Table of Contents
BEST IELTS General Reading Test 527
IELTS GENERAL READING TEST 527 – PASSAGE – 3

IELTS GENERAL READING TEST – 527
READING PASSAGE – 1
A. HANDYMAN SERVICE
Joe the Handyman
Contact us:
Call 267 5185 or email joethehandyman@skymesh.com
– House and garden maintenance
– Home repairs
– Plumbing, painting, tiling
– No job is too small!
If it’s broken, Joe the Handyman will fix it!
If it needs installing, Joe the Handyman can do it!
IELTS General Reading Test
B. Sunshine Carpet Cleaners
Deep steam cleaning
Wow! £90 for four rooms!
Emergency Flood Water Extraction and Drying
We also do
• tile and grout cleaning
• upholstery
• pet odour removal
Owners from the neighbourhood
Ray and Eileen Burnett
Tel.: 456 7832
IELTS General Reading Test
C. Tony’s Landscape Services
• Equipment hire
• Garden maintenance
• Spring and Fall Clean-up
• Retaining walls
• Tree planting, pruning, and removal
• Fences
• Concreting
• 26 years in the business!
Call us for a quote!
Seniors Discount
268 5432
IELTS General Reading Test
D. Frank Gorman Electrician
We offer
• Free estimates
• 24 hour emergency service
• Satisfaction guaranteed
Our services include:
• Wiring and rewiring
• Solar panel installation
• Smoke alarms
• Outlets and switches
Licensed and insured
Call 457 8449
IELTS General Reading Test
E. Clear View Window Cleaning
Family owned and operated
Call us on 556 8765 for an appointment
All calls returned within 24 hours
£75! Summer special!
➤ All windows washed inside and out
➤ All screens removed and cleaned
➤ For houses up to 250 square metres
IELTS General Reading Test
New!
Solar panel cleaning
With clean windows your house will look brighter and bigger!
Call us today!
Questions 1–8
Look at the five advertisements, A–E. Which advertisement mentions the following? Write the correct letter, A–E.
NB You may use any letter more than once.
1. a service that is being offered for the first time
2. a special reduced price for the elderly
3. the operator can come at any time of the day or night
4. the operator guarantees to call you back if they are busy
5. an address where they can be contacted through the Internet
6. the availability of tools for rent
7. this is a local business
8. the operator is very experienced
IELTS General Reading Test
Read the text below and answer questions 9-14.
Choosing a Tradesperson
Do you need a plumber, an electrician, or a carpenter? As your parents will probably tell you, a personal recommendation is important, so when you’re choosing and using a tradesperson, ask around to get the right person for the job. Perhaps a neighbour has had some work done on their home and can recommend someone for the job. Be wary of adverts that come through your door, and at all costs avoid the fast-talking tradesman who approaches you and ‘just happens to be in your area’. Don’t be pressurised into letting them do work for you.
There are a few simple things to remember when selecting the best tradesperson for your job. First, get to know the tradesmen you are dealing with. Take a little time to get to know more about them and the services they offer. Secondly, don’t be afraid to ask questions. Find out how long they have been in business, check whether they have insurance which covers damage to property, and ask if the work is guaranteed. You can also ask the tradesman for details of other clients they’ve done work for and follow up those references.
IELTS General Reading Test
As with all things in this world, the best price is not always the best value. Be sure to weigh up the benefits of working with one tradesman over another. A good way to start is by getting a few quotations, or estimates, for the job. Make sure that each tradesman starts with a good first understanding of your needs, or else their quotations may not be comparable. Including photos will make it even easier for them, but isn’t required. Once a tradesman has agreed to quote make sure they have all the information they need and always ask for a firm price. Make sure that you understand what is included in the price.
Once you have chosen your tradesperson, make sure you write up and sign an agreement with him or her regarding the details of the job, how long it will take, when it will start, and the agreed price. Ensure you have the tradesperson’s full contact details, including their name, company name, physical address, mobile and landlines, e-mail address and any other details you may need to track them down in the unlikely event of a dispute or guarantee claim.
IELTS General Reading Test
When it comes to paying for a job, there are a few simple rules to follow to safeguard your interests. Never pay the whole amount in advance and avoid paying large deposits up front. On longer jobs, agree on a schedule of payments and make sure that your payment at each stage reflects the progress made. Always retain a proportion of the total payment until the job is fully completed. However, be fair on completion and pay promptly when the work is finished to your satisfaction. Ask for a signed invoice for every payment you make, and keep all invoices and receipts.
Questions 9–14
Do the following statements agree with the information given in the text above? In boxes 9–14 on your answer sheet write
TRUE if the statement agrees with the information
FALSE if the statement contradicts the information
NOT GIVEN if there is no information on this
IELTS General Reading Test
9. Hiring a tradesperson who asks you for work is unwise.
10. You have no right to request information about a tradesman’s previous work.
11. Photos of the work needed must be sent when asking for estimates.
12. It is advisable to get some legal advice before drawing up an agreement with a tradesperson.
13. Making regular payments to your tradesperson as the work goes along is recommended.
14. Most tradespersons prefer cash payments for jobs.
IELTS General Reading Test

IELTS General Reading Test
ANSWERS
1. E
2. C
3. D
4. E
5. A
6. C
7. B
8. C
9. TRUE
10. FALSE
11. FALSE
12. NOT GIVEN
13. TRUE
14. NOT GIVEN
IELTS General Reading Test