Table of Contents
BEST Reading IELTS General Test 151
IELTS GENERAL READING TEST 151 – PASSAGE – 1
IELTS GENERAL READING TEST – 151
READING PASSAGE – 1
Understanding Your Gas Bill
How can I get a duplicate bill or information on my latest bill
The easiest way to view or print a copy of your most recent or past bill is to register or log on to My Account. You can receive, view and pay your bill — all online.
When you log on to My Account, go to View My Bill, then Bill History.
There you can view and print out your account history — up to 25 months. Just click on the bill you’d like to see. Try it now.
Or, if you’d prefer, you can call our automated service line 24 hours a day, at 1-800-772-5050*.
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*Note, requests made through our phone line will take approximately 3-5 working days to complete. Billing information can only be sent to the mailing address on record.
Billing Terms
§BTU: British Thermal Unit: One BTU is the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of one pound of water one degree Fahrenheit. A more practical definition would be: how much gas an appliance will use to produce heat or cooling. As a result, gas appliances are sized by a BTU rating. 100,000 BTU’s equal 1 therm. For example, a 400,000 BTU heater, when in use, would use 4 therms of gas per hour. A 30,000 BTU range would use .3 therms per hour of use.
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§CCF: Hundred of Cubic Feet: Method used for gas measurement. The quantity of gas at a temperature of sixty degrees Fahrenheit and a pressure of 14.73 pounds per square inch makes up one cubic foot.
§Billing Factor: An adjuster used to convert CCF into therms. It adjusts the amount of gas used to reflect the heat value of the gas at a given altitude. The heating value can vary from month to month; therefore, the billing factor is not always the same.
§Therm: A therm is approximately 100,000 BTUs. It is a standard unit of measurement. CCFs are converted to therms for purposes of billing.
Natural Gas Conversions
§1 cubic foot = 1050 Btu
§Therm = 100,000 Btu
§Ccf = 100 cubic foot, or 1 therm
§Mcf = 1000 cubic feet = 10.20 therms
§MMcf = 1 million cubic feet
§Bcf = 1 billion cubic feet
§Decatherm (Dth) = 10 therms = 1 million Btu
§Mmbtu = 1 million btu = 10 therms
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About gas rates and how bills are calculated
Natural gas rates are made up of two primary charges:
§Gas delivery service, which The Gas Company provides – the “delivery” (or “transmission”) charge; and,
§The cost of the natural gas itself — which is reflected in the “procurement” charge.
Many people believe that The Gas Company produces natural gas, but we don’t. For our residential and smaller business customers, we buy natural gas from producers and marketers at the best possible prices on the open market. The wholesale gas prices we pay are based on market supply and demand. They’re not marked up by The Gas Company, and are shown on your monthly bill as the “commodity charge.”
The Gas Company’s delivery service charge covers the costs of transporting natural gas through our pipeline system. It is approved annually by the Public Utilities Commission and is not impacted by the price of natural gas.
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Monthly Gas rates vary based on monthly gas prices
Since 1997, the cost of natural gas that customers pay in their rates is based on a forecasted monthly price instead of a forecasted annual price. This allows rates to more closely follow current natural gas market prices.
With monthly pricing, gas rates are based upon a 30-day forecast of natural gas market prices. This gives customers a better picture of the current price of natural gas, and means they no longer have to wait for annual adjustments to their bills to make up for differences between the 12-month forecast price and the actual price paid by The Gas Company on a monthly basis.
Does The Gas Company benefit from higher gas prices?
We do not produce natural gas; energy production companies produce natural gas. The Gas Company just delivers natural gas to its customers.
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Baseline therm allowance
As determined by the Public Utilities Commission, under the direction of the State Legislature, “baseline therm allowances” are the amounts of natural gas needed to meet the minimum basic needs of the average home. The Gas Company is required to bill these “baseline” amounts at its lowest residential rates. The goal of these “baseline” amounts is to encourage efficient use of natural gas.
Charges on Your Bill from a Third Party
For bill questions and charges on your gas bill from third-party vendors —
§Commerce Energy (formerly ACN) 1-877-226-3649
§HomeServe 1-888-302-0137
Questions 1 – 7
Do the following statements agree with the information given in the text?
TRUE – if the statement agrees with the information
FALSE – if the statement contradicts the information
NOT GIVEN – if there is no information on this
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1. Phone requests for a copy of your bill are processed within a working week.
2. CCFs are calculated at a temperature of 60 degrees C.
3. Therms are converted to CCFs to calculate your bill.
4. The Gas Company receives a discount on the market price of the day.
5. Since 1997, customers have not had to wait for annual adjustments.
6. The Gas Company’s delivery time is quicker now than prior to 1997.
7. HomeServe is a service provided by the Gas Company
Read the text and answer Questions 8 – 14.
Parking Arrangements for Disabled People in Countries Outside Europe.
The design of badges differs in the various towns and cities of certain countries outside the European Union and you should read the following information for the arrangements that apply in the country, or countries, you intend to visit carefully.
Australia
Disabled travel in Australia
The demand for information on travel for people with disabilities has never been greater. To participate independently in community life, including the enjoyment of travel, people with disabilities need barrier-free environments. This includes seemingly simple requirements such as easy access to public transport, buildings and footpaths, and thoughtfully designed facilities and services from airports to accommodation.
By international standards, Australia offers quite good access for people with disabilities. Many of the hotels, restaurants, cinemas, theatres and shops in Australia’s major cities have facilities for those with disabilities although not all of them cater for people in wheelchairs. It is advisable to give advance notice wherever possible to ensure the best possible assistance.
Car parking
Most public car parking stations have dedicated parking spots for disabled drivers, clearly identified by the international disabled sign. The bays are close to ramps and lifts and are generally wider than the regular parking spaces. The use of disabled parking bays is closely monitored and heavy fines apply to unauthorised users. In order to use disabled parking, you must obtain a temporary disabled parking permit.
Regulations regarding disabled parking permits (DPP) vary from state to state. Generally the following procedures apply:
International visitors:
Bring your overseas permit with you.
Overseas permits may be used in Queensland, Australian Capital Territory (Canberra), Tasmania, South Australia, Western Australia and the Northern Territory. In New South Wales, application may be made for a temporary permit at any Roads and Traffic Authority office. In Victoria, a temporary permit for a holder of an overseas parking permit may be arranged before arrival through VicRoads.
Apply at least one month before arrival by facsimile or by post, enclosing a copy of your overseas permit together with the dates you will be in Australia and address when first arriving in Victoria. A temporary permit issued in New South Wales or Victoria will be recognised throughout Australia. Visitors are advised to contact the relevant authorities for information well in advance of travel:
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New South Wales
Roads and Traffic Authority, Mobility Parking Scheme, GPO Box K198, Sydney NSW 2000
Tel: +61 2 9218 6670 (Freecall within Australia: 13 22 13)
Victoria
Vic Roads (VR), Traffic & Road User Management Dept, Disabled Person’s Parking Scheme, 60 Denmark
Road, Kew VIC 3101
Tel: +61 3 9854 2666
Fax: +61 3 9854 2918
Always remember to:
Make sure your permit will not expire during your travel.
Display your permit as in your home state/country.
Parking permits do not authorise vehicles to park in loading zones, bus zones, no-stopping zones and the like.
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Most parking permit applications must be completed in part by a doctor or accompanied by a valid doctor’s certificate that clearly states the nature of disability.
A fee of $A10-$A15 usually applies
Questions 8 – 14
Choose NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS from the text for each answer.
8. In order to move around freely disabled people basically require …………. spaces.
9. To make sure help is on hand, people in wheelchairs should provide …………. to restaurants, cinemas etc.
10. People using disabled parking without a permit will probably receive ………….. .
11. Overseas permit holders should contact VicRoads for a …………. .
12. If you need to apply to VicRoads you should do so ………….. before you expect to arrive.
13. VR can be contacted by telephone or ……………. .
14. some parts of the permit application form need to be filled in ………….. .
ANSWERS ARE BELOW
ANSWERS
1. TRUE
2. FALSE
3. FALSE
4. FALSE
5. TRUE
6. NOT GIVEN
7. FALSE
8. BARRIER-FREE
9. ADVANCE NOTICE
10. HEAVY FINES
11. TEMPORARY PERMIT
12. ONE MONTH
13. BY FAX
14. BY A/YOUR DOCTOR