Getting Lost - Learn English from News

A mother and her child ______ deep in the dense Stanislaus National Forest in California late last week _______ a trail of handwritten notes that ______ their rescuers find them, officials announced this week.

• left / helped / stranded

• stranded / helped / left

• stranded / left / helped

• left / stranded / helped

On July 11, the 49-year-old woman and her 9-year-old son traveled from the Sacramento area _______ Camp Wolfeboro for an overnight camping trip.

• from

• over

• to

• across

During their excursion, the woman was using a GPS unit that offered _______ routes to their destination, along with more common ones.

• alienate

• abbreviate

• lubricate

• alternate

When the GPS unit lost its signal, the mother and son were already well inside a “remote area” of the forest and _______ find their way back out.

• unable to

• was unable to

• were unable to

• were able to

Deputies said the lost mother and son, while waiting for rescue, turned on the car’s hazard lights at night, and the 9-year-old also ______ blew a whistle in “three short bursts, an international signal for help.”

• periodically

• specific

• dramatically

• hurry

A mother and her son _______ in a remote forest area were rescued in part because of handwritten notes they left along the trail on July 12, 2025.

• has lost

• lost

• had lost

• were lost

What else can you use to write down in an emergency situation?

• dry leaf

• underwear

• t-shirt

• blanket

“Of importance in the successful outcome was their pre-trip notification of telling someone where they were going and when to expect them back,” officials added.  

According to this, you should ......................... whenever you have a camping trip.

• take a spare GPS device just in case something happens

• let the janitors know before going camping

• be ready with extra supplies and tissue paper

• let your friends and family know about your plan

The best tool needed for survival in the event you get lost outdoors _______ your skill of advanced planning. You must expect the unexpected and plan accordingly.

• has

• is

• are

• have

_______ you are going out for just a few hours, pack enough essentials that you can stay hydrated, fueled and prepared for any type of weather. 

• Even if

• Despite

• Therefore

• Unless