Lost Damaged Or Delayed Inland Mail Claim Form & Days Out For The Family - IELTS Reading Answers & Explanations
From Cambridge IELTS 12 General Training Reading Test 2 · Part 1 · Questions 1–14
Reading Passage
==== Read the text and answer Questions 1-7 ====
LOST DAMAGED OR DELAYED INLAND MAIL CLAIM FORM
Before completing this claim form for lost, damaged or delayed mail you should visit royalmail.com to find out all you need to know about our policies. Alternatively you can get the details from our ”Mail Made easy” booklet, available at any local post office branch. When you fill in the form, make sure you complete it in full, using the checklist that we have provided to help you. If you find that you do not have the evidence required to make a claim but world like us to investigate an issue with your mail service, the easiest way to do this is by visiting our website.
LOST ITEMS
If you wish to claim compensation for items that have been damaged, you should send us original proof of posting, e.g. a Post office receipt. If claiming for the contents of a package, you also need to provide proof of value, e.g. till item reference number, receipt, bank statement etc.
DAMAGED ITEMS
When claiming compensation for lost items that have been damaged, you should send us the items themselves, if possible. However, if these are very large or unsafe to post, you may instead provide photographs as evidence of the damage. Please retain the original packaging (and damaged items, if not sent to us) as we may need to inspect them.
TIME RESTRICTIONS
We allow up to 15 working days for items to arrive, so cannot accept a claim for loss unless 15 working days or more have passed since the items was posted. Claims for lost or damaged items must be made within 12 months of the postal date. Claims for delayed item must be submitted within 3 months of the date they were posted if the claim is made by the sender, or within 1 month of receipt if the claim is made by the recipient of the item.
==== Read the text below and answer Questions 8-14 ====
DAYS OUT FOR THE FAMILY
A. Carrickfergus castle
Considered to be Northern Ireland’s oldest castle, Carrickfergus has seen more than 800 years of military occupation since its foundations were laid, During summer, traditional feasts are served, and fairs and craft markets provide an extra attraction. The history of the castle is explained and brought to life with exhibits and guided tours.
B. Glamis Castle
Shakespeare used Glamis as the background when he wrote one of his best-known plays, Macbeth and the Queen Mother Grew up here. It is also rumoured to have a secret chamber in the castle. There are many ghost tales associated with this castle, which will capture the imagination of younger visitors.
C Tintagel Castle
High up on the cliff tops, Tintagel Castle is the legendary home of king Arthur. The visitors guide on sale at the reception is well worth of the money, as it can help you to visualise what it would have been like hundreds of years ago. you can park in the village car park and walk the half mile to the castle , or take the shuttle bus.
D Pickering Castle
Built by William the conqueror, this is a great castle for children to run around in. There are lots of special events too, including a chance to come along and see some plays which are put on during the summer months. Nearby Helmsley Castle is also worth a visit.
E Stokesay Castle
A range of workshops, including music and combat are held here during the summer, children of all ages will enjoy learning at these and there is a guided tour which has been especially designed with younger visitors in mind, some of them may find the dungeon quit scary though.
F Warwick Castle
This castle is over 1,000 years old and has towers and a moat, and is just as you might imagine a castle to be. children can even get to try on armour to see how heavy it is, At Christmas, a special market id held here – a great opportunity to look for presents and Christmas treats
Questions
Questions 1–7 Note Completion
Complete the notes below. Choose NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS AND /OR A NUMBER from the text for each answer. Write your answer in boxes on your answer sheet
Claiming compensation from the Royal Mail for lost, damaged or delayed mail
Before filling the form
- go online to learn about their policies or get the 1 that contains the relevant information.
When filling in the form
- refer to the 2 to ensure all the relevant sections are completed
(you can use their 3 to request action if you don’t have enough proof to make a claim)
when claiming compensation for a lost item
- include proof that you have posted the item
- in the case of a package include something ( e.g. bank statement ) to prove its 4
When claiming for the cost of a damaged item, include
- either the actual item or 5 showing the damage to the item ( you should keep the 6 that was used when the item was originally sent:)
When to claim
- Lost or damaged items: within 12 months of posting the claim
Delayed items: if you are the 7, you must claim within three months of posting the package
Questions 8–14 Matching Information
Look at the description of six castles A-F. For which castle are the following statements true?
Write the correct letter A-F , in boxes on your answer sheet
NB you may use any letter more than once
Answers & Explanations Summary
| # | Answer | Evidence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q1 | Booklet | Alternatively you can get the details from our ”Mail Made easy” booklet, available at any local post office branch | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that you can find helpful information in a small book called the 'Mail Made easy' booklet, which you can get from a post office. Answer Explanation: The answer 'Booklet' means a small book or pamphlet that gives helpful information. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'Booklet' because the passage mentions that you can get details about the policies from a 'Mail Made easy' booklet available at any local post office branch. This means that the booklet is the source of relevant information you need before filling the form. |
| Q2 | Checklist | make sure you complete it in full, using the checklist that we have provided to help you | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says you should fill out the form completely and use the checklist we gave you. This checklist helps you remember everything you need to do. Answer Explanation: The answer is 'Checklist'. A checklist is a list of things to help you remember what to do. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'Checklist' because the passage says you should use a checklist provided when you fill in the claim form. This checklist helps to ensure all the important parts of the form are filled out correctly. |
| Q3 | Website | If you find that you do not have the evidence required to make a claim but world like us to investigate an issue with your mail service, the easiest way to do this is by visiting our website. | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that if you need help and do not have the proof needed for a claim, you can visit their website for assistance. Answer Explanation: The answer is 'Website', which means that you should go to the Royal Mail's online page for more information or help. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'Website' because the passage clearly states that the easiest way to get help with mail issues is by visiting their website. This shows that the website is an important resource for customers. |
| Q4 | Value | If claiming for the contents of a package, you also need to provide proof of value, e.g. till item reference number, receipt, bank statement etc | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that if you want to claim for things inside a package that are lost, you need to show proof of how much those things are worth. This can be a receipt or a bank statement. Answer Explanation: The answer is 'value'. This means the worth or price of an item. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'value' because when claiming for a package that is lost, you need to provide proof of its worth. The passage mentions that you should include something to prove its value, such as a bank statement. |
| Q5 | photograph / photographs / provide photograph / provide photographs / photos | However, if these are very large or unsafe to post, you may instead provide photographs as evidence of the damage | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says if the items are too big or unsafe to send in the mail, you can send pictures to show how they are damaged. Answer Explanation: The answer means you need to send pictures if something is damaged. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is about sending photos as evidence when claiming compensation for damaged items. The passage says that if you have damaged items, you should send the items themselves if possible, but if they are too large or unsafe to send, you can provide photographs as proof. |
| Q6 | packaging / original packaging | Please retain the original packaging (and damaged items, if not sent to us) as we may need to inspect them | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage is telling you to keep the original box or wrapping of a damaged item. They may want to check it to understand what happened to the item. Answer Explanation: The answer is 'packaging' and 'original packaging.' This means you need to keep the box or wrapping that the item came in. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'packaging' and 'original packaging' because when claiming for a damaged item, you should keep the original wrapper or box. This is important because they might need to see it to understand the damage. |
| Q7 | Sender | Claims for delayed item must be submitted within 3 months of the date they were posted if the claim is made by the sender | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that if you send something and it is delayed, you have three months to make a claim. Answer Explanation: The answer is 'Sender'. This means the person who sends the mail. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'sender' because the passage says that if the sender wants to claim for delayed items, they must make the claim within three months of posting the package. This means the sender is the person who sends the mail and is responsible for making the claim. |
| Q8 | A | During summer, traditional feasts are served | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that in the summer, special meals are served, which means people can eat these meals at that time. Answer Explanation: The answer is A, which means Carrickfergus Castle has special meals you can eat sometimes during the year. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is A because the passage says that during summer, Carrickfergus Castle serves traditional feasts. This shows that at certain times, special meals are available to eat there. |
| Q9 | F | children can even get to try on armour to see how heavy it is | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage means that at Warwick Castle, children have the chance to wear armor and feel how heavy it is, which is like dressing up. Answer Explanation: The answer is F, which means Warwick Castle is the correct choice. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is F because it says that children can try on armor at Warwick Castle, which means they can dress up. This shows that there is something fun for children to do there. |
| Q10 | D | Nearby Helmsley Castle is also worth a visit | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says there is another castle called Helmsley Castle that is close to Pickering Castle and it is good to visit. Answer Explanation: The answer means that there is another castle close to Pickering Castle, which is called Helmsley Castle. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is D because the passage mentions that Pickering Castle is built by William the Conqueror and nearby, there is Helmsley Castle which is also worth a visit. This means there is another castle in the same area as Pickering Castle. |
| Q11 | B | There are many ghost tales associated with this castle, which will capture the imagination of younger visitors | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that many ghost stories are connected to Glamis Castle, and these stories are interesting for younger people. Answer Explanation: The answer is B. This means the castle has many stories that people talk about. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is B because the passage says that there are many ghost tales related to Glamis Castle, which means lots of stories are told about it. Stories like these often capture the imagination of younger visitors, showing that there is a lot of storytelling associated with this place. |
| Q12 | E | some of them may find the dungeon quit scary though | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that some children might feel scared in the dungeon of Stokesay Castle. Answer Explanation: The answer is E. This means Stokesay Castle might be scary for some children. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is E because the passage says that some children may find the dungeon at Stokesay Castle quite scary. This directly relates to the statement about parts of the castle being frightening for children. |
| Q13 | D | there are lots of special events too, including a chance to come along and see some plays which are put on during the summer months | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage means that at Pickering Castle, there are many fun activities and during the summer, people can watch plays. Answer Explanation: The answer is D. This means that plays happen at Pickering Castle during some of the year. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is D because the passage says that at Pickering Castle, there are special events, including plays in the summer months. This shows that plays are performed there during part of the year. |
| Q14 | E | there is a guided tour which has been especially designed with younger visitors in mind | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says there is a tour made just for children. This means the tour is made to help children enjoy and learn. Answer Explanation: The answer is E, which is Stokesay Castle. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is E because the passage says that Stokesay Castle has a guided tour specially designed for younger visitors. This means it is especially good for children. |