A2 KET Test #21 - Reading & Writing

Three teenagers talk about a workshop they attended last weekend

Austin

I went to a photography workshop in the city park with my older brother on Saturday. I don't have my own equipment, so I borrowed a fantastic digital camera from our dad. We wanted to take pictures of wild birds, but they flew away very quickly. Sadly, it started raining heavily after lunch, which made our job even more difficult! However, I learned a lot of new skills, and I really hope to join the next class in December.

Zoey

My aunt runs a lovely café, and she invited me to a workshop on making pizzas there on Sunday morning. My best friend was busy, so I went alone. It didn't cost anything, which was great because I want to save my pocket money for a new bike. It was a sunny day, so I walked there. The teacher showed us how to mix the flour and water, but I made it messy. When our delicious pizzas were ready, we sat at a table and ate them together. Next weekend, I am going to try another workshop on making cakes.

Jane

I love art, so I spent Saturday afternoon at a painting workshop in the school library. I really wanted to go, and I used my own pocket money to pay for it. I went to it with my classmate, and we had so much fun. We ate some nice sandwiches during the break. We learned how to paint beautiful flowers on old bags. I didn't keep my bag because I gave it to my mum as a lovely birthday present. The teacher was excellent, but I prefer trying a workshop on sports next week!

A New Kind of Work
By Clara Moreno, age 35

My name is Clara, and I fix bikes in a small shop by the river. Two years ago, my life was very different. I worked in a factory, and my job was to design car engines and make sure new engines worked well. It was always busy and exhausting, but the salary was great.

The factory days were very long. I left home at five thirty in the morning and worked from six until nine at night, six days a week. When I arrived home, my seven-year-old daughter, Lucia, was already asleep in bed. On Sundays, I spent time with my daughter and fixed bikes for my friends, which was the best part of my week. Then, one Sunday, Lucia looked sad and said, "Mum, I only see you on Sundays." I stayed awake all night and thought about her words, and the next day, I decided to change my life.

I borrowed some money and found a small shop. The great thing is that it opens at ten in the morning and closes at four. It is shut on Sundays and Mondays, so I have a lot of time for my family.

However, some things are not easy. I earn only half of my old pay, so I have to be careful with money. I thought this would make me unhappy, but I mind it less than I expected. I sometimes miss my friends from the factory.

Last month, my old boss came to the shop with his son’s bike. He asked, "Would you ever come back?" I smiled and shook my head. Then I said goodbye, closed the shop and did the best part of my day: picking Lucia up from school.

Singapore Changi Airport is not just a place for aeroplanes. Since opening in 1981, it has become famous for its amazing indoor nature. The airport has a real butterfly garden and a large forest where visitors can walk 19.1backawayaround.

Its most famous part is the Jewel, which opened in 2019. In the 19.2bottomfrontmiddle of this huge building, there is a beautiful waterfall. It 19.3dropsfallscatches water from forty metres high, making it the highest in the world.

While waiting for their flights, passengers almost never feel 19.4boredworriedhungry. They can visit the free cinema or swim in the pool on the roof. Because it has thousands of green plants, the whole space 19.5tastessoundslooks like a real rainforest. This special building shows how modern transport centres can 19.6workrunlive well with nature.