EASTERN ENERGY & Using Your New Microwave Oven - IELTS Reading Answers & Explanations
From Cambridge IELTS 07 General Training Reading Test 1 · Part 1 · Questions 1–14
Reading Passage
Read the text below and answer Questions 1–7.
EASTERN ENERGY
We are here to help and provide you with personal advice on any matters connected with your bill or any other queries regarding your gas and electricity supply.
Moving home
Please give as much notice as possible if you are moving home, but at least 48 hours is required for us to make the necessary arrangements for your gas and electricity supply. Please telephone our 24-hour line on 01316 753219 with details of your move. In most cases we are happy to accept your meter reading on the day you move. Tell the new occupant that Eastern Energy supply the household, to ensure the service is not interrupted. Remember we can now supply electricity and gas at your new address, anywhere in the UK. If you do not contact us, you may be held responsible for the payment for electricity used after you have moved.
Meter reading
Eastern Energy uses various types of meter ranging from the traditional dial meter to new technology digital display meters. Always read the meter from left to right, ignoring any red dials. If you require assistance, contact our 24-hour line on 0600 7310 310.
Energy Efficiency Line
If you would like advice on the efficient use of energy, please call our Energy Efficiency Line on 0995 7626 513. Please do not use this number for any other enquiries.
Special services
Passwords – you can choose a password so that, whenever we visit you at home, you will know it is us. For more information, ring our helpline on 0995 7290 290.
Help and advice
If you need help or advice with any issues, please contact us on 01316 440188.
Complaints
We hope you will never have a problem or cause to complain, but, if you do, please contact our complaints handling team at PO Box 220, Stanfield, ST55 6GF or telephone us on 01316 753270.
Supply failure
If you experience any problems with your electricity supply, please call free on 0600 7838 836, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
______________
The text on page 107 has seven sections, A–G.
Using your new microwave oven
Some important points to note
A As microwave cooking times are much shorter than other cooking times, it is essential that recommended cooking times are not exceeded without first checking the food.
B Take care when heating small amounts of food as these can easily burn, dry out or catch fire if cooked too long. Always set short cooking times and check the food frequently.
C Take care when heating 'dry' foods, e.g. bread items, chocolate and pastries. These can easily burn or catch fire if cooked too long.
D Some processed meats, such as sausages, have non-porous casings. These must be pierced by a fork before cooking, to prevent bursting. Whole fruit and vegetables should be similarly treated.
E When heating soup, sauces and beverages in your microwave oven, heating beyond boiling point can occur without evidence of bubbling. Care should be taken not to overheat.
F When warming up food for a second time, it is essential that it is served 'piping hot', i.e. steam is being emitted from all parts and any sauce is bubbling. For foods that cannot be stirred, e.g. pizza, the centre should be cut with a knife to test it is well heated through.
G It is important for the safe operation of the oven that it is wiped out regularly. Use warm, soapy water, squeeze the cloth out well and use it to remove any grease or food from the interior. The oven should be unplugged during this process.
Questions
Questions 1–7 True / False / Not Given
Do the following statements agree with the information given in the text on page 104?
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 8–14 Matching Headings
Choose the correct heading for each section from the list of headings below.
i. Re-heating
ii. Foods with skins
iii. Keeping your oven clean
iv. Standing time
v. Rapid cooking times
vi. Using a thermometer
vii. Small quantities of food
viii. Deep fat frying
ix. Foods low in moisture
x. Liquids
Answers & Explanations Summary
| # | Answer | Evidence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q1 | FALSE | Please give as much notice as possible if you are moving home, but at least 48 hours is required for us to make the necessary arrangements for your gas and electricity supply | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that if you move to a new house, you must tell the company at least 48 hours before the move so they can get your gas and electricity ready. Answer Explanation: The answer is FALSE because the text says you must tell the company before you move, not after you get to your new home. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is FALSE because the passage instructs customers to notify the company at least 48 hours before they move. Saying they should inform the company upon arrival contradicts this requirement for advance notice. This ensures that the energy company can prepare the services correctly before the customer actually changes their address. Key words to note are 'notice' (giving information about a future event) and 'required' (something you must do). |
| Q2 | TRUE | In most cases we are happy to accept your meter reading on the day you move Always read the meter from left to right, ignoring any red dials |
Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that the company is glad to take the meter numbers from the customer on move-in day and gives clear instructions on how to read those numbers correctly. Answer Explanation: The answer is TRUE because the text gives instructions for customers to check the numbers on their own meters. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is TRUE because the information in the text shows that reading the meter is something the customer does. The text provides specific steps on how to do it correctly, like looking at the numbers from left to right. It also mentions that the company will take the reading from the customer when they move to a new home. |
| Q3 | NOT GIVEN | Remember we can now supply electricity and gas at your new address, anywhere in the UK | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage confirms that the company can provide both gas and electricity to customers, but it does not give any details about the prices or costs of these energy sources. Answer Explanation: The answer is NOT GIVEN because the text does not provide any information comparing the price of gas to the price of electricity. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is NOT GIVEN because while the passage discusses both gas and electricity as services provided by Eastern Energy, it never mentions which one is cheaper or makes any comparison regarding the cost of using them for heating. To answer 'True' or 'False,' there would need to be specific data or a statement about the cost-effectiveness of one fuel over the other. |
| Q4 | TRUE | Remember we can now supply electricity and gas at your new address, anywhere in the UK | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that the company can provide gas and electricity for your new home, no matter where it is in the country. Answer Explanation: The answer means that the company, Eastern Energy, is able to provide gas and electricity to houses all over the United Kingdom. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is TRUE because the text specifically states that the company can provide energy to a customer's new home regardless of where it is located in the UK. The phrase 'anywhere in the UK' used in the text has the same meaning as 'throughout the country' used in the question. |
| Q5 | FALSE | Please do not use this number for any other enquiries | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage tells the reader that this specific phone number is not for any questions other than advice on using energy well. Answer Explanation: The answer means the statement is incorrect based on the information provided in the text. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is FALSE because the text explicitly states that the Energy Efficiency Line is only for advice on using energy efficiently. It tells customers not to use that phone number for any other types of questions or problems. In contrast, the statement in the question suggests that the line handles other things like 'queries about energy supply,' which contradicts the instruction in the text to use it only for efficiency advice. |
| Q6 | FALSE | contact our complaints handling team at PO Box 220, Stanfield, ST55 6GF or telephone us on 01316 753270 | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that if you have a problem, you can reach the team by writing to their mailbox address or by calling them on the phone. Answer Explanation: The answer means that there is more than one way to make a complaint, not just by using the telephone. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is FALSE because the text says you can contact the complaint team at a mailing address (PO Box 220) or by using a telephone number. The word "or" shows there is a choice between writing a letter and making a call. Because you have a choice to write, the statement that *all* complaints must be made by phone is wrong. |
| Q7 | TRUE | If you experience any problems with your electricity supply, please call free on 0600 7838 836, 24 hours a day, seven days a week | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage states that if your power is not working correctly, you can call a specific phone number at no cost to you. Answer Explanation: The answer means that if your electricity stops working and you call the company to tell them, you do not have to pay any money for that phone call. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is TRUE because the text explains that in the event of a supply failure (a fault), customers can 'call free'. This phrase means there is no cost for the telephone call. The text uses 'problems with your electricity supply' as a synonym for a 'fault in supply'. |
| Q8 | v | As microwave cooking times are much shorter than other cooking times, it is essential that recommended cooking times are not exceeded without first checking the food | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage warns that since microwaves cook things very quickly, you should not cook food for more than the suggested time without checking it first. Answer Explanation: The answer is heading number five, which is 'Rapid cooking times'. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer matches Section A because the text talks about how microwave ovens cook food very fast compared to other methods. The word 'rapid' belongs to the heading and means 'fast' or 'quick'. Section A warns that 'cooking times are much shorter', so it is important to pay attention to how fast the food cooks so that you do not cook it for too long. |
| Q9 | vii | Take care when heating small amounts of food as these can easily burn, dry out or catch fire if cooked too long | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage warns the user to be very careful when warming up a little bit of food because it can easily get too hot and burn if it stays in the microwave for too long. Answer Explanation: The answer identifies the most appropriate heading for Section B as 'Small quantities of food'. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'vii' because Section B specifically addresses the risks and necessary precautions when heating or cooking small portions. The text uses the words 'small amounts', which has the same meaning as 'small quantities' used in the heading. It warns the reader that cooking small portions for too long can cause them to burn or catch fire. |
| Q10 | ix | Take care when heating 'dry' foods, e.g. bread items, chocolate and pastries | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage warns the user to be careful when using the microwave to heat food that is not wet, such as bread or chocolate. Answer Explanation: The answer ix means Section C should be titled 'Foods low in moisture'. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is ix because Section C gives advice on how to handle 'dry' foods. In English, when something is 'dry', it means it contains very little water or 'moisture'. Therefore, 'low in moisture' is a synonym for 'dry'. The section mentions examples like bread and pastries which do not have much liquid in them. |
| Q11 | ii | Some processed meats, such as sausages, have non-porous casings. These must be pierced by a fork before cooking, to prevent bursting. Whole fruit and vegetables should be similarly treated | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that certain meats have protective outer layers and that whole fruits and vegetables also need to have holes poked in them so they do not pop open during cooking. Answer Explanation: The answer is the heading 'Foods with skins'. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is section 'ii' because the text focuses on food items that have an outer layer, like the 'casings' on sausages or the outer part of 'fruit and vegetables'. It explains that you must poke these with a fork to stop them from 'bursting' or exploding while they cook. The word 'casings' and the outer layer of fruit are synonyms for 'skins'. |
| Q12 | x | When heating soup, sauces and beverages in your microwave oven, heating beyond boiling point can occur without evidence of bubbling | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage states that when you heat soup, sauces, or drinks (beverages), they can become very hot (boiling) even if you do not see any bubbles. Answer Explanation: The answer 'x' means that the best title for Section E is 'Liquids'. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'x' because Section E talks about heating soup, sauces, and beverages. All of these things are liquids. The text also mentions 'boiling point' and 'bubbling,' which are words we use when talking about heating liquids. Because the section is about wet foods and drinks, 'Liquids' is the right name for it. |
| Q13 | i | When warming up food for a second time, it is essential that it is served 'piping hot', i.e. steam is being emitted from all parts and any sauce is bubbling | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that when you heat food again (re-heat it), you must make sure it is very hot. You can see it is hot enough when steam comes off the food and any liquid parts have bubbles. Answer Explanation: The answer i means the correct heading for Section F is 'Re-heating'. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is i because Section F focuses on how to safely heat food that has already been cooked. The text uses the phrase 'warming up food for a second time', which is a synonym for 're-heating'. It provides instructions on how to tell if the food is hot enough to eat safely again. |
| Q14 | iii | It is important for the safe operation of the oven that it is wiped out regularly. Use warm, soapy water, squeeze the cloth out well and use it to remove any grease or food from the interior | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that to keep the machine working safely, you must wash the inside often with soap and water to get rid of oil and bits of food. Answer Explanation: The answer iii means that the best heading for Section G is 'Keeping your oven clean'. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is chosen because Section G focuses on how to wash the inside of the oven. It describes using 'warm, soapy water' to 'remove any grease or food' from the 'interior' (the inside). The phrase 'wiped out regularly' is a synonym for cleaning frequently. |