Read the passage
Seeds for next season
Original practice passage. The project, people and setting are fictional. Answer using only the information below.
At the fictional Brook Lane community centre, an unused filing cabinet now holds a seed library. The project began when a gardening club discovered that many members bought whole packets but planted only a few seeds. Sharing the remainder seemed straightforward. Yet the organisers soon realised that a useful collection needed more than a cupboard and a sign inviting people to help themselves.
The first task was choosing a container. The team replaced plastic bags with paper envelopes, which were easier to label and allowed the contents to be checked without tipping out several packets. Each envelope records the plant name, the collection year and the donor’s description of where the plant grew. Unknown varieties are not accepted, because the organisers want borrowers to know what they are planting. The cabinet stands away from a sunny window and a heater.
Before distributing a new batch, volunteers carry out a small germination check. They place a sample of seeds on damp paper and count how many sprout. The result is recorded in a shared notebook. This does not guarantee that every remaining seed will grow: soil, weather and care also matter. It does, however, help volunteers identify batches that are unlikely to be useful. Those batches are removed from the borrowing collection.
Members may take seeds without promising to return any. The team decided that a compulsory return system could discourage beginners, whose first growing attempts might fail. Experienced growers are instead invited to contribute fresh seeds and clear notes at the end of the season. A monthly exchange table gives them a place to describe mistakes as well as successes. The organisers believe these conversations are as important as the packets themselves.
Interest in the collection has increased, but its records have exposed a practical problem. Several packets lacked a collection year, making it hard to judge their age. Volunteers have therefore introduced a checklist for donations. Next spring, the centre plans a demonstration on growing plants in small spaces. It will take place in the courtyard, where visitors can compare different containers. The organisers will review attendance before deciding whether to repeat it.