BEST IELTS General Reading Test 496

Table of Contents

IELTS GENERAL READING TEST 496 – PASSAGE – 1

IELTS GENERAL READING TEST – 496

READING PASSAGE – 1

A. Bexington Music Festival

After the success of the inaugural Bexington Food and Music Festival last year, the event is making a return on August 16th this year. Hopefully we’ll get the blazing sunshine of last year, which provided the ideal complement to the day’s musical entertainment and buzzing street market. The emphasis is on local produce and talent too, with local food suppliers serving up cheeses, artisan breads, cakes, preserves and more, while being serenaded with a full programme of local folk, rock and pop acts.

While the musical line-up is yet to be confirmed, it’s bound to create a buzz if it’s anything like the talent of last year. Little ones will enjoy the entertainment and magic shows by Johnny the Entertainer and all of the town park’s popular facilities including the Altitude high-ropes course and outdoor paddling pool will be open for all to enjoy.

IELTS General Reading Test

B. Bridmouth Arts Festival

The Bridmouth Arts Festival is a rich mix of some of the best regional, national and international arts across dance, film, theatre, performance, visual arts, spoken word, literature and music. The festival brings intriguing, spectacular and (sometimes) down-right curious arts experiences to our town. Visitors will enjoy over 50 events – a spirited mix of dance, film, music, visual art, literature, theatre, comedy and more. Utilising some of Bridmouth’s best places and spaces from the traditional to the unexpected. Our Arts by the Ocean Festival extends Bridmouth’s popular summer season into an extended summer of arts.

C. Southgate Fringe Theatre Festival

Southgate Theatre Fringe Festival is a four-day Theatre Festival that takes place in Southgate at the end of June. The Southgate Theatre Fringe Festival embraces the widest possible range of theatre forms. Events take place in a variety of circumstances, including venues provided by Southgate Town Council, venues found and equipped by participating companies and many outside locations. The overall aim of the Southgate Theatre Fringe Festival is to provide a low-cost, supportive environment and a level playing field.

IELTS General Reading Test

The festival is not juried or curated – selection is by picking names from a hat for Regular Venues and in order of application for Inside Venues and Outside Performances. No distinction is made as to the status of the companies – amateur, professional, student or whatever. The Southgate Theatre Fringe Festival is supported by a large group of experienced volunteers who provide box-office, stewarding and technical expertise. It attracts invaluable backing from sponsors and grant-giving bodies as well as companies, schools and other institutions that help us in kind.

D. Highcliffe Comedy Festival

The festival is made up of hundreds of shows that take place in Highcliffe between 4th – 6th May this year. Each show has its own capacity depending on the size of the room, which range from 30-500 seaters, all of which are located within 10 minutes walk of each other in the centre of town. You only buy a ticket for the show(s) you want to see, allowing you to go and watch as much or as little as you want across the weekend.

IELTS General Reading Test

Shows do sell out, so if there’s a show you really want to see, then it is best to buy tickets in advance via the website. If you’d rather take your pick on the weekend, there is a festival box office at the Town Hall selling tickets to all remaining shows. Many of the ticketed shows have an age limit, so it is worth checking before buying tickets for anyone under 18. There are dedicated family shows, including performances for young children. The complete programme is already available on the website.

Questions 1-7

There are 4 advertisements (A-D) for festivals on the next page.

Answer the questions below by writing the letters of the appropriate advertisements (A–D) in boxes 1-7 on your answer sheet.

1. This advertisement states that the festival is partially dependent on unpaid helpers to be run.

2. This advertisement states that there might be ticket restrictions if people are too young.

3. This advertisement states that it will be only the second time the festival has taken place.

4. This advertisement states that the festival takes place close to the sea.

5. This advertisement states that the festival schedule can now be viewed online.

6. This advertisement states that performers at the festival are selected randomly.

7. This advertisement states that the organisers are not yet sure about everyone who will be performing.

IELTS General Reading Test

Read the text below and answer questions 8-14.

Your Local Post Office Services

In addition to the essential products and services we already provide in branch, we’re ideally placed to provide easy access to local and national government services on behalf of councils and government departments.

Local Services

We currently deliver essential services on behalf of your local council. As well as in-branch services, we can also support online applications.

IELTS General Reading Test

Rent and Council Tax Services

An efficient and convenient service managed by local authorities or housing associations. This service lets tenants pay their rent or council tax in nominated Post Office branches using cards or cash.

Home Care

Many local authorities provide Home Care services that help anyone living on their own maintain their independence. Local authorities can sell stamps for these essential services at selected Post Office branches. People simply pop in branch and buy them to show they’ve bought a Home Care service – simple and effective.

IELTS General Reading Test

Meals on Wheels

This service is organised at selected Post Office branches on behalf of local authorities in areas where Meals on Wheels is operating. Customers can pop into a branch and purchase vouchers in order to pay for this service.

Government Services

We also provide a range of services for governmental departments and local councils.

Motorists

People can conduct their application, enrolment and identification procedures in order to renew their Photocard Driving Licence for 10 years.

IELTS General Reading Test

New, Renewal or Replacement Passport

People can use our Passport Check & Send service. Error rates with this service offered at our branches are consistently between 1% and 2%, compared to over 10% for applications sent direct to the Identity and Passport Service.

Benefits, State Pensions and Tax Credit Payments

People can collect their cash using our Post Office Card Accounts and over 3 million currently do.

Identity Verification for the Department of Work & Pensions

If people need verification of their identity as part of the National Insurance application process or need verification of supporting documents like birth and marriage certificates for customers of the pension scheme, we can do this in the Post Office while you wait.

IELTS General Reading Test

Foreign Nationals and Residency

Foreign nationals applying for residence can now use our advanced biometric data capture booths in around 100 of our branches to enrol their biometrics. Their biometric information is unique characteristics that can be used to identify them. When people apply for a visa or for permission to remain in the UK, we will scan their fingers and thumbs (10 digits) and photograph their face digitally. We’ll also capture a digital copy of applicants’ signatures and send the application to the Border Agency for approval.

Questions 8-14

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

Post Office Services
Local Services
Rent + Council Tax	Allows rent or tax payments by (8)……………….. Cards or cash can be used.
Home Care	Locals wanting their independence can purchase (9)……………….. as proof of purchase of a Home Care service.
Meals on Wheels	Locals wanting this service can buy (10)……………….. , which serve as payment.
Government Services
Motorists	The three (11)……………….. for renewing a driving licence can be done at the post office.
Passports	People using the passport service are likely to enjoy the better (12)………………..
Benefits, Pensions and Tax Credits	Cash can be collected for these services.
Identity Verification	Verification of supporting documents can be conducted.
Foreign Nationals and Residency	Biometrics (which are individuals’ distinctive (13)………………..) can be collected for passport applications and visa applications. Digital version of applicants’ fingerprints, faces and (14)……………….. can also be taken.