EOI B2 inglés, comprensión de textos escritos: test 1

Tiny forests, big ideas

Across Europe, small patches of land that once held nothing but rubbish are being turned into dense, fast-growing woods. These 'tiny forests', (1) ?ABCDEFGH, can be planted on a space no bigger than a tennis court.

The technique was developed by a Japanese botanist several decades ago. Instead of planting a few trees in neat rows, volunteers plant hundreds of young native trees and shrubs very close together, (2) ?ABCDEFGH. Because the plants compete for light, they grow upwards remarkably quickly, and after about three years the forest can look after itself.

Supporters say the benefits go far beyond appearance. Tiny forests provide a home for insects and birds, absorb rainwater during heavy storms and help to cool streets (3) ?ABCDEFGH. Researchers who have studied some of the first tiny forests have recorded a surprising variety of wildlife in woods that are only a few years old.

Perhaps most importantly, the forests are planted by local people. Schools often adopt one, (4) ?ABCDEFGH. 'Children who have planted a tree are much less likely to damage one,' says one organiser.

Not everyone is convinced, however. Some scientists point out that a few hundred square metres of trees cannot replace large natural forests, (5) ?ABCDEFGH. Others worry that, without proper care in the first years, many of the young trees will die.

For now, though, the idea continues to spread, (6) ?ABCDEFGH.

Should I follow my dream?

Dear Ruth,

I'm 26 and I've been working as an accountant for four years at a firm owned by a friend of my father's. On paper, everything is fine: the salary is good, my colleagues are friendly and there's a real chance of promotion next year. The problem is that I dread going to work every morning. By Sunday evening I'm already in a bad mood, and I spend most of the week counting the hours until Friday.

What I really love is cooking. For the last two years I've spent most weekends helping out in the kitchen of a small restaurant in my neighbourhood, unpaid, just for the pleasure of it. The head chef says I have real talent and has offered me a full-time job as a junior cook. The pay would be less than half what I earn now, and the hours are long – evenings, weekends and most holidays.

When I mentioned the idea to my parents, they were horrified. My father thinks I'd be throwing away my education and embarrassing him in front of his friend. My mother is more sympathetic, but she worries about how I'd pay my rent. My girlfriend says she'll support whatever I decide, although I know she was hoping we'd be able to buy a flat together soon.

I don't want to spend the next forty years doing a job I don't care about, but I'm also scared of making a terrible mistake. Am I being selfish and naïve? Or should I just accept that work isn't supposed to be fun and keep cooking as a hobby?

Jon

Ruth replies

Dear Jon,

First of all, no, you are not being selfish. Wanting to spend your working life doing something that matters to you is not naïve – it's one of the most sensible things a person can want. But the fact that you're asking the question suggests you already know that a decision like this affects other people too, and that's to your credit.

Let's start with what you already have, because it's more than you might think. Most people who dream of changing career have no idea whether they would actually enjoy the new job, and many are disappointed when the reality turns out to be very different from the dream. You do. Two years of weekends in a real kitchen is a far better test than any course or holiday daydream, and a head chef who offers you a job is not just being polite.

That said, I'd encourage you to look hard at the practical side before you hand in your notice. Sit down with your girlfriend and work out exactly what you would need to earn to cover your rent and bills, and how long your savings would last if things went wrong. If the numbers simply don't add up, that doesn't mean the dream is over; it may mean waiting six months, or asking the chef whether you could start part-time while you keep some accounting work on the side.

As for your father, I suspect his reaction has as much to do with his own pride as with your future. That's understandable, but it isn't a good enough reason to stay in a job that makes you miserable. Try talking to him again once you have a clear plan – parents are often less worried by a decision than by the feeling that their child hasn't thought it through.

Finally, remember that very few decisions are permanent. Accountants are always in demand. If, in three years' time, you find that kitchen life isn't for you, you will almost certainly be able to go back – and you'll go back knowing, rather than wondering. That, in the end, is worth a great deal.

Good luck, Ruth

Board games are back

Board games, which many people (15) ?supposedthoughtregardedbelieved as something only children or grandparents enjoyed, are making a remarkable comeback. In cities across Europe, board game cafés have opened, where customers pay a small (16) ?feewagefarecost to play as many games as they like while having a drink. Some of these cafés have hundreds of games on their shelves, and staff are on hand to explain the rules. So why, in an age of smartphones and video games, are people (17) ?catchingtakingreachingholding for dice and cards? One reason, experts say, is precisely that games offer a break from screens. Sitting around a table with friends, people have to talk, laugh and (18) ?takepaydomake attention to each other in a way that online games rarely require. Many players also say that games are a cheap way to spend an evening with friends. The games themselves have also changed. Instead of relying (19) ?atbyinon luck, many modern games reward careful planning and cooperation, and some can last several hours. Designers now (20) ?setrestdependbase games on everything from building railways to running a farm, and the most successful titles sell millions of copies. For shop owners, the trend has been good news. 'Ten years ago I was (21) ?consideringdecidingplanningthinking of closing,' says the owner of one games shop. 'Now I can hardly keep enough stock on the shelves. People come in for one game and (22) ?closestopendcome up leaving with three.'

From sofa to half marathon

When my doctor told me I needed to take more exercise, running was the last thing I (23) have chosen. I had never been sporty, and the idea of jogging around the park in front of other people filled me (24) horror. But a friend persuaded me to join a beginners' group, and (25) my surprise, I enjoyed it from the very first session. The group was made up of people of all ages, most of (26) had never run before either. We started by running for just one minute at a time, followed by ninety seconds of walking. Each week, the running periods got a little longer, (27) that after nine weeks we could all run for thirty minutes without stopping. What I hadn't expected was how much better I would feel in general. I sleep better, I have more energy and I've made some good friends. Now, two years later, I run three times a week, whatever the weather. Last month I ran my first half marathon, something I would never (28) imagined possible. If someone like me can do it, I'm convinced that almost (29) can. The hardest part, believe me, is simply getting out of the door (30) the first time.