Table of Contents
BEST IELTS General Reading Test 126
GENERAL READING TEST 126 – PASSAGE – 1
GENERAL READING TEST – 126
READING PASSAGE – 1
Read the text and answer Questions 1 – 7.
Who is eligible
You may get Housing Benefit if you pay rent and your income and capital (savings and investments) are below a certain level. You could qualify if you are out of work, or in work and earning a wage. Use the online benefits adviser to get an estimate of the benefits, including Housing Benefit, you may get.
Who isn’t eligible
You can’t usually get Housing Benefit if:
– you have savings of over £16,000, unless you are getting the ‘guarantee credit’ of Pension Credit
– you live in the home of a close relative
– you’re a full-time student (unless you’re disabled or have children)
– you’re an asylum seeker or are sponsored to be in the UK
Other restrictions
If you live with a partner or civil partner only one of you can get Housing Benefit. If you’re single and aged under 25 you can only get Housing Benefit for bed-sit accommodation or one room in shared accommodation.
How to check eligibility
If you think you may be eligible for Housing Benefit, the link below will let you enter details of where you live and then take you to your local authority website where you can find out more.
Important changes for people receiving Child Benefit
Child Benefit is no longer counted as income when working out how much Housing Benefit or Council Tax. Benefit you can get. This means that some people currently receiving Housing Benefit and Council Tax. Benefit payments will receive more benefit with which to pay their rent and council tax. In addition, some low income families may now get Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit as a result of this change. If you think you may now be entitled, contact your local council.
How much do you get?
If you rent a property or room from a private landlord, your Housing Benefit will be calculated with the Local Housing Allowance rules.
If you live in council accommodation or other social housing, the most Housing Benefit you can get is the same as your ‘eligible’ rent.
What is ‘eligible’ rent?
Eligible rent includes:
– rent for the accommodation
– charges for some services, such as lifts, communal laundry facilities or play areas
Even if it’s included in your rent, you won’t get any Housing Benefit for:
– water charges
– charges for heating, hot water, lighting, or cooking
– payments for food or fuel in board and lodgings or hostels
How it’s paid
If you are a council tenant, your council will pay any Housing Benefit straight into your rent account. If you’re not a council tenant, your Housing Benefit will be paid:
– to you by cheque
– by Direct Payment into your bank or building society account
Contact your council if you’re worried about how Housing Benefit is paid.
Questions 1 – 7
Choose NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS and/or a NUMBER from the text for each answer.
1. If your savings are more than £16,000, you ………… receive Housing Benefit.
2. You may get Housing Benefit if you are a full-time student with ………… .
3. When calculating Housing Benefit, Child Benefit is not ………… any more.
4. The change to Child Benefits means that some ………… families may get more benefits.
5. Children’s ………… are included in ‘eligible’ rent.
6. Housing Benefit will be paid into your ………… if you are a council tenant.
7. If you are not a council tenant, payments can be made by Direct Payment or ………… .
Read the text below and answer Questions 8 – 14.
Travel for the Elderly
Whether you’re going abroad or staying in the UK, follow these simple tips so you can relax on your holiday. We spoke to Emma O’Boyle from TripAdvisor and Gill Williams, editorial head of greentravelguides.tv.
A. When to travel
You can save money by booking a holiday out of season, or booking well in advance. Emma O’Boyle recommends, ‘Taking a holiday during ‘shoulder periods’ can be a good way of saving money. Shoulder periods are the months either side of peak season. You can avoid the uncomfortably hot weather, crowds and high prices, yet still enjoy some beautiful temperatures.’
B. Guidebooks
Buying a guide book on where you’re going will give you loads of helpful information on what sights to see, the best and cheapest places to eat, local transport and much more. O’Boyle suggests ‘Ask friends for recommendations or use the internet to find a hotel that matches your criteria. You can find honest reviews online from travelers in your age bracket, looking for the same type of holiday, meaning you’re far less likely to end up at a hotel full of rowdy teenagers. Choosing a hotel is very personal and what one person likes another may hate so don’t always rely on the hotel’s own description.’
C. Research
Using the internet to check what the weather’s like before you leave means you can avoid taking things you dont need. ‘Don’t over pack. Go online before you travel to check local weather forecasts and conditions and pack appropriate clothing and footwear.’ Gill Williams suggests.
D. Copy documents
Photocopy your passport and other important documents in case the original gets lost or stolen and remember to take details of your travel insurance policy with you. You can find a travel insurance broker from the British Insurance Brokers’ Association.
E. Inform family
It’s a good idea to give close family or friends a list of your travel plans and any contact details, in case of emergency.
F. Save space
A great way to save space is to take two or three items and roll them up tightly. Try putting socks into shoes to save space and keep the shoes shape.
G. Luggage
Check restrictions with the airport before travelling to see what you can and can’t take in your hand luggage – now most liquids have to be packed in a clear container. Pack anything you’ll need in your hand luggage like a book, travel game or medicine, ‘If you are flying, always carry essential medication in your carry-on hand luggage rather than the hold – just in case the flight is delayed or the airline loses your suitcases.’ Says Williams.
H. Long flights
Let the airline know if you have any specific needs like a vegetarian or kosher meal. You may want to ask for an aisle seat so you can get up easily when you want. ‘Let your airline know well in advance if you need assistance at airports,’ advises Williams. ‘Corridors can be long – up to 20 minutes walk at many international airports.’
I. Be active
On longer flights it’s important to have good circulation to reduce the risk of Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT), which is caused when poor circulation results in blood clots.
How to improve circulation while flying:
– Walk up and down the aisle every hour
– Point and flex your toes while sitting down
– Rotate your ankles clockwise and anticlockwise
– Wear compression socks
– Keep hydrated by drinking plenty of water
‘On a long flight, be sure to wear support anti-DVT socks. You’d be amazed how many airline pilots wear them secretly!’ – Gill Williams
Questions 8 – 14
The text contains nine sections, A – I.
Which section contains the following information?
8. where to keep the medicine you need
9. how to avoid noisy people
10. how to keep your packing to a minimum
11. what to do if you need help at the airport
12. where to look for travel insurance
13. how to keep the main cost of your holiday down
14. how to save money when you’re there
ANSWERS ARE BELOW
ANSWERS
1. CAN’T
2. CHILDREN
3. COUNTED
4. LOW INCOME
5. PLAY AREAS
6. RENT ACCOUNT
7. BY CHEQUE
8. G
9. B
10. C
11. H
12. D
13. A
14. B