How To Choose Your Builder & Island Adventure Activities - IELTS Reading Answers & Explanations
From Cambridge IELTS 16 General Training Reading Test 2 · Part 1 · Questions 1–14
Reading Passage
==== Read the text below and answer questions 1-7 ====
How to choose your builder
Building a new home is a significant investment, and it’s essential to find the right builder for the job. Before you look for a builder, it’s important to develop a comprehensive budget and have clear plans. Once you have a design in mind, it is time to start narrowing down your builder shortlist, and this starts with assessing how qualified each builder is. In Australia, this means checking that the builder holds a residential building licence. Most states have their own building authority who you can contact to check a builder’s licence.
You can also check if the builder is a member of an industry association such as the Housing Industry Association (HIA), and whether they have won any industry awards. For instance, the HIA runs a state and national awards programme, with a category that recognises the level of customer service that a builder delivers.
Most experts agree that display homes {homes constructed by the builder that are open to the public) offer a great opportunity to study their work up close. Display homes are usually offered by major project builders who work on a large scale and can deliver good quality and value. You can also talk to the salesperson and find out about the home design and what is and isn’t included in the sale price. And it may be possible to talk to other customers you meet there and ask their opinion of the workmanship in the display home.
Finally, avoid signing any business contract before you have read and understood it thoroughly. Ask your builder to use a standard building contract that has been designed to comply with the Domestic Building Contracts Act, and to be fair to both client and builder. You have five business days within which you may withdraw from the contract after signing it.
==== Read the text below and answer Questions 8-14 ====
Island adventure activities
A Rib riding
Conquer stormy seas on a high-speed ride in an RIB (Rigid Inflatable Boat). These powerful boats cut through choppy waters with ease. You’ll need to hold on tight as the boat bounces across the wake of awesome cruise liners in one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes.
B Horse riding
Experience the thrill of riding on horseback along peaceful country lanes and secluded bridleways with the help of expert guides. Even a novice can quickly take the reins and feel the thrill of riding one of nature’s most magnificent beasts.
C Kayaking
Test your kayak nerves paddling around a deserted military fort built on a rocky outcrop out at sea, then explore the island’s busy harbours before gliding back to dry land where a hot shower and a cup of tea await.
D Cycling
Test your endurance on the famous Round the Island Cycle Route. Grit your teeth and tackle the brutal hills in the south of the island, or for something less challenging, discover our car-free cycle tracks on former railway lines.
E Segway riding
Have you got what it takes to master a Segway? In theory, these quirky electric machines are simple to control, with users leaning forwards to go faster and back to slow down. In reality, you’ll need some practice before you can master the skill and glide around the island.
F Tree climbing
A climb into the canopy of a 25-metre oak tree is an amazing experience. Supported by a rope and harness, you can stand on branches no bigger than your wrist, and swing out between the boughs, or simply take the opportunity to lie in a tree-top hammock and absorb the stunning bird’s eye views.
G Coasteering
Tackle the spectacular coast in the north of the island. Scrabble over the rocks around cliff edges as the waves crash around you, dive through submerged caves and emerge onto a beach once used by smugglers. This is a thrilling experience, but not an adventure to attempt alone.
H Mountain boarding
First developed as an off-season alternative to winter sports and now a sport in its own right, mountain boarding has the speed of snowboarding but with a harder landing when you fall. After a bit of practice and a few bruises, you’ll learn to control the ride and can join the few people who can call themselves mountain boarders.
Questions
Questions 1–7 True / False / Not Given
Do the following statements agree with the information given in the text? In boxes on your answer sheet, 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
Questions 8–14 Matching Information
Look at the eight advertisements for adventure sports on an island. For which adventure sport are the following statements true? Write the correct letter, A-H, in boxes on your answer sheet. NB You may use any letter more than once.
Answers & Explanations Summary
| # | Answer | Evidence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q1 | False | Once you have a design in mind, it is time to start narrowing down your builder shortlist | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage means that you should have your house design ready before you start looking for builders. Answer Explanation: The answer is False. This means the statement is not correct. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is False because the passage says you need to develop a design before you start looking for a builder. You first make a clear plan and budget, then you look for a builder. This means you decide on the design before selecting the builder, not after. |
| Q2 | True | In Australia, this means checking that the builder holds a residential building licence | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that in Australia, you must check if the builder has a licence. This shows you can ensure the builder is qualified. Answer Explanation: The answer is True, which means the statement is correct. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is true because the passage says you need to check if a builder has a residential building licence in Australia. This means you can confirm that the builder is allowed to work legally. |
| Q3 | Not given | You can also check if the builder is a member of an industry association such as the Housing Industry Association (HIA), and whether they have won any industry awards | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says you can see if a builder belongs to the Housing Industry Association and if they have any awards. This does not mean all good builders are members. Answer Explanation: The answer means that the text does not say if the best builders are usually part of the Housing Industry Association. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'Not given' because the passage tells us that you can check if a builder is a member of the Housing Industry Association (HIA), but it does not say that the best builders are usually members of it. There is no specific information saying that being a member means they are the best. |
| Q4 | True | For instance, the HIA runs a state and national awards programme, with a category that recognises the level of customer service that a builder delivers | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that the HIA has awards for builders who provide good customer service. This shows that they value and reward high service standards. Answer Explanation: The answer is true. This means that the Housing Industry Association (HIA) gives awards to builders that have very good customer service. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is true because the passage says that the HIA runs awards that recognize the level of customer service that a builder delivers, which means they reward builders who have high standards of service. |
| Q5 | False | Display homes are usually offered by major project builders who work on a large scale and can deliver good quality and value | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that big builders are the ones who often have homes for people to see, not builders who work on small projects. Answer Explanation: The answer is 'False'. This means that the statement is not true. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'False' because the passage mentions that display homes are usually offered by major project builders, not smaller builders. Focus on the words 'major project builders' in the passage. |
| Q6 | True | Ask your builder to use a standard building contract that has been designed to comply with the Domestic Building Contracts Act | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that you should request your builder to use a contract that follows the rules of the Domestic Building Contracts Act. This helps ensure the contract is fair and safe. Answer Explanation: The answer is 'True' because it is a good idea to have a contract that follows the rules of the Domestic Building Contracts Act. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'True' because the passage states you should ask your builder to use a standard building contract that complies with the Domestic Building Contracts Act. This means the contract should follow the rules set by this act, which is advisable for safety and fairness. |
| Q7 | False | You have five business days within which you may withdraw from the contract after signing it | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that after signing the contract, you can still change your mind within five business days. This means the contract is not completely final right away. Answer Explanation: The answer means that a contract does not take effect as lawfully binding just because someone signs it. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is FALSE because the passage says you have a period of five business days to withdraw from the contract after signing. This means it is not fully binding immediately. |
| Q8 | F | A climb into the canopy of a 25-metre oak tree is an amazing experience. Supported by a rope and harness | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that when you climb a tall oak tree, you will use a rope and a harness for safety. This means that you can enjoy climbing without worrying about falling. Answer Explanation: The answer is F, which means 'Tree climbing'. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is F because tree climbing involves using safety equipment like a rope and harness to climb trees. The passage mentions that climbers are supported by this equipment, ensuring their safety while they enjoy the experience. |
| Q9 | H | First developed as an off-season alternative to winter sports and now a sport in its own right, mountain boarding has the speed of snowboarding but with a harder landing when you fall | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that mountain boarding is like snowboarding, but when you fall, you land harder. This means you might get hurt a little. Answer Explanation: The answer is H, which means mountain boarding. Mountain boarding can cause small injuries. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is H because mountain boarding is noted for having a harder landing if you fall, which can lead to minor injuries. This activity mentions the risk of getting hurt, especially when practicing. |
| Q10 | C | Test your kayak nerves paddling around a deserted military fort built on a rocky outcrop out at sea | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says you can paddle around an old military building that is empty and away from people, which fits with seeing a disused and isolated building. Answer Explanation: The answer is C. This means that the correct adventure sport is kayaking. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is C because the description mentions paddling around a deserted military fort. This suggests you can see an isolated building while kayaking. |
| Q11 | F | simply take the opportunity to lie in a tree-top hammock and absorb the stunning bird's eye views | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that when you climb a tall oak tree, you can have a wonderful experience. You can even lie down in a hammock among the trees and enjoy a great view from high above. Answer Explanation: The answer means that the adventure sport is about climbing trees where you can lie in a hammock high up in the tree and see everything below. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is F, which stands for tree climbing. This sport allows you to climb up a tall oak tree and relax in a hammock. While you're high up, you can look down and enjoy the view, which is described as stunning. This sport is unique because you get to be above the ground in a very special place among the tree branches. |
| Q12 | A | Conquer stormy seas on a high-speed ride in an RIB (Rigid Inflatable Boat). These powerful boats cut through choppy waters with ease. You'll need to hold on tight as the boat bounces across the wake of awesome cruise liners in one of the world's busiest shipping lanes | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says you will have a fast ride in a special boat on rough water and nearby big ships. You should hold on tight because the boat moves up and down a lot. Answer Explanation: The answer is A, which means you will go on a fast boat ride in rough water near large ships. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is A because it talks about taking a high-speed ride in an RIB (Rigid Inflatable Boat) through rough seas, near big cruise liners. This matches the statement about an exciting trip in rough water close to big ships. |
| Q13 | D | for something less challenging, discover our car-free cycle tracks on former railway lines | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says you can find easier bike paths that were old train tracks. Answer Explanation: The answer means 'D' for Cycling. This sport lets you choose if you want an easier or a harder ride. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'D' for Cycling because the passage explains that you can ride on car-free tracks that are less challenging or you can tackle the tough hills. This shows that there are easy options and more difficult ones for cycling. |
| Q14 | E | In theory, these quirky electric machines are simple to control, with users leaning forwards to go faster and back to slow down. In reality, you’ll need some practice before you can master the skill | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that while Segways seem easy to use, in real life, you have to practice to really learn how to use them correctly. Answer Explanation: The answer means that the sport is about using a Segway, which is a type of electric machine. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is A because the statement suggests the activity is not as easy as it seems. Segway riding can look simple, but you need to practice to actually master it. This connects to the statement about finding the activity more difficult than expected. |