General Training Reading Sample: Your Moulex Iron & Classic Tours

 

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First, read the text below and answer Questions 1-8.

Your Moulex Iron

A  Filling the reservoir
Your iron is designed to function using tap water. However, it will last longer if you use distilled water.

-- Always unplug the iron before filling the reservoir.
-- Always empty the reservoir after use.

B  Temperature and steam control
Your Moulex iron has two buttons which control the intensity of heat produced by the iron. You can, therefore, adjust the temperature of the iron and the amount of steam being given off depending upon the type of fabric being ironed.

-- Turn the steam control to the desired intensity.
-- Turn the thermostat control to the desired temperature.

Important: If your iron produces droplets of water instead of giving off steam, your temperature control is set too low.

C  Spray button
This button activates a jet of cold water which allows you to iron out any unintentional creases. Press the button for one second.

D  Pressing button
This button activates a super shot of steam which momentarily gives you an additional 40g of steam when needed.

Important: Do not use this more than five successive times.

E  Suits etc.
It is possible to use this iron in a vertical position so that you can remove creases from clothes on coathangers or from curtains. Turning the thermostat control and the steam button to maximum, hold the iron in a vertical position close to the fabric but without touching it. Hold down the pressing button for a maximum of one second. The steam produced is not always visible but is still able to remove creases.

Important: Hold the iron at a sufficient distance from silk and wool to avoid all risk of scorching. Do not attempt to remove creases from an item of clothing that is being worn, always use a coathanger.

F  Auto-clean
In order that your iron does not become furred up, Moulex have integrated an auto-clean system and we advise you to use it very regularly (1-2 times per month).

-- Turn the steam control to the off position.
-- Fill the reservoir and turn the thermostat control to maximum.
-- As soon as the indicator light goes out, unplug the iron and, holding it over the sink, turn the steam control to auto-clean. Any calcium deposits will be washed out by the steam. Continue the procedure until the reservoir is empty.

Questions 1-4:

Match the pictures below to the appropriate section in the instructions.

Write the correct letter A-F in boxes 1-4 on your answer sheet.

Questions 5-8

Answer the following questions on the Moulex iron using NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS. Write your answers in boxes 5-8 on your answer sheet.

5. What sort of water are you advised to use?
6. What factor makes you decide on the quantity of steam to use?
7. What should you do if your iron starts to drip water?
8. What could damage your iron if you do not clean it? 

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Read the information below and answer Questions 9-14.

                 CLASSIC TOURS 

Luggage
We ask you to keep luggage down to one medium-sized suitcase per person, but a small holdall can also be taken on board the coach.

Seat Allocation
Requests for particular seats can be made on most coach breaks when booking, but since allocations are made on a first come first served basis, early booking is advisable. When bookings are made with us you will be offered the best seats that are available on the coach at that time.

Travel Documents
When you have paid your deposit we will send to you all the necessary documents and labels, so that you receive them in good time before the coach break departure date. Certain documents, for example, air or boat tickets, may have to be retained and your driver or courier will then issue them to you at the relevant point.

Special Diets
If you require a special diet you must inform us at the time of booking with a copy of the diet. This will be notified to the hotel or hotels on your coach break, but on certain coach breaks the hotels used are tourist class and whilst offering value for money within the price range, they may not have the full facilities to cope with special diets. Any extra costs incurred must be paid to the hotel by yourself before departure from the hotel.

Accommodation
Many of our coach-breaks now include, within the price, accommodation with private facilities, and this will be indicated on the coach break page. Other coach breaks have a limited number of rooms with private facilities which, subject to availability, can be reserved and guaranteed at the time of booking - the supplementary charge shown in the price panel will be added to your account.
    On any coach break, there are only a limited number of single rooms. When a single room is available it may be subject to a supplementary charge and this will be shown on the brochure page.

Entertainment
Some of our hotels arrange additional entertainment which could include music, dancing, film shows, etc. The nature and frequency of the entertainment presented is at the discretion of the hotel and therefore not guaranteed and could be withdrawn if there is a lack of demand or insufficient numbers in the hotel.  

 

Questions 9-14:

Choose the appropriate letters A-D and write them in boxes 9-14 on your answer sheet.

9.  If you want to sit at the front of the coach -

    A. ask when you get on the coach.
    B. arrive early on the departure date.
    C. book your seat well in advance.
    D. avoid travelling at peak times.

10. Your air tickets -

    A. will be sent to your departure point.
    B. must be collected before leaving.
    C. will be enclosed with other documents.
    D. may be held by your coach driver.

11.  If you need a special diet you should -
   
    A. inform the hotel when you arrive.
    B. pay extra with the booking.
    C. tell the coach company.
    D. book tourist class.

12.  It may be necessary to pay extra for -
   
    A. a bathroom.
    B. boat tickets.
    C. additional luggage.
    D. entertainment.

13.  Entertainment is available - 

    A. at all hotels.
    B. if there is the demand.
    C. upon request.
    D. for an additional cost.

14.  With every booking, Classic Tours guarantee you will be able to -
   
    A. request high-quality meals.
    B. take hand luggage on the coach.
    C. use your own personal bathroom.
    D. see a film if you want to.

Click the button to Show/ Hide Answers

Answer:
1. D
2. A
3. C
4. E
5. distilled (water)
6. the fabric/ type of fabric/ fabric type
7. turn up/ increase temperature
8. calcium deposits/ furring up
9. C
10. D
11. C
12. A
13. B
14. B

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Describe a time when you saw something interesting on social media.

 

You should say:

• what you saw
• where you saw it
• how you felt about it

and explain why you think it was interesting.

[Instruction: You will have to talk about the topic for one to two minutes. You have one minute to think about what you are going to say. You can make some notes to help you if you wish.]

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Model Answer:

Social media attracts all sorts of ideas, thoughts and behaviours from all kinds of people, from all over the world. And therefore, it is quite natural that we will get to see something interesting on these open platforms from time to time, if not always, and today I would like to talk about one such interesting thing.

Well, I should rather call it a “video” – a video of a seemingly irritated antler that was trying to pick up a fight with a photographer. I saw this interesting video on Facebook, the largest social media platform, about a few months ago when I was idly browsing for something interesting on my computer at my home. Having found nothing, worth reading or viewing, I decided to visit Facebook, and it was at that time that I saw this video on my Facebook news feed. 

In that video, I saw a photographer trying to video a very beautiful looking antler while passing by an unprotected “wildlife sanctuary” of the sort except, of course, the antler was definitely not in her mood to be filmed. The antler even made her intention clear about not being filmed, by trying to attack the photographer in a mild manner. But, on the other hand, the “unruly” photographer was in no mood to leave the irritated antler alone, infuriating the animal even further in the process.

This tussle between the antler and the stubborn photographer had continued for almost 20 minutes before the photographer finally decided to respect the privacy of that exotic looking antler. What a fine and unadulterated entertainment for a good 20 minutes it really was, and that’s the only thing I could think after finishing watching the nice video!

Anyway, I found this video to be very interesting because it had managed to capture some of the rarest moments of a very “stubborn and yet very proud” antler in action. Besides, the video was made with such masterstroke, by using all angles, that it would actually be impossible to leave the video without watching it till the very end!

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Describe an activity that you do after school/ work.

 

You should say:

• what activity it is
• when and where you do it
• who you do it with

and explain how you feel about doing this activity.

[Instruction: You will have to talk about the topic for one to two minutes. You have one minute to think about what you are going to say. You can make some notes to help you if you wish.]

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Model Answer:

Until recently, I would remain happy to just sit at home and watch some TV after work. Now, while I have nothing against enjoying our time at home, this thing turned into a rather boring affair for me after a while.  In other words, I needed to find some other kinds of activities. So, I went to a store one day about 6 months ago and bought myself a bicycle. Well, the reason for buying this bicycle was – yes, you have guessed it right – to tussle with it a little after work.

Of course, it was not the first time that I ever owned a bicycle and rode it. In fact, I used to own a very nice looking “two-wheeler” and ride it like a “pro” (“pro” as in “professional” here) when I was attending my university about 10 years ago. But, then, when I started a career, which required a different kind of lifestyle from my end, I had to give up the idea of riding a bicycle. 

But, now, once again, I have gone back to my “old self”, a more adventurous one in that, while enjoying this activity after my work, or I should say, mainly after my work, in the afternoon, since I also happen to ride it in the morning during the weekends, some times.  But, no matter, when or at what time, I am doing this activity, I always try to do it in a nearby park, since they are comparatively less crowded or busy than those city roads or streets. And yes, I enjoy this activity alone, even though it would be nice to have other fellow riders to accompany me sometimes. 

But, riding alone or not, I am really enjoying this rather new activity since it allows me to become and behave like the “young me” once again!  I am also feeling a way more “liberated” and positive about myself after starting this activity because it helps me take my mind away from the “toxic” work environment that I have to cope with sometimes.

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Describe an interesting TV programme you watched about a science topic.

You should say:

• what science topic this TV programme was about
• when you saw this TV programme
• what you learnt from this TV programme about a science topic

and explain why you found this TV programme interesting.

[Instruction: You will have to talk about the topic for one to two minutes. You have one minute to think about what you are going to say. You can make some notes to help you if you wish.]

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Model Answer:

There is nothing better than watching a good TV show on science when you are in a mood to stimulate your brain and learn something new about our world. Today, I would like to talk about one such science programme which aroused my thoughts rather intensely.

The science TV show, I am talking about, is called “Life After People”. Anyway, I had watched several other "science shows" prior to watching this particular one about a year ago, but this one was a bit different from other programmes in the sense that it was a bit scary. Yes, the name of this show is very much self-explanatory, and it was trying to highlight or explain a very radical situation of our world – a world that didn’t have any human life whatsoever. Sounds a bit scary, doesn’t it? Well, it should because getting to see things like burning skyscrapers, the disappearance of the cities instantly, and corroding landmark bridges is not certainly something very pleasant to watch. 

But, that’s exactly what this science show, a disaster documentary rather, in my humble opinion, while predicting the disintegration of the world’s infrastructure along a timeline that stretches from day one to 10,000 years after our complete disappearance. 

Now, as I kept watching this show, many types of unpleasant and dreaded situations had been crossing my mind that I didn’t like at all. But, whether I liked it or not, it taught me at least two lessons: the first lesson was that our planet doesn’t really need us humans to exist. The second lesson, of course, is that we, the humans are probably the most vulnerable species of all the life forms that exist on our planet.  

Well, this science programme was really interesting to me, mainly because it was explaining a possible scenario, albeit a very frightening one, with some interesting scientific pieces of evidence, which we will not live to see! It was interesting also because it taught us that we, the humans, are nothing compared to this ever-expanding universe in the greater scheme of things.

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IELTS READING SAMPLE TEST BY IELTS HUB

You should spend about 20 minutes on Questions 1–13, which are based on Reading Passage given below.

Read the text and answer Questions 1 – 6

Top 6 Art Exhibitions

Don’t miss out on the best London exhibitions! Catch one of these great London exhibitions as chosen by our editorial team. For more London exhibitions see our London Arts Guide.

(A) Anish Kapoor: Turning the World Upside Down
World-renowned sculptor Anish Kapoor once again creates a sensational London exhibition – this time in the open spaces of Kensington Gardens. Kapoor’s series of imposing stainless-steel mirrored sculptures are gathered together for the first time in London, reflecting the luscious surrounds of the Royal Park. Until 13 Mar.

(B) Pioneering Painters: The Glasgow Boys 1880-1900
The Glasgow Boys were a loose-knit group of painters who caused a stir in the late 19th-century art world with their experimental and ambitious work. Pioneering Painters is the first Glasgow Boys exhibition in London for more than 40 years, and includes more than 80 paintings. Until 23 Jan.

(C) Journey Through the Afterlife: Ancient Egyptian Book of the Dead
Explore ancient Egyptian beliefs about the afterlife in a fascinating new exhibition at the British Museum. Journey Through the Afterlife: Ancient Egyptian Book of the Dead displays 3,500 year-old artefacts and documents including spells, haunting images and rituals that helped to prepare the dead for the afterlife. Until 6 Mar.

(D) GSK Contemporary – Aware: Art Fashion Identity
GSK Contemporary takes over the Royal Academy’s 6 Burlington Gardens building for the third year running, showcasing the work of 30 artists. This year the exhibition has a fashion theme, looking at how artists and designers use clothing to reveal elements of our identity. Until 30 Jan.
E Veolia Photographer of the Year See a stunning collection of images from the natural world as the prestigious Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition returns to London. The winner, runner-up and commended photograph in each category are on display at the Natural History Museum. Photos are of underwater scenes to urban wildlife. Until 11 Mar.

(F) The Unilever Series: Ai Weiwei
Chinese artist Ai Weiwei has laid more than 100 million porcelain sunflower seeds in Tate Modern’s Turbine Hall for this year’s annual Unilever Series. Past commissions have included Doris Salcedo’s crack in the floor, Louise Bourgeois’ giant spider sculpture and Carsten Höller’s slide. Until 25 Apr.

Questions 1 – 6
The text has six sections, A – F.
Which section contains the following information?

1. where to see the top entries in each group
2. where to see some impressive metal objects
3. where to see an unusual floor surface
4. where to see historical objects related to life after death
5. where to see artwork which has been absent from London for some time
6. where to see a wide range of animal habitats

Read the text and answer Questions 7 – 13

Leisure Time Trends

Forget about city breaks or whizzing off for a long weekend in the sun. Learning, it seems, is the new travel and everyone is racing back to school to crack a new skill.

No longer is it considered enough to come home with a winter tan or memories of great restaurant meals, you need to be able to make your own bread or fillet your own fish.

Pottering around craft galleries won’t wash – the smart new souvenirs are your very own handcrafted pots, willow garden ornaments or stained glass lampshades.

Some of the motivation comes from the recession. With money tight and jobs insecure, our weekends need to feel worthwhile, industrious and focused. There’s been a huge resurgence of interest in home crafts, cookery and gardening as we find pleasure in growing and making our own. There’s never been a better time to be a domestic goddess or a garden god (or vice versa). With the environment also on people’s minds, courses that can turn us into good lifers (yes, even with a small back garden) are hugely popular. Learn the basics of keeping hens, bees, even pigs. Start your own allotment; build a wood-burning stove; make your own biodiesel – in fact, why not go the whole hog and build your own straw-bale house?

A weekend is the perfect amount of time for a course. It’s not too large a commitment of time or cash and not too embarrassing or gruesome if you discover, very swiftly, that your dream of being the next Cath Kidston or Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall is pie in the sky. Some courses run from Friday to Sunday, while others last for just a day and many give the impetus to try out a new hobby or skill. Some might even provide a springboard for a new business opportunity.

Carron York who, along with husband Tony, runs pig-keeping courses in Wiltshire, says that lots of people are now keeping pigs, not just as a hobby, but as an extra source of income. “One woman keeps rare-breed pigs to help put her daughters through school,” she says. “Others just come along and fall in love.”

Above all, weekend courses are great fun. They provide the opportunity to meet like-minded people and are often held in stunning or unusual locations. Some are residential (from country-house hotels to DIY camping in a muddy field); others will require you to make your own accommodation arrangements. Not all these courses are run regularly, so check the websites to find the next date. Some will put on extra weekends if there is enough interest, so ask if a suitable date isn’t available. Many only take small groups and book up quickly, so don’t delay.

The following weekends offer something for everyone. We’ve tracked down 50 courses throughout the UK, catering for a wide variety of ages and interests. Happy learning!

Questions 7 – 13
Do the following statements agree with the information given in the text?

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

7. Combining hobbies with holidays is becoming very popular.
8. One reason for the boom in learning is that people don’t have a lot of money.
9. Courses on how to breed livestock are becoming more popular.
10. All the courses run for two or three days.
11. Some people use the courses to help them start out in business.
12. The courses are also great social activities.
13. All the courses include somewhere to stay for the duration of the course.

ANSWERS 

1. E
2. A
3. F
4. C
5. B
6. E
7. NG
8. T
9. NG
10. F
11. T
12. NG
13. F

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IELTS SPEAKING Cue Card Sample by IELTS HUB

Describe your favourite season.

You should say:

• what season it is
• how long it lasts
• what are some distinct features of this season

and explain why this is your favourite season

Model Answer:
I believe each season has its distinctive features, charms and beauty, and that is why there is no universal choice when it comes to people's favourite seasons. When some like the shiny bright summer or the gentle nature of the spring season, many others prefer it when we have rain or snow around us. Personally, I like the "autumn" season the most.

In our country, autumn lasts a little less than three months - starting from August and sometimes from mid-August. During this season, the weather is neither too hot nor too cold. We usually divide autumn into two parts - early autumn and late autumn, each lasting around a month and two weeks.

Well, during the early autumn, soft, light clouds hang or hover around the sky, but it hardly rains. The weather and the temperature are just perfect. The blue sky that is reflected on the crystal clear water of the lake gives a sensational look to nature. It is also the season of harvest and festivals. The ripe crops, fruits and vegetables are ready for harvesting and the happy farmers cut them and load them into wagons. It is also the season of different delicacy, carnival, rewards and joy.

Autumn is my favourite season because the weather is ideal during this season. It is not chilling cold or uncomfortably hot. Since my childhood, I have had a softness for this perfect weather perhaps because I could participate in many outdoor activities during autumn than summer or winter seasons. I also like this season because it brings hope, festivity, possibility and prosperity to the farmers and rural people in our country. The spirit, joy and aspiration get renewed during this season which also contributes to making autumn my favourite season. 

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IELTS TASK-2 BY IELTS HUB

 Investment in local amenities such as leisure centres is the best way for the government to foster a good community spirit.

To what extent do you agree or disagree?

What other measures do you think might be effective?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Write at least 250 words.

 Model answer

A good community spirit can certainly be promoted by various means, including investment in local amenities such as leisure complexes. While I agree that this approach is worthwhile, it is not necessarily the best, as there are other equally important strategies.

Local amenities like leisure complexes are important for bringing people of all ages together and for providing them with opportunities to mingle with friends and meet new people. As well as facilities, such centres can provide a wide range of activities like swimming clubs and yoga classes as well as art classes, which give people the chance to meet old and new friends and strengthen the local community spirit.

Other amenities such as libraries that are open to the public can also play a role in developing a community. Other measures that are also useful are holding local festivals and fun days, not just in parks but in streets that are closed off to traffic for the day or weekend. In fact, any activity that involves local people coming together, such as volunteering in the clean-up of local neighbourhoods or tidying up local spaces, is worthwhile.

Another important strategy is the design of local neighbourhoods. Unfortunately, the enormous pressure to increase accommodation for growing populations means that there is less space for houses with gardens. However, it is possible to provide well-maintained open spaces that attract local people along with venues to give them a chance to interact with each other, like local shops instead of large supermarkets, all of which can nurture a local identity and spirit.

In conclusion, investing in local amenities is one among many approaches that can contribute to the fostering of a good spirit within communities.

(282 words)

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