Fundraising Ideas 3: Car Boot Sale - IELTS Reading Answers & Explanations
From Collins Practice Tests For IELTS 2 General Training Reading Test 2 · Part 1 · Questions 1–14
Reading Passage
Read the information below and answer Questions 1–14.
Fundraising Ideas 3: Car Boot Sale
A Car boot sales are a great way to raise money. Even if you don't have a lot of things you don't need, you can ask your friends and family to do a clear-out and give you their unwanted items to help you raise money. Spring is a great time to hold a car boot sale, before everyone goes on holiday and the days get too hot.
B Many people have found this a great way to start their fundraising; it doesn't take a lot of preparation and can raise quite a lot of money in one day. In the past volunteers have raised between £50 and £100 from one car boot sale; you could easily make £200–300 by doing two or three car boot sales if you have a lot of stuff to sell.
C Lots of websites advertise dates for car boot sales. Look at Your Car Booty and Car Boot Junction – websites that list boot sales across the UK. Otherwise, you can pick up your local newspaper or search for 'car boot sales' near you on the internet.
D Look in your garage, shed or attic. If you are not much of a collector, then contact your family and friends to see if they can give you anything to sell. Tell people about the sale through Facebook and Twitter. You could also put up an advert in your local shop asking people to donate their unwanted goods. Tell them it's for a good cause.
E Have a clear-out of all of your stuff, from clothes to furniture. In my house, the garage, shed and loft are normally great places to start! If you're not much of a hoarder, then it's a great idea to contact your friends and family members and see if they have anything you could sell. You can sell pretty much anything at boot sales, including clothing, books, jewellery, CDs, DVDs, games, furniture and kitchen items. Some car boot sales will also let you sell cakes or other food items (but make sure you check first); this can be a great boost to your fundraising and may attract people to your stall too!
F First of all, tell the place holding the car boot sale that you are selling for a good cause – they may offer a lower pitch price for stalls raising money for charity. Next, work out the prices for your items in advance, and either put stickers on them or put a sign up, for example 'All CDs £2'. Advertise that you are raising money for charity, and if people try to bargain you down on your prices, remind them you are raising money for a good cause. They may want to go with the higher price. Finally, check whether tables are provided. If not, you will need to remember to pack one.
G Tip 1: Put your alarm clock on! Car boot sales often start early. Take some hot coffee/tea/chocolate and dress up warm; you will probably be standing outside for a couple of hours!
Tip 2: Early in the car boot sale, you will have people wanting to buy your items at a cheap price. They will then put them on their own stall to sell at a higher price so don't sell all your items too early. Try to have a friend help you in the first couple of hours of the sale.
Tip 3: Say no when people haggle with you if you think the price they are offering is too low.
Questions
Questions 1–6 Matching Headings
The text has seven sections, A–G.
Choose the correct heading for sections B–G from the list of headings below.
Write the correct number, i–ix.
i. What can you sell?
ii. Where can you sell?
iii. What happens on the day?
iv. When is a good time for a car boot sale?
v. How much do car boot sales cost?
vi. How can you start?
vii. Why do a car boot sale?
viii. Who goes to car boot sales?
ix. What do I need to do to prepare?
Questions 7–14 True / False / Not Given
Do the following statements agree with the information given in the text?
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 | vii | Many people have found this a great way to start their fundraising; it doesn't take a lot of preparation and can raise quite a lot of money in one day | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage states that many people use this method because it is simple to get ready for and is a fast way to get a lot of money for a charity. Answer Explanation: The answer is the heading 'Why do a car boot sale?' which explains the benefits of this activity. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'vii' because Section B lists the advantages and positive results of choosing a car boot sale to raise money. It mentions it is a good way to start, easy to prepare, and can earn a lot of money quickly. These points explain 'why' a person would want to do one. |
| Q2 | ii | Lots of websites advertise dates for car boot sales. Look at Your Car Booty and Car Boot Junction – websites that list boot sales across the UK. Otherwise, you can pick up your local newspaper or search for 'car boot sales' near you on the internet | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that you can find the places to sell your items by checking specific websites that cover the whole country, looking in local papers, or using the internet to find sales in your own area. Answer Explanation: The answer 'ii' indicates that Section C provides information about where a person can go to find and participate in a car boot sale. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'ii' because the entire section focus is dedicated to the locations of car boot sales. It lists specific websites that show sale locations across the 'UK', suggests looking in a 'local newspaper', and mentions searching for sales that are 'near you'. These keywords all point to the physical or geographical places where the activity happens. |
| Q3 | vi | Look in your garage, shed or attic. If you are not much of a collector, then contact your family and friends to see if they can give you anything to sell. Tell people about the sale through Facebook and Twitter | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that you should look for things to sell in your home or ask other people for help to get items. It also tells you to use social media to let people know about your sale. This shows you exactly how to begin your project. Answer Explanation: The answer 'vi' means that Section D explains the first steps you should take to begin your fundraising project. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'vi' (How can you start?) because Section D describes the very first actions needed to begin. It suggests looking for items in storage areas like the 'garage' or 'attic' and reaching out to people you know for donations. It also explains how to announce your sale to others using social media. These actions represent the initial phase or the 'start' of the process. |
| Q4 | i | You can sell pretty much anything at boot sales, including clothing, books, jewellery, CDs, DVDs, games, furniture and kitchen items. Some car boot sales will also let you sell cakes or other food items (but make sure you check first) | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage provides a long list of specific items—such as clothes, necklaces, and movies—that a person can trade for money at a car boot sale. Answer Explanation: The answer 'i' means that the best title for Section E is 'What can you sell?'. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'i' because Section E focuses on the different types of objects you can offer to buyers. It lists several items like clothes, furniture, books, and even food. The section shows that almost any item from your home is okay to sell. Heading 'i' (What can you sell?) is the only one that matches this list of goods. |
| Q5 | ix | First of all, tell the place holding the car boot sale that you are selling for a good cause – they may offer a lower pitch price for stalls raising money for charity. Next, work out the prices for your items in advance, and either put stickers on them or put a sign up, for example 'All CDs £2'. Advertise that you are raising money for charity, and if people try to bargain you down on your prices, remind them you are raising money for a good cause. They may want to go with the higher price. Finally, check whether tables are provided. If not, you will need to remember to pack one | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that you should talk to the organizers, set your prices early, and make sure you have everything you need, like a table, ready to go. Answer Explanation: The answer 'ix' means that Section F is about the things you must do to get ready before the car boot sale begins. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'ix' because Section F describes several steps to take before the day of the sale. It mentions contacting the location, deciding on prices 'in advance' (beforehand), making signs, and checking if you need to bring your own table. These are all parts of the planning and preparation process. The words 'First of all', 'Next', and 'Finally' show a sequence of tasks to be completed before the event starts. |
| Q6 | iii | Tip 1: Put your alarm clock on! Car boot sales often start early. Take some hot coffee/tea/chocolate and dress up warm; you will probably be standing outside for a couple of hours | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that since these sales begin very early in the morning, you must wake up early and prepare for the weather because you will be outside for a long time. Answer Explanation: The answer iii indicates that this section describes guidelines and events that take place on the actual day the car boot sale happens. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is iii because Section G focuses on the experience of the event day itself. It covers waking up early using an alarm, preparing for the cold weather, and managing interactions with buyers as the 'sale' begins and continues for several hours. Keywords such as 'start early' and 'during the car boot sale' confirm that these tips apply to the specific day of the activity. |
| Q7 | FALSE | Spring is a great time to hold a car boot sale, before everyone goes on holiday and the days get too hot | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that spring is a good time to have a sale because it is a time *before* people leave for their vacations and before the weather becomes too warm. Answer Explanation: The answer means the statement is not correct according to the information given in the text. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is FALSE because the text says spring is a good time for a car boot sale *before* people go away for their holidays. The question says it is a good time *because of* the holidays. Since the text says to do it before people leave, the reason given in the question is incorrect. |
| Q8 | NOT GIVEN | In the past volunteers have raised between £50 and £100 from one car boot sale | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that in previous years, people have made anywhere from £50 to £100 at a single sale, but it does not give a specific average number. Answer Explanation: The answer is NOT GIVEN because the text does not say exactly how much money people make on average. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is NOT GIVEN because the passage only provides a range of what people have earned in the past. It mentions that volunteers have raised between £50 and £100. While £75 is the middle of those two numbers, the text never uses the word 'average' or confirms that this specific amount is the typical result for everyone. Therefore, we cannot know if the average is exactly £75. |
| Q9 | TRUE | contact your family and friends to see if they can give you anything to sell | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that you should talk to your family and your friends to see if they have any items that they can give you for your sale. Answer Explanation: The answer means that it is true that you can ask people you know well to give you items that you can sell to earn money. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is TRUE because the passage suggests that if you do not have enough items to sell on your own, you should reach out to those you know, such as friends and family. In the text, 'family and friends' are synonyms for 'people close to you,' and asking for something 'to sell' is directly mentioned. |
| Q10 | NOT GIVEN | You can sell pretty much anything at boot sales, including clothing, books, jewellery, CDs, DVDs, games, furniture and kitchen items | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage lists many different objects that people can sell at these events, such as clothes, jewelry, and games, but it does not mention selling cars or other vehicles. Answer Explanation: The answer is NOT GIVEN because the text does not say whether you are allowed to sell vehicles or not. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is NOT GIVEN because the passage provides a list of things you can sell, such as clothes, books, and furniture, but it never mentions vehicles (like cars or motorcycles). Even though it says you can sell 'pretty much anything,' it does not provide specific information to confirm or deny if vehicles are allowed. |
| Q11 | TRUE | First of all, tell the place holding the car boot sale that you are selling for a good cause – they may offer a lower pitch price for stalls raising money for charity | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that if you tell the people running the event that you are raising money for a charity, they might give you a cheaper price for your selling spot. Answer Explanation: The answer is TRUE because the text confirms that sellers who are helping a charity might pay a cheaper price for their stall. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is supported by the text in section F. It suggests that you should inform the organizers if you are selling items for a 'good cause' (which means charity). By doing this, the organizers might give you a 'lower pitch price' (a discount on the cost of your space). This directly matches the statement in the question. |
| Q12 | FALSE | Finally, check whether tables are provided. If not, you will need to remember to pack one | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage tells the reader to find out if tables are at the sale location. If the location does not have them, the reader is told to bring their own table. Answer Explanation: The answer means that the statement is incorrect because sellers cannot depend on the organisers to give them tables every time. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is FALSE because the text advises sellers to verify if tables are available at the event. It clearly states that if tables are not provided by the organisers, you must bring your own. The word "always" in the statement makes it false, as the passage acknowledges that sometimes you need to "pack one" yourself. |
| Q13 | TRUE | Early in the car boot sale, you will have people wanting to buy your items at a cheap price. They will then put them on their own stall to sell at a higher price so don't sell all your items too early | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that when the sale starts, some people will try to buy your things for very little money. They do this because they plan to put those same things on their own table (stall) to sell them for a higher price. Answer Explanation: The answer means that other people selling at the event will take your items to sell at their own spots. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is True because the text warns sellers about this specific behavior in the 'Tips' section. It notes that at the beginning of the event, some buyers are actually other sellers who want to get your items for a low cost so they can sell them for more money at their own tables. Key words to notice are 'buy your items', 'cheap price', and 'own stall'. |
| Q14 | FALSE | Say no when people haggle with you if you think the price they are offering is too low | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that you should refuse to sell an item if the buyer wants to pay a price that you feel is not high enough. Answer Explanation: The answer means that you do not have to say yes to every price someone offers you for your items. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is FALSE because the text gives advice on what to do when people try to 'haggle' (argue for a lower price). Specifically, Tip 3 says that if someone offers you a price that is too small, you should refuse it. Therefore, the statement saying you should accept all offers is incorrect according to the guidelines. |