Customer Service Standards For The County Libraries & Places to Eat in Riverton - IELTS Reading Answers & Explanations
From Cambridge IELTS 21 General Training Reading Test 2 · Part 1 · Questions 1–14
Reading Passage
Read the text below and answer questions 1-6.
Customer service standards for the county libraries
We want to make you welcome in our libraries.
We will:
• wear badges, which will show that we work in the library, and state the position we hold
• always greet you, acknowledge those waiting for our attention, and try to avoid long queues
• deal with the person in front of us before answering the telephone
• publicise our opening hours and give at least six weeks’ notice of any planned changes to those hours – however, we may need to close the library at short notice in an emergency
• provide clear directional signs to areas of the library, keep counter and display areas tidy, straighten shelves daily and make 90% of returns available on the day of return
• help you to make use of our automated reservations service
• carry out a planned programme of library refurbishment that will be reviewed annually.
In return, we will expect similar courtesy and respect from you, our customer.
Communication methods
In addition to visiting the library, you may access our services in a variety of ways, e.g. by telephone or email.
On the telephone
We will:
• aim to answer calls within 10 rings, or provide a messaging service
• answer clearly, giving the name of the library and/or department
• let you know what is happening – if your enquiry cannot be dealt with immediately, we will call back within an agreed time
• deal with messages as quickly as possible, at least twice a day when the library is open.
We may choose to end a telephone call if a caller becomes abusive, but only after giving due warning of what we are going to do and why.
Email enquiries
We will:
• acknowledge emails within seven days of receipt but we may not be able to respond fully within this time. However, we will let you know when you can expect a full response.
• give all comments and complaints our full consideration, and pass them on to Sue Jones, the Chief Librarian, when appropriate.
______________
Read the advertisements below and answer questions 7-14.
Places to eat in Riverton
A Don’t miss the re-opening of the newly-refurbished Strollers Restaurant next month. Its menus, serving locally-produced food, will change seasonally. The bar, with its relaxed atmosphere, will be the ideal setting for that pre-meal drink. Whether you choose from the cocktail or wine list, you will be spoilt for choice.
B Located near the main high street, within a pedestrianised area, Al Pomodoro offers an authentic taste of Italy. It overlooks the stunning 800-year-old City Parish Church. The atmosphere is relaxed, and you can eat on the terrace all year round (be sure to dress warmly on chilly evenings!). There is a varied menu with vegetarian options and fresh fish at reasonable prices. The house wines are also good value. Closed Mondays.
C The Old Tavern is a popular meeting point before and after events at the city’s stadium. If you can’t get a ticket for the big match, you can see it on one of the giant screens whilst still soaking up the atmosphere; it is a great place to chill out in deep sofas. The Old Tavern also offers a range of meals and snacks, all freshly prepared, starting from just £3.50.
D Situated in the city centre, the Thai Palace is one of the best restaurants in Riverton. It has a good mix of regular customers, including some well-known faces from music, sport and the media. It sources much of its produce locally, and blends Welsh lamb and beef with fresh herbs and spices flown in each week from Thailand. The friendly waiters wear a different Thai costume each week and provide attentive service. The restaurant caters for groups of all sizes, from meals for two to conference dinners.
E Go to Riverton Hall for an evening in historic surroundings. In the famous Banqueting Hall, which seats up to 150, you can enjoy the best of the local food. On arrival you will be welcomed with mead, a traditional medieval drink. Hosts will serve your meal and keep you entertained with a selection of folk songs. A set menu of four courses – at a price of £55 a person – will be served together with wine or soft drinks.
Questions
Questions 1–6 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 7–14 Matching Information
Look at the five advertisements for eating places, A-E. For which place are the following statements true?
Write the correct letter, A-E.
NB You may use any letter more than once.
Answers & Explanations Summary
| # | Answer | Evidence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q1 | TRUE | wear badges, which will show that we work in the library, and state the position we hold | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that library workers will wear badges that prove they work there and tell people what their job role is. Answer Explanation: The answer "TRUE" means that the library rules really do require workers to show their job title. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is TRUE because the text clearly promises that staff will wear badges that show their job. In the text, the phrase "state the position we hold" means to show or write down their job title. Therefore, the statement completely matches the information in the text. |
| Q2 | FALSE | deal with the person in front of us before answering the telephone | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that staff members must assist the customer who is physically present in the library before they pick up and answer any telephone calls. Answer Explanation: The answer "FALSE" means that the statement is incorrect according to the text. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is FALSE because the library guidelines explicitly state that staff will help the visitor standing directly in front of them before picking up the phone. Therefore, they will not interrupt an in-person conversation to answer a call. |
| Q3 | NOT GIVEN | help you to make use of our automated reservations service | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that the library staff will assist people in using the computer system to reserve books, but it never mentions keeping those reserved books behind the counter. Answer Explanation: The answer means that the text does not say where reserved books are kept or if they are stored behind the counter for pickup. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is NOT GIVEN because the passage only mentions helping people use the "automated reservations service" and keeping the "counter and display areas tidy." It does not provide any information about where books that have been reserved are placed or stored. |
| Q4 | TRUE | carry out a planned programme of library refurbishment that will be reviewed annually | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that the staff will follow a set plan to renovate and improve the library, and this plan will be checked and updated once every year. Answer Explanation: The answer "TRUE" means that the text confirms there is an annual plan to update and improve the library. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is TRUE because the text states that the library will follow a "planned programme of library refurbishment" that is "reviewed annually." In this context, "planned programme" means a schedule, "refurbishment" means improving or fixing up the building, and "annually" means every year. Therefore, the statement completely matches the information given in the text. |
| Q5 | FALSE | We may choose to end a telephone call if a caller becomes abusive, but only after giving due warning of what we are going to do and why | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage states that if a person calling is rude or offensive, the library staff can hang up the phone, but they will always give a warning first before doing so. Answer Explanation: The answer FALSE means the statement does not agree with the text because the information in the reading passage says the opposite. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is FALSE because library staff do not hang up right away when someone is rude. Instead, the passage explains that workers will only end the phone call after first giving the caller a warning about what they will do and why. Therefore, the word "immediately" directly contradicts the text, which requires "giving due warning" first. |
| Q6 | FALSE | acknowledge emails within seven days of receipt but we may not be able to respond fully within this time | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that the library will let people know within seven days that their email was received, but they might not give a complete reply during that week. Answer Explanation: The answer FALSE means that the statement is incorrect according to the text. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is FALSE because the statement claims that staff will give "complete answers" within a week (seven days), but the text clearly states that they "may not be able to respond fully within this time". Instead, they only promise to confirm they got the email ("acknowledge") within seven days and tell you when to expect a full answer. |
| Q7 | D | It has a good mix of regular customers, including some well-known faces from music, sport and the media | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that famous people from music, sports, and television or news eat at this restaurant regularly. Answer Explanation: The answer "D" refers to the restaurant named Thai Palace. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is D because the description of Thai Palace mentions that it has regular customers that include "well-known faces from music, sport and the media." The phrase "well-known faces" means famous people, which is a synonym for "celebrities." |
| Q8 | A | Whether you choose from the cocktail or wine list, you will be spoilt for choice | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage means that customers have many different cocktails and wines to pick from, giving them a very large selection. Answer Explanation: The answer is A, which refers to Strollers Restaurant. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is A because section A states that if you look at their cocktail or wine list, you will be "spoilt for choice." The phrase "spoilt for choice" means having a huge selection or variety of things to choose from, which matches the statement that this place offers "a wide range of wines." |
| Q9 | B | Located near the main high street, within a pedestrianised area, Al Pomodoro offers an authentic taste of Italy | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that this restaurant is in an area made only for people who are walking on foot. Answer Explanation: The answer B means that restaurant B (Al Pomodoro) is the place you must walk to reach. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is B because the text states that Al Pomodoro is located in a "pedestrianised area." The word "pedestrianised" means that cars and other motor vehicles are not allowed on those streets, so people must walk. Therefore, this matches the statement that you have to walk to this place. |
| Q10 | E | A set menu of four courses – at a price of £55 a person – will be served together with wine or soft drinks | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage states that the meal has a fixed four-course menu that costs exactly £55 for each person. Answer Explanation: The answer "E" means Riverton Hall is the restaurant where every customer pays the exact same price for their food. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is E because paragraph E states that the restaurant offers a "set menu... at a price of £55 a person". A set menu with a single price per person means that everyone pays the exact same fixed amount (£55) for their meal. |
| Q11 | C | it is a great place to chill out in deep sofas | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage states that people can sit back, relax, and be comfortable on soft couches at The Old Tavern. Answer Explanation: The answer "C" means that place C, called The Old Tavern, has very comfortable places to sit. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is C because the text for place C mentions that customers can relax in "deep sofas." The phrase "deep sofas" is a synonym for soft, "comfortable seating," and "chill out" means to rest and relax. |
| Q12 | E | Hosts will serve your meal and keep you entertained with a selection of folk songs | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage states that the staff will bring your food and perform traditional folk songs to entertain you. Answer Explanation: The answer E means that Riverton Hall is the place where people can listen to music. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is E because section E states that the hosts will keep guests entertained with "a selection of folk songs." Folk songs are a form of music, which means you can listen to music while eating there. |
| Q13 | B | you can eat on the terrace all year round (be sure to dress warmly on chilly evenings!) | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that customers are able to eat on an outdoor terrace at any time of the year, even when the weather is cool. Answer Explanation: The answer B refers to the restaurant named Al Pomodoro. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is B because the text explains that guests can sit and eat outside on the terrace during any season of the year. The word "terrace" is an outdoor dining space, which directly matches the question's phrase "have your meal outside". |
| Q14 | A | Don’t miss the re-opening of the newly-refurbished Strollers Restaurant next month | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage means that Strollers Restaurant has been updated and will open its doors again next month, which shows that it is closed right now. Answer Explanation: The answer "A" means Strollers Restaurant is the dining place that is not open right now. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is A because the text says people should not miss the "re-opening" of this place "next month." The word "re-opening" means opening again after being shut, and "next month" shows that it is not open at the present time. |
