11 Why was the Flood Marker Walk created? A to attract more tourists to the town B to help people understand local flood history C to raise money for a new bridge
12 How long is the recommended route? A 1.5 kilometres B 3 kilometres C 5 kilometres
13 Where does the walk begin? A outside the library B at the riverside café C in the museum courtyard
14 What should walkers do if the pavement is closed near the old mill? A take a short diversion through Market Lane B return to the start and try another day C continue along the riverbank path
15 Which group is offered free guided walks? A local businesses B school groups C new residents
16 What does the speaker say is the main safety advice? A check the weather forecast before setting out B wear waterproof clothing in all seasons C avoid walking alone after dark
Questions 17 and 18
Choose TWO letters, A–E.
Which TWO features does the speaker say people value most about the flood markers?
A the colourful design B the personal stories on the plaques C the exact water-height measurements D the QR-code audio clips E the map printed on the back
Questions 19 and 20
Choose TWO letters, A–E.
Which TWO outcomes of the project surprised the organisers?
A fewer complaints about litter B increased volunteering for river clean-ups C more shops opening on Sundays D residents buying more flood insurance E higher attendance at town meetings
Keys
11 B 12 B 13 C 14 A 15 B 16 A 17 B 18 D 19 B 20 E
Transcript
Part 2: You will hear a talk about a community project called the Flood Marker Walk
PRESENTER: And now on Community Focus we’re looking at a new heritage trail that’s just opened in Riverside Town. It’s called the Flood Marker Walk, and it’s designed to help residents and visitors understand how flooding has shaped the area. With me in the studio is Maren Holt, who coordinated the project. Maren, welcome.
MAREN: Thanks for having me.
PRESENTER: First of all, what made you start this walk?
MAREN: Well, we’ve always had stories about “the big flood” in different decades, but they were mostly passed on in families. After the 2014 flooding, a lot of newer residents said they couldn’t picture what “knee-high water” actually meant, or which streets had been affected. So the idea was to create a clear, public record. The markers show the water level for several major floods, and they explain what happened in plain language.
PRESENTER: So it’s not really a tourist thing.
MAREN: Visitors enjoy it, but the aim is local understanding. If you know the history, you make better choices, like where to store valuables or how to plan routes during heavy rain.
PRESENTER: How does the walk work in practice?
MAREN: It’s a self-guided route. The recommended version is about three kilometres, so most people do it in an hour, maybe a bit more if they stop to listen to the audio clips. You start in the museum courtyard because that’s where we can provide leaflets and the first sign gives a quick overview. From there you head down to the riverside path, then up through the older streets where the highest water levels were recorded.
PRESENTER: Any tricky sections?
MAREN: There’s one near the old mill. The council is repairing the pavement there, so if you see the barriers, don’t try to squeeze past. The safest thing is to take the diversion through Market Lane. It adds only five minutes and it’s clearly signposted on the map.
PRESENTER: Are there guided walks too?
MAREN: Yes. We run guided sessions twice a month in summer, and school groups can book them free of charge because we want pupils to connect science lessons with real places. For everyone else there’s a small fee, mainly to cover printed materials.
PRESENTER: What about safety? People hear “river walk” and imagine it’s risky.
MAREN: The route is safe, but the main advice is to check the forecast before you set out. If heavy rain is predicted, the riverside path can get slippery and we’d rather people postpone. Also, the markers are in public places, so you don’t need to climb on walls or step into gardens to see them.
PRESENTER: Tell us about the markers themselves.
MAREN: Each one has the water height, but what people seem to value most are the personal stories and the QR-code audio clips. The stories are short, just a few lines, like how a shopkeeper moved stock upstairs, or how neighbours shared food when roads were closed. The audio clips are local voices, not actors, and that really brings it to life.
PRESENTER: And has the project had any unexpected effects?
MAREN: Definitely. We thought people would just walk it once and that would be that. But we’ve seen a big increase in volunteering for river clean-ups, which was a lovely surprise. And attendance at town meetings about drainage and planning has gone up as well. People seem more confident asking questions when they’ve seen the evidence laid out along the streets.
PRESENTER: Fascinating. Maren, thanks for coming in.
