Helping Pupils To Choose Optional Subjects When They’re Aged 14-15 & It’s Almost Time For The Next Ripton Festival! - IELTS Reading Answers & Explanations
From Cambridge IELTS 16 General Training Reading Test 1 · Part 1 · Questions 1–14
Reading Passage
==== Read the text below and answer questions 1-6 ====
Helping pupils to choose optional subjects when they’re aged 14-15: what some pupils say
A Krishnan
I’m studying Spanish, because it’s important to learn foreign languages – and I’m very pleased when I can watch a video in class and understand it. Mr Peckham really pushes us, and offers us extra assignments, to help us improve. That’s good for me, because otherwise I’d be quite lazy.
B Lucy
History is my favourite subject, and it’s fascinating to see how what we learn about the past is relevant to what’s going on in the world now. It’s made me understand much more about politics, for instance. My plan is to study history at university, and maybe go into the diplomatic service, so I can apply a knowledge of history.
C Mark
Thursdays are my favourite days, because that’s when we have computing. It’s the high spot of the week for me – I love learning how to program. I began when I was about eight, so when I started doing it at school, I didn’t think I’d have any problem with it, but I was quite wrong! When I leave school, I’m going into my family retail business, so sadly I can’t see myself becoming a programmer.
D Violeta
My parents both work in leisure and tourism, and they’ve always talked about their work a lot at home. I find it fascinating. I’m studying it at school, and the teacher is very knowledgeable, though I think we spend too much time listening to her: I’d like to meet more people working in the sector, and learn from their experience.
E Walid
I’ve always been keen on art, so I chose it as an optional subject, though I was afraid the lessons might be a bit dull. I needn’t have worried, though – our teacher gets us to do lots of fun things, so there’s no risk of getting bored. At the end of the year the class puts on an exhibition for the school, and I’m looking forward to showing some of my work to other people.
==== Read the text below and answer questions 7-14 ====
It’s almost time for the next ripton festival!
As usual, the festival will be held in the last weekend of June, this year on Saturday to Monday, 27-29 June. Ever since last year’s festival, the committee has been hard at work to make this year’s the best ever! The theme is Ripton through the ages. Scenes will be acted out showing how the town has developed since it was first established. But there’s also plenty that’s up-to-date, from the latest music to local crafts.
The Craft Fair is a regular part of the festival. Come and meet professional artists, designers and craftsmen and women, who will display their jewellery, paintings, ceramics, and much more. They’ll also take orders, so if you want one of them to make something especially for you, just ask! You’ll get it within a month of the festival ending.
The Saturday barbecue will start at 2 pm and continue until 10 pm, with a bouncy castle for kids. The barbecue will be held in Palmer’s Field, or in the town hall if there’s rain. Book your tickets now, as they always sell out very quickly! Entry for under 16s is free all day; adults can come for free until 6 pm and pay £5 after that. There’ll be live music throughout, with local amateur bands in the afternoon and professional musicians in the evening.
On Sunday we’re delighted to introduce an afternoon of boat races, arranged by the Ripton Rowing Club. The spectator area by the bridge has plenty of room to stand and cheer the boats home, in addition to a number of benches. The winners of the races will be presented with trophies by the mayor of Ripton. All money raised by the festival will go to support the sports clubs in Ripton.
Questions
Questions 1–6 Matching Information
Look at the five comments about lessons, A-E. For which comments are the following statements true?
Write the correct letter, A-E, in boxes. NB You may use any letter more than once.
Questions 7–14 True / False / Not Given
Do the following statements agree with the information given in the text? In boxes 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
Answers & Explanations Summary
| # | Answer | Evidence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q1 | D | I find it fascinating. I'm studying it at school, and the teacher is very knowledgeable, though I think we spend too much time listening to her | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that Violeta thinks the subject is interesting and important. She also feels there is too much talking and not enough hands-on learning with people in the field. Answer Explanation: The answer means that Violeta is interested in what she is learning, even though she feels there is too much listening in her class. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is D because Violeta talks about her interest in leisure and tourism, even though she thinks they listen to the teacher too much. She wants to meet more people working in the field to learn from them, showing her strong interest despite her feelings about the teaching style. |
| Q2 | B | It's made me understand much more about politics, for instance. My plan is to study history at university, and maybe go into the diplomatic service, so I can apply a knowledge of history | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that learning about history helps Lucy understand politics, and she wants to study history at university to work in a job that uses history. Answer Explanation: The answer means that the pupil who chose B, Lucy, wants to work in a job that uses what she learns in history. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is B because Lucy talks about her love for history and her plan to study it in university. She wants to work in the diplomatic service, which means she will use her knowledge of history in her job. |
| Q3 | C | I began when I was about eight, so when I started doing it at school, I didn't think I'd have any problem with it, but I was quite wrong | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that Mark began learning programming when he was eight years old. He thought he would not have any problems with it at school, but he found out he was wrong, showing it is harder than he thought. Answer Explanation: The answer means that Mark finds computing harder than he thought it would be. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is C because Mark says that when he started studying computing at school, he thought it would be easy. However, he found out that he was quite wrong about this, which means he finds it harder than he expected. |
| Q4 | E | I needn't have worried, though - our teacher gets us to do lots of fun things, so there's no risk of getting bored | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that the teacher makes the art classes fun, and the pupil feels there is no chance of being bored in class. Answer Explanation: The answer is E, which means that the pupil finds the art lessons very fun. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is E because Walid said he was nervous the art lessons might be boring, but he found out that the teacher makes them fun and interesting. He is excited about showing his work at the school exhibition, which shows he enjoys the lessons. |
| Q5 | A | Mr Peckham really pushes us, and offers us extra assignments, to help us improve | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that Mr. Peckham, the teacher, encourages the students to work harder with extra tasks. This is important for Krishnan because it helps him to get better and not be lazy. Answer Explanation: The answer means that pupil A thinks doing difficult work is good. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is A because Krishnan talks about how his teacher offers extra assignments to help him get better. He says this is good for him because he might otherwise be lazy. This shows he values challenging work to improve himself. |
| Q6 | B | It's fascinating to see how what we learn about the past is relevant to what's going on in the world now | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that learning about history is interesting because it helps understand current events. Answer Explanation: The answer means that the pupil is aware of how history relates to current events. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is B because Lucy talks about how her study of history helps her understand present-day politics. This shows she realizes the connection between what she learns about the past and what is happening now. |
| Q7 | True | As usual, the festival will be held in the last weekend of June | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that the festival takes place every year during the last weekend of June, which shows it is a yearly event. Answer Explanation: The answer means that the festival happens each year. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is TRUE because the passage says, 'As usual, the festival will be held in the last weekend of June...' This means that it happens every year, in June. |
| Q8 | True | The theme is Ripton through the ages. Scenes will be acted out showing how the town has developed since it was first established | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that the theme of the festival is about Ripton's history and how it has changed since it began. Answer Explanation: The answer means that this year's festival is about the town's history. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is true because the passage states that the theme of this year's festival is 'Ripton through the ages', which shows how the town has developed over time. This clearly connects the festival to the town's history. |
| Q9 | Not given | Come and meet professional artists, designers and craftsmen and women, who will display their jewellery, paintings, ceramics, and much more | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that professional artists and designers will show their art and crafts at the fair, but it does not say if these are different from items in shops. Answer Explanation: The answer is 'Not given' because the passage does not say if the goods at the craft fair are different from those in shops. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'Not given' because the passage talks about the craft fair and what artists will showcase, but it does not compare these goods to those in shops. So, we don't know if they are similar or different. |
| Q10 | False | The barbecue will be held in Palmer's Field, or in the town hall if there's rain | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that if it rains, the barbecue will not be cancelled; it will take place in a different location, which is the town hall. Answer Explanation: The answer is 'False'. This means the statement is not correct. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'False' because the text says that the barbecue will happen either in Palmer's Field or in the town hall if it rains. This means that it won't be cancelled; it will just be moved inside. Look for the words 'held in Palmer's Field, or in the town hall if there's rain' in the passage. |
| Q11 | False | Entry for under 16s is free all day; adults can come for free until 6 pm and pay £5 after that | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that children under 16 do not have to pay to enter anytime, but adults only get in for free before 6 pm. After that time, they must pay £5. Answer Explanation: The answer is 'False,' meaning adults cannot go to the barbecue for free at any time. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'False' because the text states that adults can enter for free only until 6 pm. After that, they have to pay £5. This means adults cannot attend the barbecue at any time without charge. |
| Q12 | False | There'll be live music throughout, with local amateur bands in the afternoon and professional musicians in the evening | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage means that there will be music during the barbecue, but it will be by different types of musicians. In the afternoon, there will be local amateur bands, and in the evening, there will be professional musicians. Answer Explanation: The answer is 'False'. This means that the statement is not true. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'False' because the passage says that local amateur bands will play music in the afternoon, but it does not say they will perform during the whole barbecue. The barbecue has both amateur bands and professional musicians, showing that the statement about only amateur musicians is wrong. |
| Q13 | True | The spectator area by the bridge has plenty of room to stand and cheer the boats home, in addition to a number of benches | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage tells us that there is space for people to stand and watch the races, and also there are benches for sitting. Answer Explanation: The answer means that you can sit down to watch the boat races. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is TRUE because the passage says there are 'a number of benches' where people can sit and watch the boat races. |
| Q14 | Not given | All money raised by the festival will go to support the sports clubs in Ripton | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage tells us that the money collected from the festival will help sports clubs, but it does not say that attendees must give money. Answer Explanation: The answer means that the text does not tell us if people have to give money at the festival. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'Not given' because the passage does not say anything about people needing to donate money when attending the festival. It only mentions that all the money raised will support sports clubs. |