Consumer Advice On Buying Shoes & LOST CARDS - IELTS Reading Answers & Explanations
From Cambridge IELTS 08 General Training Reading Test 2 · Part 1 · Questions 1–14
Reading Passage
Read the text below and answer Questions 1–8.
Consumer advice on buying shoes
If you have a problem with shoes you've recently bought, follow this four-step plan.
Step 1
Go back to the shop with proof of purchase. If you return faulty shoes at once, you have a right to insist on a refund. It is also likely that you will get one if you change your mind about the shoes and take them back immediately. But, if you delay or you've had some use out of the shoes, the shop may not give you all your money back. It depends on the state of the shoes and how long you've had them.
If you are offered a credit note, you don't have to accept it. If you accept it, you will usually not be able to exchange it for cash later on. So, you may be left with an unwanted credit note, if you cannot find any other shoes you want from the shop.
The shop may want to send the shoes back to head office for inspection. This is fair and could help to sort things out. But don't be put off by the shop which claims that it's the manufacturer's responsibility. This isn't true. It's the shop's legal duty to put things right.
Step 2
If you don't seem to be getting anywhere, you can get help. Free advice is available from a Citizens Advice Bureau (get the address from your telephone book), or from a local Trading Standards Department. Again, consult the telephone directory under County, Regional or Borough Council. All these departments have people who can advise you about faulty goods and what to do with them.
Step 3
Most shops are covered by the Footwear Code of Practice. If the shop you are dealing with is covered, you can ask for the shoes to be sent to the Footwear Testing Centre for an independent opinion. The shop has to agree with whatever the resulting report says. There is a charge of £21. You pay £7 and the shop pays the rest (including postage).
Step 4
As a last resort, you can take your case to court. This is not as difficult as it sounds. The small claims procedure for amounts up to £1000 (£750 in Scotland) is a cheap, easy and informal way of taking legal action.
The relevant forms are available from your nearest County Court or, in Scotland, the Sheriff Court. You can get advice and leaflets from the Citizens Advice Bureau. Alternatively, some bookshops sell advice packs which contain the relevant forms.
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Read the text below and answer Questions 9–14.
LOST CARDS
If you discover that your credit card, cheque book, debit card or cash card is missing, telephone the credit card company or bank as soon as possible. Follow this up with a letter. If you suspect theft, tell the police as well. In most circumstances, provided you act quickly, you will not have to pay any bills which a thief runs up on your account. Most home insurance policies will also cover you against even this limited risk.
Because plastic money is now so common, central registration schemes such as Credit Card Shield and Card Protection System exist to help customers whose cards are lost or stolen. Under the schemes you file details of all your cards – including cash cards and account cards issued by shops – with a central registry, for a small annual fee. Then, if any or all of your cards are stolen, you need to make only one phone call to the registry, which is open around the clock 365 days a year. As soon as you have called, your responsibility for any bills run up by the thief ends and the scheme's staff make sure that all the companies whose cards you had are notified.
What you stand to lose on a stolen card
CREDIT CARD You will not have to pay more than £50 of the bills a thief runs up with your card. If you report the loss before the card is used, you will not have to pay anything.
CHEQUES AND GUARANTEE CARD Unless you have been careless – by signing blank cheques, say – you will not have to pay for any forged cheques a thief uses. The bank or shop that accepts them will have to bear the loss.
DEBIT CARD (Switch or Visa Delta) The banks operate a system similar to that for credit cards, in that you are liable for bills up to £50.
If your cash card is stolen
Legally, you can be made to pay back any sums a thief withdraws using your card, but only up to the time you report the loss and up to £50, unless the bank can prove gross negligence, such as writing your personal identification number on your card.
- Never keep your card and a note of your personal number (which does not appear on the card) together.
- Memorise your personal number if possible. If you must make a note of it, disguise it as something else – a telephone number, say.
- The same rules and precautions apply to a credit card used as a cash card.
Questions
Questions 1–8 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
Questions 9–14 Multiple Choice (One Answer)
Choose the correct letter, A, B, C or D.
Answers & Explanations Summary
| # | Answer | Evidence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q1 | TRUE | It is also likely that you will get one if you change your mind about the shoes and take them back immediately | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that if you buy shoes but then decide you do not want them, you will probably get your money back if you return them to the shop right away. Answer Explanation: The answer means that if you return shoes you decided you do not want right after buying them and you have your receipt, the store will most likely give your money back. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is TRUE because the text states that if you change your mind about the shoes (which means they are unwanted) and return them immediately (which means straightaway), you will likely get a refund. The text also mentions starting the process with 'proof of purchase', which is another way to say a receipt. Therefore, the statement matches the information in Step 1 of the passage. |
| Q2 | FALSE | If you are offered a credit note, you don't have to accept it | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that if a shop gives you a piece of paper worth money in their store (a credit note), you are allowed to say no to it. Answer Explanation: The answer FALSE means the statement is the opposite of what the text says. The text actually tells you that you do not have to take a credit note if a shop offers one to you. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is FALSE because the text explicitly states that shoppers do not have to take a credit note. It warns that if you accept one, you usually cannot trade it for real 'cash' later, meaning it might become 'unwanted' if you cannot find anything else to buy in that specific shop. The statement in the question says you are 'advised' (given the suggestion) to accept it, which contradicts the text's warning. |
| Q3 | FALSE | But don't be put off by the shop which claims that it's the manufacturer's responsibility. This isn't true. It's the shop's legal duty to put things right | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that if a shop says the maker of the shoes is responsible, they are not telling the truth. It is the shop's job under the law to fix the situation for the customer. Answer Explanation: The answer is FALSE, which means the statement is incorrect based on the text. The factory is not the party legally responsible for fixing issues with your shoes. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is FALSE because the reading passage explicitly states that it is not the manufacturer's (the factory's) responsibility to fix the issue. Instead, the shop where you bought the shoes has a legal duty to resolve the problem. The text warns customers not to be misled by shops that try to blame the manufacturer. |
| Q4 | FALSE | Most shops are covered by the Footwear Code of Practice. If the shop you are dealing with is covered, you can ask for the shoes to be sent to the Footwear Testing Centre for an independent opinion | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that only shops 'covered' by the Footwear Code of Practice allow you to send shoes to the testing center. Since only 'most' shops (not all) are covered, the rule does not apply to every single shoe shop. Answer Explanation: The answer is FALSE, which means the statement that you can ask any shoe shop to send shoes to the testing center is wrong according to the text. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is FALSE because the text does not say you can use this service with every shop. It explains that this option is only available if the shop follows a specific set of rules called the 'Footwear Code of Practice'. The text uses the word 'most' to describe how many shops follow these rules, which means there are some shops that do not follow them. Therefore, you cannot ask just 'any' (every) shop to send your shoes to the center; you can only do it if that specific shop belongs to the group that follows the code. |
| Q5 | NOT GIVEN | If you are offered a credit note, you don't have to accept it. If you accept it, you will usually not be able to exchange it for cash later on. So, you may be left with an unwanted credit note, if you cannot find any other shoes you want from the shop | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains what happens if a shop gives you a credit note, but it does not say if shops like giving those more than swapping the shoes for a new pair. Answer Explanation: The answer means that the passage does not provide information about whether shops would rather give customers a credit note or exchange their shoes for a different pair. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is NOT GIVEN because while the text mentions credit notes and refunds in 'Step 1', it never discusses the shop's preference or comparison between giving a credit note and changing (exchanging) the shoes. The passage only advises that you do not have to accept a credit note if the shop offers you one. |
| Q6 | TRUE | There is a charge of £21. You pay £7 and the shop pays the rest (including postage) | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage shows that testing shoes has a cost. Since the customer (the person reading the 'you' in the text) has to pay £7, they are helping to pay the total bill. Answer Explanation: The answer says it is true that the buyer helps pay for the testing of the shoes. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'TRUE' because the text explains that if shoes are sent to the Footwear Testing Centre to be checked, there is a total fee of £21. It clearly states that the customer pays £7, which means they are contributing some money toward the total cost. The shop covers the remaining amount. |
| Q7 | NOT GIVEN | The small claims procedure for amounts up to £1000 (£750 in Scotland) is a cheap, easy and informal way of taking legal action | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage states that the legal process for small amounts of money is simple and easy to do. It mentions that Scotland has a different limit for the amount of money you can claim, but it does not say it is easier to finish the process there. Answer Explanation: The answer is NOT GIVEN because the text does not say whether the legal process in Scotland is easier or harder than in other places. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is NOT GIVEN because while the text mentions Scotland specifically regarding the maximum money amount for a claim (£750) and the name of the court (Sheriff Court), it never compares the difficulty of the process between Scotland and other regions. It describes the small claims procedure as 'easy' and 'informal' in general, but it does not provide information to support the idea that Scotland's version is 'easier' than the version used elsewhere. |
| Q8 | TRUE | Alternatively, some bookshops sell advice packs which contain the relevant forms | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage tells us that some bookstores sell information packs that include the correct papers you need to use. Answer Explanation: The answer TRUE means you can pay money at some stores to get help and the special papers needed for taking someone to court. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is TRUE because the text explicitly states that some stores sell the items mentioned. In 'Step 4', it mentions that bookshops (which are a type of shop) sell advice packs (legal advice) that include the relevant forms (legal papers) needed for court action. |
| Q9 | D | If you discover that your credit card, cheque book, debit card or cash card is missing, telephone the credit card company or bank as soon as possible | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that if you lose your card, you must call the bank or the card company very quickly. Answer Explanation: The answer means that the first action you should take when you realize your credit card is gone is to call your bank or card company on the phone. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is D because the text tells you to "telephone" the credit card company or bank right away. In English, to "telephone" someone is the same as to "make a phone call". Since the text says to do this "as soon as possible", it shows that this is the first step you must do. Other options like writing a letter or telling the police are mentioned, but the phone call is the immediate priority. |
| Q10 | B | Because plastic money is now so common, central registration schemes such as Credit Card Shield and Card Protection System exist to help customers whose cards are lost or stolen. Under the schemes you file details of all your cards – including cash cards and account cards issued by shops – with a central registry, for a small annual fee | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that Credit Card Shield is a registration service. It says that people who pay a small fee to this service provide their card information to a main office, which keeps a list of all their cards ready in case they are lost or stolen. Answer Explanation: The answer means that Credit Card Shield is a service where you can record and store information about all your different cards in one place. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is B because the text identifies Credit Card Shield as a type of 'central registration scheme.' The passage explains that by using these schemes, customers can 'file details' of every card they own—like bank cards or store cards—into a single 'central registry.' This matches the idea of a system for registering card details. |
| Q11 | B | As soon as you have called, your responsibility for any bills run up by the thief ends and the scheme's staff make sure that all the companies whose cards you had are notified | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that right after you call the center, the people working there will contact every company that provided you with a card to let them know the cards were taken or lost. Answer Explanation: The answer means that if you call the Card Protection System, they will talk to the companies that gave you your cards to tell them about the loss. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is B because the text explains that after you make one phone call to a registration scheme like the Card Protection System, their workers will tell all the companies that gave you cards about the situation. In the text, the word 'notified' is used, which means the same thing as 'get in touch with' or 'inform'. |
| Q12 | B | Unless you have been careless – by signing blank cheques, say – you will not have to pay for any forged cheques a thief uses. The bank or shop that accepts them will have to bear the loss | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that as long as you do not leave your signature on an empty check, you do not have to pay if a thief uses it. In that case, the bank or the store will lose the money instead of you. Answer Explanation: The answer means that if someone steals a check from you that you have not signed yet, you will not have to pay for the money the thief spends. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is B because the passage says that for cheques and guarantee cards, you will not have to pay for any fake (forged) cheques used by a thief unless you were 'careless'. An example of being careless is 'signing blank cheques'. This means if the cheque was blank and unsigned, you were not careless, and the bank or shop has to pay for the loss instead of you. Options C and D are wrong because users might have to pay up to £50 for lost credit or debit cards. Option A is wrong because signing a blank cheque is considered being careless. |
| Q13 | C | Legally, you can be made to pay back any sums a thief withdraws using your card, but only up to the time you report the loss and up to £50, unless the bank can prove gross negligence, such as writing your personal identification number on your card | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that if you are very careless, like writing your secret code on your card, the bank can force you to pay for all the money a thief steals instead of just stopping at £50. Answer Explanation: The answer means that you might be responsible for paying back all the money a thief spends or takes from your account if you did not keep your secret number safe. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is C because the text explains that there is usually a limit of £50 that you have to pay if your card is stolen. However, this limit goes away if the bank can prove you were extremely careless, which they call 'gross negligence.' Writing your personal identification number (PIN) directly on the card is given as a specific example of this carelessness. If you do this, you lose the protection of the £50 limit and may have to pay for all the money ('any sums') the thief uses. |
| Q14 | C | Legally, you can be made to pay back any sums a thief withdraws using your card, but only up to the time you report the loss and up to £50, unless the bank can prove gross negligence, such as writing your personal identification number on your card | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that by law, you might have to pay for the money a thief takes with your card. However, this payment is limited to £50 as long as you tell the bank about the loss and were careful not to leave your secret number in an easy place for a thief to find. Answer Explanation: The answer means you might have to pay a maximum of £50 to the bank if a thief uses your stolen card to take money. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is C because the text specifically mentions the money you might lose if your cash card is taken. It states that you are legally responsible for the money a thief takes, but only until you tell the bank that the card is gone. Most importantly, it says the most you will typically have to pay is £50. The words 'up to £50' in the text match the words 'up to £50' in the choice C. |