Questions 11–16 Choose the correct letter, A, B or C.
11. Tom says blacksmithing differs from some other crafts because
A. it produces objects that stay unchanged for longer.
B. it requires less practice to become skilled.
C. mistakes can often be corrected by reheating.
12. Archaeologists sometimes identify the function of ancient metal objects from
A. the exact mixture of metals.
B. the wear and traces on the surface.
C. the overall outline of the object.
13. Some people join Tom’s workshop because they want to
A. make items that look historical.
B. discover an ability they didn’t expect.
C. create something to be remembered by.
14. What does Tom value most about being a blacksmith?
A. the concentration it involves
B. the noisy atmosphere
C. the physical effort required
15. Most visitors to Wrenford Forge
A. come with friends who have booked together.
B. have no previous experience.
C. try to work too quickly.
16. Tom reminds visitors that they should
A. put on their gloves immediately.
B. change into different clothes.
C. take off jewellery.
Questions 17 and 18 Choose TWO letters, A–E.
Which TWO things does Tom explain about the forge?
A. what its purpose is
B. when it first became common
C. how to prevent accidents with it
D. where it should be installed in a house
E. what people do if they don’t own one
Questions 19 and 20 Choose TWO letters, A–E.
Which TWO points does Tom make about a blacksmith’s tools?
A. Some are difficult to grip properly.
B. Some are worth purchasing immediately.
C. Some are essential for beginners.
D. Some have unusual traditional names.
E. Some are provided for participants to use.
KEYS
11. C
12. B
13. B
14. A
15. B
16. C
17. A
18. E
19. C
20. E
TRANSCRIPT
Part 2: You will hear a talk by an instructor called Tom Ridley at Wrenford Forge.
Speaker:
Hello everyone, and welcome. My name’s Tom Ridley, and I’m one of the instructors here at Wrenford Forge. In a minute we’ll head into the hot area, but before we do, I’ll give you a short introduction to blacksmithing. Then I’ll show you the main equipment, and after that you’ll have a go at shaping a simple metal hook.
People sometimes assume blacksmithing is all about brute strength, but it’s actually more like problem-solving. One way it differs from, say, carving or painting is that you can often correct errors. If a bend is in the wrong place, you don’t throw the piece away, you reheat it, straighten it, and try again. I mean, you can ruin it if you overheat it, but most small mistakes are fixable.
Metal objects also tell us a surprising amount about earlier societies. When archaeologists find an old iron tool, they don’t rely only on the outline, because shapes get distorted over time. Instead, they look for clues on the surface, polished patches where hands repeatedly gripped it, tiny dents from repeated impact, or traces of soot showing it was used near fire. Those marks can indicate whether something was a kitchen tool, a farming implement, or part of a doorway.
As for why people come here, it varies. A few arrive wanting to make something that looks medieval, but we keep today’s session practical rather than decorative. More often, people come because they want to find a craft they might actually be good at. They’ll tell me they’ve never been creative, and then they make a neat curve on the first attempt and suddenly they’re hooked, no pun intended.
What I enjoy most about this job is the calm focus it demands. Once you’re watching the colour of the metal and listening to the sound of the hammer, everything else fades out. It’s not that I love the mess or the noise, to be honest, it’s that feeling of being completely absorbed.
Now, most visitors are absolute beginners, so we’ll go step by step. If you’ve seen dramatic videos online of people making swords in an afternoon, forget that. Today is about control and safety, not speed.
Speaking of safety, before we go in, please remove jewellery, rings, bracelets, watches, and especially long necklaces. They can heat up or catch as you work. Tie back long hair as well. We’ll give you protective aprons and gloves inside, so you don’t need to change clothes, but do keep sleeves fitted.
Inside the workshop you’ll see our forge. I’ll explain what it does, it heats the metal evenly so it can be shaped without cracking. And if you’re wondering what people do when they don’t have a full forge at home, many hobbyists use a shared workshop like this one, paying for short sessions instead of buying all the kit.
Finally, tools. Don’t feel you need to bring anything today. We provide the basic set for everyone, and I’ll show you which ones are essential for a first session, a hammer, a pair of tongs, and a wire brush for cleaning the surface between heats.
