Name Date: Class:

Work, rest and play (S2012 V21)

William Derbyshire had always regarded the phrase “working holiday” as a contradiction in
terms. He thought that holidays were for relaxing, not working. But when he heard about
working holidays run by the National Trust, he wondered if he should find out more.

So he obtained a brochure and discovered that the National Trust organises hundreds of
working holidays in some of the most beautiful places in the UK. The Trust provides cheap
accommodation and food, and as William was short of money at the time, he reckoned that this
could be a way for him to take a break without having to spend too much.

William chose to go to a big country park, to help a group of other volunteers to clear some of
the surrounding woodland. He was met there by the group leader, who immediately told him he
had already made his first mistake. The trainers William was wearing were quite unsuitable for
outdoor work. It says so in the brochure, in bold type, but somehow, he had missed that detail.
Luckily, the leader had a pair of smart green boots for him to borrow. Then they headed off into
the forest to meet the other volunteers.

The forest was full of all kinds of trees but had become overgrown with thick bushes and tangled
weeds. The volunteers’ task was to clear these, to give the trees more room, and to plant a few
more in the empty spaces. The National Trust is a charity and receives no money from the
government. Without the help of volunteers, work like this would not be done.

The other volunteers had been there for a week, and they had already cleared an area the size
of several tennis courts. The volunteers ranged from teenagers to pensioners, from a retired
postman to several students working for an award. There was also a surveyor, a civil servant, a
teacher and a chef. A few were first-timers, but most of them had been on lots of these holidays
before.

After volunteers have done several working holidays, they get the chance to go on a brief
training course and become a volunteer leader. In exchange for a few extra duties, such as
driving the minibus and buying the food, leaders receive their holiday completely free. However,
even though it was a cheap way to spend a week, it was clear that most of them were there just
for the love of it. They enjoyed meeting new people and doing useful work together. Although
they did not boast about it, William could tell they were keen to play their part in making their
corner of the world a better place.

The leader cut down some bushes with a chainsaw and then showed William how to use an axe
to do the same work. William found the task hard, but he liked the fact that he was free to work
at his own pace. As on any holiday, it was good to make new friends. Clearing woodland is not
the only thing you can do on a National Trust working holiday. Activities range from gardening to
archaeology, picking fruit and vegetables, looking after farm animals or cataloguing books in the
library of a historic house.

William had his meals in a cabin with the other volunteers and slept in the men’s dormitory. He
did not sleep too well because the room was cold. Nevertheless, he loved every other aspect of
the holiday and would be happy to go back again next year.
Name Date: Class:

1. Why did William Derbyshire initially view "working holidays" as contradictory?

a) He believed holidays were meant for relaxing, not working.
b) He thought holidays should involve exploring new places.
c) He didn't have enough money to go on a holiday.
d) He was unaware of the concept of working holidays.

2. What did William learn about the National Trust's working holidays from the brochure?
a) They provide free accommodation and food.
b) They offer various activities in beautiful locations.
c) They require participants to work as volunteers.
d) They are only available to people with limited funds.

3. Why did William consider participating in a working holiday?

a) He wanted to meet new people and make friends.
b) He needed to clear his schedule for a week.
c) He was interested in becoming a surveyor.
d) He hoped to receive financial support from the government.

4. What mistake did the group leader point out to William upon his arrival?
a) William's lack of experience in outdoor work.
b) William's failure to bring suitable footwear.
c) William's misunderstanding of the brochure.
d) William's unfamiliarity with the forest.

5. What was the main task of the volunteers in the forest?

a) Planting trees in empty spaces.
b) Cutting down trees with a chainsaw.
c) Clearing thick bushes and tangled weeds.
d) Surveying the various types of trees.

6. Why is the help of volunteers crucial for the National Trust?

a) Volunteers provide financial support to the organization.
b) Volunteers help clear woodland for the government.
c) The National Trust relies on volunteers to complete important work.
d) The National Trust depends on volunteers for funding.

7. What was the range of backgrounds among the volunteers?

a) Teenagers to pensioners.
b) Surveyors to civil servants.
c) Students to retired postmen.
d) Teachers to chefs.

8. What opportunity do experienced volunteers have after several working holidays?

a) They can attend a training course.
b) They can become leaders of the volunteer groups.
c) They can receive free transportation and food.
d) They can participate in a different type of holiday.

9. What motivated most volunteers to participate in working holidays?

a) The chance to receive a free holiday.
b) The desire to gain new skills and knowledge.
c) The opportunity to drive a minibus.
d) The joy of meeting new people and doing meaningful work.
Name Date: Class:

10. What task did the leader demonstrate to William using an axe?
a) Cutting down bushes.
b) Using a chainsaw.
c) Sleeping in a cold dormitory.
d) Cataloguing books in a library.

11. Why did William find the task hard but enjoyable?
a) He liked the fact that he could work at his own pace.
b) He found satisfaction in cutting down bushes.
c) He was excited about learning new skills.
d) He appreciated the leader's guidance with the axe.

12. Where did William have his meals during the working holiday?
a) In a cabin with other volunteers.
b) In a historic house's library.
c) In a men's dormitory.
d) In a cold room.

13. What aspect of the holiday did William not enjoy?

a) Working with the chainsaw.
b) Making new friends.
c) Sleeping in a cold room.
d) Clearing woodland.

14. What range of activities are available on National Trust working holidays?
a) Gardening to archaeology, picking fruit and vegetables.
b) Clearing woodland and cataloguing books.
c) Driving a minibus and buying food.
d) Sleeping in the men's dormitory and meeting new people.

15. How did William feel about the working holiday overall?
a) He enjoyed every aspect and would go again.
b) He disliked the tasks but liked the accommodation.
c) He appreciated the free meals but found the work challenging.
d) He was disappointed with the location and wanted to explore elsewhere.
 Name Date: Class:

ANSWERS

Answer Key:

1. a
2. b
3. a
4. b
5. c
6. c
7. a
8. b
9. d
10. a
11. a
12. a
13. c
14. a
15. a