to harm her. Her amazing, astounding energy began to disappear. She felt constantly idle.
One morning, a sharp, acute pain in her back made her stop. The doctor explained it clearly: years of doing nothing had made her muscles weak. Her recovery would commence with physical therapy. This was very different from her exclusive digital life. It was a hard truth. She had to have her virtual reality headset put away. As she started simple exercises, a subtle change happened. The pain began to decline. A real feeling of well-being grew. Her infamous sedentary life, once her most coveted comfort, had taught her a big lesson.