Castle Road Run & Hatcliff Backpackers - IELTS Reading Answers & Explanations
From Cambridge IELTS 21 General Training Reading Test 1 · Part 1 · Questions 1–14
Reading Passage
Read the text below and answer questions 1-7.
Castle Road Run
The organising committee of the annual Castle Road Run welcomes all entrants in the event. We hope the following details will provide you with all the necessary information to make your run as enjoyable as possible.
Before race day you will receive a registration card containing your personal details, the race event entered and your T-shirt size. Competitors must bring this registration card with them when they collect their race number. All runners, except those who have completed the four previous Castle Road Runs, will wear white T-shirts with red numbers on the back. Runners who are taking part in their fifth race will be identified with a green number instead of a red one. Please take the time to complete the questionnaire included on the back of the registration card in order to assist us in improving upcoming Castle Road Runs.
Entrants may change from the Full Run to the Half Run, or vice versa, up until 28th October. Please email details of the change to us. The $20 difference in entry fee will not be refunded for those changing from the Full Run to the Half Run, and it will be payable by those changing from the Half Run to the Full Run.
Due to safety requirements, the Castle council has imposed a maximum number of entrants. Entries received after this number is reached will be fully refunded.
All competitors must collect their race pack prior to the start of the event from North Lake Hotel, 12 Skelton Street, any day between the hours of 10am and 7pm. Competitors who do not come from the Castle region, please get in touch with the Race Manager personally or by email to arrange for collection of your race number and race pack.
Competitors may collect the race numbers and race packs of other competitors provided they bring the registration card for each competitor they wish to collect for.
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Read the text below and answer Questions 8-14.
Hatcliff Backpackers
Hatcliff Backpackers’ Hostel is only a short stroll from Cathedral Square and the city centre. Shops, buses, supermarkets and cinemas are not far away. In fact everything you’ll want to see and do in the city is on our doorstep.
All beds and bunks are fully made. Every room has free heating, modern furniture and air conditioning. All singles, twins, doubles and tourist flats have a TV and most have an ensuite bathroom and electric blankets. You can usually upgrade your accommodation from a single share to a single or double (for example) and pay the difference when you arrive.
‘Guest only’ areas are secured by combination locks. Personal lockers can be hired for a maximum of three days, or you may use our safe for the overnight storage of valuables.
Our two spacious modern kitchens are both fully equipped with everything from pots and pans through to microwaves and even toasted-sandwich makers. Light meals are available from 11 am until 11 at night and you can get drinks and groceries 24 hours a day.
Information is available on what to do and where to go in the Castle and surrounding regions. We also have a launderette on site. Don’t forget to check out our notice board for cheap cars and travel deals.
You will be greeted at the airport arrival hall by a staff representative who will transport you to our door. We offer one free collection or drop-off per traveller and individuals can elect to use this either upon arrival or departure. We can advise and reserve seats for you on all national backpacker transport, coach and rail services – and every adventure activity you would like to try. We require 24 hours’ notice to arrange your transport and book your accommodation.
Questions
Questions 1–7 Short Answers
Answer the questions below. Choose NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER from the text for each answer.
Questions 8–14 True / False / Not Given
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
Answers & Explanations Summary
| # | Answer | Evidence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q1 | Red | All runners, except those who have completed the four previous Castle Road Runs, will wear white T-shirts with red numbers on the back | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage means that all participants have red numbers on their shirts, unless they have already finished all four earlier Castle Road Run events. Answer Explanation: The answer means that the number printed on the runner's shirt is the colour red. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "Red" because the text explains that runners wear white T-shirts with "red numbers on the back," unless they have finished four previous Castle Road Runs. A competitor running their fourth race has only completed three previous races, so they are not exempt and will still wear a red number. |
| Q2 | Complete the questionnaire | Please take the time to complete the questionnaire included on the back of the registration card in order to assist us in improving upcoming Castle Road Runs | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage asks participants to take time to answer the questions on the back of their card so the organizers can make the next races better. Answer Explanation: The answer means to fill out the survey or list of questions. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "Complete the questionnaire" because the text asks competitors to fill out the questionnaire found on their registration card. Doing this will help the organizers improve future events. In the text, "assist us in improving upcoming Castle Road Runs" means the same thing as "help make future runs better" ("assist" means "help", "improve" means "make better", and "upcoming" means "future"). |
| Q3 | 28th October / 28 October / October 28 / October 28th | Entrants may change from the Full Run to the Half Run, or vice versa, up until 28th October | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that runners are allowed to switch between the shorter race and the longer race until October 28th. Answer Explanation: The answer means the date of October 28th. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "28th October" because the text mentions that runners can change from the Full Run to the Half Run, or "vice versa" (which means doing the opposite: changing from the Half Run to the Full Run to increase the distance). They are allowed to do this "up until 28th October", making this date the deadline. |
| Q4 | by email / email / email details | Entrants may change from the Full Run to the Half Run, or vice versa, up until 28th October. Please email details of the change to us | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that if participants want to switch race distances, they need to send an email to the organizers with the information about the change. Answer Explanation: The answer means sending an electronic message through the internet. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is correct because the text explains how runners can switch between the Full Run and the Half Run (which means altering the length of their run). The instructions state: "Please email details of the change to us." Here, "email" matches the required method of communication, and "details of the change" refers to a "request to alter the length of their run." |
| Q5 | council safety requirements / safety requirements / council safety / safety | Due to safety requirements, the Castle council has imposed a maximum number of entrants | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that the local government (Castle council) placed an upper limit on the number of people who can take part in the race because of rules needed to keep people safe. Answer Explanation: The answer means rules or conditions designed to keep runners safe, ordered by the local town government. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is confirmed by the fourth paragraph of the Castle Road Run section. The question asks for the reason for 'restricting numbers'. In the text, the phrase 'imposed a maximum number of entrants' directly matches the idea of restricting numbers, and the text clearly states that this restriction is 'Due to safety requirements' set by the Castle council. |
| Q6 | their race pack / race pack | All competitors must collect their race pack prior to the start of the event from North Lake Hotel, 12 Skelton Street, any day between the hours of 10am and 7pm | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that every runner must pick up their race pack at North Lake Hotel before the running event begins. Answer Explanation: The answer means the package of items prepared for each runner for the race. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "(their) race pack" because the text clearly tells all participants to pick up this item at North Lake Hotel before the race begins. Key words to look for include "competitors" (which means runners), "collect" (which means get or pick up), and "prior to the start of the event" (which means before the race). |
| Q7 | the race manager / race manager | Competitors who do not come from the Castle region, please get in touch with the Race Manager personally or by email to arrange for collection of your race number and race pack | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that runners who do not live in the Castle area must contact the Race Manager in person or by email to pick up their race number and pack. Answer Explanation: The answer means the person in charge of organizing the race, known as the race manager. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is verified by the section of the text discussing race pack collection. The question asks who runners from outside the area need to contact. In the passage, "Competitors who do not come from the Castle region" matches "runners from outside the area", and "get in touch with" means "contact". The text directly instructs these people to contact the "Race Manager". |
| Q8 | TRUE | Hatcliff Backpackers’ Hostel is only a short stroll from Cathedral Square and the city centre. Shops, buses, supermarkets and cinemas are not far away. In fact everything you’ll want to see and do in the city is on our doorstep | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that the hostel is just a brief walk from the city centre and very close to shops, transport, and attractions, showing it is in a convenient place. Answer Explanation: The answer "TRUE" means that the text confirms the hostel is in an easy, handy, and useful location. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is TRUE because the text clearly describes the hostel as being close to important places. It says the hostel is only a "short stroll" from the city centre, places like shops and buses are "not far away", and everything is "on our doorstep". These phrases all mean that the accommodation is conveniently located. |
| Q9 | NOT GIVEN | Personal lockers can be hired for a maximum of three days, or you may use our safe for the overnight storage of valuables | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage tells us that guests can pay to use small lockers for up to three days or keep expensive items in a safe overnight, but it does not mention if the storage inside the rooms is limited. Answer Explanation: The answer "NOT GIVEN" means that the text does not say whether the rooms have small or limited space to keep your things. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is NOT GIVEN because the text never mentions how much storage space is inside the rooms. While the text does mention "Personal lockers" that can be rented and a safe for "overnight storage of valuables", it does not give any information about the amount of storage space in the guest rooms themselves. |
| Q10 | TRUE | You can usually upgrade your accommodation from a single share to a single or double (for example) and pay the difference when you arrive | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage means that most of the time, visitors can change their booked room to a different or better room type and pay the extra cost when they get there. Answer Explanation: The answer "TRUE" means that the information in the statement matches what is written in the text. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is TRUE because the text explains that guests can normally change their room choice. The passage says "You can usually upgrade your accommodation", where the word "usually" matches "generally possible" and "upgrade your accommodation" means making a change to the room reservation. |
| Q11 | FALSE | Personal lockers can be hired for a maximum of three days, or you may use our safe for the overnight storage of valuables | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that guests can rent lockers for at most three days, and can only use the safe during the night, meaning long-term storage is not offered. Answer Explanation: The answer is FALSE because the hostel does not offer long-term storage for guests' belongings. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is FALSE because the passage explicitly states that personal lockers can be used for no more than three days, and the safe is only for overnight use. A maximum of three days or overnight is short-term, not long-term. Therefore, the statement contradicts the text. |
| Q12 | NOT GIVEN | Light meals are available from 11 am until 11 at night and you can get drinks and groceries 24 hours a day | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that guests can purchase drinks and food items at any time of day or night, but it does not mention having a 24-hour reception desk. Answer Explanation: The answer "NOT GIVEN" means that the text does not say whether Hatcliff Backpackers has a reception desk open 24 hours a day. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is NOT GIVEN because the text never mentions the opening hours of the front desk or reception. The text does mention that "drinks and groceries" can be bought "24 hours a day," but it says nothing about having a 24-hour reception desk. Since this information is missing, the statement cannot be confirmed as true or false. |
| Q13 | FALSE | We offer one free collection or drop-off per traveller and individuals can elect to use this either upon arrival or departure | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that each traveler gets only one free trip, and they can choose to use it either when they arrive at the airport or when they leave. Answer Explanation: The answer FALSE means the statement does not match what the passage says; in fact, the passage says something completely different. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is FALSE because the hostel does not provide free rides both ways (to and from the airport). The text clearly states that each guest gets only "one free collection or drop-off" and must choose ("elect") to use it "either upon arrival or departure." Since guests can only choose one trip for free, the statement that it is free "both to and from" the airport is incorrect. |
| Q14 | TRUE | We can advise and reserve seats for you on all national backpacker transport, coach and rail services – and every adventure activity you would like to try | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that the staff can give advice and book tickets for guests for buses, trains, and fun adventure activities. Answer Explanation: The answer "TRUE" means that the statement is correct and matches the facts in the text. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is TRUE because the hostel explicitly states that they can help guests organize their trips and fun activities. In the text, "advise and reserve seats for you" means offering "assistance", "transport, coach and rail services" refers to "travel arrangements", and "every adventure activity" refers to "leisure arrangements". |
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