Picking wild mushrooms: listening answers and explanations
Dan Beagle, author of a book on finding food in the wild, gives a talk about picking wild mushrooms. He covers safety warnings, common myths, where and how beginners should start, conservation, why some varieties are declining, and how to store and cook what you find.
All from Dan, in order. 'I need to start by talking about safety' gives 11-12; 'There are certain ideas about wild mushrooms' gives 13-14. Then one topic per question for 15-20: parks, beginners, conservation, decline, storing, and trying new varieties.
Answer key and self-check
Type what you wrote and hit mark. Hide the key first if you haven't done the part yet. Every question number jumps to its explanation.
How to attack this block: Two warnings come close together near the start. They are paraphrased: 'picked by friends or neighbours' means given to you, 'beside busy roads' means near them. Old shop mushrooms are mentioned, but not as a warning about picking.
Question 11-12
Answer: B and C (in either order)From 'I need to start by talking about safety'
Which two warnings does Dan give?
you should never consume mushrooms picked by friends or neighbours … The other thing to avoid is mushrooms growing beside busy roads
Question says → You hear
Don't eat mushrooms given to younever consume mushrooms picked by friends or neighbours
near busy roadsbeside busy roads
Why: C: mushrooms picked by friends or neighbours are ones given to you, and he says never eat them because people confuse poisonous and edible ones. B: 'the other thing to avoid' is mushrooms beside busy roads.
The trap: E is tempting because he says shop mushrooms are 'several days old', but that's a point about freshness, not a warning about picking. He never mentions picking one variety at a time (A).
Multiple choice (choose TWO)
Questions 13-14
How to attack this block: Dan corrects a list of myths, so most options are things he says are untrue. Turn each correction round: if 'only pale mushrooms are OK' is untrue, then bright ones can be edible.
Question 13-14
Answer: B and D (in either order)'There are certain ideas about wild mushrooms that it's important to be aware of'
Which two ideas about wild mushrooms are true?
Some edible mushrooms are bright red, for example. … just because deer or squirrels eat a particular mushroom doesn't mean that you can.
Question says → You hear
Brightly coloured mushrooms can be edibleSome edible mushrooms are bright red
eaten by animals may be unsafejust because deer or squirrels eat a particular mushroom doesn't mean that you can
Why: D: he says the idea that only pale mushrooms are safe is untrue, because some edible ones are bright red. B: animals eating a mushroom doesn't make it safe for you.
The trap: A and E are myths he corrects: 'it's not necessary to peel them', and some deadly ones 'have no smell'. C is never said: he prefers them cooked but doesn't mention toxins.
Multiple choice
Questions 15-20
How to attack this block: Six short sections, each with a clear topic word (parks, beginner, conservation, decline, storing, adventurous). All three options are usually mentioned, so wait for Dan's actual advice, often after 'but' or 'the biggest problem is'.
Question 15
Answer: C'If you haven't got a car, your local park can be a great place to start'
What is his advice for picking in parks?
But you need to be there first thing in the morning, as there's likely to be a lot of competition
Question says → You hear
Get there earlybe there first thing in the morning
Why: 'First thing in the morning' means early, and the 'But you need to' marks it as the advice: C.
The trap: Wooded areas (A) are just one of the habitats in parks. Wildlife (B) is mentioned as competition, not something to avoid disturbing.
Question 16
Answer: B'If you're a complete beginner'
What should beginners do?
If possible, you should go with a group led by an expert - you'll stay safe and learn a lot that way.
Question says → You hear
join a groupgo with a group led by an expert
Why: Going with a group led by an expert is joining a group: B.
The trap: Apps (A) are good, but you can't rely on a signal in the woods. A book (C) is ruled out, even his own.
Question 17
Answer: B'Conservation is a really important consideration'
What does conservation require?
You should never pick all the mushrooms in one area - collect only enough for your own needs.
Question says → You hear
picking a limited amountcollect only enough for your own needs
Why: 'Only enough for your own needs' limits how many you pick: B.
The trap: Young mushrooms are mentioned, but the rule is not to trample them, which isn't the same as choosing only grown ones (A). For rare species he says don't pick them, not avoid the area (C).
Question 18
Answer: C'There's been a decline in some varieties'
Why are some varieties declining?
Restaurants are becoming more interested in locally sourced food like wild mushrooms, but the biggest problem is that so many new houses have been built in this area in the last ten years.
Question says → You hear
a rise in building developments locallyso many new houses have been built in this area
Why: 'The biggest problem' points to the new houses, a rise in building in the area: C.
The trap: Restaurants (A) come first but are followed by 'but'. Water is taken from rivers 'because of this', meaning the houses, so it's not about a lack of rain (B).
Question 19
Answer: A'Anyway, a word of advice on storing mushrooms'
How should mushrooms be stored?
as soon as you get home, put them in the fridge. They'll be fine for a couple of days, but it's best to cook them as soon as possible
Question says → You hear
no more than two daysfine for a couple of days
Why: The fridge, a couple of days, then cook them soon. That's a two-day limit in the fridge: A.
The trap: B is built from the brown paper bag, but that's what you collect them in, and he never says a dark room. Washing (C) comes right before cooking, not before leaving them.
Question 20
Answer: ANear the end, 'Be adventurous!'
What does he say about new kinds of mushrooms?
Be adventurous! They're great in so many dishes - stir fries, risottos, pasta.
Question says → You hear
Experiment with different recipesBe adventurous! They're great in so many dishes
Why: 'Be adventurous' plus a list of dishes means try them in different recipes: A.
The trap: B uses his warning that 'some people can react badly', but that's about not eating too much at first, not a strong taste. Nothing is said about cooking time (C).
Dan lists five ideas and most are myths. 'Doesn't mean that you can' makes B sound negative, but B says animal-eaten mushrooms may be unsafe, which is exactly his point.
Restaurants and water are both mentioned, but Dan says 'the biggest problem' is new houses. The water loss is caused by the building, not by a lack of rain.
The brown paper bag is for collecting, not storing in a dark room. 'Fine for a couple of days' in the fridge is option A.
Words from this recording worth keeping
poisonous(Safety)
containing something that can make you ill or kill you
edible(Safety)
safe to eat
consume(Safety)
eat or drink
past their best(Ideas about wild mushrooms)
no longer fresh
habitats(Picking in parks)
places where plants or animals naturally live
trample(Conservation)
step heavily on something and damage it
locally sourced(Decline of varieties)
produced or found near where it is sold
adventurous(Trying new varieties)
willing to try new things
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