A Wander through Britain's Woodlands - Test 2

C2 Proficiency · Multiple Matching · Proficiency Testbuilder, 4th Edition, Mark Harrison, Macmillan

You are going to read some extracts from an article about places of natural beauty in Britain. For questions 1–10, choose from the places (A–D). The places may be chosen more than once.

Hampstead Heath

Where better for a country walk in autumn than north London? Hampstead Heath is just a few kilometres from the centre of town, but it is one of the capital's best-known beauty spots. And covering very nearly 325 hectares, certainly one of the largest. It is called a heath, although it is in fact a patchwork of not just heath but also parkland and hedgerow, laid out paths, open hillside and overgrown thickets, lakes and ponds – and plenty of woods and trees. The City of London Corporation is now responsible for its upkeep. They fuss about the swimming, designate cycle paths, regulate the fishing, and put up notices about all such dangerous activities. But despite their best efforts, the Heath still feels quite wild. From one popular vantage point there is a panoramic view of central London, where visitors stop to admire the crowded streets and skyscrapers they have come to the Heath to get away from. It's at its best later in the year. When it's warm and sunny it can feel too crowded with casual visitors. But frosts and mist, rain and snow deter the Heath's fair-weather friends.

Hainault Forest

This remnant of what was once the vast Forest of Essex is now an attractive stretch of woodland easily reached by the London Underground. The woods around here were a royal forest, but an Act of Parliament of 1851 authorised the cutting down and removal of its trees. And removed they were, grubbed up by all too efficient men and machines – hectare upon hectare laid waste within weeks of the passing of the Act. The devastation stirred the beginnings of the modern conservation movement – local people led by a politician called Edward North Buxton saved and restored Hainault. It is now owned and managed by the Woodland Trust. Hainault is a unique site, which features open heathland, some of which has been recently planted up with native trees by the Woodland Trust, and the dense woodland of the ancient forest.

Glen Finglas

Far away from London and the South East, the Trossachs is a strikingly beautiful corner of Scotland. Among the best of the Trossachs is Glen Finglas, the Woodland Trust's 4,000-hectare estate, which can truly take the breath away, particularly during the late autumn when the frosted peaks and still, cold lochs take on an ethereal splendour. For the enthusiastic hill walker, there is a challenging 25-kilometre trail around the hill called The Mell, which takes you on a meander through woodland, alongside a reservoir and into the upper part of the glen, where the remnants of an ancient royal hunting forest give way to the open hillsides of Meall Cala, reaching a height of 600m. It's certainly not a gentle stroll, but is worth the effort as the views are spectacular. For those after a slightly less arduous journey there are many shorter routes around the site too.

Ardinglas Woodland Gardens

For a slightly different woodland walk in the west of Scotland, head for the Ardinglas. In addition to native species it features many specimens of firs and pines and other trees from overseas planted in the 19th century, when plant hunting was all the rage. There is plenty of scope for a good walk around its ten hectares. Ardinglas's sheltered location, high rainfall and warm temperatures all encourage spectacular tree growth, and they claim to have the tallest tree in Britain – a Grand Fir, Abies grandis – standing at last time of measuring 64.5 metres high. If you are sceptical of such claims, bring a tape measure and a long ladder. There are many other mighty trees that are impressive all year round but on a clear November day the views towards the loch are fantastic. A couple of miles away on Loch Fyne itself, next to the famous oyster restaurant, Ardinglas runs a tree shop. So if you want to create your own forest you can buy it and plant it, tree by tree.

A Wander through Britain's Woodlands

The President of the Woodland Trust, an organisation which encourages people to enjoy the woodlands of Britain, selects his favourite places for an autumn walk.

It combines the old and the new.

A piece of information about it may be open to doubt.

A popular activity led to the introduction of new items.

Some people are unwilling to go there all year round.

Action taken there led to wider similar action.

Its name isn't strictly accurate.

It is a good place for energetic people.

Certain favourable conditions have enabled it to flourish.

Official actions have not changed its fundamental character.

It underwent rapid change over a short period.

Of which place are the following stated?

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