Text A: an original contemporary practice extract.

I joined a Saturday clean-up beside the canal after seeing a notice at school. At first, I stood apart because everyone else seemed to know what to do. The organiser gave me gloves and a litter picker, then paired me with an experienced volunteer called Dev.

Dev showed me how to separate recyclable items from the other rubbish. We filled three bags before lunch, and I was surprised by how much had been hidden in the grass. When we walked back along the path, the water’s edge looked noticeably clearer. I was tired, but I added my name to the list for the next clean-up.

Text B: an original contemporary practice extract.

My first park clean-up began with an awkward few minutes near the entrance. The regular volunteers were already chatting, and I wondered whether I would be useful. Then the group leader handed me gloves and a bag and introduced me to Mina, who had attended several times.

Mina explained which objects could be recycled and which needed to go into the general waste bag. By midday, we had collected rubbish from beneath the benches and around the flower beds. I had not realised how much was there. Seeing the paths looking tidier made the work feel worthwhile, so I agreed to return the following month.