Lost in the mountains – B1 English Reading Test

Lost in the mountains

When you’re a mountain rescue volunteer, you never know when you’re going to be called to work. We go out in all weather, and at any time of the day or night. If someone is in danger, there’s no time to lose. On New Year’s Day last year, I was sitting down to breakfast with my family. (1)……….. Two hikers had decided to celebrate the new year by walking along a mountain ridge in Country Kerry, Ireland, just a few miles from my home. They were staying in a small guest house, and had set off early on New Year’s Eve. When they didn’t return by the following morning, their host because worried and called the police. (2)………..

I was just one of 12 volunteers who left our breakfast tables and set out to look for the missing hikers. We pushed through strong winds and thick cloud, calling and listening over and over again. (3)……….. It was too cold to survive for long out on the mountains, and the hikers had been missing for a whole day and night. (4)……….. I shouted out, and was relieved to hear a voice about back. (5)……….. They were so happy to see us. They explained that they’d got lost, and the winds had been too strong for them to keep walking. Luckily, they had warm clothes, food and the tent.

We led them back down the mountain and returned them to their guest house, where a delicious hot meal was waiting for them and for the rescue volunteer team. They said that they’ll never forget that New Year’s Day when they were rescued by local people who became heroes.

A   The police called Kerry Mountain Rescue Team.

B   The hikers were huddled together in a small tent between two large rocks.

C   They said it’s extremely dangerous to go hiking in bad weather.

D   Nobody answered back so we began to lose hope.

E   We didn’t know they had already found their way home.

F   Suddenly, I heard the sound of a whistle.

G   We were just about to start eating when my phone rang.

H   After searching all night, we gave up and went back home.