IELTS Reading 28-08-2019: Reading Passage 1

Questions 1 - 14

Read the text and answer Questions 1-7.

UTOPIAN ISLAND TOURS

- ISLAND OVERVIEW AND BOOKINGS -

As New Zealand’s most attractive tour company, Utopian Island Tours is always there for you to make your trip to Waki Island enjoyable.

Making a booking:

Bookings require three forms of identification.  This means you should provide us with a document showing your residential address, your passport (if not NZ citizen) and a phone number where you can be contacted.  You can log on to our website and fill in the online booking form, you can call 425 125 483 or you can visit us in person at any of our 3 booking centres at Customs Road, City Centre and South Queens Road. 

Departure times and rates for our tours:

Single day tours

Monday to Thursday: Depart 11.00 am, arrive 7.00 pm. 

Friday to Sunday: Depart 8.45 am, arrival 9.00 pm.

Rates – Single: $150, Couple: $250, Child under 12: $50

  

Two-day tours

Monday to Thursday: Depart 11.00 am, arrive 5.30 pm (2 days later)

Friday to Sunday: Depart 8.45 am, arrive 9.00 pm (2 days later)

Rates – Single: $250, Couple: $400, Child under 12: $90

Things to bring:

·      Warm clothes, weather can be quite unpredictable.

·      Camera with reels, if SLR.  The only photo studio at Waki often runs short of film.

·      Binoculars can be great – you may spot some wildlife!

·      Fishing gear.

·      2-day tourists like to bring their favourite drinks for the traditional first night BBQ.

Entertainment options available on the island:

Bars

Waki has three bars, all by the sea that remain open till late.     

Shopping

Waki has a native handicraft bazaar right in the city centre.  With all items reasonably priced, the bazaar is a fantastic place for souvenir hunters!

Restaurants

A variety of restaurants specialising in Waki sea-food are in demand on the island.  A selection of other restaurants from hamburgers to Asian cuisine is also available. 

Vineyard

Waki Island summer wines are reaching as far as Europe and US.  Come and sample the delicious Waki wines!

Cancellations

In order to receive a full refund, cancellations must be made at least 7 days prior to the departure date.  Cancellations made 1 to 6 days prior to departure will receive a partial refund of up to 50%.  Cancellations made on the departure date will not be given a refund. 

Questions 1-7

Do the following statements agree with the information given in the text?

In boxes 1-7 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

1 New Zealand citizens must bring their passports to book a Utopian Island tour.

2 Tours can be booked on the Internet.

3 Larger groups (over 10) may receive a discount.

4 Two-day tours leaving on Wednesday arrive later than two-day tours that leave on Sunday.

5 The climate on Waki Island often changes.

6 All the bars on Waki Island are next to the ocean.

7 A person cancelling a trip one week before the departure date will receive a 100% refund. 

Read the advertisements for apartments below and answer Questions 8-14.

Rental Apartment Ads

A. Northland Apartments Modern two bedroom, two bathroom dwellings with security parking for one car.  Kitchen/Dining area, fully furnished.  Each apartment is part of a three-story boutique-style building.  Sea views on one side.  One garden courtyard.  Rent $1400 per month.  Two month’s rental bond required.  Inspection is available only on weekends by appointment.
Notes
Positives ·         stunning modern architecture, award winning boutique building ·         furniture and fixtures almost new ·         close to the beach, restaurants and pubs  ·         heated swimming pool ·         pool and garden maintained by estate agent ·         one tennis court within the complex ·         24-hour security camera.	Negatives ·         no lift facility, stairs only ·         maintenance fee of $500 for swimming pool, tennis court and security system ·         utility bills must be paid separately ·         minimum two months notice required before leaving ·         noisy during summer in the beach area ·         no intercom facility.

B.  Peninsula Apartments Fully furnished, one bedroom apartment in a spacious complex.  One bathroom and large kitchen counters.  Security guards on patrol 24 hours a day.  Located in the heart of the City Shopping Complex area.  Commercial establishments are located from the ground to the 7th floors with one-bedroom apartments on floors 8 to 12.  Rent $900 per month, no rental bond required but one referral is mandatory.
Notes
Positives ·         roof top  BBQ and party area  ·         free membership at the Wellbeing Gym, (normally $100 per month) ·         all interior fittings are imported from Italy ·         separate lifts available from the ground floor directly to the apartment floors.	Negatives ·       no reserved parking for apartment tenants -  tenants need to park in public parking or in the shopping complex parking next door ·       apartments have no windows – natural outdoor ventilation comes via the corridor outside each apartment ·       electricity, gas and water bills separate.

C.  Mascot Apartments Spaciously planned, open studio apartments at the posh residential area of Endeavour Hill. Separate bathroom and toilet – German fittings.  Rent per month $1200.  One month’s rental bond required.  All apartments come with a balcony and windows on two sides.  One garage per apartment.
Notes
Positives ·      separate guest entertainment lounge at each floor ·      central air-conditioning and heating installed ·      high speed broadband internet pre-installed, added $40 per month required ·      free window and carpet cleaning every three months.	Negatives ·      no nearby public transport, although taxi stand is close ·      nearest train station is 25 minutes walk  ·      25 year old building  ·      no guest parking on premises  ·      apartments not furnished.

D. Villa Apartments Three bedrooms, two bathrooms, two parking and one large living room.  Separate kitchen.  Fully furnished.  Rent $2000 per month, all bills payable separately.  Ideal for a family of 4.  Lift as well as stair access to each floor.  24-hour alarm and security cameras.  Two grocery shops, one convenience store and one saloon on the ground floor.  No rental bond required.  One month notice essential.
Notes
Positives ·         new building and furniture - built in 2005 ·         close to Custom Street ferry terminal - charming outdoor walk and entertainment areas ·         open roof area for small-scale parties ·         kids’ playground on the 1st floor ·         next to train station, bus stop and local school ·         guest parking facilities.	Negatives ·         domestic airport and major highway nearby  ·         heavy traffic during weekday peak hours is to be expected  ·         restricted speed limits due to school next door.

Questions 8 - 14

Look at the four advertisements, A-D.

For which apartment are the following statements true?

Write the correct letter, A, B, C or D, in boxes 8-14 on your answer sheet.

8              This apartment would suitable for a family with children.

9              A recommendation from somebody else is a must before renting this apartment.

10           Surrounding areas would NOT be quiet during the warmest time of the year.

11           People with their own furniture would consider this accommodation.

12           This apartment would not be a good choice for people who have difficulty walking.

13           Pre-rental viewing is possible only on fixed days.

14           A local fitness centre will not charge residents of these apartments anything for membership.

ANSWERS

1 False It is mentioned that passport is need if the tourist is not New Zealand citizen. This means that New Zealand citizens do not need to bring passport.

2 True It is mentioned that one can log on to website and fill in the online booking form. It means that the tours can be booked online.

3 Not Given The passage does not specify anything regarding discounts for larger groups.

4 False It is mentioned that tours leaving on Wednesday arrive at 5.30PM, while tours leaving on Sunday arrive at 9.00PM. So, Wednesday tours do not arrive later than Sunday tours, rather they arrive 3 and half hour earlier.

5 True It is mentioned that the weather can be quite unpredictable, which means it changes frequently.

6 True It is mentioned that the bars are by the sea, which means next to the ocean.

7 True It is stated that in order to receive a full refund (i.e. 100% refund), cancellations must be made at least 7 days (i.e. 1 week) prior to the departure date.

8 D It is mentioned that it is ideal for family of 4. Family of 4 refers to family with children.

9 B It is mentioned that referral is mandatory. Referral means recommendation by somebody and mandatory means that it is a must.

10 A It is mentioned that ‘the area is noisy during summer’. Noisy means it is loud. Summer is the warmest time of the year.

11 C The advertisement clearly states that Mascot Apartments are not furnished.

12 A It is mentioned that there is no lift, only stairs. It is not a good choice for people who have difficulty walking (climbing the stairs).

13 A It is stated that inspection open only during weekends. Inspection refers to assessment and only during weekend means there are fixed days for inspection.

14 B It is mentioned that the commercial gym (i.e. fitness centre) offers free membership to the tenants. Free membership means there is no charge applicable.