IELTS GENERAL TRAINING READING

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SECTION 1

Questions 1-14

Questions 1 – 6

Look at the advertisements A-J.

Answer the questions below by writing the correct letters A-J in boxes 1-6 on your answer sheet.

1 Which shoe can be lowered and raised?

2 Which TWO types of casual shoes are sold for children?

3 Which TWO types of shoes are suitable for both men and women?

4 Which shoe is shipped from another country?

5 Which TWO shoes come with additional items at no extra cost?

6 Which TWO types of shoes come in only two different colours?

SHOE WORLD

Family Footwear

A Outdoors
Summer or winter, our Outdoors range are the best choice to meet your child’s schooling requirements. Our shoes feature a comfortable inner sole and easy-tie laces. Only occasional cleaning needed. Shoes come in two sizes. $10 and $20 varieties available.

B Cool-Clicks
Fashion shoes for children. Open back, great, relaxed summer shoe. Flat-soled, easy to put on and off. One size only, in black or brown - $35.

C The Pace-Setter
Popular thin-soled men’s sports shoe. Double leather surface for greater durability. Trendy and fashionable - half green, half blue with colourful red and yellow stripped laces - $50.

D Jeansia
Ladies footwear as per the design of a Paris-based boutique fashion house. Winner of 2009 Gloria Award. The shiny silver coating makes the Jeansia even more attractive. Adjustable heels in all sizes - $75.

E Easy-Wear
A favourite among working men and women. A light-weight, comfortable shoe for daily use. The Rexene surface adds to shoe durability. Variety of embossed icons printed on each pair; choose as per your design taste - $35.

F Formal
Men’s formal shoes. Won silver medal in recent EU Summer Fashion Show. Available in white and brown shades. 3- layer sole, all in beautiful leather. Purchase includes a free shoe brush - $85.

G Everyday
Cost-effective, everyday children’s shoe. Available in a variety of cute, vibrant hues. Animal cartoon prints – cows, donkeys, horses and elephants in greys and whites. Durable rubber sole. One extra pair of laces free - $15.

H Sunny
Unisex shoes made of pure Italian leather. Two different styles - Hawaii and Malaya. Comfortable walking shoes, great for around the home. Available in brown only, no cleaning needed. Waterproof and come in two styles - $35 and $45.

I Bosa-Nova
Exceptional country-style women’s footwear. The Bosa-Nova is our only imported shoe. The curved sole, actually massages your feet as you walk. Genuine leather upper. Purple-coloured elastic back, a variety of sizes - $95.

J Supreme
Elegant choice for ladies. Thin but durable leather processed using the latest micro-fibre technology. Will look new for years to come. 4 different colours in 2 sizes. Medium-heel with see-through, flat sole. Stylish black laces. $125.

Customers may visit any of our stores and place a personal order. Depending upon stock availability, individual stores periodically offer discounts on particular models. Please note that apart from our discounted shoes, our usual 1-year guarantee applies to all advertised shoes.

Special ‘Festival’ offer
$20 gift voucher with every purchase over $100. Valid until the first week of January.

Refund policy
There is no money back for goods purchased unless they have defects. Goods sold and unused may be exchanged for other goods of an equivalent price.

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Questions 7-14

The text about CD Summaries has eight sections, A-H.

Choose the correct heading for sections A-H from the CD Directory below.

Write the correct number, i-xii, in boxes 7-14 on your answer sheet.

CD Directory - Montreal Public Library

I. Canada’s Forests

II. Mountain Biking: Routes in Canada

III. Canada Shopping Guide

IV. Foods: Prepare a Canadian Dish!

V. Insects of Canada: Visualisation and Illustration

VI. Private Property: Canada Buying Guide

VII. Canadian Demography

VIII. 4-Wheel Driving: Canada’s Challenge

IX. Canadian Desert Art

X. Survival in Canada’s Wild

XI. Canadian Wildlife Cycles

XII. Food for Thought: Philosophy and Canadian Society

7 Section A

8 Section B

9 Section C

10 Section D

11 Section E

12 Section F

13 Section G

14 Section H

CD Summaries

A The driest parts of Canada have a long history of aboriginal people. Among other findings, archaeologists have uncovered evidence of their creativity – ancient painting, pottery and stone-made statues of imaginary characters. This CD contains high resolution images of their creative expression. Some drawings have been reproduced. Extensive photographs and informative texts.

B This CD is a compilation of information regarding Canada’s human populations. In-depth information about population size, growth, density, and distribution are covered. Statistics and graphs presented which bring the information to life! Migration trends in Canada are also a focus. A publication for beginners and experts alike.

C A manual on Canada’s woods and jungles. Satellite images as well as illustrations. Full of useful data. The origins, development and future of landscape trends are discussed. Several case studies on the natural resources in jungles and the impact of industrialisation upon them.

D Contains a detailed list of Canada’s retailers from several industries – souvenirs, fashion, toys, electronics to name a few. A must-have for tourists. Addresses, phone numbers and opening hours are all provided. Relevant internet sites are also easy to access. A world of information is just a click away!

E If you are a person who thinks that crossing hilly areas on two wheels is the ultimate in excitement then this CD is for you! Contains detailed routes through the slopes of Canada. Full of relevant and useful tips, including how to handle varying weather conditions. Additional information on camping and crisis management also included.

F Full of authentic Canadian recipes. Lunch, dinner, snacks, ice-creams, deserts and lots more. Select, specialty dishes with some drink preparation tips also included. Some video footage from Canada’s top cook shows. Possible purchase locations for some of the rare cooking ingredients, especially spices and natural herbs, are provided.

G Graphics illustrators have worked with entomologists to give us an idea how these small creatures reproduce and have survived for thousands of years. Their contribution to soil protection is discussed. Pest control and its pros and cons are drawn from articles published by the National University of Canada.

H Focuses on outdoor safety including infections and self-medications, safety equipment, food, living arrangements and other wildlife skills. Weather changes and ways to cope with them are discussed in detail. A

photo gallery featuring a selection of picturesque, natural Canadian scenery is included free with every CD.

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SECTION 2

Questions 15-27

Read the text and answer Questions 15-20.

Mountain biking?
Canada is calling!

Experience the best summer adventure ever!

12 mountain biking adventures throughout Canada

At Zenith Biking we have been exceeding mountain bikers’ expectations since our founding in 1988 in Ottawa, Canada. Over the years we have expanded our operations to cover other Canadian cities including Montreal and Toronto. Currently, with a base of over 100 experienced staff, we are your first choice for mountain biking!

For the past five years our international network, comprising offices in four continents, has been organising Canadian mountain biking adventures for bikers around the world. Annually, an average of 3000 clients enjoy an unforgettable biking experience throughout Canada. Should you be interested in extending your adventure to other countries, our extensive Inter-country Zenith Network can organise additional connections for you. Obtaining a visa for entry into some countries can be a time-consuming and frustrating process however at Zenith, our experienced team will assist you in obtaining your visa least amount of time.

At Zenith we have our own accommodation facilities for bikers, in Ottawa and Toronto. Accommodation fees are reasonable and depend on the size and the location of the room chosen. The most economical option is our 8-bed dorms.

Summer Experience, 2012:
Fees for this adventure include:

· Return air-ticket from London to Toronto (excluding onward travel in Canada)

· Bikers’ kit (consisting of apparel, headgear and energy food)

· Direct transfer to Meet & Greet camp from airport

· Bikers workshop for beginners to advanced by our experienced staff

· Extensive directory of Canadian Hills and Mountains

· Zenith Biking 24-hour help and support phone service

· 24-hour emergency medical assistance.

Eligibility

Participants must:

· be at least 18 years old

· be in excellent physical condition

· have at least a basic level of mountain biking competence

· be excited about the experience of a lifetime!

Join the Zenith Bikers’ Forum (ZBF)

Once you book with us for any biking experience, you will automatically become a member of the Zenith Bikers’ Forum (ZBF). Based on the many requests we received from our clients we formally launched the ZBF 3 years ago. On the ZBF you can ask and have answered any biking-related questions you may have. Our website also has a chat-room. You are encouraged to submit your ideas, questions and suggestions and they will be quickly answered by past clients and staff.

Questions 15 – 20

Complete the summary below with a word taken from the passage.

Use NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer.

Write your answers in boxes 15-20 on your answer sheet.

Zenith Biking began in 1988 in the city of …Ottawa... and provides biking adventures in several 15 ………… .

Experienced Zenith staff provide assistance for bikers worldwide via an 16 ……….. . Not all of Zenith’s 3000 annual clients mountain bike in Canada – the Inter-country Zenith Network can organise connections to 17 ………. .

In Ottawa and Toronto, Zenith Accommodation is available and room rates are based on 18 ………… . The Summer Experience 2012 offers several exciting options including air-ticket, transport and 24-hour emergency service.

The Zenith Bikers’ Forum began 19 …………. and helps paying customers by answering all biking-related questions. Customers can also find answers to their questions in the 20 …………. .

Read the text and answer Questions 21-27.

CLASSIFIED ADS – A USEFUL JOB-SEEKING RESOURCE

In their search for employment, increasing numbers of job seekers are once again turning to the help-wanted classified ads in their local newspapers. For some time this popular resource slumped as the heavily trafficked internet job sites became widely regarded as offering greater numbers of employment opportunities. In many cases this is a valid assumption. A local newspaper focuses on positions vacant in a specific town or region, whereas the on-line job site will typically contain advertisements for the whole country and possibly even overseas.

If you are seeking work in your neighborhood, and do not wish to drive a long distance or move, the local, classified ads in your newspaper may be a viable option. Recent canvassing has revealed that some local and regional employers don’t always post their position vacant ads on the major web sites. Many prefer to advertise closer to home and to hire locally in order to avoid having to pay relocation costs.

Often it is not necessary to purchase the newspapers, as these publications are widely available in libraries, coffee shops and even some waiting rooms. In addition, on-line newspaper editions, which contain the help-wanted ads, are now widely available and have contributed to the popularity of this form of advertising. These ads are usually searchable by date, category, keyword and location, making them competitive with the larger career and employment agencies found on the Internet.

Whether you apply for a job through a large, on-line employment agency or via a classified ad in a newspaper the same strategy is valid. First of all, read the ad carefully and do your best to answer the following questions:

· Am I the type of person the employer is looking for – do I have the essential skills and experience?

· With whom would I be working – a group of people, one person or would I work independently?

· What other talents and experience can I include in my application?

· What opportunities and experiences might be available in this position that would be advantageous to my career?

· Do I have the skills to negotiate the challenges and problems of the position? (For example: working with much older employees or a woman working in an office full of men.)

Importantly, try to find a way to stand out from the other applicants. Remember, whether you are responding to a positions vacant advertisement from an internet agency or a newspaper, your goal is to secure the interview before

you stand a chance of being hired for the job.

Questions 21 - 27

Do the following statements agree with the information given in the text?

In boxes 21-27 on your answer sheet, write

TRUE if the statement agrees with the information

FALSE if the statement contradicts the information

NOT GIVEN if there is no information on this

21 Classified ads have become more popular due to increases in unemployment.

22 On-line job sites list more vacancies than job sites in newspapers.

23 Internet job sites are recommended for local employment positions.

24 To avoid paying for moving expenses, employers advertise locally.

25 Compared with jobs online, jobs in newspapers require a slightly different approach.

26 An application should mention additional, relevant work experience.

27 When answering a positions vacant ad, the first aim is to be hired.

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SECTION 3

Read the passage and answer questions 28-40.

Issued by the Bank of New South Wales in 1816, Police Fund Notes were one of the first official notes in Australia and were well-circulated throughout the 19th century. Their use continued up until 1910, around which time the Federal Government became responsible for issuing, monitoring and controlling all currencies that were used throughout the country. Once the Australian Notes Act was passed in 1910, it took three years for the Federal Government to issue the first series of Australian notes. The Government followed the British Imperial system where twelve pence made a shilling and twenty shillings made a pound. The same Act also stopped different states and their banks from issuing and circulating their own notes. The status of ‘state notes’ as legal tender ceased from that time resulting in the Commonwealth Treasury having full responsibility and control over issuing notes. In 1920 however, control was transferred to a Board of Directors directly appointed by the Commonwealth Government.

By the end of 1924 a number of changes took place regarding the control of note issuing, the most significant being the replacement of the Commonwealth Government Board of Directors by the Commonwealth Bank Board of Directors. Gradually, the Commonwealth Bank became the sole authority to issue Australian notes. This authority was formalised in 1945 by the Commonwealth Bank Act. In 1960, control was passed to another authority, the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA), which took over the responsibility of central banking and the issuing of notes. In 1966 the RBA converted its currency from the Imperial system to decimal currency and named its standard currency the dollar.

In the 1970’s Australia experienced rapid growth in its economy and population. This growth meant that more currency would need to be printed so the RBA began the construction of a new note printing complex in Melbourne. In 1981, the first batch of notes was printed in the new complex by the printing branch of the RBA which, in 1990, was officially named Note Printing Australia. In addition to larger-scale note printing, the RBA also concentrated on developing technologically advanced and complex note printing mechanisms to guard against counterfeiting. As a result of joint efforts by the RBA and the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), revolutionary polymer notes were invented. Featuring exclusively a pictorial theme of settlement incorporating elements of Aboriginal culture, commemorative $10 polymer notes were introduced in 1988 as part of Australia’s bi-centennial celebrations.

The basic idea of developing polymer notes originated from an experiment where the RBA attempted to insert an Optically Variable Device (OVD) in the notes so that counterfeiters could not copy them. Over the years, a process has evolved in the production of polymer note printing which involves several steps. Initially, blank sheets are made out of a special kind of surface material called Biaxially Oriented Polypropylene (BOPP) - a non-fibrous and non-porous polymer used as an alternative to paper in note printing that has a distinctive feel when touched. Usually, a technique called Opacifying is then used to apply ink to each side of the sheet through a die-cut that has a sealed space in it for the OVD – no ink is placed in this area, it remains transparent. The sheet is then ready for Intaglio Printing, a kind of printing which sets the ink in an embossed form, raising the printed elements – text, image, lines and other complicated shapes. The process then prints a see-through registration device by matching the images on both sides, dot by dot. If the images on both sides do not align perfectly, then the see-through device will not show any printing on it once the note is held up to a light source. As a special security feature, Shadow Image Creation technique is then used by applying Optically Variable Ink (OVI) which allows the print on the reverse side to be also seen. All the notes then undergo a safety and functionality test where they are placed in front of a light source to check manually whether or not the reverse side can be seen. If the notes pass the test, it is assumed that the process has been successful.

The process then moves to Micro Printing, which is the printing of text so small that it can only be read with a magnifying glass. The second last phase of the process is Florescence Printing where some texts are printed in such a way that is only visible when viewed under ultra-violet (UV) light. The authenticity of a polymer note can be quickly established by holding it up to a UV light source – if some texts glow under the UV light then the note is authentic. The last phase of the process is called varnishing, which is the over-coating of notes with a chemical that consists of drying oil, resin and thinner. This final phase makes the surfaces of the notes glossy and more durable.

Despite significant developments of technology and control, some people argue that the life of polymer notes as currency in Australia will come to an end due to the widespread usage of electronic fund transfer cards¹. Whether this will come to pass remains to be seen. One thing however seems certain, innovation of currency notes in Australia will continue into the foreseeable future.

¹ computer-based systems used to perform financial transactions electronically without physically exchanging notes or coins

Questions 28-34

Complete the flow-chart below.

Choose NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS from the text for each answer.

Write your answers in boxes 28-34 on your answer sheet.

Polymer note production process

Instead of 28 ........ a plastic polymer called BOPP is produced.

29 ........ is applied to the BOPP.

A special area of the 30 ....... is left clear for 31 ....... .

32 ........ raises the printed elements on the BOPP

Images on both sides are matched.

Security and functionality are assessed by putting the notes
next to a 33 ........

34 ........ makes the polymer note shiny and longer-lasting.

Questions 35-39

Do the following statements agree with the information given in the text?

In boxes 35-40 on your answer sheet, write

	TRUE	if the statement agrees with the information
	FALSE	if the statement contradicts the information
	NOT GIVEN	if there is no information on this

35 Police Fund Notes were the first and only notes used in Australia.

36 The first notes issued by the Bank of New South Wales followed the British Imperial System.

37 The first series of Australian notes were released in 1910.

38 The construction of the note printing complex in Melbourne was due to economic progress in Australia.

39 Illustrations on the first Australian polymer note featured Australia’s bi-centenary.

Question 40

Choose the correct question, A-E.

Write the correct letter in box 40 on your answer sheet.

Which of the following is the most suitable title for Section 3?

A Early Australian money

B The economy of Australia

C New polymer notes for Australia

D Changes in Australian money

E The future of Australian money

Answers

1 D It is mentioned that Jeansia shoes have adjustable heels, which means the height of the shoes can be lowered or raised.

2 B, G It is mentioned that Cool-Clicks are fashion shoes for children, open back, relaxed summer shoe. Also, Everyday shoes are cost-effective everyday shoes (i.e. casual shoes) for kids.

3 E, H It is mentioned that Easy-Wear shoes are for both men and women. Sunny shoes are unisex shoes, which means these are for both men and women.

4 I It is mentioned that Bosa-Nova is the only imported shoe. Imported means that it is brought/shipped from another country.

5 F, G It is mentioned that Formal shoes come with a free shoe brush. Everyday shoes come with one pair of free laces.

6 B, F It is mentioned that Cool-Clicks come in Black and Brown and Formal shoes come in White and Brown shades (i.e. colours).

7 ix CD ix mentions art, which relates to creativity. It also mentions deserts, which refers to the driest parts of Canada.

8 vii Demography for a country refers to the population size, growth, density etc.

9 i Canada’s Forest can contain information about Canada’s woods and jungles.

10 iii Shopping guide contains information regarding shops, items sold, opening times etc.

11 ii Crossing hilly areas in two wheels refers to mountain biking.

12 iv Preparing Canadian dishes refer to Canadian recipes.

13 v Entomology refers to the study of insects. ‘Small creatures’ and ‘pests’ are used to describe insects.

14 x Outdoor safety, food, self medication, wild living etc. refer to survival techniques in wildlife as it throws lot of challenges to the travellers.

Lab 3, Reading Passage 2, Answers and Suggestions

Quest. Number Answer Scott’s Tips for Answering the Questions

15 Canadian cities It is mentioned that Zenith operates in several Canadian cities.

16 international network It is mentioned that Zenith serves bikers from around the world via an international network.

17 other countries It is mentioned that Zenith can make connections to other countries for the bikers through its Inter-country Network.

18 size and location It is mentioned that room rates depend on the size and location of the room chosen.

19 3 years ago It is mentioned that ZBF started operating 3 years ago.

20 Chat-room It is specified that customers can also get their questions answered in the chat-room.

21 Not Given There is nothing in the passage about this! There is a statement that looking for ads in local newspapers is increasing but nothing is mentioned about why.

22 True The first paragraph states, “For some time this popular resource (newspaper ads) slumped as the heavily trafficked internet job sites became widely regarded as offering greater numbers of employment opportunities.

This means that there were more online job ads than those listed in newspapers.

23 False The first and second paragraphs state: “on-line job sites will typically contain advertisements for the whole country and possibly even overseas….If you are seeking work in your neighborhood…the local, classified ads in your newspaper may be a viable option.

This means online jobs cover a larger area (whole country and overseas) while local ads are for local jobs.

24 True The second paragraph states: “Many (employers) prefer to advertise closer to home and to hire locally in order to avoid paying relocation costs.”

25 False The third paragraph states: “Whether you apply for a job through a large, on-line employment agency or via a classified ad in a newspaper the same strategy is valid.

This means the application process is the same.

26 True The passage states: Do your best to answer the following questions… ”What other talents and experience can I include in my application?”

In other words, a person applying for a job should aim to include relevant experience with their application.

27 False The final paragraph states: “…your goal is to secure the interview before you stand a chance of being hired for the job.”

This means the first aim is to secure an interview and then be hired for the job.

Lab 3, Reading Passage 3: Answers and Suggestions

Quest. Number Answer Scott’s Tips for Answering the Questions

28 paper It is mentioned that BOPP is used as an alternate to (i.e. instead of) paper.

29 ink It is mentioned that ink is applied on each side of the BOPP sheet.

30 sheet

BOPP It is mentioned that a part of the sheet (which is made of BOPP) is left transparent (i.e. no ink is put, which means it is left clear).

31 OVD The process mentions that the sealed space is left for OVD.

32 Intaglio Printing It is mentioned that Intaglio Printing sets the ink in an embossed form that raises the printed elements.

33 light source It is mentioned that by placing (i.e. putting) the notes in front of a light source the security (i.e. safety) and functionality are tested.

34 varnishing The process mentions about varnishing, which is applying chemical to make the notes glossy (i.e. shiny) and durable (i.e. longer-lasting).

35 False The passage mentions that Police Fund Notes were one of the first official notes, which means these were not the only notes.

36 Not Given It is mentioned that the notes issued by the Government followed the British system. Whether the notes issued by the Bank of New South Wales also had followed that system or not is not given.

37 False It is mentioned that it took three years to release the first series of Australian notes once the Act was passed in 1910. This means that the notes were released not in 1910 rather in 1913.

38 True It is mentioned that the new note printing complex was due to Australia’s rapid growth in economy and population. Economic growth refers to economic progress.

39 False It is mentioned that the first Polymer note featured exclusively a theme (which means the only theme) of settlement and elements of Aboriginal culture. The notes were launched on the occasion of Australia’s bi-centenary but did not feature anything regarding it as the only theme was settlement.

40 D The passage discusses the changes in Australian money that took place over the years – the changes of authority to issue money, the changes in materials used to print money and the changes in circulation of money.

IELTS GENERAL TRAINING READING - 4