A walk gone wrong – C1 English Reading Test

C1 English Reading Test

Read the text about an evening walk in the forest. For questions 1 to 7, choose the correct answer (A, B, or C).

A walk gone wrong

I hadn’t planned to be in the forest after sunset, but I’d ambled farther than expected, following a trail that twisted beneath the pines like a half-forgotten memory. When the final streak of daylight slipped behind the ridge, the silence hit me. Even the insects seemed to have called it a day. I strode forward, trying to retrace my steps, but the shadows stretched across the path in long crooked lines, and soon I wasn’t entirely sure whether I was still on the same track.

A cold wind pushed through the trees. I shuffled down a slope of loose stones, muttering at my own stupidity as one slid beneath my foot and I stumbled, grabbing a branch just in time. Fine, I told myself — I had my phone. Except the screen lit up for half a second before dying completely. Perfect. The one day I forget my power bank is the day my battery decides to resign.

I stood still, listening. Somewhere in the distance, water trickled over rocks — a stream. If I followed it downhill, I’d eventually reach the road. So I picked my way through the undergrowth, occasionally crouching to avoid low branches, the darkness thickening around me. Every so often, a squirrel scampered up a trunk, sending a burst of noise through the still air, and each time my heart performed an unnecessary acrobatic display.

As I moved, a thought surfaced: this is how our ancestors walked — not to get their steps in, but to stay alive. Their brains evolved to read every snap, rustle, and shifting shadow. And here I was — supposedly modern and rational — yet my senses had slipped instantly into that ancient mode. My steps grew more deliberate; the forest felt strangely high-definition.

I reached the stream and began paddling cautiously along its edge. The stones were slick, and twice I nearly slipped, but something kept me going — adrenaline mixed with the realisation that I had absolutely no Plan B. With every metre, my anxiety eased, replaced by a deep, primal focus. No notifications, no background noise — just movement. I had, quite unintentionally, unplugged myself.

Then I heard it: footsteps behind me.

Not an animal. Human.

I froze, breath tight in my chest. The steps were slow, deliberate, getting closer. My imagination, helpful as ever, offered several catastrophic explanations. I forced myself to turn.

A large shape emerged from the dark. It waddled toward me, heavy and unsteady… then a head torch sliced through the shadows.

‘You alright?’ a voice called.

Relief hit me so hard my knees almost gave way. It was a forest ranger — a giant in a reflective jacket. His radio crackled as he reached me.

‘We saw your car by the gate. Thought you might be lost.’

I let out a shaky laugh. ‘I think I’ve just rediscovered the evolutionary benefits of walking.’

He grinned. ‘Happens to the best of us. Come on — this way.’

As we headed back, my steps felt lighter, steadier. I wasn’t just leaving the forest — I was walking out with a clearer mind than I’d had in months.

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Page 1 of 7

1 What's the main idea in paragraph 1?

A. The author walked for too long.

B. He might be lost.

C. It's too late for him to be there.

Page 2 of 7

2 What can we infer is the reason the author feels stupid in paragraph 2?

A. He forgot to bring a power bank.

B. That slope was not the right way.

C. He almost fell.

Page 3 of 7

3 Why does the narrator decide to follow the stream?

A. He knows streams usually lead to open ground.

B. He thinks it will allow him to retrace his steps.

C. It's the only direction he can follow in such darkness.

Page 4 of 7

4 What is the effect of the squirrels' noises on the author?

A. They make him react more strongly than the situation deserves.

B. They reassure him that he is not completely alone in the forest.

C. They distract him from the fear he feels in the darkness.

Page 5 of 7

5 What parallel does he draw between his experience and that of his ancestors?

A. He thinks he is beginning to understand the forest like they once did.

B. He feels his movements have become more careful and controlled.

C. He senses he has slipped into a survival state similar to theirs.

Page 6 of 7

6 How did he react when he heard footsteps?

A. He started walking more slowly.

B. He tried to make sense of the noise.

C. He summoned the courage to confront his fear.

Page 7 of 7

7 Why does he say, 'I think I've just rediscovered the evolutionary benefits of walking.'

A. He is sharing his thoughts on how he felt during the experience.

B. He is making a light joke about how the walk suddenly felt like a survival lesson.

C. He is expressing admiration for the importance of walking in human evolution.

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Explanation

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