BEST IELTS General Reading Test 13

Table of Contents

GENERAL READING TEST 13

Reading Passage – 1

Read the text below and answer Questions 1– 6.

A. Waitrose – High Street Branch
Position available for two cleaners
Night shift and/or early morning
Must be able to work unsupervised, to a time limit.
No experience needed.
Must have own transport.
Drop in and ask for Pete Evans

B. WORKSHOP PRESENTERS
Do you have a bubbly outgoing personality?
Love children?
Good singing voice. Responsible and positive attitude.
Will run musical workshops for preschool children.
Classes are 30-45 minutes in length / training provided
Own transport essential.
Call into ABC Academy – Brook Street between 10am – 2pm and ask for Jenny.

C. Dog Walker
An animal loving person needed to walk our two lovely Yorkshire Terriers three times a week.
Evenings preferred.
No weekends 16 years or older is ideal
Call: 0916-202-7445 to apply

D. Nanny Wanted
To help look after two children – 2 and 5 years old.
Experience useful but patience and willingness to learn is enough.
Accommodation, food and pocket money provided.
Flexible working times. Ideal for foreign student studying English.
Please send resume and photo to – Evelyn1978@hotmail.com

E. 20 full time volunteers wanted
One year project.
Willing to relocate with free accommodation. Basic salary provided.
Supporting people with disabilities and young people from broken homes.
18-65 can apply.
Experience preferred but not essential.

F. Web-based company

Urgently requires a graphic designer

Working knowledge of Photoshop

College graduate preferred but enthusiastic computer nerd can apply.

Send short resume (with photo) to – MegaBites, 10 Oak Road, Ashbourne

G. OLDE WORLDE CAFÉ

Waitress needed. (Full-time / Part-time)

Previous restaurant or café experience preferred.

Must be physically active and able to take orders.

Salary according to experience.

Will consider: high school graduate

Call 0245-67332 for interview. Ask for Mary.

Questions 1-6

Look at the seven job advertisements, A-G, and read the descriptions of people below.

Which is the most suitable job for each person?

Write the correct letter, A-G, in boxes 1-6 on your answer sheet.

1. a person willing to move location for one year. Salary is low but ideal for someone interested in social work.
2. a high school student who loves exercise and animals with a few evenings free every week
3. an independent kind of person prepared to work at night or early mornings with transport
4. a high school graduate looking for their first job, must like talking to people
5. a cheerful person who loves working with young children who is able to sing and has own transport
6. a person who loves working with young children in return for a basic allowance, accommodation and time to study

Read the text below and answer Questions 7-14.

Mobile Phone Etiquette

Etiquette is a code of behavior that allows people to follow the standards accepted in society. Although these rules can change from country to county many similarities can be found. Many of the manners we develop are based on three categories; health, courtesy, and cultural norms. It is through these that we develop the customs and habits of a society.

Etiquette # 1
This is where you have to think more of others than yourself. Don’t think of all those times that you had to put up with people talking on the phone in the cinema, on the train, and in the queue at McDonalds. Simply imagine all the ways other people will find you annoying if you use your mobile phone.

Etiquette # 2
The good thing about people is that sooner or later someone will tell you that you are annoying them. Their request to stop talking or talk quietly might seem unreasonable but if you really want to be a model mobile phone user just follow their request.

Etiquette # 3
To stop #2 from happening, and to keep your secrets to yourself then keep your distance – 3 metres – between you and anyone else.

Etiquette # 4
Even if you are following #3 you don’t need to shout. This just makes it easier for people to hear you and much easier to annoy them.

Etiquette # 5
Remember, people don’t want to hear you talking on the phone so they certainly don’t want to hear the other person either. Don’t turn your speaker on!

Etiquette # 6
If you don’t want to be talked about keep your personal details to yourself. This means that #3 is probably not far enough from wagging ears. Either save the conversation for later or start using text messaging.

Etiquette # 7
Don’t multi-task; it could cost you your life. Don’t use the time you are spending in a queue to phone someone and certainly don’t use the mobile phone when you are driving. In many countries this is illegal but it is also dangerous. National data show mobile phones were involved in 350 fatal crashes in 2011.

Etiquette # 8
There are many places such as a library; museum, theatre, and hospital where, hopefully, common sense tells you not use your phone.

Questions 7-14

Complete the notes below.
Choose NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER from the text for each answer.

Write your answers in boxes 7-14 on your answer sheet

NOTES ON MOBILE PHONE ETIQUETTE

Etiquette # 1
Don’t think about the people you have met using their phone in front of or behind you. Stop using your phone if you think people will find it 7…………………………….

Etiquette # 2
Other people will tell you about your phone etiquette. If they don’t like it they might ask you to 8………………………………………

Etiquette # 3
If you want to keep your 9……………………… to yourself then keep 10…………………………..

Etiquette # 4
Even if you are not near anyone that is no excuse to shout. People will still hear you.

Etiquette # 5
Remember that people don’t to hear you and so they definitely don’t want to hear the person you are talking to.

Etiquette # 6
If you really want to keep the conversation between the two of you then 11…………………………. is the best way to keep people from hearing.

Etiquette # 7
Trying to do too many things at once can be a problem. You know that using your mobile in a 12………………….. is frowned upon but using it in your car could be fatal. In America, of all car accidents there were 13………………… fatalities in 2011 because the driver was using a phone.

Etiquette # 8
Finally, if you have any 14………………, you should know that talking on your mobile in a theatre is a big no-no in mobile phone etiquette.

Reading Passage – 2

Read the passage below and answer the Questions 15-21.

Self-Study Tips

A However difficult you find it to arrange your time, it will pay off in the long run if you set aside a certain part of the day for studying – and stick to it. It is best to make a weekly allocation of your time, making sure that you have enough left for recreational activities or simply to be ‘with’ yourself: reading a novel or watching a television programme.

B
As part of your weekly schedule, it is also advisable to consider exactly what you have to do in that week, and make sure that you tackle the most significant tasks first, leaving the easier or less urgent areas of your work until later.

C
On a physical level, make sure that you have an area or space for studying. Don’t do it just anywhere. If you always study in the same place, preferably a room of your own, you will find it easier to adjust mentally to the activity when you enter that area. You should have everything that you might need at hand.

D
Make sure that all the physical equipment that you use, such as a desk, chair etc. is at a good height for you. If you use a personal computer, there are plenty of guidelines available from the government on posture, angles, lighting and the like. Consult these and avoid the typical student aches and pains.

E
If you are doing a long essay or research paper which involves the use of library books or other articles, it helps to keep details of the titles and authors on small cards in a card box. It is also a good idea to log these alphabetically so that you can find them easily – rather like keeping telephone numbers. It’s all too easy to read something and then forget where it came from.

F
Make use of equipment that is available to you. If you find a useful article in the library, it is best to make a copy of the relevant pages before you leave. Then, when you get back to your study, you can mark the article and make any comments that you have in the margin.

G
If you are working on a topic your teacher has set, but finding it hard to concentrate, it may be that you actually need to take your mind right off it for a period of time. ‘Airing the mind’ can work wonders sometimes. After a period away from the task, having not thought about it at all, you may return to it refreshed and full of ideas.

H
Similarly, it may help to discuss a topic with other people, especially if you feel that you have insufficient ideas, or too many disorganised ideas. Bring your topic up in conversations at meal times or with other students and see what they have to say. You don’t want to copy their ideas but listening to what they think about something may well help you develop or refine your own thoughts.

Questions 15-21

The Reading Passage “Self-study Tips” has eight paragraphs, A-H.

Choose the correct heading for paragraphs, B-H, from the list of headings below..

Write the correct number i-xii, in boxes 15-21 on your answer sheet.

List of Headings

i.   Consult your teacher
ii.   Take a break
iii.   Make a timetable
iv.   Create a working space
v.   Sit comfortably
vi.   Study at home
vii.   Talk about your work
viii.   Photocopy important material
ix.   Catalogue references
x. Use the library
xi.   Prioritise your work
xii.   Exercise regularly

Example:- Paragraph A Answer:- iii

15.  Paragraph B
16.  Paragraph C
17.  Paragraph D
18.  Paragraph E
19.  Paragraph F
20.  Paragraph G
21.  Paragraph H

Read the text below and answer Questions 22-27.

STUDY CENTRE COURCES

A
From Paragraph to Essay
Of particular relevance to students who wish to improve their organisational skills and who feel that their final product is never clear enough.
Thursday 10-12
Kiran Singh

B
Communicate by Mail
Owing to the popularity of last term’s course, this is a repeat. Requests for information, notification of personal details and enclosures will be looked at. Please note that this is not a business course.
Friday 2-4
Cella Rice

C
Source Material
How do you gather information for a project or paper? A practical course which looks at sources of information and how to use cataloguing systems.
Monday 10-11
Kiran Singh

D
Express Yourself
An advanced course suitable for students who are about to step into organisations where they may have to voice their opinions in various forums.
Monday 12-2
Dave Parrin

E
Media Use
Open to all students, this course focuses on the many ways we can profit linguistically from the radio and television. Use of video essential. Group projects form part of course.
Tuesday 9-11
Steve Ansell

F
The Short Story
A venture into the world of popular writers. One story is selected for adaptation into a short play and group performance. Pre-arranged groups welcome.
Thursday 11-1.30
Mrs Owen

G
Caught for Speeding
Open to all students. Simple eye exercises to help you skim and scan. How to be selective on the page. Using headings, topic sentences and paragraphs for easy access.
Wednesday 11-1
Mrs Owen

H
Quote Me if You Must
The do’s and don’ts of using source material. How to incorporate it into your own work in an acceptable way. How not to plagiarise other people’s articles, books etc.
Tuesday 9-10.30
Dr Johnson

I
The Job for Me
Finding it, applying for it and getting it. Where can it all go wrong? Written and oral course with simulation exercises using authentic newspaper advertisements.
Friday 10-11.30
Fabbeh AI-Hussein

J
Can I Help You?
Practical course for students who wish to improve their telephone skills. Breaks the ice for newcomers. No written skills required.
Wednesday 3-5
Mike Vas

K
The Customer is Always Right
An interesting angle – how do you reply to letters from customers? What tone is best and when? How do you achieve results?
Wednesday 11-1
Cella Rice

L
Tense about Tenses
For those who worry about their individual words – a look at tenses and other aspects of the language through poetry and song. Good voice helps but not essential!
Saturday 10-12
Steve Ansell

Questions 22-27

Look at the twelve descriptions of courses, A-L, in the text above.

For which description are the following statements true?

Write the correct letter, A-L, in boxes 22-27 on your answer sheet.

22. This course would be useful for dealing with letters of complaint.
23. This course will help you use the libraries.
24. This course will improve your performance at interviews.
25. This course will help you with acknowledging your sources.
26. This course will help you improve your reading skills.
27. This course will help you improve your grammar.

Reading Passage – 3

Read the passage below and answer the Questions 28-40.

The shock of the Truth

A. Throughout history, there have been instances in which people have been unwilling to accept new theories, despite startling evidences. This was certainly the case when Copernicus published his theory – that the earth was not the centre of the universe.

B. Until the early 16th century, western thinkers believed the theory put forward by Ptolemy, an Egyptian living in Alexandria in about 150 A.D. His theory, which was formulated by gathering and organizing the thoughts of the earlier thinkers, proposed that the universe was a closed space bounded by a spherical envelope beyond which there was nothing. The earth, according to Ptolemy, was a fixed and immobile mass, located at the centre of the universe. The sun and the stars revolved around it.

C. The theory appealed to human nature. Someone making casual observations as they looked into the sky might come to a similar conclusion. It also fed the human ego. Humans could believe that they were at the centre of God’s universe, and the sun and stars were created for their benefit.

D. Ptolemy’s theory, was of course, incorrect, but at the time nobody contested it. European astronomers were more inclined to save face. Instead of proposing new ideas, they attempted to patch up and refine Ptolemy’s flawed model. Students were taught using a book called The Sphere which had been written two hundred years previously. In short, astronomy failed to advance.

E. In 1530, however, Mikolaj Kopernik, more commonly known as Copernicus, made an assertion which shook the world. He proposed that the earth turned on its axis once per day, and travelled around the sun once per year. Even when he made his discovery, he was reluctant to make it public, knowing how much his shocking revelations would disturb the church. However, George Rheticus, a German mathematics professor who had become Copernicus’s student, convinced Copernicus to publish his ideas, even though Copernicus, a perfectionist, was never satisfied that his observations were complete.

F. Copernicus’s ideas went against all the political and religious beliefs of the time. Humans, it was believed, were made in God’s image, and were superior to all creatures. The natural world had been created for humans to exploit. Copernicus’s theories contradicted the ideas of all the powerful churchmen of the time. Even the famous playwright William Shakespeare feared the new theory, pronouncing that it would destroy social order and bring chaos to the world. However, Copernicus never had to suffer at the hands of those who disagreed with his theories. He died just after the work was published in 1543.

G. However, the scientists who followed in Copernicus’s footsteps bore the brunt of the church’s anger. Two other Italian scientists of the time, Galileo and Bruno, agreed wholeheartedly with the Copernican theory. Bruno even dared to say that space was endless and contained many other suns, each with its own planets. For this, Bruno was sentenced to death by burning in 1600. Galileo, famous for his construction of the telescope, was forced to deny his belief in the Copernican theories. He escaped capital punishment, but was imprisoned for the rest of his life.

H. In time, however, Copernicus’s work became more accepted. Subsequent scientists and mathematicians such as Brahe, Kepler and Newton took Copernicus’s work as a starting point and used it to glean further truths about the laws of celestial mechanics.

I. The most important aspect of Copernicus’ work is that it forever changed the place of man in the cosmos. With Copernicus’ work, the man could no longer take that premier position which the theologians had immodestly assigned him. This was the first, but certainly not the last time in which man would have to accept his position as a mere part of the universe, not at the centre of it.

Questions 28 – 34

The text has nine paragraphs, A-I.

Which paragraph contains the following information?

Select the correct letters A-I, and write your answers on your answer sheet.

28. the public’s reaction to the new theory
29. an ancient belief about the position of the earth
30. Copernicus’s legacy to the future of science
31. How academics built on Copernican ideas
32. An idea which is attractive to humans
33. Out-dated teaching and defective research
34. Scientists suffer for their beliefs

Questions 35 – 40

Look at the following statements and the list of people (A-I) below.

Match each statement with the correct person and write the appropriate letters (A-I) in boxes 35 -40 on your answer sheet.

List of People

A. Ptolemy
B. George Rheticus
C. Kepler
D. Newton
E. Bruno
F. Galileo
G. Copernicus
H. Mikolaj Kopernik
I. William Shakespeare

35. He, among others, used Copernicus’s theories to advance scientific knowledge.
36. He proposed an inaccurate theory based on the work of early philosophers.
37. His attitude to the new theory was similar to that of the Church.
38. He was killed because of his belief in the new theory.
39. He was responsible for Copernicus’s ideas being made public.
40. He had to go to jail because he believed in the new theory.

ANSWER KEY:-

1. E
2. C
3. A
4. G
5. B
6. D
7. annoying
8. stop talking / talk quietly
9. secrets
10. your distance
11. text messaging
12. queue
13. 350
14. common sense
15. xi
16. iv
17. v
18. ix
19. viii
20. ii
21. vii
22. K
23. C
24. I
25. H
26. G
27. L
28. F
29. B
30. I
31. H
32. C
33. D
34. G
35. D
36. A
37. I
38. E
39. B
40. F