The Text:
Please read the following passage & answer the questions
It was Emma's first festival bar shift
Emma stood at the entrance to the bustling festival grounds, her stomach fluttering with nerves and excitement. The distant hum of rock music, mixed with the chatter and laughter of festival - goers, filled the air. Today was her first shift working behind the bar at a large outdoor event. She adjusted her purple apron which had bar staff embroidered on it, took a deep breath, and stepped into the tent where her team was already busy preparing for the afternoon rush.
"Hi, I'm Emma," she said, her voice slightly shaky. A tall man with a kind smile wearing a blue apron which had bar supervisor embroidered on it turned to greet her.
"Hey, Emma! I'm Jake, the bar supervisor. Welcome to the team!" He handed her a green wristband. "Stick this on—it shows you're staff. Have you worked a bar shift before?"
"Just in a small pub back home in oxford," she replied.
"You'll be fine," Jake reassured her. "The basics are the same. Just remember to smile, check IDs for anyone who looks under 25, and keep the drinks flowing."
Emma took her position at the counter. The first customer, a woman named Susan who wore a red glittery jacket, ordered two pints of lager. Emma fumbled with the tap at first, accidentally creating more foam than beer. "Sorry about that," she said, cheeks burning. The woman smiled kindly, and Emma managed to fill the cups on her second try.
As the afternoon wore on, the crowd thickened. Emma quickly learned to work more efficiently: tilt the glass, open the tap smoothly, and maintain a friendly demeanour even when the queue seemed endless. She remembered to check IDs, her confidence growing with each interaction.
Suddenly, a man called John wearing a guns and roses T shirt began to argue when she asked for his ID. "I don’t need to prove anything to you," he said, voice rising. Emma's heart raced. She glanced at Jake, who stepped in immediately.
"Sorry, mate," Jake said firmly. "No ID, no alcohol. Festival rules." The man muttered something but walked away. Emma exhaled in relief.
"You did the right thing," Jake said with a nod. "Safety first."
By the evening, the sky was painted with shades of orange and pink, and the music was louder than ever. Emma moved with ease now, exchanging jokes with customers and enjoying the vibrant atmosphere. The moment she poured her last pint; she realised the nerves she'd started with had vanished.
When the shift ended, Jake patted her on the back. "Great job today, Emma. First festival shift, and you nailed it."
Emma smiled, exhaustion and pride washing over her. As she stepped out of the bar tent and into the sea of dancing festival-goers, she felt a sense of accomplishment. Her first festival bar shift had been a whirlwind, but she'd survived and even enjoyed it. She couldn't wait for the next one.