STUDENT CLUBS AND SOCIETIES & Student Loans - IELTS Reading Answers & Explanations
From Cambridge IELTS 03 General Training Reading Test 2 · Part 2 · Questions 14–27
Reading Passage
Read the notice on the following page about Student Clubs and Societies. The notice has four main paragraphs A-D.
STUDENT CLUBS AND SOCIETIES
Desperate to find friends with common interests?
Urgently in need of student contacts around college?
Looking for different cultural and religious experiences?
Wanting some good discussion?
Don’t look any further!
JOIN A CLUB OR SOCIETY AND HAVE FUN!
A
This club was first started by a group of friends who enjoyed going to the cinema. When our trips became more frequent we realised that there must be others who also shared our love of movies. This club is for those people. Membership gives wide access to other activities like basketball and football as well as barbecues and other social functions. We don’t just enjoy movies.
B
The association has many opportunities to debate and we are a non-political unbiased international organisation which aims to promote international awareness on campus. We establish links and access to the organisation’s agencies and other internationalist organisations and their resources. Our plans this year include discussion groups, guest speakers and to build a model of the UN General Assembly.
C
Whether for fun or debating experience, we discuss everything from personal experience, future society or feminism. This year we plan an internal competition, weekly debates and beginners’ lessons as well as chances to compete nationally. Whether it be to improve your verbal or social skills the society provides both!
D
Want to be a movie star? Then go somewhere else! On the other hand, want to work really hard for great rewards? Then come and join the club where interesting theatre is created. We usually put on three productions each year. So if you like to write, paint, act, direct or do anything in the theatre, come and put your name down with us.
If you are interested in joining any of these clubs, you can leave a message for the President at the CAS Office in the Student Union Building.
And don’t forget the CAS Ball is an annual event!
This year it’s being held on 22 December!
______________
It is possible for some students in Higher Education in Britain to borrow money through a government scheme. These loans are called ‘student loans’ and are described in the passage on the following page. Read the passage and answer Questions 20-27 below.
Student Loans
The Government has been funding a loans scheme for students in Higher Education since September 1990.
These loans are available as a ‘top up’ to the standard grant. Although the loan is intended to supplement the grant for living costs, eligibility for a student loan is not restricted to those who receive a maintenance grant.
The decision whether or not to take the loan is yours.
Eligibility
You are eligible for a student loan if you are a UK resident and are attending a full-time Higher Education course, below postgraduate level, or a Postgraduate Certificate in Education course, provided you start your course before your 50th birthday. Fulltime courses last at least one academic year and include sandwich courses which combine time at college with time spent in a workplace.
Eligible courses are offered by colleges, universities, the Scottish grant-aided colleges and other publicly funded institutions providing Higher Education courses.
In general, eligible courses include first degree courses or their equivalents and any other courses for which your Local Authority will pay your tuition fees.
Your financial circumstances
Students who want loans are not ‘means tested’ or ‘credit vetted’ - all those eligible will obtain a loan.
This means that:
- The amount of your maintenance grant or tuition fees does not matter.
- Other income, if any, is not taken into account.
- Any previous student loans are not taken into account.
- The income of your parents, spouse, partner or other relatives is not taken into account.
- Your previous financial record is not a consideration.
When to apply for a loan
If you would like more information on how to apply for a student loan in readiness for your entry to Higher Education in Autumn 2003, then you should contact The Student Loans Company from June 2003 onwards.
Once in Higher Education, you can apply for a loan at any time in the academic year.
Questions
Questions 14–17 Matching Headings
Choose the most suitable heading for each paragraph from the list of headings below.
i. English Society
ii. Education Club
iii. Film Appreciation Society
iv. Drama Society
v. Music Club
vi. Games Society
vii. Women’s Club
viii. Debating Club
ix. United Nations Student Club
x. Technical Students’ Club
Questions 18–19 Short Answers
Using NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS, answer the following questions.
Questions 20–27 Yes / No / Not Given
YES if the answer to the question is ‘yes’
NO if the answer to the questions is ‘no’
NOT GIVEN if the information is not given in the passage
Answers & Explanations Summary
| # | Answer | Evidence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q14 | iii | This club was first started by a group of friends who enjoyed going to the cinema. When our trips became more frequent we realised that there must be others who also shared our love of movies. This club is for those people | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that this club began with a group of friends who liked going to the cinema (the place where you watch movies) and wanted to meet more people who also love movies. Answer Explanation: The answer is heading iii, which is the Film Appreciation Society. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is iii because Paragraph A describes a group that started because of a shared love for going to the cinema and watching movies. In English, a 'film' is another word for a movie, and 'appreciation' means liking or enjoying something. Therefore, a club for people who enjoy movies is a Film Appreciation Society. |
| Q15 | ix | The association has many opportunities to debate and we are a non-political unbiased international organisation which aims to promote international awareness on campus. We establish links and access to the organisation’s agencies and other internationalist organisations and their resources. Our plans this year include discussion groups, guest speakers and to build a model of the UN General Assembly | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that this student group is international and wants to teach people about global issues. They are also planning to create a small version of the United Nations (UN) meeting. Answer Explanation: The answer is the name of the club that focuses on international news and the United Nations. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is ix because Paragraph B describes a group that is an "international organisation" focused on "international awareness." It mentions that they plan to build a "model of the UN General Assembly," which directly links the club to the United Nations. |
| Q16 | viii | Whether for fun or debating experience, we discuss everything from personal experience, future society or feminism. This year we plan an internal competition, weekly debates and beginners’ lessons as well as chances to compete nationally | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that this club offers opportunities to talk about different ideas, learn how to debate, and take part in speaking contests against other teams. Answer Explanation: The answer 'viii' refers to the 'Debating Club' heading. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'viii' because Paragraph C describes a club that focuses on talking about different topics and holding competitions for speaking. The paragraph specifically mentions 'debating experience', 'weekly debates', and a 'competition', which are all key parts of a Debating Club. The club helps students improve their verbal (speaking) skills by discussing various subjects like 'feminism' or 'future society'. |
| Q17 | iv | Then come and join the club where interesting theatre is created. We usually put on three productions each year. So if you like to write, paint, act, direct or do anything in the theatre, come and put your name down with us | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that this club is for people who want to help make theatre shows. It says they perform three times a year and want people who like to act, write, or direct for the stage. Answer Explanation: The answer iv means the best heading for Paragraph D is Drama Society. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is chosen because Paragraph D describes a group that focuses on stage performances and plays. It mentions specific activities like acting, directing, and creating theatre. The word drama is a synonym for theatre or plays, which clearly identifies this club. |
| Q18 | leave a message / leave message | If you are interested in joining any of these clubs, you can leave a message for the President at the CAS Office in the Student Union Building | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that if you want to become a member of a club, you can go to the office and give a note to the person in charge. Answer Explanation: The answer means you should give a note or information to the leader of the clubs if you want to join. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is found in the final section of the notice about student clubs. It clearly states the action a student must take if they are 'interested in joining.' The text mentions that you can 'leave a message' specifically for the 'President' at a certain office. This provides the direct method for communication requested by the question. |
| Q19 | annually / once a year / each year / an annual event | And don’t forget the CAS Ball is an annual event | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage clearly states that the special party called the CAS Ball happens once every year. Answer Explanation: The answer means the party happens one time every single year. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is based on the word 'annual' used in the text. In English, when something is described as an 'annual event', it means it happens once a year. Therefore, saying it happens 'annually' or 'every year' is correct. |
| Q20 | NO | Fulltime courses last at least one academic year and include sandwich courses which combine time at college with time spent in a workplace Eligible courses are offered by colleges, universities, the Scottish grant-aided colleges and other publicly funded institutions providing Higher Education courses |
Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage states that a course must be intensive (full-time), last for a full school year, and be at a school that gets money from the government (publicly funded) for a student to get a loan. Answer Explanation: The answer is NO, meaning the person in the question cannot receive a student loan for their cookery course. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is NO because the cookery course does not meet several rules listed in the text. First, the text says loans are for "full-time" courses, but the person is only attending "a couple of evenings a week." Second, the text says these courses must last "at least one academic year," but this course is only one month long. Third, the person is at a "private" college, but the text says eligible courses come from "publicly funded institutions." |
| Q21 | YES | In general, eligible courses include first degree courses or their equivalents and any other courses for which your Local Authority will pay your tuition fees | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that courses are usually okay for a loan if they are like a first college degree or if the local government is paying for the student's school fees. Answer Explanation: The answer means that this student is allowed to apply for and receive a student loan. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'YES' because the text explains the rules for who can get a loan (eligibility). It specifically says that if your Local Authority (a type of local government) pays for your course fees, the course is considered one that is eligible for the loan. Since the student mentioned that their fees are being paid by their Local Authority, they meet this requirement. |
| Q22 | NOT GIVEN | In general, eligible courses include first degree courses or their equivalents and any other courses for which your Local Authority will pay your tuition fees | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that the Local Authority pays for first degrees and certain other courses, but it does not specifically list the Postgraduate Certificate in Education as one of the courses they pay for. Answer Explanation: The answer is NOT GIVEN because the text does not say whether the Local Authority will pay the tuition fees for a Postgraduate Certificate in Education course; it only says that students on this course can get a student loan. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is NOT GIVEN because the passage does not provide enough information to answer the question. It mentions that first degree courses are generally paid for by the Local Authority, but it does not state if this applies to a Postgraduate Certificate in Education. While the text notes that you can get a student loan for such a course, it is silent about who pays the tuition fees. |
| Q23 | NO | You are eligible for a student loan if you are a UK resident and are attending a full-time Higher Education course, below postgraduate level, or a Postgraduate Certificate in Education course, provided you start your course before your 50th birthday | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that you can get these loans if you start your school course before you turn 50. Because the woman in the question is 48, she is young enough to get the money. Answer Explanation: The answer "NO" means that the mother is not too old to receive the loan. She is still at an age where she is allowed to apply for it. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is NO because the passage explains that a student can get a loan if they start their studies before they reach 50 years old. Since the mother is 48, she is younger than 50 and therefore meets the age rule. The key phrase to note is "before your 50th birthday," which tells us the age limit is 50. |
| Q24 | YES | Students who want loans are not ‘means tested’ or ‘credit vetted’ - all those eligible will obtain a loan The amount of your maintenance grant or tuition fees does not matter |
Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that the people who give the loans do not look at your bank account or check your money history to decide if you can have a loan. It also says that the money you already get for school costs, like grants or tuition help, is not a problem and will not stop you from getting the loan. Answer Explanation: The answer YES means that having a scholarship (extra money for school) does not stop you from getting a government student loan. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is YES because the passage states that the loan process does not involve checking your personal wealth or other income. It explains that everyone who is eligible will get the loan regardless of their financial situation. Specifically, it mentions that the amount of money you already have for tuition fees is not important and does not change your ability to get the loan. Key phrases like 'not means tested' and 'does not matter' show that your current money or scholarships are ignored. |
| Q25 | NO | The income of your parents, spouse, partner or other relatives is not taken into account | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage states that the money earned by your parents, husband or wife, partner, or any other family members is not looked at or used for the loan application. Answer Explanation: The answer "NO" means that you do not have to tell the Student Loans Company how much money your aunt makes. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "NO" because the text explains that when applying for a loan, the money earned by your family or relatives does not matter. Since an aunt is a family member (a relative), her income is "not taken into account," which means the company does not need that information. |
| Q26 | NO | Your previous financial record is not a consideration | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage states that your past history of handling money will not be looked at or used to decide if you can get a student loan. Answer Explanation: The answer "NO" means that having money problems with a bank in the past will not prevent you from getting a student loan. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "NO" because the passage explains that a student's past history with money is not checked or used to make a decision. Even if a person had debt before, it does not matter because their "previous financial record" is "not a consideration." This phrase means the loan company does not care about your past habits with banks or loans. |
| Q27 | YES | Any previous student loans are not taken into account | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that money you borrowed for school before is not looked at or used to decide if you can have a new loan now. Answer Explanation: The answer YES means that the student is allowed to get a second loan, even though they had a loan for a previous course that they did not finish. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is YES because the rules for student loans state that past loans do not affect your ability to get a new one. The text explains that all eligible students will receive a loan regardless of their financial history. Specifically, it mentions that any student loans you had in the past are not considered when you apply again. |