<!DOCTYPE html>
<style>
    .columns {
        height: 300px;
        border: 5px solid black;
        padding: 5px;
        line-height: 20px;
    }
    .column1, .column2 {
        float: left;
        width: 50%;
    }
    .column1 {
        height: 100%;
    }
    .inline_block {
        display: inline-block;
        border: 2px solid green;
    }
</style>
<div class="columns">
    <div class="column1"></div>
    <div class="column2">
        <div class="inline_block">
            This should be in the second column.<br>
            This should be in the second column.<br>
            This should be in the second column.<br>
            This should be in the second column.<br>
            This should be in the second column.<br>
            This should be in the second column.<br>
            This should be in the second column.<br>
            This should be in the second column.<br>
            This should be in the second column.<br>
            This should be in the second column.<br>
            This should be in the second column.<br>
        </div>
    </div>
</div>