Is Your Child At School Today? – School Attendance Information For Parents/carers & Holiday Apartment To Let - IELTS Reading Answers & Explanations
From Cambridge IELTS 11 General Training Reading Test 1 · Part 1 · Questions 1–14
Reading Passage
==== Read the text below and answer Questions 1-5. ====
Is your child at school today? - School attendance information for parents/carers
Introduction
Receiving a good full-time education will give your child the best possible start in life. Attending school regularly and punctually is essential if children are to make the most of the opportunities available to them. The law says that parents must ensure that their child regularly attends the school where he/she is registered.
What you can do to help
• Make sure your child arrives at school on time. This encourages habits of good timekeeping and lessens any possible classroom disruption. If your child arrives after the register has closed without a good reason, this will be recorded as an ‘unauthorised’ absence for that session.
• If your child has to miss school it is vital that you let the school know why, preferably on the first morning of absence. (Your child’s school will have an attendance policy explaining how this should be done.)
• If you know or think that your child is having difficulties attending school you should contact the school. It is better to do this sooner rather than later, as most problems can be dealt with very quickly.
Authorised and Unauthorised Absence
If your child is absent and the school either does not receive an explanation from you, or considers the explanation unsatisfactory, it will record your child’s absence as ‘unauthorised’, that is, as truancy.
Most absences for acceptable reasons will be authorised by your child’s school:
• Sickness
• Unavoidable medical or dental appointments (if possible, arrange these for after school or during school holidays)
• An interview with a prospective employer or college
• Exceptional family circumstances, such as bereavement
• Days of religious observance.
Your child’s school will not authorise absence for the following reasons:
• Shopping during school hours
• Day trips
• Holidays which have not been agreed
• Birthdays
• Looking after brothers or sisters or ill relatives.
==== Read the text below and answer Questions 6-14. ====
Holiday apartment to let
A Sleeps 2-3. One-bedroom apartment with uninterrupted sea views. This is a small first floor apartment in a well-established apartment complex containing a range of leisure facilities and a supermarket for residents. On the edge of the town but close to cafés and restaurants. On-street parking is generally available.
B Sleeps 2-4. Spacious one-bedroom apartment in a complex that has only just opened, five minutes’ walk from the sea. Private parking in front of building. It is located in a quiet, unspoilt village with a local market, banks, cafés and restaurants. There are some fabulous championship golf courses within easy walking distance.
C Sleeps 2+child. One-bedroom cottage (child’s bed can also be provided), large terrace with uninterrupted views of the river and mountains. A truly peaceful location in a picturesque village, but less than ten minutes’ drive from the coast and all the amenities of a town. Owners live nearby and are happy to help in any way they can.
D Sleeps 2-5. Two-bedroom apartment in a complex with its own pool and beautiful views of the national park. A peaceful location just 3 km from the town centre, where there are plenty of shops and excellent sports facilities. Superb local golf courses within easy reach.
E Sleeps 2-4. Modern one-bedroom first floor apartment in house, owners resident on ground floor. This great location offers easy access to all that this fantastic town has to offer, a few minutes’ drive from its supermarket, bank, cafés, restaurants. The ferry to the island beach leaves from 100 m away. Ten minutes walk from the new shopping centre, which has many shops, food hall, cinema and multi-storey car park.
F Sleeps 2. One-bedroom first floor apartment. Beautifully furnished, offering a high standard of comfort. Situated in a peaceful location on the edge of an inland village, with attractive views of the golf course. Many restaurants, bars, shops etc. are within easy walking distance. Garage available by arrangement with the owners.
G Sleeps 2-4. Two-bedroom apartment in central location in busy street with shops, restaurants etc. not far from the beach. The town has ideal facilities for holidays all year round, including swimming pool, tennis courts and golf course.
Questions
Questions 1–5 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 6–14 Matching Information
The text has seven sections, A-G. For which apartment are the following statements true?
Write the correct letter, A-G, in boxes on your answer sheet.
NB You may use any letter more than once.
Answers & Explanations Summary
| # | Answer | Evidence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q1 | TRUE | The law says that parents must ensure that their child regularly attends the school where he/she is registered | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that there is a rule that parents have to make sure their child goes to the school they are signed up for. Answer Explanation: The answer means that children have to attend the school where they are officially signed up. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is TRUE because the passage says, 'The law says that parents must ensure that their child regularly attends the school where he/she is registered.' This clearly states that children must go to the school they are registered in. |
| Q2 | FALSE | If your child arrives after the register has closed without a good reason, this will be recorded as an 'unauthorised' absence for that session | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that if your child is late and does not have a good reason, it will be counted as an 'unauthorised' absence. This means that being late is not always bad; it depends on the reason. Answer Explanation: The answer means that not every arrival after the register is closed is counted as an 'unauthorised' absence. There can be good reasons. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is FALSE because the passage explains that only arrivals after the register has closed without a good reason will be recorded as 'unauthorised' absences. Having a good reason for being late can prevent it from being counted as truancy. |
| Q3 | NOT GIVEN | If your child has to miss school it is vital that you let the school know why, preferably on the first morning of absence | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that if your child is absent, you should tell the school why they are not there, ideally on the first day. It does not mention that this must be done in a letter. Answer Explanation: The answer is 'NOT GIVEN'. This means the text does not say that you must send a letter if your child is absent from school. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'NOT GIVEN' because the passage mentions notifying the school about your child's absence but does not specifically say a letter must be sent. It just says you should let the school know, preferably on the first morning of absence, leaving out any specifics about letters. |
| Q4 | NOT GIVEN | If you know or think that your child is having difficulties attending school you should contact the school | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that if parents think their child has problems at school, they should reach out to the school. It does not say the school will reach out to the parents. Answer Explanation: The answer is 'NOT GIVEN' because the passage does not say whether staff will contact parents when a child has difficulties. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'NOT GIVEN' because the text talks about parents contacting the school if they think their child is having difficulties, but it does not mention that staff will contact the parents. |
| Q5 | NOT GIVEN | If your child is absent and the school either does not receive an explanation from you, or considers the explanation unsatisfactory, it will record your child's absence as 'unauthorised', that is, as truancy | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that if a child is absent without a good reason, the school will mark it as 'unauthorised'. It does not say schools will inform other authorities about this. Answer Explanation: The answer means that the text does not say anything about schools contacting other authorities for children who miss school a lot without permission. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is NOT GIVEN because the passage talks about school attendance, authorised and unauthorised absences, and what parents should do if their child is having difficulties. However, it does not mention anything about schools contacting other authorities for children with frequent unauthorised absences. |
| Q6 | F | Situated in a peaceful location on the edge of an inland village, with attractive views of the golf course | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that apartment F is in a quiet place and has nice views of the golf course. Answer Explanation: The answer means that apartment F is the one that has a nice view of a golf course. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is F because it says the apartment has beautiful views of the golf course. This matches the question that asks for the apartment overlooking a golf course. |
| Q7 | B | It is located in a quiet, unspoilt village with a local market, banks, cafés and restaurants. There are some fabulous championship golf courses within easy walking distance | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage tells us that apartment B is in a nice village with local shops and restaurants, and it also has a private parking space in front of the building. Answer Explanation: The answer is B. This means apartment B has its own parking space. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is B because it specifically says in the description that 'Private parking in front of building' is available for this apartment. |
| Q8 | G | Two-bedroom apartment in central location in busy street with shops, restaurants etc. not far from the beach | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that apartment G is two bedrooms and it is in a central place. This means it is in the middle of the town, close to shops and restaurants, and not too far from the beach. Answer Explanation: The answer is G. This means that apartment G is located in the middle of a town. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is G because it says that this apartment is in a central location, which means it is at the center of the town. The passage describes the location of each apartment, and for G, it specifically mentions being in a busy street near shops and restaurants, showing it is central. |
| Q9 | A | One-bedroom apartment with uninterrupted sea views | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that apartment A has a one-bedroom and you can see the sea very well from it. Answer Explanation: The answer means that in apartment A, you can see the sea. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is A because it mentions that apartment A has 'uninterrupted sea views', which means you can see the sea clearly from there. |
| Q10 | D | D Sleeps 2-5. Two-bedroom apartment in a complex with its own pool and beautiful views of the national park | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that apartment D can hold 2 to 5 people, has two bedrooms, and it is in a complex that has its own swimming pool. Answer Explanation: The answer means that apartment D has a swimming pool for people who stay there. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is D because the description says it is a two-bedroom apartment in a complex that has its own pool. This means residents can use the swimming pool when they stay at the apartment. |
| Q11 | B | Spacious one-bedroom apartment in a complex that has only just opened, five minutes' walk from the sea | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that this apartment is in a new building that has just opened. This tells us it is not old. Answer Explanation: The answer is B. This means that apartment B is in a new apartment building. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is B because it says in the passage that apartment B is 'in a complex that has only just opened.' This means it is new. Other apartments do not mention being new, so only B is correct. |
| Q12 | A | This is a small first floor apartment in a well-established apartment complex containing a range of leisure facilities and a supermarket for residents | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that apartment A is a small apartment in a building with other apartments. This building has many things to enjoy and also has a supermarket that people who live there can use. Answer Explanation: The answer means that the apartment is in a place that has its own supermarket. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is A because it specifically states that it is a small first floor apartment in a well-established apartment complex containing a supermarket for residents. This means that in apartment A, people living there have a supermarket close by. |
| Q13 | C | One-bedroom cottage (child's bed can also be provided), large terrace with uninterrupted views of the river and mountains | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage talks about a one-bedroom cottage that has a big sitting area outside called a terrace, and it has nice views of the river and mountains. Answer Explanation: The answer is C. This means the apartment C has a special outside space where you can sit. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is C because the text describes apartment C as having a 'large terrace with uninterrupted views of the river and mountains,' which suggests it has a private outdoor area. |
| Q14 | F | Garage available by arrangement with the owners | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that if you want parking, you can ask the owners, and they will help you arrange it. Answer Explanation: The answer is F. This means that in apartment F, the owners can help you find parking if you ask them. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is F because it says 'Garage available by arrangement with the owners.' This means you can ask the owners to help you with parking. |