New Cycle Path To Marshbrook Country Park & Study Dramatic Arts At Thornley - IELTS Reading Answers & Explanations
From Cambridge IELTS 15 General Training Reading Test 4 · Part 1 · Questions 1–14
Reading Passage
==== Read the text below and answer questions 1-7 ====
New cycle path to Marshbrook Country Park
A A new dual-purpose cycle and pedestrian route has been built from Atherton bus station to the country park’s main entrance at Marshbrook. It avoids the main road into Atherton on the south side, and keeps mainly to less busy roads. Once the path leaves the built-up area, it goes through countryside until it reaches Marshbrook.
B Funding for the cycle path has come largely from the county and town councils, while almost a third of it was raised through crowdfunding. Maintenance of the path is the responsibility of the county council. The cycle path was completed ahead of schedule – partly thanks to perfect weather for construction – and under budget.
C Annie Newcome is the chief executive of Cycle Atherton, the organisation that aims to get people cycling more often and more safely. Cycle Atherton proposed the 12-kilometre-long cycle path initially, and has been active in promoting it, Ms Newcome says she is delighted that all the hard work to achieve the funding proved successful.
D Marshbrook Country Park is a very popular recreational area, and the new path makes it much easier to reach from the town in an environmentally friendly way. At 2.5 metres wide, it is also suitable for users of wheelchairs, mobility scooters and buggies, who have not previously had access to the park without using motor vehicles.
E Although the path is now open, work is continuing to improve the signs along it, such as warnings when the path approaches a road. New hedges and trees will also be planted along stretches of the path, to provide some shelter from the wind and to benefit wildlife.
F Further information and a detailed map of the path including a proposed 5-kilometre extension are available online. The map can easily be downloaded and printed. Visit the county council website and follow the links to Atherton Cycle Path.
==== Read the text below and answer Questions 8-14 ====
Study dramatic arts at Thornley
If you are hoping for a career in the theatre., Thornley College of Dramatic Arts is the place to come. For fifty years we have been providing top-quality courses for actors, directors, producers, musicians and everyone else who wishes to work professionally in the theatre or related industries. We also have expertise in preparing students for the specialised requirements of TV, film and radio. We’ll make sure you’re thoroughly prepared for the reality of work in your chosen field.
Our college-based tutors all have extensive practical experience in the entertainment industry as well as academic qualifications, and we also collaborate with some of the country’s best directors, writers and actors to create challenging, inspiring and exciting projects with our students.
We are well-known around the world, with our students coming from every continent. Every year, we receive two thousand applications for the one hundred places on our degree courses. Only the most talented get places, and we are proud that over ninety percent of our students gain professional work within a year of graduating – a figure few other drama colleges in the UK can match.
To mark our fiftieth anniversary this year, we are putting on a production of Theatre 500. Written by two staff members especially for this occasion, this multimedia show celebrates five hundred years of drama, and involves all our students in one way or another.
Another major development is that the college is about to move. Our new premises are now under construction in the heart of Thornley, next to the council building, which has won a prize for its architecture. For the last two years, we have been developing designs with Miller Furbank Architects for our new home, and one aim has been to ensure the buildings complement the council offices. Work started on the foundations of the buildings in March last year, and we plan to move to the new site this coming September.
We have also been talking to cultural organisations in the district, and considering how we can bring cost-free benefits to the local community, as well as to our students. As a result, part of the space in the new buildings has been designed to be adaptable, in order to accommodate classes, performances and workshops for different-sized groups of local people.
Questions
Questions 1–7 Matching Information
The text has six paragraphs, A-F. Which paragraph mentions the following? Write the correct letter, A-F, in boxes. NB You may use any letter more than once.
Questions 8–14 True / False / Not Given
Do the following statements agree with the information given in the text? In boxes, 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
Answers & Explanations Summary
| # | Answer | Evidence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q1 | E | Although the path is now open, work is continuing to improve the signs along it, such as warnings when the path approaches a road | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that even though the path can be used, they are still working on making it better. They want to add signs to warn people about roads and plant new trees for protection and wildlife. Answer Explanation: The answer is E. This means the paragraph talks about things that still need to be finished or improved. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is E because it explains what work is still going on after the path is open. It mentions improving signs and planting new hedges and trees, which shows more work is needed. |
| Q2 | C | Cycle Atherton proposed the 12-kilometre-long cycle path initially | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that Cycle Atherton had the idea for the 12-kilometre-long cycle path first. This means they wanted to build it. Answer Explanation: The answer is C. This means that the idea to create the cycle path came from Cycle Atherton. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is C because it mentions that Cycle Atherton proposed the cycle path. This shows that they were the ones who originally suggested building it. |
| Q3 | B | The cycle path was completed ahead of schedule – partly thanks to perfect weather for construction – and under budget | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that they finished the cycle path sooner than expected. This was because the weather was very good for building, which made it easier to work quickly. Answer Explanation: The answer is B. This means that in paragraph B, there is information about why the cycle path opened earlier than planned. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is B because it explains that the cycle path was completed ahead of schedule. It mentions that this was partly due to the perfect weather for construction, which helped the workers finish their job faster. |
| Q4 | D | the new path makes it much easier to reach from the town in an environmentally friendly way. At 2.5 metres wide, it is also suitable for users of wheelchairs, mobility scooters and buggies, who have not previously had access to the park without using motor vehicles | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that the new path helps people from the town get to the park easily and in a good way for the environment. It is wide enough for people using special vehicles like wheelchairs or scooters, which means they can now reach the park without cars. Answer Explanation: The answer is D. This means that paragraph D talks about people who can now go to the park without using cars. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is D because this paragraph explains that the new path makes it easier for people to reach the park in a way that is friendly to the environment. It specifically mentions that the path is wide enough for wheelchairs, mobility scooters, and buggies, which means these people can now access the park without needing cars. |
| Q5 | A | A new dual-purpose cycle and pedestrian route has been built from Atherton bus station to the country park's main entrance at Marshbrook. It avoids the main road into Atherton on the south side, and keeps mainly to less busy roads. Once the path leaves the built-up area, it goes through countryside until it reaches Marshbrook | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that a new path for bicycles and people starts at the bus station and leads to the park. It does not use busy roads and instead goes through quieter areas and nature. Answer Explanation: The answer is A. This means that paragraph A talks about the way the cycle path goes. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is A because this paragraph describes how the new cycle and pedestrian route is built from Atherton bus station to Marshbrook Country Park, mentioning that it avoids busy roads and goes through the countryside. |
| Q6 | C | Cycle Atherton proposed the 12-kilometre-long cycle path initially | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage is saying that Cycle Atherton suggested building a cycle path that is 12 kilometers long at the start. Answer Explanation: The answer is C, which means the paragraph talks about the length of the cycle path. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is C because in this paragraph, it says the cycle path is 12 kilometers long. This is important information about the length of the path. |
| Q7 | B | Funding for the cycle path has come largely from the county and town councils, while almost a third of it was raised through crowdfunding | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that the money to make the cycle path mostly came from local governments and some was collected from many people. Answer Explanation: The answer is B because this paragraph talks about who paid for the cycle path. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is B because it explains that the money for the cycle path mostly came from the county and town councils, and some was raised through crowdfunding. This means a lot of people helped pay for the path. |
| Q8 | Not given | For fifty years we have been providing top-quality courses for actors, directors, producers, musicians and everyone else who wishes to work professionally in the theatre or related industries | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that for fifty years, the college has been giving good quality courses for many people who want to work in theater. It does not say if they have added new courses or not. Answer Explanation: The answer is 'Not given' because the passage does not say anything about new courses being added since the college opened. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'Not given' because the passage talks about the college's history, its focus on providing quality courses, and its world reputation, but does not mention any changes or new courses introduced since it first opened. |
| Q9 | True | we also have expertise in preparing students for the specialised requirements of TV, film and radio | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that the college has the skills to help students get ready for jobs in TV, film, and radio. This shows that they train students to work in the film industry. Answer Explanation: The answer indicates that the college does indeed offer training for jobs in the film industry. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is true because the passage states that Thornley College of Dramatic Arts has expertise in preparing students for the special skills needed for TV, film, and radio. This means the college does provide training for work in the film industry. |
| Q10 | True | we also collaborate with some of the country's best directors, writers and actors | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that the college works together with very good directors, writers, and actors. This means students can work with people who are skilled in their jobs. Answer Explanation: The answer is 'True', which means the statement is correct. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'True' because the passage says that the tutors at the college have a lot of practical experience and they work with some of the best directors, writers, and actors. This shows that students get to work with professionals in the field. |
| Q11 | True | Every year, we receive two thousand applications for the one hundred places on our degree courses | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that each year, two thousand people want to study at the college, but only one hundred can get in. This means many people apply, but not all can be accepted. Answer Explanation: The answer means that more people want to study at the college than the number of students they can take. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is true because the passage says, 'Every year, we receive two thousand applications for the one hundred places on our degree courses.' This shows that many more people apply than the college can accept. |
| Q12 | False | To mark our fiftieth anniversary this year, we are putting on a production of Theatre 500. Written by two staff members especially for this occasion | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that to celebrate fifty years, they are doing a show called Theatre 500. This show was written by two of the teachers, not by the students. Answer Explanation: The answer means that it is not correct to say that the students created Theatre 500. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is False because the passage states that Theatre 500 was written by two staff members specifically for the college's fiftieth anniversary. This means it was not created by the students, but by teachers. The keywords to remember here are 'written by two staff members.' |
| Q13 | Not given | For the last two years, we have been developing designs with Miller Furbank Architects for our new home, and one aim has been to ensure the buildings complement the council offices | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says the college is working with a specific architecture company for its new building and aims for it to look good next to the council building, but it does not say they designed both buildings. Answer Explanation: The answer means that the text does not say if the new building was designed by the same architects as the council building. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'Not Given' because the passage does not provide any information about whether the new building and the council building were designed by the same architects. It only mentions that the college is working with Miller Furbank Architects for its new premises. |
| Q14 | False | We have also been talking to cultural organisations in the district, and considering how we can bring cost-free benefits to the local community, as well as to our students. | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says the college wants to help local groups for free. They are thinking about how to let local people use the college without paying. Answer Explanation: The answer is 'False.' This means that local groups will not have to pay money to use the college buildings. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'False' because the passage says the college is planning to offer benefits to the local community without charges. It mentions they are designing spaces for local people to use for free. |