CAE Reading and Use of English Part 5

You are going to read an article about a solo traveller. For questions 31-36 choose the answer (A, B, C or D) which you think fits best according to the text.

Go on. Go solo.

It was bravado at first, born of a desire to put my friends’ backs up. In retrospect, I don’t believe there was any real intention of following through on my decision, but there again, perhaps it was my subconscious talking when I announced that I would do the trip solo. I was feeling let down. A lot of time and energy had gone into discussing how best to profit from our hard-earned holiday, and I’d thought it was settled. The three of us had been back and forth over the destination, the timing, and of course the cost, and all that remained was to make the booking. At which point my two travelling companions got cold feet. Walking the Great Wall of China had sounded a fun challenge while it was still a dream, but when faced with the reality they backed down and opted instead for a beach package on a Greek island. I couldn’t believe it. My reaction was a grumpy ‘Well, I’ll go on my own!’ And I did.

I can’t say that I didn’t have second thoughts. Yes, I was apprehensive and the ‘what-ifs’ crowded in the more I thought about it. However, my friends’ conviction that I would back down and a weird sense of elation combined to boost my determination to see it through. And determined I was, although lacking the confidence to organise the whole trip myself. I booked on a group tour for solos, relying on the travel company to organise accommodation, meals, guides and any transfers necessary. All I had to do was get myself to the starting point of the trip and dutifully read up on all the advice about preparation. Like, wearing in new walking boots beforehand and not packing them in hold baggage, in case it all got lost; everything being replaceable apart from those boots! The website I found was littered with similarly useful little tips that a potential adventurous solo traveller might hoard away for future reference. My excitement grew.

And then, at the airport, reality hit, and the apprehension took over. I’d never travelled long-haul before or experienced that panic of possibly missing a connection. Struggling to find the right queue in a heaving, noisy sea of passengers was daunting, and the second, third and fourth thoughts were coming thick and fast. Even when successfully boarded on the final leg of the journey, the apprehension didn’t subside. I scanned the other passengers, wondering who might be in my group. Would we get along? Was I going to regret the whole thing? The happy truth is that I had the time of my life. Walking the Great Wall was as fascinating as I could possibly have imagined. And I made friends. I came back from that trip with promises to keep in touch with a host of lovely, interesting people. I savoured my achievement. I had ventured out of my comfort zone and survived.

With that confidence I never looked back. It was empowering to realise that I was no longer dependent on the availability or preferences of friends, and I became ever more adventurous. Inevitably there have been the mistakes; getting stung by taxi drivers when I didn’t know the language well; having to ditch half my clothes because I couldn’t carry my backpack and more… But I’ve learnt from them. About staying safe, about reading people and knowing who to trust. And knowing that the only person you can totally rely on is yourself. There isn’t always someone there to lift your luggage! And yes, there might be a few lonely times and no one there to relive the memories with you on your return. But pitch all this against the freedom and the independence, and there’s no contest!

I am now a seasoned solo traveller. The stigma that used to be attached to people travelling alone has gone. We are no longer seen as people with no friends, or easy targets for the unscrupulous. And although the more adventurous might choose to organise their own trips in far-flung places, there are many other options out there; travel operators are addressing this growing trend and offer a wide range of holidays for the individual traveller, from group camping tours in the Arctic to group luxury sunshine breaks in the Caribbean.

I am very glad that my show of bravado didn’t end up being just a ‘show’. It not only opened my eyes to learning more about the world, but also to learning more about myself and I hope that some of you reading this might be encouraged to do the same.

31 How did the writer feel about her friends’ decision about their planned holiday?
A reluctant to go without her friends
B annoyed by their change in attitude
C dismissive of their concerns about the proposed holiday
D appreciative of their honesty

32 What contributed to the writer’s determination to travel alone?
A a certainty that she had the courage to face the challenge
B a fear of missing out on a great opportunity
C a desire to prove her friends wrong
D a previous experience of a similar holiday

33 The writer views the online advice given as
A useful information when considering solo travelling.
B necessary advice for members of a group tour.
C particularly valuable for people visiting China.
D optional reading for the inexperienced traveller.

34 In paragraph 3 we learn that the writer
A had an ingrained fear of flying.
B had regrets about her decision to go on this trip.
C was concerned about some of the other passengers.
D caught the wrong connection at one airport.

35 The writer uses the example of being ‘stung by taxis’ to
A warn people against travelling solo in certain countries.
B describe an unavoidable occurrence when travelling.
C show how she has profited from experience.
D indicate why people should speak other languages.

36 What point is the writer making in the final paragraphs?
A Solo travellers need to be aware of their vulnerability.
B Travelling solo is more rewarding than in organised groups.
C More unusual travel experiences are the most exciting.
D Attitudes to solo travellers have changed for the better.

For this task: Answers with explanations :: Vocabulary