MAIL ORDER BROCHURE & New Book Releases - IELTS Reading Answers & Explanations
From Cambridge IELTS 05 General Training Reading Test 1 · Part 1 · Questions 1–14
Reading Passage
Read the information below and answer Questions 1-7.
MAIL ORDER BROCHURE
Want some great clothing ideas for your family?
Our key for clothing specials in July: M for men W for women C for children
For under $10
Cotton socks C - made of pure cotton for long wearing
Woollen socks C - to keep young feet warm in winter
Sports socks M - to go with jeans and other casual clothes
Patterned belts W - to go with jeans and other casual clothes
For under $25
Cotton shirts W - for day and evening wear
Silk shirts M - five sizes, in designer colours, for that special social occasion
T-shirts C - hard-wearing, white with a variety of animal motifs
Colour T-shirts M W - cotton and polyester blend, plain colours, no ironing
For under $50
Blue jeans M W - non-shrink, colourfast, small sizes only
Silk shirts M W - plain and patterned, all sizes
Hooded jacket C - protects from the wind, 4 sizes, large strong pockets
Jacket W - waterproof with zipper front, all sizes
Or you can buy a gift voucher so that someone else can choose. These come in $10, $20 and $50 amounts.
Additional monthly specials for July to September
July - $10 voucher with any purchase over $60
August - Travel alarm clock worth $19.95 free with purchases of $80 or more!
September - Children's backpacks. Free with any credit card purchase over $75!
Note: Postage and packing charges
These are applied to each order as follows:
Within Australia:
$7.95 per address, regular post
$17.95 for Express Delivery Service (overnight)
Overseas:
Surface Mail (allow a minimum of two months for delivery)
Airmail (allow around two weeks delivery to most destinations)
______________
Read the text below and answer questions 8-14.
New Book Releases
A This book describes the creativity of Aboriginal people living in the driest parts of Australia. Stunning reproductions of paintings, beautiful photography and informative text.
B Pocket-sized maps and illustrations with detailed information on the nesting sites and migration patterns of Australia. This is a classic booklet suitable for both beginner and expert.
C Packed full of information for the avid hiker, this book is a must. Photographs, maps and practical advice will guide your journeys on foot through the forests of the southern continent.
D More than an atlas - this book contains maps, photographs and an abundance of information on the land and climate of countries from around the globe.
E Australia's premier mountain biking guidebook – taking you through a host of national parks and state forests.
F Here's the A-Z of Australian native animals - take an in-depth look at their lives and characteristics, through fantastic photographs and informative text.
G Graphic artists have worked with researchers and scientists to illustrate how these prehistoric animals lived and died on the Australian continent.
H A definitive handbook on outdoor safety - with a specific focus on equipment, nutrition, first aid, special clothing and bush skills.
I Detailed guides to 15 scenic car tours that will take you onto fascinating wilderness tracks and along routes that you could otherwise have missed.
Questions
Questions 1–7 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
Questions 8–14 Matching Headings
Choose the correct title for each book from the list of book titles below.
Write the correct number i-xi.
i. Field Guide to Native Birds of Australia
ii. The Bush on Two Wheels: 100 Top Rides
iii. Bush Foods of Australian Aborigines
iv. A Pictorial History of the Dinosaur in Australia
v. Bushwalking in Australia
vi. World Geographica
vii. Driving Adventures for 4-wheel-drive Vehicles
viii. Survival Techniques in the Wild
ix. Encyclopaedia of Australian Wildlife
x. Guide to the Art of the Australian Desert
xi. Field Guide to Animals of the World
Answers & Explanations Summary
| # | Answer | Evidence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q1 | NOT GIVEN | Cotton socks C - made of pure cotton for long wearingWoollen socks C - to keep young feet warm in winterSports socks M - to go with jeans and other casual clothesPatterned belts W - to go with jeans and other casual clothes | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage shows the items available for under 10 dollars. It lists cotton socks for children and sports socks for men, but for women, it only lists belts. It does not mention cotton socks for women anywhere in this section or in the rest of the text. Answer Explanation: The answer is NOT GIVEN because the brochure does not mention anything about cotton socks for women. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is NOT GIVEN because the text does not contain the information needed to compare the prices of women's socks and men's socks. The brochure lists cotton socks for children (marked with 'C') and sports socks for men (marked with 'M'), but there are no socks at all listed for women (marked with 'W'). Without knowing if women's cotton socks are sold or how much they cost, the statement cannot be confirmed as true or false. |
| Q2 | NOT GIVEN | Silk shirts M - five sizes, in designer colours, for that special social occasion | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that these shirts come in five different sizes and various colors, but it does not say exactly how many colors there are. Answer Explanation: The answer means that the passage does not provide enough information to know if the statement is true or false. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is NOT GIVEN because while the text mentions silk shirts for men, it only specifies that there are 'five sizes'. It mentions that they come in 'designer colours', but it never gives a specific number for how many colors are available. Since the number of colors is missing, we cannot determine if there are more than five. |
| Q3 | FALSE | T-shirts C - hard-wearing, white with a variety of animal motifs | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage states that T-shirts for children (marked as 'C') are made to last a long time, are white, and have different animal pictures on them. Answer Explanation: The answer means that the statement is wrong according to the text. Children's shirts are not available in many different colors. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is FALSE because the brochure specifically describes the T-shirts for children (indicated by the letter 'C') as being 'white'. While these shirts have different animal designs or pictures (motifs), the color of the shirt itself is only white, not a variety of colors. The text mentions 'Colour T-shirts' right below, but those are only for men (M) and women (W). |
| Q4 | NOT GIVEN | Hooded jacket C - protects from the wind, 4 sizes, large strong pockets | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage states that the jacket for children comes in four sizes and has big, tough pockets, but it never mentions the exact number of pockets on the jacket. Answer Explanation: The answer NOT GIVEN means that the brochure does not tell us how many pockets the jacket has, so we cannot know if the statement is true or false. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is NOT GIVEN because while the text describes the child's hooded jacket, it only says that it has "large strong pockets" and comes in "4 sizes". Key numbers like "4" are mentioned, but that number refers to the available sizes, not the quantity of pockets. Since the specific number of pockets is never mentioned in the brochure, we cannot confirm if there are four of them. |
| Q5 | TRUE | August - Travel alarm clock worth $19.95 free with purchases of $80 or more | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage confirms that in the month of August, a person who buys 80 dollars worth of items will receive a free clock worth nearly 20 dollars. Answer Explanation: The answer is TRUE, which means the statement matches what is written in the text. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is found in the section about monthly deals. It explains that for August, if you spend 80 dollars or more, you get a travel alarm clock at no extra cost. In this context, 'purchases' refers to buying clothes or items, and 'free' means you receive it without paying money. |
| Q6 | FALSE | $7.95 per address, regular post $17.95 for Express Delivery Service (overnight) | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage shows that normal mail costs $7.95, while the fast service for the next day (overnight) costs $17.95. Answer Explanation: The answer means that the information in the sentence is wrong based on the text. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is FALSE because the passage lists two different prices for mailing items inside Australia. It states that 'regular post' (the normal, slower mail) costs $7.95. However, for 'Express Delivery Service', which arrives 'overnight' (the next day), the price is actually $17.95. Because the question says the fast next-day service costs $7.95, it contradicts the facts in the text. |
| Q7 | FALSE | Surface Mail (allow a minimum of two months for delivery) | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage states that if you choose 'Surface Mail' for your order, you must wait at least two months for it to arrive. It might take more than two months to reach you. Answer Explanation: The answer is FALSE because the text says some shipping options take at least two months or longer, not that they will definitely arrive in less than two months. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is FALSE because of the delivery times listed for overseas orders. For 'Surface Mail,' the text tells customers to 'allow a minimum of two months.' In English, a 'minimum' means the smallest amount possible; therefore, the delivery will likely take two months or even more time. The question uses the word 'within,' which means 'in less than' or 'no more than' two months. Since the text says it takes at least two months, it cannot be guaranteed to arrive 'within' two months. |
| Q8 | x | This book describes the creativity of Aboriginal people living in the driest parts of Australia. Stunning reproductions of paintings, beautiful photography and informative text | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says the book is about the art (creativity and paintings) made by people who live in the very dry areas (deserts) of Australia. Answer Explanation: The answer is 'Guide to the Art of the Australian Desert', which is the title that matches the content of Book A. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is chosen because Book A talks about the 'creativity' and 'paintings' of people in Australia. In the title, 'Art' refers to these paintings and creativity. Additionally, the book mentions these people live in the 'driest parts' of the country, which is another way to describe a 'Desert'. Combining these clues makes the title 'Guide to the Art of the Australian Desert' the perfect fit. |
| Q9 | i | Pocket-sized maps and illustrations with detailed information on the nesting sites and migration patterns of Australia | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that Book B is a small book with pictures and maps that gives specific details about where animals in Australia make their nests and how they travel from one place to another. Answer Explanation: The answer is the book title 'Field Guide to Native Birds of Australia'. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'i' because the description for Book B mentions 'nesting sites' and 'migration patterns'. In nature, these two terms are most commonly used to describe the lives and habits of birds. Nesting refers to where birds build their homes and lay eggs, and migration refers to how birds fly to different places during different seasons. Since the book is about these topics within Australia, the title 'Field Guide to Native Birds of Australia' is the perfect match. |
| Q10 | v | C Packed full of information for the avid hiker, this book is a must. Photographs, maps and practical advice will guide your journeys on foot through the forests of the southern continent | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage states that this specific book is made for people who love to hike (avid hikers) and provides the necessary tools for them to travel by walking (journeys on foot) through the woods (forests). Answer Explanation: The answer is v, which is the book title 'Bushwalking in Australia.' Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is v because the description for Book C mentions it is for the 'avid hiker' and helps with 'journeys on foot.' A hiker is someone who walks for exercise or pleasure in nature, and 'journeys on foot' simply means walking. In Australia, hiking in the woods or nature is commonly known as 'bushwalking.' Therefore, a book for hikers going on foot through forests perfectly matches the title about bushwalking. |
| Q11 | ii | Australia's premier mountain biking guidebook – taking you through a host of national parks and state forests | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage describes Book E as the best book for mountain bike trips through many different parks and forests. Answer Explanation: The answer is the title 'The Bush on Two Wheels: 100 Top Rides'. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is **ii** because Book E is about 'mountain biking'. Bicycles have two wheels, so the title 'Two Wheels' refers to bikes. Also, the book covers national parks and forests, which people often call 'the bush' in Australia. |
| Q12 | ix | F Here's the A-Z of Australian native animals - take an in-depth look at their lives and characteristics, through fantastic photographs and informative text | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that this book is organized from A to Z and focuses on animals that naturally live in Australia, giving many details about how they live. Answer Explanation: The answer is the title 'Encyclopaedia of Australian Wildlife'. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is chosen because Book F is described as an 'A-Z' guide. An 'A-Z' guide is a common way to describe an 'Encyclopaedia' because it covers a topic from start to finish. Additionally, the text mentions 'Australian native animals', which is another way to say 'Australian Wildlife'. The book provides a lot of details ('in-depth look') about these animals, which is what an encyclopaedia does. |
| Q13 | iv | Graphic artists have worked with researchers and scientists to illustrate how these prehistoric animals lived and died on the Australian continent | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that artists made pictures to show the lives of animals from a very long time ago (dinosaurs) that lived in Australia. Answer Explanation: The answer is the book title 'A Pictorial History of the Dinosaur in Australia'. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'iv' because Book G describes a book about prehistoric animals that lived in Australia. It mentions that graphic artists used drawings to show how these animals lived. The word 'prehistoric' refers to very old animals like dinosaurs, and 'pictorial' means a book filled with pictures or illustrations. |
| Q14 | viii | A definitive handbook on outdoor safety - with a specific focus on equipment, nutrition, first aid, special clothing and bush skills | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that this book is a complete guide to staying safe in nature, covering topics like medicine, tools, and special skills for the bush. Answer Explanation: The answer is the book title 'Survival Techniques in the Wild'. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is viii because Book H is described as a book for people who want to stay safe while being outdoors. It provides information on tools, food (nutrition), first aid, and 'bush skills.' These skills and pieces of advice are used for 'survival' (staying alive and safe) in 'the wild' (nature or the bush). |