Creative Toys & Email About A Hotel Reservation - IELTS Reading Answers & Explanations
From IELTS Practice Test Plus 3 General Training Reading Test 1 · Part 1 · Questions 1–14
Reading Passage
You should spend about 20 minutes on Questions 1–14.
CREATIVE TOYS
A
Bath time animals
Five foam mix-and-match animal jigsaws. Pieces stick easily to damp tiles and ceramic surfaces. A great product for keeping young children entertained in the bath. Assembled animals approximately 16 cm.
B
Chef's outfit
Young children will love to play at being a master chef in this cute costume of apron, floppy hat and oven glove. With convenient Velcro fastenings, this set is suitable for a broad range of sizes. Available in two colours: blue and red – please specify your preference.
C
Chimalong
An excellent choice, even for the very young. This small xylophone has eight chimes, and is accompanied by a book, with instructions for playing twelve familiar tunes. The chimes and instructions are colour-coded, making it easy for children to learn how to play the tunes.
D
Carpenter's tools
This fantastic junior tool box is great for all young children who want to copy adults and do some real woodworking. The set includes: a tool box, hammer, saw, mallet, chisel, spanners, sandpaper, screwdrivers and pliers – everything needed to tackle simple projects. NB: Not suitable for children under eight years. Needs adult supervision.
E
Cardboard playhouse
A unique playhouse providing hours of fun and imaginative play for young children. It is constructed in durable cardboard and is 100 percent recyclable! It is easy to assemble, and can be folded flat or used as extra storage when not in use. Pink, blue, green, silver or brown – please state preference. Overall size 90 x 67.5 x 128 centimetres. NB: This item is not available for overseas delivery or our gift-wrapping service.
F
Doll-making kit
A great creative kit for making an adorable ballerina doll. Children can give her a name and make it official with the birth certificate which is included! No pins or needles required. Contains one soft doll body, wool, lace, ribbon, adhesive tape, coloured pencils, birth certificate and detailed instructions. NB: Not suitable for children under five years.
______________
Email about a hotel reservation
Dear Mr and Mrs Burton,
Thank you for booking your stay with us at the Loch Cullen Hotel, one of Scotland's best-known and oldest family-run hotels.
We are delighted to confirm your reservation from 16 June to 20 June. Unfortunately, the double room you requested is not available, and we only have single or twin rooms to offer during that period. We have reserved a twin room for you, but please let us know if you would prefer two singles.
The rate will be £55.00 per person per night, which includes a full Scottish breakfast and tax. We are currently offering a special rate for Sunday nights – £25 per person – please contact us as soon as possible if you wish to extend your stay and take up this offer.
Check-in is from 2p.m. and check-out is 11a.m. on the morning of your departure. If for any reason you require a different time then please let us know in advance and we’ll do our best to help you.
The Loch Cullen Hotel has a choice of two distinctly different dining experiences. Choose either the Lounge Bar where you’ll find freshly produced light meals, or the Loch Restaurant for more formal dining, but with a relaxed atmosphere. We can offer you a range of locally-sourced food, such as our award-winning haggis or Scottish smoked salmon. Throughout the hotel we use the very best fresh Scottish produce.
On departure, guests can settle their bill in cash, or by cheque, debit card or credit card. Thank you for guaranteeing your booking with a credit card number, which will only be used in the event of a late cancellation. If cancelled up to 24 hours before the day of arrival no fee will be charged. If cancelled later, or in the case that a guest doesn’t arrive, then the first night will be charged in full.
If you have any questions about your reservation or the hotel, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We look forward to welcoming you on your arrival.
Yours sincerely,
Sarah Peterson (Manager)
Questions
Questions 1–7 Matching Information
Look at the six advertisements for toys, A-F on page 154.
For which toy are the following statements true?
Write the correct letter, A-F, in boxes 1–7 on your answer sheet.
NB: You may use any letter more than once.
Questions 8–14 True / False / Not Given
Do the following statements agree with the information given in the text above?
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 | E | Pink, blue, green, silver or brown – please state preference | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage lists five specific colors and tells the person buying the toy to say which color they would like to have. Answer Explanation: The answer is Toy E, which is the cardboard playhouse. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is E because the description for the cardboard playhouse lists five different colors: pink, blue, green, silver, and brown. It tells the customer to "state preference," which means the buyer should pick one of those options. This fits the description of having a "range" (many different types) of colors to choose from. While Toy B also has colors, Toy E offers a larger variety. |
| Q2 | B | With convenient Velcro fastenings, this set is suitable for a broad range of sizes | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that the toy uses sticky straps (Velcro) so that children of many different sizes can wear the clothes. Answer Explanation: The answer B refers to the Chef's outfit, which can be made to fit different children because its size is not fixed. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is B because the description for the Chef's outfit mentions it has 'Velcro fastenings' which allows it to fit a 'broad range of sizes.' This means the costume can be made tighter or looser (adjusted) to fit children who are bigger or smaller. |
| Q3 | E | NB: This item is not available for overseas delivery or our gift-wrapping service | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage states that this specific toy cannot be sent to locations outside of the country ('overseas delivery') and they also do not offer to wrap it as a gift. Answer Explanation: The answer is Toy E, which is the 'Cardboard playhouse'. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is E because the text specifically mentions that the 'Cardboard playhouse' is not for sale to people living in other countries. The word 'overseas' means across the ocean or in another country, and saying it is 'not available' for that type of delivery means the company will not send it there. |
| Q4 | D | This fantastic junior tool box is great for all young children who want to copy adults and do some real woodworking | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that this specific tool box is for children who want to practice building things with wood just like grown-ups do. Answer Explanation: The answer D refers to the advertisement for the Carpenter's tools. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is D because this toy set is specifically designed for children to do "real woodworking," which means creating or fixing things made of wood. It includes several tools typically used for wood projects, such as a hammer, saw, and mallet. |
| Q5 | A | A great product for keeping young children entertained in the bath | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that this toy is for playing in the bath, which means water will not hurt or break it. Answer Explanation: The answer is choice A, which is the toy called 'Bath time animals.' Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is A because the toy is specifically made for use in the bath. Objects used in a bathtub are made of materials like foam that do not get ruined when they get wet. The text also says the pieces stick to 'damp' (slightly wet) walls, which shows that water is expected and safe for this toy. |
| Q6 | F | A great creative kit for making an adorable ballerina doll | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that this product is a "kit," which means it has parts inside, and it is used for "making" a doll, which is a type of toy. Answer Explanation: The answer means that toy F is a box that has all the pieces and tools inside required to build a toy yourself. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is F because it is a "Doll-making kit." A "kit" is a collection of items used for a specific purpose, and in this case, the purpose is "making" (building) a ballerina doll. While other items in the list are toys you play with or tools to use, only item F provides a set of parts specifically to create a new toy. |
| Q7 | C | This small xylophone has eight chimes, and is accompanied by a book, with instructions for playing twelve familiar tunes | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that this specific toy is a xylophone and comes with a book to help children learn how to play music. Answer Explanation: The answer is option C, which refers to the toy named Chimalong. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is C because the text describes the Chimalong as a small xylophone. A xylophone is a well-known musical instrument. Additionally, the passage mentions that it includes instructions for playing "tunes," which is another word for songs or pieces of music. |
| Q8 | FALSE | one of Scotland's best-known and oldest family-run hotels | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that the hotel is a business where a family is in charge and has been for many years, which shows it is a local family business and not part of a global company. Answer Explanation: The answer is FALSE, which means the statement in the question is incorrect because it says the opposite of what is in the text. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is FALSE because the passage describes the Loch Cullen Hotel as a 'family-run' business. This means the hotel is owned and managed by a single family rather than a large 'international company' (a big business that works in many countries). Because it is run by a family, it cannot be run by an international corporation. |
| Q9 | TRUE | We have reserved a twin room for you, but please let us know if you would prefer two singles | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage states that the hotel put the guests in a 'twin room,' which is one room that has two beds inside. Answer Explanation: The answer TRUE means that the statement is correct based on what is written in the email. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is TRUE because the text says the hotel has 'reserved a twin room' for the guests. In hotel language, a 'twin room' is one room that contains two separate beds for two people. This confirms that the hotel has saved a single room with two beds for them. |
| Q10 | NOT GIVEN | The rate will be £55.00 per person per night, which includes a full Scottish breakfast and tax | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that the cost of the hotel room covers breakfast and taxes, but it does not explain whether a guest could pay less if they do not want the breakfast. Answer Explanation: The answer NOT GIVEN means the text does not tell us if the price changes if a guest chooses to skip breakfast. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is NOT GIVEN because the text says breakfast is included in the price, but it does not say if the price becomes lower (reduced) for people who do not want the meal. Since there is no information about price changes relating to skipping breakfast, we cannot say if the statement is true or false. |
| Q11 | TRUE | We are currently offering a special rate for Sunday nights – £25 per person – please contact us as soon as possible if you wish to extend your stay and take up this offer | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that right now, the hotel has a cheaper price (a special rate) for guests who stay on a Sunday night. Answer Explanation: The answer is TRUE because the hotel is giving a lower price to people who stay on Sunday night. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is TRUE because the text says the hotel is 'currently offering a special rate' of £25 for Sunday nights. Since the normal price is £55 per person, the special rate is a price reduction. The word 'currently' shows that this is an offer happening now, which matches the idea of it being a 'temporary' reduction. |
| Q12 | TRUE | Check-in is from 2p.m. and check-out is 11a.m. on the morning of your departure | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage tells the guests that they can start entering the hotel and using their rooms at 2:00 in the afternoon. Answer Explanation: The answer is TRUE, which means the text confirms that guests should usually arrive at the hotel starting at 2 in the afternoon. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is confirmed in the section regarding arrival and departure times. The hotel uses the word 'Check-in' to describe arriving and getting your room key, and it states this begins from 2 p.m. While guests can ask for a different time, 2 p.m. is the official start time mentioned. |
| Q13 | NOT GIVEN | The Loch Cullen Hotel has a choice of two distinctly different dining experiences. Choose either the Lounge Bar where you’ll find freshly produced light meals, or the Loch Restaurant for more formal dining, but with a relaxed atmosphere | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage talks about the different types of places where guests can eat, but it does not give any rules or details about how to get a seat at the Loch Restaurant. Answer Explanation: The answer 'NOT GIVEN' means that the provided text does not say whether or not you have to book a table for dinner in advance. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is NOT GIVEN because, although the text explains that the hotel has two dining options and describes what they are like, it never mentions anything about needing to make a reservation (booking) for either of them. Because the information about booking for dinner is missing, we cannot say the statement is true or false. |
| Q14 | FALSE | If cancelled up to 24 hours before the day of arrival no fee will be charged. If cancelled later, or in the case that a guest doesn’t arrive, then the first night will be charged in full | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage states that cancelling early (24 hours or more before) is free. However, if you cancel late or do not show up, you must pay the money for the first night of the stay. Answer Explanation: The answer means that if a person cancels their hotel booking with very little time remaining (less than 24 hours), they must pay some money. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is FALSE because the text explains the hotel's rule for cancelling a room. It says that if a guest cancels later than 24 hours before they arrive, they will be charged the full price for the first night. The statement in the question says 'there is no charge' for late notice, which is the opposite of what the email says. |