Practice Test 6 – Reading & Writing

Willowmere Nature Reserve lies just outside the town of Ashford and covers a large area of lakes, woodland and open meadows. It is looked after by a small team of paid staff, together with a group of local volunteers who give up their free time to help.

The reserve is open every day of the year, but only from dawn until dusk. There is no charge to go in, although visitors are encouraged to leave a small donation in the box beside the main gate to help with the cost of running the reserve.

A free car park is available next to the visitor centre, but it is quite small and fills up very quickly at weekends. The reserve can also be reached by the number 12 bus, which stops right outside the entrance every half an hour.

The visitor centre, which has a café and a gift shop, is open from 10 am to 4 pm. Inside, you can borrow a pair of binoculars for the whole day without paying anything, though you do have to leave some form of identification while you use them.

Dogs are welcome on the main paths, but they must be kept on a lead at all times, because several birds build their nests on the ground. Cycling is not allowed anywhere on the reserve. Many of the paths have a hard, flat surface and are perfectly suitable for wheelchairs.

Five wooden hides let visitors watch the birds closely without disturbing them. During the school holidays, the reserve runs pond-dipping sessions for children. These are extremely popular, so families must book a place in advance. Taking photographs is fine, but flash cameras may not be used close to the hides.

When I tell people that I keep bees, they usually take a step backwards, as if I am about to be stung at any moment. In fact, in three years of beekeeping I have been stung only twice. I started when I was twelve, after my grandmother took me to a talk at our local library. I had expected to be bored, but by the end of the evening I was completely hooked.

Looking after a hive is not the gentle hobby that people imagine. In summer I check my bees every week, lifting out the heavy frames to make sure the queen is healthy and has enough room to lay her eggs. If I get something wrong, the whole colony might fly off to find a new home. The work can be hot and tiring, especially inside the protective suit, but I would not give it up for anything.

Most people assume that I do it for the honey. I do sell a few jars to our neighbours, but that is not really the point for me. What I love is watching the way the bees all work together, each one with its own job to do. Sitting quietly beside the hive on a warm evening, listening to that soft humming sound, is the most relaxing thing I know.

I do get frustrated when I hear people say that bees are frightening or unimportant. Without them, many of the fruits and vegetables that we eat simply would not grow. I would love more young people to give beekeeping a try. You do not need a huge garden – just patience, respect for the insects, and a willingness to learn from your mistakes.