A2 Key (KET) Practice Paper 36

alice: Hello, I saw that you organise guided foraging walks in the forest. Could you tell me more? george: Yes, we run walks every Sunday morning during autumn, starting at nine o'clock. alice: That sounds interesting. How long does each walk last? george: The walk usually lasts about two and a half hours, including a short break. alice: Is it suitable for children? george: Yes, children are welcome, but they must stay close to an adult at all times for safety. alice: Understood. Is there anything special we should bring? george: Please bring a basket for collecting mushrooms and wear waterproof boots, since the ground can be muddy. alice: Good to know. How much does the walk cost per person? george: It's twelve pounds per adult, and children under ten go free with a paying adult.

Every autumn, Ivan's grandfather takes him mushroom picking in the forest near their village, a tradition that has been passed down through several generations of the family. Ivan's grandfather can identify dozens of different mushroom species just by looking at their colour, shape, and where they grow, a skill that took him many years to develop. He always warns Ivan never to eat any mushroom without first checking with an experienced adult, since some wild mushrooms can be extremely dangerous if eaten by mistake. Last weekend, they found a large basket of edible mushrooms, which Ivan's grandmother later cooked into a delicious soup for the whole family. Ivan hopes that one day he will know as much about mushrooms as his grandfather does, so he can continue the family tradition with his own grandchildren someday.

Foraging for wild food, such as mushrooms and berries, ___1___ a long tradition in many rural communities around the world. My aunt Elena ___2___ how to forage from her own mother when she was a young girl growing up in the countryside. She ___3___ me that identifying safe mushrooms correctly requires years of careful practice and guidance. Last autumn, Elena ___4___ me on my first foraging trip, showing me which plants were safe to pick. I ___5___ nervous about making a mistake, so I only picked mushrooms she confirmed were safe. By the end of the day, we ___6___ enough mushrooms to make a large pot of soup. Elena ___7___ that foraging connects people to nature in a way that shopping never can. She now ___8___ to teach me more about wild plants every time we go for a walk together.