The Young Person’s Railcard & TRAIN TRAVEL INFORMATION - IELTS Reading Answers & Explanations
From Cambridge IELTS 09 General Training Reading Test 2 · Part 1 · Questions 1–14
Reading Passage
Read the text below and answer Questions 1–7.
The Young Person's Railcard
A Young Person's Railcard gives young people the opportunity to purchase discounted rail tickets across Britain. Just imagine where it could take you - to festivals, to see distant friends or to London for a weekend break.
Who can apply?
Absolutely anybody between 16 and 25 can apply. You will need to provide proof that you are under 26 years of age. For this, only your birth certificate, driving licence, passport or medical card will be acceptable. Alternatively, if you are a mature student over this age but in full-time education, you can also apply. In order to prove your eligibility, you will need to get your headteacher, tutor, or head of department to sign the application form as well as one of your photos, the latter also needing to be officially stamped. 'Full-time education' is defined as over 15 hours per week for at least 20 weeks a year.
Then go along to any major railway station, rail-appointed travel agent or authorised student travel office with your completed application form from this leaflet, together with £28, two passport-sized photos and proof of eligibility.
Using your railcard
You can use it at any time - weekends, Bank Holidays or during the week. But if you travel before 10 am Monday to Friday (except during July and August) minimum fares will apply. For full details of these, please ask at your local station or contact a rail-appointed travel agent.
Conditions
In cases where a railcard does not bear the user's signature, it will be treated as invalid. Neither your railcard nor any tickets bought with it may be used by anybody else. Unless there are no purchase facilities available at the station where you began your journey, you will be required to pay the full fare if you are unable to produce a valid ticket for inspection during a journey.
Reduced rate tickets are not available for first-class travel or for Eurostar links to France and Belgium. Passengers will be charged the full rate if they want to use these services.
______________
Read the text below and answer Questions 8–14.
TRAIN TRAVEL INFORMATION
We offer several distinct options for you to choose the ticket that suits you best.
| TICKET TYPE | DISCOUNT* | NOTES |
| standard returns | 20% | return within 60 days of outward trip |
| same day returns | 25% | ticket cannot be altered or refunded |
| children | 40% | children between 4 and 11 |
| students | 25% | student card must be shown |
| senior citizens | 25% | seniors card must be shown |
| groups (10—25 people) | 15% | discount on each section of the trip |
| globe-trotter tickets | according to ticket | Railpass, Tourist Card, Econopass |
* Only one discount may apply to each fare.
CHANGES AND REFUNDS
Tickets may be refunded not later than 5 minutes before the departure of the train for a charge of 15% of the ticket price, or the journey may be changed to another day for a charge of 10% of the ticket price. (Not applicable to same day returns.)
CHANGES FOR SAME DAY TRAVEL
You may change your ticket once without charge for a journey on the same day as the original ticket.
INFORMATION OF INTEREST TO TRAVELLERS
- When you buy your ticket it is up to you to check that the dates and times of the journey on it are exactly as you requested.
- Ticket control and access to each train platform will be open until 2 minutes before departure of the train.
- Each traveller may take one suitcase and one item of hand luggage. You may also check in 15kgs. of luggage not later than 30 minutes before departure, at no extra charge.
- If you would like to charter a train, or make reservations for over 25 passengers travelling together, call the Sales Department.
OUR TIMETABLE IS GUARANTEED
If the arrival of your train at your destination is delayed by more than 5 minutes according to the timetable, we will refund the full price of your ticket if the delay is caused by our company
Questions
Questions 1–7 Sentence Completion
Complete the sentences below.
Choose NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS from the text for each answer.
- Railcard applicants over 25 need to be involved in 1 .
- For mature, full-time students, one of the photographs submitted must be signed and 2 .
- At certain times of the year, there are no 3 for railcard holders at any time of day.
- If your railcard doesn't have your 4 it will be impossible to use it for travel.
- The benefits of a railcard are not transferable to 5 .
- If you have no ticket but boarded a train at a station without any 6 you will still be eligible for a discounted ticket.
- If railcard holders wish to use the Eurostar network they must pay the 7 .
Questions 8–14 Summary Completion
Complete the summary below.
Choose NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER from the text for each answer.
An elderly person who is also studying full-time receives a concession of 8 .
Large groups people who want to reserve seats should get in touch with the 9 .
If travellers cancel their trip, they will usually receive back the ticket price less 10 , or they may change the date of their trip by paying 11 of the original value. These concessions do not apply in the case of 12 . It is the passenger's responsibility to make sure the 13 and times are correct.
Travellers should ensure they are ready to board the train with at least 14 to spare. They may take a suitcase with them in the carriage as well as hand luggage. A traveller may check in 15 kilos maximum weight of luggage but this must be done at least 30 minutes before the train leaves.
Answers & Explanations Summary
| # | Answer | Evidence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q1 | full-time education | Alternatively, if you are a mature student over this age but in full-time education, you can also apply | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that if someone is older than 25 but is a student studying full-time, they are still allowed to apply for the railcard. Answer Explanation: The answer means being a student at a school or college for the regular amount of hours each week, rather than just taking a few classes. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is ‘full-time education’ because the passage states that people older than 25 (described as a 'mature student over this age') can still get a railcard if they are in this type of study program. To be 'involved in' something in this context means to be participating in that specific level of schooling. |
| Q2 | officially stamped / stamped | In order to prove your eligibility, you will need to get your headteacher, tutor, or head of department to sign the application form as well as one of your photos, the latter also needing to be officially stamped | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that to show you are allowed to have the card, your teacher or department leader must sign your photo and make sure it has an official stamp on it. Answer Explanation: The answer means that the photograph must have a formal mark or seal (an official stamp) on it to be valid. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "(officially) stamped" because the section of the text for mature students (those over 25) states that to prove they are in school, they need a professional like a tutor or head of department to sign their application and one of their photos. It specifically mentions that the photo also needs to be 'officially stamped' to be accepted. |
| Q3 | minimum fares | But if you travel before 10 am Monday to Friday (except during July and August) minimum fares will apply | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that while you usually have to pay at least a specific low price (minimum fare) for early morning trips on weekdays, this rule does not apply during the months of July and August. Answer Explanation: The answer "minimum fares" refers to the lowest set price a train ticket can cost after a discount is applied. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is supported by the text's explanation of when certain price rules apply. The passage mentions that "minimum fares" are usually required for travel before 10 am on weekdays. However, it specifically names "July and August" as exceptions to this rule. This implies that during these certain times of the year, the rule about charging a minimum fare is removed, meaning there are no minimum fares at any time of day during those months. |
| Q4 | signature | In cases where a railcard does not bear the user's signature, it will be treated as invalid | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage states that if a railcard does not have the person's signed name, the card will not be accepted for travel. Answer Explanation: The answer is your own name written by yourself on the card. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "signature" because the passage explains that a railcard is considered "invalid" (which means it cannot be used) if it does not have the user's signature on it. The word "bear" in the text is a formal way to say "have" or "show." |
| Q5 | anybody else | Neither your railcard nor any tickets bought with it may be used by anybody else | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that no one other than the owner is allowed to use the railcard or the tickets purchased with it. Answer Explanation: The answer means other people besides the person who owns the railcard. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is supported by the text which explains that the railcard is personal and cannot be shared. It says that no other person is allowed to use your railcard or the tickets you bought with it. This matches the idea that benefits are not 'transferable' (cannot be given) to other individuals, referred to as 'anybody else'. |
| Q6 | purchase facilities | Unless there are no purchase facilities available at the station where you began your journey, you will be required to pay the full fare if you are unable to produce a valid ticket for inspection during a journey | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that if you can't show a ticket during your trip, you have to pay the full price. The only time this isn't true is if the station where you started your trip didn't have any place to buy a ticket. Answer Explanation: The answer "purchase facilities" means places where you can buy a ticket, such as a ticket window or a machine. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "purchase facilities" because of the rule regarding ticket inspections. According to the passage, a passenger who cannot show a valid ticket is normally forced to pay the full price of a ticket. This rule does not apply if the station where the traveler started their trip did not have any equipment or offices to buy a ticket. In that specific case, the passenger would not be forced to pay the full fare right away. |
| Q7 | full fare / rate | Reduced rate tickets are not available for first-class travel or for Eurostar links to France and Belgium. Passengers will be charged the full rate if they want to use these services | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that discounted tickets are not allowed for Eurostar trips. Therefore, people who use those trains must pay the entire cost of the ticket (the full rate). Answer Explanation: The answer "full fare/rate" means the total, original price of the ticket without any discount or lower price applied. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "full fare/rate" because the passage specifically mentions that the Eurostar network is excluded from the Young Person's Railcard discounts. While the railcard usually offers a "reduced rate" (a lower price), passengers traveling to France or Belgium via Eurostar must pay the complete price that everyone else pays. The text uses the phrase "full rate" to describe this requirement. |
| Q8 | 25 percent / 25% | senior citizens | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage contains a table showing that students and senior citizens (older people) both get a 25 percent discount on their fares. Answer Explanation: The answer means that older passengers who are also full-time students receive a 25 percent discount on their train ticket prices. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 25% because in the 'TRAIN TRAVEL INFORMATION' table, both 'students' and 'senior citizens' (the term used for an elderly person) are listed as receiving a 25% discount. Since both groups receive this same amount, a person who is both a student and a senior citizen would receive a 25% concession. |
| Q9 | Sales Department | If you would like to charter a train, or make reservations for over 25 passengers travelling together, call the Sales Department | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that for very large groups of people who want to book their travel ahead of time, they need to contact the Sales Department. Answer Explanation: The answer is the name of the office or department that manages ticket sales and group bookings for the train company. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'Sales Department' because the text specifically states that if more than 25 people (which describes 'Large groups') want to make reservations (or 'reserve seats'), they must call this specific office. In the text, 'call' is a synonym for 'get in touch with'. |
| Q10 | 15 percent / 15% | Tickets may be refunded not later than 5 minutes before the departure of the train for a charge of 15% of the ticket price, or the journey may be changed to another day for a charge of 10% of the ticket price | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that if you return your ticket to get your money back (a refund) at least 5 minutes before the train leaves, the company will take 15% of the ticket price as a fee. Answer Explanation: The answer '15 per cent/%' is the part of your ticket money that the train company keeps if you decide not to travel and want your money back. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is found in the 'CHANGES AND REFUNDS' section. The text explains that if you want a 'refund' (which means cancelling your trip to get your money back), there is a 'charge of 15%'. Therefore, the traveler receives the original price minus (less) that 15% fee. |
| Q11 | 10 percent / 10% | Tickets may be refunded not later than 5 minutes before the departure of the train for a charge of 15% of the ticket price, or the journey may be changed to another day for a charge of 10% of the ticket price | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that if you want to use your ticket for a different day instead of the one you first chose, you have to pay a fee of 10% of the ticket price. Answer Explanation: The answer means that if a traveller decides to change the day of their trip, they must pay an extra fee equal to 10% of what the ticket originally cost. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is found in the 'CHANGES AND REFUNDS' section of the train travel information. The text specifies that while a cancellation (refund) costs 15% of the ticket price, changing the journey to a different day costs 10%. The summary asks for the amount paid to 'change the date of their trip', which identifies the 10% charge. |
| Q12 | same day returns | (Not applicable to same day returns.) | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that the previously mentioned options for refunds or changing a journey date cannot be used for same day return tickets. Answer Explanation: The answer refers to a specific type of train ticket used for traveling to a place and returning home on the very same day. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'same day returns' because the passage outlines specific rules (concessions) for getting travel money back or changing the date of a trip. However, it explicitly states that these rules are 'Not applicable'—meaning they do not apply—to this specific ticket type. |
| Q13 | dates | When you buy your ticket it is up to you to check that the dates and times of the journey on it are exactly as you requested | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that after you pay for your ticket, you must look at it to make sure the day and the hour of the trip are correct, just as you asked. Answer Explanation: The answer refers to the calendar days and the specific hours of travel written on your ticket. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is found in the 'INFORMATION OF INTEREST TO TRAVELLERS' section. It states that checking the ticket details is the responsibility of the passenger. The text uses the phrase 'it is up to you to check', which matches the summary's phrase 'passenger's responsibility', and specifies that the details to check are the 'dates and times' of the trip. |
| Q14 | 2 minutes | Ticket control and access to each train platform will be open until 2 minutes before departure of the train | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that the staff will check tickets and let you go to where the train waits only until there are 2 minutes left before the train leaves. Answer Explanation: The answer shows the amount of extra time passengers must have before the train leaves to make sure they can still get to the boarding area. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "2 minutes" because the section titled 'INFORMATION OF INTEREST TO TRAVELLERS' explains that ticket checks and platform entry are only available until 2 minutes before the train departs. This means a traveler needs at least that much time to spare to successfully board. |