Job Advertisements & INTERCITY Sleeper between London and Scotland - IELTS Reading Answers & Explanations
From Cambridge IELTS 09 General Training Reading Test 1 · Part 1 · Questions 1–14
Reading Passage
Read the text below and answer Questions 1-6.
Job Advertisements
A
HELP – snack bar serving person
Bright, friendly, experience not essential
Energy and enthusiasm an absolute must
Sat & Sun only
Call or drop in at Kingsway Centre, Melbourn/Royston.
Tel: 01763 24272 and ask for the Manager.
B
Granta Hotel
requires a part-time silver service waiter/waitress.
Only applicants with experience and good references need apply.
Excellent wages, meals on duty.
Tel: 01223 51468 (office hours)
C
WANTED from January till July, a nanny/carer for Toby, 2 yrs. Formal qualifications not as important as a sensible, warm and imaginative approach.
Hours: 8.30-5.00 Mon-Fri
Car driver essential, non smoker
References required
For further details phone: 01480 88056 after 6pm.
D
Cleaner required for 12-floor modern office block in the Station Road area, St Ives.
2 hours per day. Mondays to Fridays – to finish work before the offices open
Wages: £80 per week
Tel: 01223 93292
E
Mature, experienced Administrator/Secretary
for soft furnishing company, working within the hotel industry
Hours: 1pm – 5pm, Mon – Fri
Phone: Mr S Quinn 01353 71251
F
FULL-TIME COOK for a new and exciting café venture.
Good conditions. Pay and hours can be negotiated.
Apply Red Cafe (01863) 72052
G
50-Seater Restaurant
TO LET
Ideal for very experienced person looking to start up on their own.
Located on busy A10 road.
Reply Box No. P762, Newmarket Newspapers Ltd.,
51 Cambridge Road, Newmarket, CB8 3BN
______________
Read the text below and answer Questions 7-14.
INTERCITY Sleeper between London and Scotland
Most tickets may be used for travel by Sleeper, subject to availability, and a reservation in a two-berth cabin can be made for £25, except in the case of Solo and Special tickets, which include Sleeper reservations in the fare. The price includes early morning tea or coffee and biscuits. A continental or hot breakfast can be ordered if you wish.
Choose from a range of tickets to suit your journey.
A – SuperApex
Only available for travel after 9am. Book at least 2 weeks ahead and travel between Edinburgh or Glasgow and London for the unbeatable price of £59 return. This ticket is non-refundable unless the service is cancelled.
B – Apex
A real bargain fare. Only £69 return between Edinburgh or Glasgow and London. Great value Sleeper travel available by booking at least a week before outward travel. Ticket refundable on payment of a 25% administrative charge.
C – SuperSaver
Available right up to the day of travel and valid any day except these peak days: all Fridays, also 18-30 December, 31 March and 28 May. Departures between midnight and 2am count as previous day's departures. London to Glasgow or Edinburgh £82.
D – Saver
This flexible ticket is valid every day and can be bought on the day of travel. Your ticket allows standard class travel on any train between 10am and midnight. No seat reservations available. London to Glasgow or Edinburgh £95.
E – Solo
Treat yourself and enjoy exclusive use of a Standard cabin. Solo is an inclusive return travel ticket with Sleeper reservations for one or both directions. Outward and return reservations should be made at the time of booking. The journey must include a Saturday night away. £140-£160 London to Edinburgh/Glasgow return.
F – Special
Special is an inclusive return travel package for two people including sleeper reservations for one or both directions. It can mean savings for both of you. Outward and return reservations should be made at the time of booking. From £120.
G – Standard
Not the cheapest option but available up to the time of travel and valid for all trains and at all times. You are advised to turn up early for travel on a Friday.
Questions
Questions 1–6 Matching Information
Look at the seven job advertisements, A-G, on page 104 and read the descriptions of people below.
Which is the most suitable job for each person?
Write the correct letter, A-G, in boxes 1-6 on your answer sheet.
Questions 7–14 Matching Information
Look at the seven types of train ticket, A-G, on page 107.
For which type of train ticket are the following statements true?
Write the correct letter, A-G, in boxes 7-14 on your answer sheet.
NB You may use any letter more than once.
Answers & Explanations Summary
| # | Answer | Evidence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q1 | D | Cleaner required for 12-floor modern office block in the Station Road area, St Ives. 2 hours per day. Mondays to Fridays – to finish work before the offices open | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that they need a cleaner to work for two hours every day from Monday to Friday, and this work must be finished early in the morning before people come to the office to work. Answer Explanation: The answer D points to the job advertisement for a cleaner in an office building. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is Advertisement D because it matches all the needs of the person described. Cleaning is considered 'unskilled work' as no special training or degrees are listed. The job takes only '2 hours per day', which is a 'few hours a week'. Finally, the requirement to 'finish work before the offices open' means the work must be done in the 'early mornings'. |
| Q2 | C | WANTED from January till July, a nanny/carer for Toby, 2 yrs. Formal qualifications not as important as a sensible, warm and imaginative approach Hours: 8.30-5.00 Mon-Fri |
Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that the job is temporary (it starts in January and ends in July) and that official school certificates (formal qualifications) are not very important. It also shows that the work happens during normal daytime hours throughout the work week (Monday to Friday). Answer Explanation: The answer is job choice C, which is a position for a nanny or child carer. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is C because it satisfies all the specific requirements of the job seeker mentioned in the question. First, the job is 'short term' because it only lasts 'from January till July'. Second, it is suitable for someone with no 'qualifications' as the advertisement states that 'formal qualifications' (certificates or degrees) are not the most important thing. Third, it is a 'full-time' position with 'Monday to Friday' hours, specifically stated as '8.30-5.00 Mon-Fri'. While the person has no experience and the job asks for references, it is the only advertisement that matches the required schedule and temporary nature of the request. |
| Q3 | A | Bright, friendly, experience not essentialEnergy and enthusiasm an absolute mustSat & Sun only | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage shows that the job does not require previous work experience, it needs someone with a lot of energy, and the work only happens on the weekend. Answer Explanation: The answer is advertisement A, which is a job for a server at a food counter. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is A because this job is perfect for the person described. For someone 'lively', the ad asks for 'Energy and enthusiasm'. For someone with 'no experience', it says 'experience not essential'. For someone who 'cannot work on weekdays', it says the job is 'Sat & Sun only' (Saturday and Sunday), which are weekend days. |
| Q4 | G | Ideal for very experienced person looking to start up on their own | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that this specific opportunity is best for a person who has worked for a long time and wants to begin a business by themselves. Answer Explanation: The answer is option G because this advertisement describes a restaurant for rent, which is perfect for someone who wants to be their own boss and has a lot of experience in the food business. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is G because the advertisement mentions that the restaurant is 'TO LET', which means someone can rent it to run their own business. It specifically states that it is 'ideal for very experienced person looking to start up on their own'. This matches the description of a person with over 20 years of experience who wants to lead their own company. The word 'catering' relates to the '50-Seater Restaurant' mentioned at the beginning of the ad. |
| Q5 | F | FULL-TIME COOK for a new and exciting café venture | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage expresses that a new cafe business is looking for a cook to work for them on a full-time basis. Answer Explanation: The answer is job advertisement F, which describes a position for a cook to work a full weekly schedule. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is F because it is the only job advertisement that matches both the professional training and the schedule requirements of the person described. A catering college graduate has specifically studied how to prepare food and work in a kitchen, making them perfect for a "COOK" position. Additionally, the person is searching for their first "full-time" job, and advertisement F is the only one in the list that is both related to food and explicitly labeled as "FULL-TIME." |
| Q6 | B | **Granta Hotel** **requires a part-time silver service waiter/waitress.** Only applicants with experience and good references need apply. Excellent wages, meals on duty | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage shows that the Granta Hotel is looking for a waiter or waitress to work part-time. It states that only people who already have experience should apply for the job and that the pay (wages) is very good. Answer Explanation: The answer is Job B, which is for someone to work as a server at a hotel. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is Job B because it matches all the needs of the person described. The person wants to work in a hotel, and this job is at the Granta Hotel. The person is looking for part-time work, and the ad specifically asks for a "part-time" worker. The person has many years of experience, and the ad says that "only applicants with experience" should apply. Lastly, the person wants a well-paid job, and the ad promises "excellent wages." |
| Q7 | F | Special is an inclusive return travel package for two people including sleeper reservations for one or both directions. It can mean savings for both of you | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that the 'Special' ticket is for a group of two people and clarifies that using it can help those travelers save money. Answer Explanation: The answer is ticket type F, which is a special deal for two people traveling together. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is F because this ticket type is a package specifically designed for two people. The passage states that it results in 'savings' for both individuals, which is a clear benefit or advantage when booking a journey with a friend. |
| Q8 | C | Available right up to the day of travel and valid any day except these peak days: all Fridays, also 18-30 December, 31 March and 28 May | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that the ticket is good to use on almost any day. However, it lists a few special days when you cannot use it, and the first one mentioned is "all Fridays." Answer Explanation: The answer is Ticket C because this specific ticket is not allowed to be used on a Friday. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is C because the text for the SuperSaver ticket says it can be used on any day except for busy times called "peak days." It specifically lists "all Fridays" as a time when you cannot use the ticket. Other tickets either work every day or do not mention a Friday rule. |
| Q9 | G | Not the cheapest option but available up to the time of travel and valid for all trains and at all times | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that although this ticket costs more, you can buy it right before you leave and use it for any train trip at any hour. Answer Explanation: The answer G refers to the Standard ticket, which is the only option that people can use at any time they want. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is G because the text explicitly states that the Standard ticket is 'valid for all trains and at all times.' This means there are no rules or limits (restrictions) on which train you can take or when you can travel. In contrast, other tickets like SuperApex or SuperSaver have specific rules about what time or day you can use them. |
| Q10 | B | Great value Sleeper travel available by booking at least a week before outward travel | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that you can get this ticket if you buy it at least seven days before your trip begins. Answer Explanation: The answer B refers to the 'Apex' ticket, which requires you to pay for it several days before you actually go on your trip. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is B because the description for the Apex ticket states that you must book it 'at least a week before' you travel. Since one week is equal to seven days, the deadline or furthest point you can wait to buy this ticket is 7 days before you leave. This matches the question's requirement of a 7-day booking limit. |
| Q11 | A | Only available for travel after 9am. Book at least 2 weeks ahead and travel between Edinburgh or Glasgow and London for the unbeatable price of £59 return | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage states that you can only use this ticket for trips starting after 9:00 in the morning and that it costs £59, which is the lowest price mentioned in the text. Answer Explanation: The answer is the SuperApex ticket (A). Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is A because it has the lowest price of all the tickets listed, at £59. The text calls this an "unbeatable price," which means it is the cheapest one available. It also mentions a specific rule about when you can leave, stating it is "only available for travel after 9am." |
| Q12 | A | This ticket is non-refundable unless the service is cancelled | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage states that you cannot get your money back for this ticket unless the train trip is cancelled by the company. Answer Explanation: The answer is ticket type A (SuperApex). Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is A because the description for the SuperApex ticket states it is "non-refundable." This means that if a person buys the ticket and later chooses not to travel, they cannot get their money back. The only exception mentioned is if the train service itself is cancelled by the provider. |
| Q13 | E | The journey must include a Saturday night away | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that to use this special ticket, your trip must last long enough to include a Saturday night spent away from home. Answer Explanation: The answer is ticket type E (Solo), because you cannot use this ticket for a trip that starts on Monday and ends on Tuesday. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is E because the passage states a specific rule for this ticket type. It says that for a 'Solo' ticket, the traveler must stay away on a Saturday night. If you leave on a Monday and return on Tuesday, you are not staying away on a Saturday. Therefore, the ticket is not available for that specific schedule. |
| Q14 | D | Your ticket allows standard class travel on any train between 10am and midnight | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage states that this specific ticket is only for trains running from 10 in the morning until 12 at night. This means there is no service for this ticket during the hours before 10 am. Answer Explanation: The answer D refers to the Saver ticket. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is D because the description for the Saver ticket says it can be used for travel 'between 10am and midnight'. This rule means that you are allowed to travel from 10:00 in the morning until 12:00 at night. Therefore, you are not allowed to use this ticket for any train that leaves during the early morning hours starting from midnight until 10:00 am. |