GT Reading — Test 33

Reading passage

TEXT A — Meadowgate Country Park - Visitor Notice Welcome to Meadowgate. The park gates open at 7.00 am from March to October and at 8.00 am for the remainder of the year. All visitors must leave the grounds by dusk, when the wardens lock the main and side entrances. Cars may be left in the gravel car park beside the lake; the daily charge is 4 pounds, payable at the machine near the ticket kiosk. Coins and contactless cards are accepted, but the machine does not give change. Dogs are welcome throughout the woodland trails but must be kept on a lead within the ornamental gardens and the children's play area. Please clear up after your animal; bins are provided at every junction. Cycling is permitted only on the surfaced blue route, and riders are asked to give way to those on foot. Barbecues and open fires are strictly forbidden anywhere in the park, as the surrounding heath dries quickly in summer. Visitors wishing to hold a picnic should use the tables near the old boathouse. Fishing requires a permit, obtainable from the visitor centre for 6 pounds per day. Any lost property found on site should be handed to a warden or left at the centre, where it is kept for one month before disposal. ———————————— TEXT B — Guided Walks and Weekend Activities at Meadowgate Throughout the season our volunteer rangers run a lively programme of guided walks and hands-on sessions. All events start from the flagpole outside the visitor centre unless stated otherwise. Booking is essential for the workshops marked with an asterisk, as places fill up fast. Dawn Bird Ramble - every Saturday, 6.30 am. A gentle two-hour stroll to spot woodpeckers, herons and, if you are lucky, a kingfisher. Bring binoculars; a limited number can be borrowed at the desk. Suitable for ages ten and above. Pond Dipping* - Sundays at 11.00 am during the school holidays. Children examine the tiny creatures that live in the reed beds, using nets and trays we supply. An adult must accompany each child. The fee is 3 pounds per family. Wildflower Photography* - first Saturday of the month, 2.00 pm. Learn to capture close-up images of the meadow blooms. Any camera, including a phone, is fine. Places are limited to twelve. Evening Bat Watch - last Friday of each month, 8.45 pm. Follow the wardens with special detectors that make the bats' calls audible. Warm clothing and a torch are advised. This walk is not recommended for very young children. Full details and a downloadable calendar are available on our website, or ask any ranger. ———————————— TEXT C — Meadowgate Cafe and Gift Barn - Opening Times and Notices The Lakeside Cafe serves hot meals, sandwiches and cakes made fresh each morning by our small kitchen team. We open at 9.00 am daily and stop serving hot food at 3.30 pm, though drinks and pastries remain available until closing at 4.30 pm. During the winter months the cafe closes on Mondays and Tuesdays. We are proud to source our vegetables, eggs and honey from farms within ten miles of the park. A short menu of vegetarian and vegan dishes is offered every day, and gluten-free bread can be requested at the counter. Please tell a member of staff about any food allergy before you order. Next door, the Gift Barn stocks locally made pottery, cards, jams and children's toys. Any purchase over 20 pounds earns a free hot drink at the cafe, redeemable on the same day. We regret that the cafe cannot take table bookings at weekends, when queues are common; we thank you for your patience. Highchairs are available, and there is step-free access throughout. Payment is by card only - we no longer accept cash. Well-behaved dogs are welcome in the covered courtyard but not in the main dining room.