Table of Contents
BEST IELTS General Reading Test 545
IELTS GENERAL READING TEST 545 – PASSAGE – 1
IELTS GENERAL READING TEST – 545
READING PASSAGE – 1
Chemist / Pharmacy Services
Chemists play a key role in providing quality healthcare. They’re experts in medicines, and use their clinical expertise, together with their practical knowledge, to advise you on common problems, such as coughs, colds, aches and pains, as well as healthy eating and stopping smoking. Chemists can also help you decide whether you need to see health professional and they can help you consider the alternatives next time you’re thinking of making a doctor’s appointment.
All chemists in this country are highly trained and qualified specialists. To be qualified, they must all be registered on the Pharmacy Registry and be members of the Pharmacy Association. Before fully qualifying, all chemists must work in an apprentice scheme for one year under an experienced chemist, so that they can benefit from the practical advice and tutelage. People can be sure that they will be supplied with the correct drugs and information to take the medicines safely.
IELTS General Reading Test
Chemists can be found in different places. Around 20% work in hospitals, 70% work in high street pharmacies and the rest can be found in places like the military, prisons, industry or other professional organisations.
Chemists of course deal with people’s prescriptions, but they can also give help and advice on a range of health issues. They can also authorise medicines that do not require a prescription. Chemists might advise you that you visit your doctor.
The chemist may ask you a range of questions to ensure you’re provided with the right medicine (including non-prescription medicines) and advice.
IELTS General Reading Test
These may include:
– Have you taken the medicine before?
– Who’s the medicine for?
– What are the symptoms?
– How long have you had these symptoms?
– What action has already been taken?
– Are you taking any other medicines for this or any other conditions?
IELTS General Reading Test
Sometimes you might need to ask or tell your chemist some things that you find embarrassing. Most chemists have a private consultation room and you can always ask if you can be dealt with there. Some chemists have an online service where you can ask advice and order non-prescription medicines to be prepared for collection.
If you have a long-term condition and you’ve been prescribed a new medicine for the first time, you may want to ask your chemist for the New Medicine Service. The chemist will then explain everything you need to know about your new medicine, including how to take it, and advise you about any common side effects.
IELTS General Reading Test
People often need pharmacy services outside normal opening times. Because of this, there will always be a chemist open somewhere in your area. You can find the lists and times online or visit your local chemist. They can give you the lists and times or, if they’re closed, they should have the information in their window, so that you can find open chemists at night and/or at the weekends. If you still can’t find an open pharmacy in your area and it’s urgent, go to your local hospital.
Questions 1 – 4
Choose the correct letter A, B, C or D.
1. Which of the following is NOT a requirement to be a fully qualified chemist?
A. Registration on the Pharmacy Registry
B. Membership of the Pharmacy Association
C. A one-year trainee period
D. Registration with the Medical Association
2. Where are most chemists found?
A. In hospitals
B. In high street branches
C. In the army
D. In organisations
IELTS General Reading Test
3. Which of the following can be done on the online service?
A. Prescription medicine can be ordered in advance
B. Medicine without prescription can be ordered in advance
C. Questions too embarrassing for the branch can be asked
D. Appointments with the chemist can be booked
4. If people can’t visit their chemist, where can they find information to find an out of hours branch?
A. On the Internet
B. Phoning the health service help line
C. The local hospital
D. The Yellow Pages
IELTS General Reading Test
Read the text below and answer questions 5-11.
Leydene Forest Bicycle Rentals
Are you looking for a relaxing or energetic break in the wonderful Leydene Forest? We offer cycle hire for short- or long-term periods to people of all ages. Leydene Forest has a varied terrain that offers fun for everyone, though it’s most suited to family excursions. We have recently upgraded our bicycle fleet available for hire, so you will have the best bicycles on the market from pro bikes to afternoon wandering types. Prices depend on what you want and the time of year you book. Discounted family packages are available – consult our website, email or call us for details.
Cycling excursions can be very popular in the summer and weekends, so if you are planning on renting from us, it’s advisable to make a reservation well in advance. Choose the bikes you want and make your reservation on our website. Full payment by credit card is required in advance, but you will then have a guaranteed booking. Card processing is done off-site by our bank and offers complete protection.
IELTS General Reading Test
Here are 3 example routes:
A. The Castle Route This starts at our Rental Centre next to the railway station. It is 10 miles in length and passes by the two castles that are located in the forest. Suited to those wanting an easy ride (especially families), this route is easy and flat.
B. The River Route This also starts at our Rental Centre next to the railway station. It’s 13 miles long and, for 5 of its miles, it hugs the bank of the River Scardle. This route is medium in challenge due to some hills on the return and there is also plenty of wildlife to see while you’re cycling.
IELTS General Reading Test
C. The Hill Route 20 miles and up and down the whole way. Going south from our rental Centre, the whole ride is through the Leydene Downs. It’s a beautiful ride, but suitable only for the fit!
When cycling on routes like ours, either solo or with groups of people, it is obviously necessary to carry a first-aid kit in case of a crash or other injury. Make sure your kit comes in a durable, well- marked bag with clear sealable pockets. You don’t want to be scrambling around in an emergency. Most cycling stores can supply you with a comprehensive kit geared towards the types of situation that a cyclist might encounter.
IELTS General Reading Test
Leydene Forest has a variety of fascinating flora and fauna. It has hundreds of visitors every day and it’s important that we protect this fragile ecological environment. Make sure that you follow these guidelines:
– Stick to the designated trails (we stock inexpensive maps that show all these)
– Never start any fires (including barbecues) and avoid smoking, as the forest can get extremely dry
– Use the toilets provided
– Pick other people’s rubbish up too (this will clean the forest quickly if everyone does it)
– Never try and feed any animals or birds
– Try keeping your noise down (noise can disturb animals and birds)
– Park your car in designated parking areas
– Don’t leave any rubbish in the forest (the rangers distribute plenty of bins for your rubbish)
IELTS General Reading Test
Read the text below and answer questions 12-14.
The New York Winter Sales
One of the great things about visiting New York in winter is the opportunity of going to the winter sales. All the great and famous stores (but not only) give massive discounts on a huge variety of goods.
Starting on the 1st day of the New Year, it’s now a tradition for many people to camp outside their target stores so that they can be first in to get the bargain they want. This is quite dedicated when you think of the harsh New York winters!
IELTS General Reading Test
Don’t worry if you’re not there for the first day. Most sales run until the end of the month and you might find even further price cuts towards the end of the sales period.
So, where should you go? If you get the chance to scout ahead, get into the stores before the sales and find out what might be on sale and at what price. If you just want a fun day out, maybe start with a department store or a mall, as these have such a wide range of products and you can grab a coffee or some food if you feel tired. Wandering around inside means you avoid the potential snow outside!
Remember that January First is a public holiday, so public transport is greatly reduced. You might want to organize your own travel and be aware of the limited timetables.
IELTS General Reading Test
Questions 5-11
Write NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS from the text for each answer.
5. Leydene Forest’s landscape lends itself to ………………….. for families on bikes.
6. Clients of Leydene Forest Bicycle Rentals will get modern bikes, as the company’s bikes have just been …………………..
7. Getting a secure booking can be ensured by using a ………………….. when reserving on the website.
IELTS General Reading Test
8. Because some of the route’s ………………….. , The River Route is classed as medium in difficulty.
9. Cyclists should be ………………….. if they want to try out The Hill Route.
10. Leydene Forest Bicycle Rentals can sell clients a cheap map that will show the marked …………………..
11. The ………………….. have ensured that there are plenty of garbage cans available for people’s trash in the forest.
IELTS General Reading Test
Questions 12-14
Do the following statements agree with the views of the writer of the text?
In boxes 12-14 on your answer sheet write:
YES – if the statement agrees with the writer’s views
ΝΟ – if the statement doesn’t agree the writer’s views
NOT GIVEN – if it is impossible to say what the writer thinks about this
IELTS General Reading Test
12. Only the larger stores give the best discounts in the winter sales.
13. The best bargains might be at the end of the sales.
14. People need to consider travel arrangements on the first day of the winter sales.
IELTS General Reading Test
IELTS General Reading Test
ANSWERS
1. D
2. B
3. B
4. A
5. EXCURSIONS
6. UPGRADED
7. CREDIT CARD
8. HILLS
9. FIT
10. TRAILS
11. RANGERS
12. NO
13. YES
14. YES
IELTS General Reading Test