Sports Centre - IELTS Reading Answers & Explanations
From Collins Practice Tests For IELTS 1 General Training Reading Test 1 · Part 2 · Questions 14–26
Reading Passage
Read the text below and answer Questions 14-20.
Sports Centre
Terms of membership - Clarenden Engineering employees
- We offer three levels of membership to Clarenden Engineering employees - Platinum, Gold and Silver. The level of membership will determine when you are able to use the facilities. Please refer to the brochure available from reception for further details.
- Discounts are only available to those employed with Clarenden Engineering. Applicants must show evidence of their employment with the company.
- Subscriptions must be paid in advance. This can be in full or by monthly direct debit. Please note that membership is for the period of one year. Refunds will only be made under special circumstances. Should you cancel your membership, cards must be returned immediately.
- All new members are required to undertake an induction session during which use of the equipment and facilities is explained. Non-attendance at an induction session will result in you being refused entry to the facilities. The centre reserves the right to withdraw membership from, and take appropriate action against, any person found to have wilfully misused the equipment or facilities within the centre.
- Squash and badminton courts must be booked in advance. Bookings can be made up to 7 days in advance by calling 0773 2139 or in person at reception. In order to ensure optimum use of our facilities, members must inform the centre if they do not intend to keep an appointment. Failure to notify us can result in staff refusing to make further reservations. The gymnasium and swimming pool can be used without the need to book a session.
- Members will not be given access to the facilities without the presentation of a valid membership card.
- Please note that we cannot be held responsible for any personal injury you may suffer whilst using our facilities. Should you believe you have an existing medical condition that may be affected by the use of our facilities, we strongly recommend you seek medical advice before using the centre.
______________
The text below has seven sections, A-G.
A home from home at Melborough University!
A Our relationship with Bechamp Logistics has been a long and fruitful one and we continue to welcome its employees to Melborough University for an education that is second to none. Whether you are about to start a full-time MBA or joining one of our part-time courses, we look forward to welcoming you to the university. We appreciate how important it is that you quickly and easily find somewhere to live during your time here. This leaflet will outline how we work with you to choose the right accommodation.
B Obtaining suitable accommodation is a priority for those who are leaving their friends, colleagues and family to spend a period of time away from home. For this reason we promise that all Bechamp Logistics employees who have been accepted on a course with us will receive help with accommodation should they need it.
C If you are planning on relocating during your studies or just renting during the week, we recommend you live on campus as experience has shown this will help you settle into your studies more quickly. We have economy single rooms in our halls of residence, or for those looking for a little more luxury we have Soho House, our dedicated hall for company-sponsored students. Should you prefer to live off campus we can offer you a single-room apartment or rooms in a shared house in the city centre or suburbs.
Please visit the accommodation section of our website for further details.
D To help you make your choice you will find extensive information on our website with detailed descriptions of all our accommodation including photos and video tours of rooms and halls. You will also find a full price list for the various accommodation types. For people who are able to visit the university before the application deadline, you are welcome to contact our accommodation office for help with viewing places.
E Students with dependent children can apply for accommodation in any of our dedicated family-friendly halls. There are limited spaces available and you will need to contact us quickly to be sure of obtaining a place on campus. Should these not be available we are always able to help with accommodation off campus. You should go through the application process as usual and be sure to complete the section marked 'dependents'. This will alert our staff to your requirements so they can prioritise your application.
F Once you have been offered a place at the university you are advised to apply for accommodation immediately. All applications are made online. Once we have received your application we will arrange a time for you to be called by our accommodation office where we will talk to you about your options. Following this conversation, we will either reserve your campus accommodation or represent you should you be looking for a place to live off campus in private accommodation. You will receive written confirmation of your residence no later than two weeks before the start of term.
G Our accommodation office will be pleased to answer any questions you may have when you arrive at university. Before handing over the keys we ask you to sign a contract outlining your responsibilities. Please note that included in these terms is a commitment to pay for your accommodation for the full academic year.
Questions
Questions 14–20 True / False / Not Given
Look at the text.
Do the following statements agree with the information given in the text? 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
Questions 21–26 Matching Headings
Choose the correct heading for sections B-G from the list of headings below.
Write the correct number, i-ix.
i. Our guarantee to you
ii. The application process
iii. A wide choice
iv. Having friends to stay
v. On arrival
vi. A warm welcome from Melborough
vii. Sources of information
viii. Meeting our representatives
ix. Family applicants
Answers & Explanations Summary
| # | Answer | Evidence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q14 | FALSE | The level of membership will determine when you are able to use the facilities | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage states that the type of membership you have controls the times you are allowed to use the sports building. Answer Explanation: The answer is FALSE because members cannot use the sports centre at any time they want; there are rules about when they are allowed to go in. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is FALSE because the text says that the type of membership a person has (Platinum, Gold, or Silver) decides the specific times they can use the sports centre. Because the membership level 'determines when' someone can visit, it means not everyone is free to go whenever they please. Additionally, some activities must be scheduled in advance, which is another restriction on using the centre 'whenever they wish'. |
| Q15 | FALSE | Discounts are only available to those employed with Clarenden Engineering | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage states that only workers at Clarenden Engineering get a special low price (a discount). This indicates that while other people might be allowed to join the sports centre, they do not get the same cheap rate as the employees. Answer Explanation: The answer FALSE means that the statement is incorrect because the sports centre is likely open to people who do not work for Clarenden Engineering. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is FALSE because the text mentions that 'discounts' (lower prices) are only for people who work for the company. If the sports centre was only for employees, the text would not need to specify that only employees get a discount, as there would be no one else to compare them to. This implies that people from outside the company can also join the centre, but they simply have to pay the full price without a discount. Key words to notice are 'discounts' and 'only available to,' which show that the special offer is limited to a specific group, while the membership itself is not. |
| Q16 | TRUE | Subscriptions must be paid in advance | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that you must pay the money for your membership before you can use the facilities. Answer Explanation: The answer means that people must pay the money for their sports centre membership before they are allowed to use it. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is TRUE because the text clearly states that 'subscriptions'—which refers to membership fees—must be paid 'in advance' (before the membership starts). It explains that this payment can be made as one large amount or in smaller monthly amounts, but the requirement is that it is handled beforehand. |
| Q17 | FALSE | All new members are required to undertake an induction session during which use of the equipment and facilities is explained. Non-attendance at an induction session will result in you being refused entry to the facilities | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that every person who joins must take part in a special class where a staff member shows them how to use the equipment. If you do not go to this class, the gym will not let you in. Answer Explanation: The answer FALSE means the statement that induction sessions are not required is wrong. In reality, you must attend one. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is FALSE because the passage states that every new member is 'required' to go to an induction session. The word 'required' is a synonym for 'compulsory' or 'mandatory.' Additionally, it explains that if a member does not attend (non-attendance), they will not be allowed to enter the facilities, which proves it is not optional. |
| Q18 | NOT GIVEN | The centre reserves the right to withdraw membership from, and take appropriate action against, any person found to have wilfully misused the equipment or facilities within the centre | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says the sports center can cancel a person's membership or take other steps if they break equipment on purpose. However, it does not specifically say that those steps include paying for the cost of the damage. Answer Explanation: The answer means that the text does not tell us if gym members have to pay money to fix things they break. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is NOT GIVEN because while the text mentions taking 'appropriate action' against people who break the rules or misuse the gym, it never clearly states that this action includes a requirement to pay for damages. Because the text is vague about what 'appropriate action' means and does not mention money for repairs, we cannot say for sure if members have to pay. |
| Q19 | TRUE | Squash and badminton courts must be booked in advance | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage states that people must schedule their time for these specific sports courts before they arrive to use them. Answer Explanation: The answer is TRUE, meaning that if you want to play squash or badminton, you have to save a spot ahead of time. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is TRUE because the text specifically mentions that for squash and badminton, a reservation is required. The phrase 'booked in advance' in the text means the same thing as 'reserve' in the question. |
| Q20 | FALSE | Should you believe you have an existing medical condition that may be affected by the use of our facilities, we strongly recommend you seek medical advice before using the centre | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that if you have a health problem that could be changed by exercise, you should go to a doctor to get professional advice before you start using the sports centre. Answer Explanation: The answer is false because employees should talk to a doctor, not the sports centre staff, if they have health problems. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "FALSE" because the text tells people with health issues to "seek medical advice" before using the gym or pool. Seeking medical advice means visiting a doctor or a healthcare professional. The question suggests that employees should ask the sports centre for this advice, but the centre's job is to provide exercise facilities, not medical help. Because the text tells the user to get medical help from a professional before coming to the centre, the statement is incorrect. |
| Q21 | i | For this reason we promise that all Bechamp Logistics employees who have been accepted on a course with us will receive help with accommodation should they need it | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage states that the university makes a certain promise: every worker from Bechamp Logistics who joins a course will get help finding a place to live if they need it. Answer Explanation: The answer identifies that Section B focuses on a promise or commitment made by the university to help students find a place to live. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is i because the section explicitly uses the word 'promise' to describe the support provided to Bechamp Logistics employees. In this context, a 'promise' to provide help is a 'guarantee'. The text emphasizes that finding a place to live (accommodation) is a 'priority', and therefore they give their word that help will be available to those who need it. |
| Q22 | iii | We have economy single rooms in our halls of residence, or for those looking for a little more luxury we have Soho House, our dedicated hall for company-sponsored students. Should you prefer to live off campus we can offer you a single-room apartment or rooms in a shared house in the city centre or suburbs | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage shows that students have many options: they can pick cheap rooms, luxury rooms, apartments, or shared houses in different parts of the city. Answer Explanation: The answer is "A wide choice," which means there are many different types of places where people can choose to live. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "iii" because Section C lists several different types of places to stay. It mentions cheap rooms, more expensive luxury rooms, apartments for one person, and rooms in houses that people share with others. It also mentions different locations like the campus, the city center, or the suburbs. Because there are many different options, the heading "A wide choice" fits best. |
| Q23 | vii | To help you make your choice you will find extensive information on our website with detailed descriptions of all our accommodation including photos and video tours of rooms and halls. You will also find a full price list for the various accommodation types | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that students can find a lot of details, pictures, videos, and costs on the university website to help them decide where to live. Answer Explanation: The answer is the heading 'Sources of information'. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'vii' because Section D focuses on where students can go to find facts and details about housing. It lists several ways to get this data, such as looking at a website, viewing photos, watching video tours, and checking price lists. A 'source' is the place where something (like information) comes from. |
| Q24 | ix | Students with dependent children can apply for accommodation in any of our dedicated family-friendly halls | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage states that students who are parents or guardians can sign up for special campus housing that is designed to be good for families. Answer Explanation: The answer 'ix' means that 'Family applicants' is the most suitable heading for Section E. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'ix' because Section E focuses entirely on the needs of students who have children or 'dependents.' It describes the specific types of family-friendly housing available to them, both on and off campus, and explains how these applicants should fill out their forms to get priority help. Related terms such as 'dependent children,' 'family-friendly,' and 'dependents' all confirm that this section is specifically for family-related applications. |
| Q25 | ii | Once you have been offered a place at the university you are advised to apply for accommodation immediately. All applications are made online. Once we have received your application we will arrange a time for you to be called by our accommodation office where we will talk to you about your options. Following this conversation, we will either reserve your campus accommodation or represent you should you be looking for a place to live off campus in private accommodation. You will receive written confirmation of your residence no later than two weeks before the start of term | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains the different things a student must do to get a place to stay, including how to apply and how the university will help them. Answer Explanation: The answer is the heading 'ii. The application process', which is the chosen title for Section F. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'ii' because Section F describes the step-by-step method a student must follow to get housing. It outlines the timeline (apply after being offered a place), the method (online), the follow-up (a phone call), and the final result (written confirmation). These sequential steps define a 'process' for 'application'. |
| Q26 | v | Our accommodation office will be pleased to answer any questions you may have when you arrive at university. Before handing over the keys we ask you to sign a contract outlining your responsibilities | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage states that the staff will help students once they get to the university and describes the steps of signing a document and getting their room keys right at the start of their stay. Answer Explanation: The answer 'v' means the best title for Section G is 'On arrival', which focuses on what happens when a person first gets to the university. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'v' because Section G mentions the interaction with the accommodation office 'when you arrive at university.' It explicitly describes the process of handing over keys and signing a contract, which are the specific actions a student takes as soon as they reach the campus to start their residency. The mention of arriving and receiving keys makes 'On arrival' the most fitting title. |