You should spend about 20 minutes on Questions 1-14, which are based on Reading Passages below.
Write answers to questions in boxes 1-14 on your answer sheet.
GT Reading Sample – “The best hiking boots” & “Beeeeping workshop at Elm Farm”
Read the text below and answer Questions 1-8.
The best hiking boots
Whether you’re climbing a mountain or walking in the country, be sure to buy the right boots, writes Sian Lewis
A. Hanwag Tatra Boots
These boots are expensive but will give you a lifetime of wear. They are a wide fit and offer excellent ankle support. They passed our waterproof test when worn on long, rainy walks, although they are a bit heavy.
B. Scarpa Peak Gore-tex Boots
These are good all-round boots that have kept our feet dry in heavy rain, snow and mud. They are warm and comfortable to wear straight out of the box and continue to be so even after many kilometres. A great choice for all seasons.
C. Keen Terradora Ethos
These are meant for spring and summer walks and for putting in your backpack for treks in hot climates. They will never weigh you down. Their soles grip well and despite not being waterproof, they are quick-drying when they get wet.
D. Danner Jag
Danner’s retro boots are one of the heavier ones we reviewed. They take a week or two for your feet to get used to them, but we found them waterproof even in heavy rain. These are boots for the style conscious, but still suitable for demanding walks.
E. Merrell Siren Sport Q2 Mid Boots
We’ve worn these boots in freezing cold conditions and our feet felt comfortable. Remember to pull the laces firmly when you put these boots on as they are rather wide around the ankles.
F. Teva Arrowood Mid WP
The soft leather might not be tough enough for extreme environments, but these boots get top marks for comfort. They’re waterproof, but we found this wore off after about 20 wet walks. You can, however, get round this problem by using a protective spray on them.
G. Regatta Clydebank Mid Boots
These boots are reasonably priced and they performed well in heavy rain. They don’t grip the ground as well as some other boots and aren’t very warm in cold winter weather so we’d say they’re best for country walks in spring and summer.
Questions 1-8
Look at the seven reviews of hiking boots, A-G.
For which hiking boots are the following statements true?
Write the correct letter, A-G, in boxes 1-8 on your answer sheet.
NB You may use any letter more than once.
1. These boots are a good choice for people who want to look smart when they are walking.
2. People do not need to spend time getting their feet accustomed to these boots.
3. These boots should last for many years.
4. People find these boots useful when travelling as they are not heavy.
5. One feature of these boots does not continue to be effective for very long.
6. These boots do not keep the rain out.
7. It is important to make sure these boots are done up tightly before starting a walk.
8. These boots should suit people who don’t want to spend a lot.
Read the text below and answer Questions 9-14.
Beekeeping workshop at Elm Farm
If you’ve ever wanted to keep bees and have your own delicious honey, there’s no better time to begin!
Whether you’re keen to learn everything you need to know to get you started, or simply extremely interested in the idea of keeping bees, this one-day interactive workshop will teach you the fascinating secrets of the honeybee and how to care for and keep bees.
Our day begins here on the farm, getting to know about the honeybee, specifically the kind we keep here, and their fascinating history. You will find out about and try for yourself the equipment beekeepers use to care for their bees and discover the many different types of hives bee colonies live in and their different uses. You’ll learn about the life cycle of a colony, disease prevention and caring for bees and of course how to harvest honey for your personal use or for sale.
Then it’s time to try on your bee suit and meet our bees. We’ll teach you how to open the hive, recognise the different bees in it (including how to spot the queen!) and explain what they’re doing in different parts of the hive.
What’s included in the price?
We’ll provide everything you need, including unlimited organic tea or coffee, lunch cooked in our outdoor, wood-fired oven and beekeeping suits for the day. Just bring a pair of thick boots with you. You’ll leave with plenty of notes and resources, including a packet of bee-friendly wildflower seeds and, courtesy of BJ Sherriff, the leading supplier of beekeeping clothing, an exclusive 25% discount for anything in their online store.
We like to run our workshops fairly and honestly. Your booking secures a very limited place, so is non-refundable – if you can’t make it, you can send a friend or colleague instead though. If at the end of any of our workshops, you don’t believe that it has helped you to achieve what it set out to, we will gladly provide a full refund.
Places are strictly limited so please do book early to avoid disappointment.
Questions 9-14
Do the following statements agree with the information given in the text?
In boxes 9-14 on your answer sheet, write
TRUE if the statement agrees with the information
FALSE if the statement contradicts the information
NOT GIVEN if there is no information on this
9. The workshop is only suitable for people who already keep their own bees.
10. Participants will meet people who are involved in selling honey to the public.
11. Vegetarian refreshments are available if requested in advance.
12. Participants will need to pay extra to hire appropriate clothes for the workshop.
13. Protective footwear will be required during the workshop.
14. If someone has to cancel before the workshop, the fee will be repaid.
Answer:
1. D
2. B
3. A
4. C
5. F
6. C
7. E
8. G
9. FALSE
10. NOT GIVEN
11. NOT GIVEN
12. FALSE
13. TRUE
14. FALSE