Table of Contents
BEST IELTS General Reading Test 505
IELTS GENERAL READING TEST 505 – PASSAGE – 1
IELTS GENERAL READING TEST – 505
READING PASSAGE – 1
Travelling on the London Underground
Introduction
The London underground is the most convenient way to travel in London. The 275 stations are dispersed throughout the entire city, 63 of which are in the centre. Therefore, it’s not surprising that the majority of Londoners and tourists use the underground.
The size of the network
London currently has 12 tube lines which spread across the whole city and into its outskirts and suburbs. In total there are 402 kilometres of track. This means that you can get around quite easily using the underground. The network itself is the second largest in the world.
IELTS General Reading Test
Rush hour
Peak times are in the early morning and evening between 7-9 and 5-7. Over a billion passengers per year makes the London underground the third busiest system in Europe, while the daily ridership is averaged at 2.93 million in the week, rising to 3.5 at weekends.
Service times
Most lines offer services every few minutes from the hours of 5:30 to 12:30. However, Sundays offer a slightly reduced service with trains only running between 7:30 and 23:30. Public holidays also affect service times as too do severe weather conditions such as floods and snow.
IELTS General Reading Test
Ticket options
A valid ticket or travel card is necessary to travel on the network. This must be purchased before starting your journey. The cheapest option is a single ticket and the most expensive a yearly pass. There are also daily, weekly or monthly passes but the majority of regular travellers choose to have an electronic rechargeable pass called an ‘Oyster card’ or a ‘pay as you go’ card.
Ticket Pricing
The price of a ticket varies per zone and travel time. For example, a single ticket for zone 1 at ‘off-peak’ is currently £4.00 while a day travel card is £6.60. A single ticket for zones 1-9 in comparison is £5.90 and a day pay stands at £14.50.
IELTS General Reading Test
Reductions
Cheaper fares are available for young people, university students, unemployed and groups. Disabled and retired people can also apply in writing for a ‘freedom pass’ to gain free unlimited travel across the network at any time.
Fines
Travel without a valid ticket will result in a fine of £50 leading to £1,000 and the possibility of 3 months imprisonment for refusal to pay. For these reasons it is highly recommended that you purchase a ticket and also validate it using the machines at the entrance of the underground station.
IELTS General Reading Test
Questions 1-7
Look at the extract from a leaflet about London Underground.
Using NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS for each, answer the following questions.
1. How many tube lines reach the suburbs?
2. How many people travel on the London underground in one year?
3. What kind of service is offered on Sundays?
4. Which TWO environmental conditions affect the trains?
5. Which ticket has the lowest cost?
6. How much do disabled people pay to use the underground?
7. What is the worst punishment for not buying a ticket?
IELTS General Reading Test
Read the text below and answer questions 8-14.
The Central Library announcement
The Bristol city centre library is pleased to announce that it has won government funding for a major update. Presently located in 342 Clifton place, the library has been a focal point of the city for over 100 years. The money will be spent on major repairs to the current building, the interior will be redesigned to increase the amount of seating, toilets and computers and self-service check-in and check-outs will be installed. The library catalogue will also be extensively improved. Opening times are set to increase to 7 days a week from 8-21 Monday to Saturday and 9-14 on Sundays.
The construction of a separate children’s library is to commence at 386 Clifton place on the site of the old swimming pool. This will provide young children and teenagers with access to a wide range of books, music and multimedia. Regular social and learning activities are also to be arranged as part of the council’s ‘reading for life’ project.
IELTS General Reading Test
Primary school story times will remain unaffected and bookable via the main desk but with greater availability because of the larger space. After school activity clubs are to be scheduled between 3 and 5 for parents and their children as well as regular weekend puppet performances. However, parents should note that the children’s library is not due to be opened until late 2012.
A mobile library service is another possible addition if there is demand from residents. Other nearby cities have such a service so this will be on the agenda at the next council meeting. Anyone interested in this proposal should notify the library in person or visit their website before May 21. The service will be run by local volunteers and be available 3 mornings a week. If you would like to offer your time to this or any related library services please call the council’s volunteer agency on 0117 903546.
IELTS General Reading Test
The current library is set to close temporarily from July 14 and then reopen December 17 if work goes as planned. The children’s library is already in the second phase of planning. During this period residents may wish to visit the nearby Arts and Social Sciences library as many of the central library’s most popular resources will be transferred. Other less in demand items may be available at other libraries within the area which can be acquired via an inter-library loan. The council’s digital e-library is another option for residents with internet access.
Questions 8-14
Match each statement with the library it applies to.
A. The arts and social sciences library
B. The children’s library
C. The city centre library
D. The mobile library
IELTS General Reading Test
Write the letter A-D in boxes 8-14.
8. is to have its facilities improved
9. will offer more flexible opening times
10. will entertain families on Saturday and Sunday
11. will continue services for school classes
12. will be manned by unpaid staff
13. is not a full time service
14. will host a temporary book collection.
IELTS General Reading Test
IELTS General Reading Test
ANSWERS
1. 12
2. 1 BILLION
3. REDUCED SERVICE
4. FLOODS, SNOW
5. A SINGLE
6. NOTHING / FREE
7. 3 MONTHS IMPRISONMENT
8. C
9. C
10. B
11. B
12. D
13. D
14. A
IELTS General Reading Test