Percil Training Institute & Percil Memorial Training Scholarships - IELTS Reading Answers & Explanations
From Cambridge IELTS 19 General Training Reading Test 4 · Part 2 · Questions 15–27
Reading Passage
==== Read the text below and answer Questions 15—24. ====
Percil Training Institute
Welcome to the Percil Training Institute. We hope that you will enjoy your course of training with us. This information is provided to introduce our Institute and to let you know some of the important features of our professional training courses.
Courses
Percil Training Institute was established to provide high quality short-duration training programmes for a range of professional needs. It has a highly trained and experienced teaching staff, many of whom have taught overseas.
Percil Training Institute provides courses in ten-week modules. Most courses (e.g. Office Management, Librarianship, Medical Records Organisation) consist of two modules, although some courses (Biotechnology, Computer Analysis) are three or four modules long. There is a break of two weeks between each module but since projects or assignments are set for completion in these periods, it is not possible to take vacations during this time.
Since each course has varying needs, there are not necessarily any set hours for classes across all programmes. You will need to consult the timetable for your course, which is printed at the front of your own course manual.
Please be reminded that Percil Training Institute cannot provide attendance or achievement certificates for students who have missed part of their course as a result of not reading their own course timetables properly. Legitimate reasons for non-attendance (e.g. illness) will be given consideration provided that documentary evidence is provided. In this case, an achievement certificate only will be issued.
Facilities
The opening times of the snack bar, coffee lounge and restaurant are printed below your course timetable. No bookings are required for any of the eating places except the restaurant for Friday and Saturday dinner. The coffee lounge and restaurant are not normally open on public holidays. However, a group booking may be made for the restaurant for dinner on such days, provided that there is a minimum of 20 people in the group. A non-refundable deposit will be required for such a booking.
The Institute has a very fine sports complex. The swimming pool is open daily from 8.00 am to 8.00 pm and can be used free of charge by all Percil students who present a valid student enrolment card. The squash courts can be booked by any student with a valid student card and the hire cost is $4.50 per half hour. The gymnasium is available for a ten-week membership fee of $40.00, or $5.00 per visit, or an annual subscription of $100. Guests of Percil students are welcome to use the swimming pool but not the gymnasium areas.
Security
Please be careful that you do not leave valuable items in the classroom areas at any time. Percil Training Institute cannot be held responsible for any loss or damage to students’ property as a result of student negligence. After 8.30 pm the front doors of the Institute are locked. If you need to gain access to the Institute after this time, please contact the caretaker by pressing the doorbell and speaking through the intercom. If you are admitted by the caretaker you will be required to show your student card.
Medical Care
Minor accidents and injuries can usually be attended to on the premises, in the Health Centre on the third floor. These services are free. Headache pills and other analgesics are available at standard pharmacy prices.
==== Read the text below and answer Questions 25–27. ====
Percil Memorial Training Scholarships
(3 offered per year)
Percil Training Institute offers a number of scholarships for people from overseas who plan to live in Australia and need re-training. These scholarships are available for full-time study only and are not offered for courses of less than 20 weeks’ duration.
Requirements/eligibility
Applicants for these scholarships must be of high academic ability as revealed in the qualifications they have already gained in their home country; alternatively, they must have at least five years of significant work experience in their chosen field and must produce evidence in the form of references from at least two employers or supervisors.
The award
These scholarships offer return airfares to Australia from your home country, provided that the distance by air from your city of departure to Sydney is not more than 2,500 kilometres. If the distance exceeds this amount, you will be provided with airline vouchers. Travel expenses to and from airports on both the outward and return journeys are paid for, and there is an airline excess baggage allowance of 120 kg.
Personal removal expenses for scholarship holders are not paid. If the scholarship holder is married at the time of applying for the scholarship, some travel and removal costs may be paid for the husband or wife. Travel costs or support for dependent children are at the scholarship holder’s expense.
Scholars are eligible for assistance with accommodation within the Sydney metropolitan area, although married accommodation is unavailable on the Percil Institute campus. Since demand for accommodation on the campus is always high, scholarship applicants are advised to apply at least ten weeks before intending to come into residence.
Questions
Questions 15–24 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 25–27 Short Answers
Choose NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER from the text for each answer.
Write your answers in boxes on your answer sheet.
Answers & Explanations Summary
| # | Answer | Evidence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q15 | FALSE | It has a highly trained and experienced teaching staff, many of whom have taught overseas | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that the institute has very good and experienced teachers. It clarifies that a large number of these teachers ('many') have worked in other countries, but it does not say that every single teacher has. Answer Explanation: The answer is FALSE. This means the idea that every teacher at the institute has experience teaching in other countries is not true. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is FALSE because the passage uses the word 'many' to describe the number of staff with overseas teaching experience. The word 'many' means a lot of people, but it does not mean 'all' or 100% of the people. Therefore, the statement that 'All' of the staff have this experience is incorrect. |
| Q16 | TRUE | Percil Training Institute provides courses in ten-week modules | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that the institute's courses are divided into parts called 'modules', and each of these parts is exactly ten weeks long. Answer Explanation: The answer is TRUE. This means it is correct that all the study sections, called modules, last for the same amount of time. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is TRUE because the passage says that the courses are provided in 'ten-week modules'. This specific phrase means that every module has a fixed length of ten weeks. Since all modules are ten weeks long, they are all of equal length. |
| Q17 | FALSE | There is a break of two weeks between each module but since projects or assignments are set for completion in these periods, it is not possible to take vacations during this time | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that students get a two-week break between study sessions. But, they have schoolwork like 'projects or assignments' to finish in those two weeks. Because of this, the passage says that students cannot go on a 'vacation' during this break. Answer Explanation: The answer is FALSE. This means that students should not take holidays during the breaks between their study periods. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is FALSE. The passage states that there is a two-week break between modules. However, it also says that students are given 'projects or assignments' to do during this time. Because of this schoolwork, the text clearly says it is 'not possible to take vacations' during the break. This directly disagrees with the idea that students are 'encouraged' to take holidays. |
| Q18 | TRUE | Since each course has varying needs, there are not necessarily any set hours for classes across all programmes | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that because every course is different, the class times are not the same for all courses. This means the schedule for one course can be different from the schedule for another. Answer Explanation: The answer is TRUE. This means the statement that different courses can have very different class schedules is correct. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is TRUE. The passage states that because each course has different needs ('varying needs'), there are no fixed times ('set hours') for classes that apply to all programs. This means the timetables can be very different. It also tells students to check the specific timetable for their own course. |
| Q19 | FALSE | Legitimate reasons for non-attendance (e.g. illness) will be given consideration provided that documentary evidence is provided. In this case, an achievement certificate only will be issued | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that if you have a good reason for not coming to class, like being sick, you need to provide a document (like a doctor's note). If you do this, you will get only an achievement certificate, not an attendance certificate. Answer Explanation: The answer is FALSE. This means the statement that you can get an attendance certificate if you are sick is not correct. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is FALSE. The passage states that if you miss a class for a valid reason, such as 'illness', and provide proof, you will receive 'an achievement certificate only'. It specifically says you will not get an attendance certificate in this situation, which contradicts the statement. |
| Q20 | NOT GIVEN | No bookings are required for any of the eating places except the restaurant for Friday and Saturday dinner | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that you do not need to make a reservation, or a 'booking', to eat at the institute's food places. The only time you need a booking is for dinner at the restaurant on Fridays and Saturdays. This sentence does not mention anything about guests or needing permission to bring them. Answer Explanation: The answer means the passage does not say whether students need to get permission to bring friends or family to the restaurant. We don't know if the statement is true or false. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'NOT GIVEN' because the passage talks about making 'bookings' (reservations) for the restaurant on Friday and Saturday nights. However, it does not mention any rules about bringing 'guests' or needing special 'permission' for them. Since the text does not provide this specific information, we cannot confirm or deny the statement. |
| Q21 | NOT GIVEN | The opening times of the snack bar, coffee lounge and restaurant are printed below your course timetable | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that the hours for the coffee lounge are written on a student's schedule (timetable). However, the passage itself does not tell us what those hours are. Because the text does not include this information, we don't know if the coffee lounge is closed in the evenings. Answer Explanation: The answer is NOT GIVEN. This means the information in the passage does not tell us if the coffee lounge is open or closed in the evenings. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is NOT GIVEN because the passage states where to find the opening times for the coffee lounge (on the course timetable), but it does not list the actual hours. The text mentions that the coffee lounge is closed on public holidays, but it gives no information about its hours on a normal evening. Since the text doesn't provide this specific information, we cannot say if the statement is true or false. |
| Q22 | TRUE | However, a group booking may be made for the restaurant for dinner on such days, provided that there is a minimum of 20 people in the group | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that you can book the restaurant for a group dinner on public holidays. However, this is only allowed if the group has at least 20 people. Answer Explanation: The answer is TRUE. This means that the statement is correct. It is possible for a group with 20 or more people to book the restaurant on public holidays. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is TRUE. The passage says that the restaurant is usually not open on public holidays. However, it also says there is an exception. A group can make a booking for dinner on a public holiday if the group has 'a minimum of 20 people'. This means 20 people or more, which directly matches the information in the question. |
| Q23 | TRUE | Guests of Percil students are welcome to use the swimming pool but not the gymnasium areas | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that friends or visitors of the students at Percil Institute are allowed to swim in the pool. However, it also says they cannot use the gym. Answer Explanation: The answer is TRUE. This means that the statement 'Guests may use the swimming pool' is correct. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is TRUE. The passage has a section about the sports complex. In this section, it clearly states that 'Guests of Percil students are welcome to use the swimming pool'. This means visitors of the students are allowed to go swimming. |
| Q24 | FALSE | After 8.30 pm the front doors of the Institute are locked. If you need to gain access to the Institute after this time, please contact the caretaker by pressing the doorbell and speaking through the intercom. If you are admitted by the caretaker you will be required to show your student card | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that after 8:30 in the evening, the front doors are locked. But, if you need to get inside the building, you can ring a doorbell and talk to the caretaker. The caretaker can let you in if you show your student ID card. Answer Explanation: The answer means the statement is wrong. Students are able to get into the institute after 8:30 pm. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is FALSE because the text says that even though the doors are locked after 8:30 pm, there is a special way for students to get in. The statement says students are 'unable to enter', but the text explains they can 'gain access' by contacting the caretaker. This shows the statement is incorrect. |
| Q25 | twenty weeks / 20 weeks / 20 weeks' duration | These scholarships are available for full-time study only and are not offered for courses of less than 20 weeks' duration | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says you can only get a scholarship for a full-time course, and the course cannot be shorter than 20 weeks long. 'Duration' means how long the course lasts. Answer Explanation: The answer is 20 weeks. This is the shortest amount of time a course can be for you to get a scholarship. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is '20 weeks' because the question asks for the shortest (minimum) time a course must last to get a scholarship. The text says that scholarships are 'not offered for courses of less than 20 weeks' duration'. This means the course must be 20 weeks or longer, so the minimum length is 20 weeks. |
| Q26 | vouchers / airline vouchers | If the distance exceeds this amount, you will be provided with airline vouchers | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that if the flight distance is more than ('exceeds') 2,500 kilometers, the scholarship winner will be given 'airline vouchers', which are special tickets or coupons for the plane. Answer Explanation: The answer is 'airline vouchers'. This means that instead of getting a full plane ticket paid for directly, students receive special coupons or tickets from the airline company to help pay for their flight. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'airline vouchers' because the passage explains the rules for travel support for scholarship winners. It says that students get their 'return airfares' paid for if the distance is 'not more than 2,500 kilometres'. However, the question asks what happens if the distance is 'over 2,500 km'. The text then states, 'If the distance exceeds this amount, you will be provided with airline vouchers.' The word 'exceeds' means 'is more than' or 'over', directly answering the question. |
| Q27 | scholarship holder / the scholarship holder | Travel costs or support for dependent children are at the scholarship holder's expense | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that the money needed for the scholarship winner's children to travel must be paid by the scholarship winner. The scholarship itself will not pay for the children's travel. Answer Explanation: The answer means that the person who gets the scholarship is the one who has to pay for their children to travel. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'scholarship holder' because the passage explains what the scholarship pays for. It says some travel costs for a husband or wife might be paid, but then it clearly states that costs for 'dependent children' are the responsibility of the person with the scholarship. The key phrase is 'at the scholarship holder's expense', which means they must pay. |