The Best Bags For Taking Things To The Sports Centre Or Gym & Why Not Try Coasteering In North Devon? - IELTS Reading Answers & Explanations
From Cambridge IELTS 20 General Training Reading Test 4 · Part 1 · Questions 1–14
Reading Passage
Read the text and answer Questions 1–7.
The best bags for taking things to the sports centre or gym
A Fjällräven vardag duffel 30
This premium outdoor brand has a newly released lightweight bag in its product range. Constructed from the brand's special water-resistant fabric, it's also great from an eco-perspective, as it's made from 65 per cent recycled polyester and 35 per cent organic cotton. This bag is definitely strong, and you'll be able to squeeze it into a tight space without worrying about damaging it.
B Filson medium rugged twill duffel bag
This brand has a great tradition of producing simply the best quality gear. If you're inclined to treat yourself to a bag that should last you a lifetime, this is for you. Admittedly it's likely you'll need to save up for this one, but it's well worth it.
C Deuter trans alpine pro 28
This pack has got so many features, which does, however, make it on the heavier side. For example, the pouch at the back is expandable to put your bike helmet (or trainers / towel / other sizeable gear) in, and the side pockets are perfect for water bottles.
D Columbia unisex convey 25l rolltop daypack
The full-width zip means you can easily push stuff in. There's one main compartment which also has a separate padded sleeve for a tablet plus an extra zip pocket for valuables at the top and convenient metal rings to attach items like bike helmets if required.
E The North Face base camp duffel
This top-of-the-range bag has a very generous 50 litre storage capacity. If that's too much for you, there's always the trimmer 31 litre equivalent (which retails a little cheaper). There's an internal pocket to separate some gear out and an extra small external zip pocket on one of the ends.
F Under Armour sports style duffel
A simple yet effective and stylish bag. At 24 litres it's neat in size, and a separate smaller waterproof compartment at one of the ends is ideal for putting damp gear in so that everything else is unaffected by it. It also comes with a removable strap so you can wear it over one shoulder. It's a decent option for an everyday gym bag that won't break the bank.
______________
Read the text below and answer Questions 8–14.
Why not try coasteering in North Devon?
Coasteering is an adventure sport which involves coastal exploration. When you try coasteering from our centre, you go along the local coast, staying at sea level. You do this by, for example, running over rough ground, climbing rocks, swimming, and jumping off cliffs into the sea. In this way you can explore the impact zone, which is the area where the sea and the land meet and you will get an entirely new view of the coast and on some days you may even be able to observe a variety of marine wildlife.
Our centre is located in the centre of the village of Croyde in the south-west of England, which has some very beautiful coastal scenery. From our centre you're transported to the coasteering location on Baggy Point. Once you've completed your coasteering experience we'll return you to our centre, which has changing facilities and warm showers, and you can also get a drink or snack in the café.
Your coasteering guide will check the tide and conditions at sea before your trip. Checks on your safety equipment to make sure it fits effectively are important too. If your guide feels that the risks are too high, then your trip will be rescheduled. It should be noted that the minimum age is 8 years old.
We have a range of experiences for participants to try, such as the family coasteering route, which includes a variety of exciting things to look at. Then there is the adventurer challenge and the more challenging thrill-seeker route. Coastal adventures can be arranged as a part of a group or in a private session. The choice is entirely yours. Sessions are £40 per person, which covers the use of wetsuits, helmets and a buoyancy aid to help you float in the sea. Towels can be hired for a small fee. You'll need to bring a pair of shorts to wear over your wetsuit to protect it when you slide over rocks and a pair of trainers to help you grip on slippery surfaces.
If you're also interested in surfing, you can add lessons to your coasteering sessions at our centre in Croyde.
Questions
Questions 1–7 Matching Information
Look at the six reviews of gym bags, A-F.
For which gym bag are the following statements true?
Write the correct letter, A-F.
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?
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 | F | A simple yet effective and stylish bag. At 24 litres it's neat in size, and a separate smaller waterproof compartment at one of the ends is ideal for putting damp gear in so that everything else is unaffected by it | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that this bag has a special small part that is waterproof. This part is perfect for putting wet clothes or items inside so that those wet items do not make anything else in the bag wet. It keeps everything dry. Answer Explanation: The answer is bag F. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is F because the description for the 'Under Armour sports style duffel' specifically mentions a special part inside the bag that is good for wet items. It explains that this part is 'waterproof' and helps keep other things in the bag 'unaffected' or dry. This means you can put wet swimming clothes in it without making the other items wet. |
| Q2 | B | If you're inclined to treat yourself to a bag that should last you a lifetime, this is for you | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that if you want a bag that will work well for many, many years, this specific bag is a good choice for you. Answer Explanation: The answer is bag 'B'. This means that the bag 'B' will not get old or break easily. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is B because the passage says this bag is made to 'last you a lifetime'. This phrase means the bag is very strong and durable, so it will not wear out quickly or break for a very long time. |
| Q3 | A | Constructed from the brand's special water-resistant fabric, it's also great from an eco-perspective, as it's made from 65 per cent recycled polyester and 35 per cent organic cotton | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says this bag is made with a special fabric that keeps water out. It also says the bag is good for the Earth because it uses materials that have been used before (recycled polyester) and natural cotton grown without harmful chemicals (organic cotton). Answer Explanation: The answer is 'A'. This means Bag A is good for someone who wants a bag that helps the environment. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is A because the description for the 'Fjällräven vardag duffel 30' bag mentions it is good for the environment. It says the bag is made from 'recycled polyester' and 'organic cotton', which are materials that are better for nature. The phrase 'eco-perspective' directly means 'good for the environment'. |
| Q4 | E | This top-of-the-range bag has a very generous 50 litre storage capacity. If that's too much for you, there's always the trimmer 31 litre equivalent (which retails a little cheaper) | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that this bag has a large size of 50 litres. But if that's too big, there is also a smaller size of 31 litres that costs a little less money. This means there are two different sizes to pick from. Answer Explanation: The answer is E. This letter belongs to 'The North Face base camp duffel' gym bag. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is E because the text states that people can choose this bag in two different sizes. You can get a large 50-litre size or a smaller 31-litre size. |
| Q5 | F | It's a decent option for an everyday gym bag that won't break the bank | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says this bag is a good choice for daily gym use and 'won't break the bank.' This means it is affordable and not very expensive. Answer Explanation: The answer is bag F. This bag is good for someone who does not want to spend a lot of money. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is F because the description for the 'Under Armour sports style duffel' explicitly states that it 'won't break the bank.' This phrase means the bag is affordable and not too expensive, which perfectly matches the question about not wanting to spend too much money. |
| Q6 | A | This premium outdoor brand has a newly released lightweight bag in its product range | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that this company has a light bag that is 'newly released', meaning it has just been made available to buy. Answer Explanation: The answer is bag A. This bag is new to buy. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is A because the text says this bag is 'newly released'. This means the bag has just come out and is new on the market, matching the statement in the question. |
| Q7 | C | This pack has got so many features, which does, however, make it on the heavier side | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says this bag has many special parts (features). Because of these parts, the bag is heavy. Answer Explanation: The answer is 'C'. This bag is heavier than some other bags you can choose. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is C because the text says that the 'Deuter trans alpine pro 28' bag is 'on the heavier side'. This means it weighs more compared to other gym bags, which directly answers the question about a bag that 'weighs more'. The passage links its weight to having 'so many features'. |
| Q8 | FALSE | In this way you can explore the impact zone, which is the area where the sea and the land meet and you will get an entirely new view of the coast and on some days you may even be able to observe a variety of marine wildlife | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that on 'some days,' which means not every day, you 'may even be able to observe' different sea animals. This means it's possible to see them, but it's not a sure thing or a promise. Answer Explanation: The answer is FALSE. This means the statement is not true based on the text. The coasteering centre does not promise that people will see sea animals every time they go. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is FALSE because the passage states that participants *may even be able to observe* marine wildlife, not that they are *guaranteed* to see animals. The phrase 'may even be able to' suggests it's possible but not a promise or a certainty. Therefore, the statement that the centre 'guarantees' seeing animals is incorrect. |
| Q9 | FALSE | From our centre you're transported to the coasteering location on Baggy Point | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that from the main building (the centre), people are moved by a vehicle to the place called Baggy Point, where they will start coasteering. Answer Explanation: The answer 'FALSE' means that the people who go coasteering do NOT have to walk from the main building (the centre) to the place where they start their adventure. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'FALSE' because the passage clearly states that participants are 'transported' from the centre to the coasteering location. This means they do not walk there, but are taken by a vehicle. The word 'transported' tells us they are moved, not that they walk. |
| Q10 | NOT GIVEN | and you can also get a drink or snack in the café | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that the price for each person is £40, and this price includes things like special suits (wetsuits), head protection (helmets), and a device to help you float (buoyancy aid) in the water. It also mentions that you can buy a drink or snack at the cafe, but it doesn't say if these are free or if you have to pay more for them. Answer Explanation: The answer, "NOT GIVEN," means that the passage does not tell us if the price for coasteering includes food or drinks from the cafe. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "NOT GIVEN" because the passage lists what is covered by the £40 fee for coasteering sessions, such as 'wetsuits, helmets and a buoyancy aid'. It also mentions that people can get 'a drink or snack in the café'. However, the passage does not say whether these snacks and drinks are part of the £40 fee or if you have to pay extra for them. There is no information to confirm or deny the statement. |
| Q11 | NOT GIVEN | We have a range of experiences for participants to try, such as the family coasteering route, which includes a variety of exciting things to look at. Then there is the adventurer challenge and the more challenging thrill-seeker route | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says there are different ways to try coasteering. It lists a 'family coasteering route', an 'adventurer challenge', and a 'thrill-seeker route' which is harder. But it does not say that the thrill-seeker route is the one most people like or choose. Answer Explanation: The answer 'NOT GIVEN' means that the passage does not tell us if the thrill-seeker route is the most popular or not. The text simply doesn't talk about how many people choose each route. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'NOT GIVEN' because the passage describes different coasteering routes, including the 'thrill-seeker route', and mentions that it is 'more challenging'. However, the passage does not provide any information about which route is the most popular. It does not rank the routes by how many people choose them. Therefore, we cannot say if the statement is true or false based on the text. |
| Q12 | FALSE | Sessions are £40 per person, which covers the use of wetsuits, helmets and a buoyancy aid to help you float in the sea | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that the cost of one coasteering session is £40 for each person. This money also pays for using important safety items like special suits (wetsuits), head protection (helmets), and a life vest (buoyancy aid) that helps you stay on top of the water. Answer Explanation: The answer means that the statement is not true. People who join the coasteering activity do not have to pay more money to use the important safety gear. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is FALSE because the passage clearly states that the main fee for the coasteering session already 'covers' the use of safety items like 'wetsuits, helmets and a buoyancy aid'. This means these items are included in the price, and participants do not need to 'pay extra' for them. While towels can be hired for a small fee, they are not typically considered the primary 'necessary items of safety equipment' for coasteering like wetsuits and helmets. |
| Q13 | TRUE | You'll need to bring a pair of shorts to wear over your wetsuit to protect it when you slide over rocks and a pair of trainers to help you grip on slippery surfaces | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that people who join the activity must bring 'trainers' (a type of shoe) to wear. These shoes are important because they help you not slip and fall on wet or smooth rocks. Answer Explanation: The answer, TRUE, means that the statement is correct according to the information in the passage. The centre does tell people what kind of shoes to wear. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is TRUE because the passage clearly states that participants need to bring a specific type of footwear: 'trainers'. It also explains *why* these shoes are needed, which is 'to help you grip on slippery surfaces'. This shows that the centre recommends this particular type of footwear for safety and practical reasons during the activity. |
| Q14 | TRUE | If you're also interested in surfing, you can add lessons to your coasteering sessions at our centre in Croyde | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that if you like surfing, you can take surfing lessons along with your coasteering trips at their place in Croyde. This means you can do both activities. Answer Explanation: The answer is TRUE. This means the idea in the question is correct based on the information in the text. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is TRUE because the passage clearly states that people can do coasteering and also learn another sport at the same place. It specifically mentions that if someone is interested in 'surfing,' they can 'add lessons' for it to their coasteering trips. This shows that two different sports can be combined or done together. |