WEST THAMES COLLEGE BACKGROUND INFORMATION FOR CANDIDATES & WEST THAMES COLLEGE SERVICES FOR STUDENTS - IELTS Reading Answers & Explanations
From Cambridge IELTS 02 General Training Reading Test 1 · Part 2 · Questions 14–26
Reading Passage
Read the text below and answer questions 14-20.
WEST THAMES COLLEGE BACKGROUND INFORMATION FOR CANDIDATES
West Thames College (initially known as Hounslow Borough College) came into existence in 1976 following the merger of Isleworth Polytechnic with part of Chiswick Polytechnic. Both parent colleges, in various guises, enjoyed a long tradition of service to the community dating back to the 1890s.
The college is located at London Road, Isleworth, on a site occupied by the Victorian house of the Pears family, Spring Grove House. An earlier house of the same name on this site had been the home of Sir Joseph Banks, the botanist who named Botany Bay with Captain Cook in 1770. Later he founded Kew Gardens.
Situated at the heart of West London, West Thames College is ideally placed to serve the training and education needs of local industry and local people. But its influence reaches much further than the immediate locality.
Under its former name, Hounslow Borough College, it had already established a regional, national and international reputation for excellence. In fact, about eight percent of its students come from continental Europe and further afield, whilst a further 52 percent are from outside the immediate area. Since 1 April 1993, when it became independent of the local authority and adopted its new title, West Thames College has continued to build on that first class reputation.
These days there is no such thing as a typical student. More than half of West Thames College's 6000 students are over 19 years old. Some of these will be attending college part-time under their employers' training schemes. Others will want to learn new skills purely out of interest, or out of a desire to improve their promotion chances, or they may want a change in career.
The college is also very popular with 16-18 year olds, who see it as a practical alternative to a further two years at school. They want to study in the more adult atmosphere the college provides. They can choose from a far wider range of subjects than it would be practical for a sixth form to offer. If they want to go straight into employment they can still study at college to gain qualifications relevant to the job, either on a day-release basis or through Network or the Modern Apprenticeship Scheme.
______________
Read the text below and answer questions 21-26.
WEST THAMES COLLEGE SERVICES FOR STUDENTS
A As a full-time student at West Thames College you will have your own Personal Mentor who will see you each week to guide you through your studies, and discuss any problems which may arise. We take a cooperative approach to the assessment of your work and encourage you to contribute to discussion.
B This service provides specialist assistance and courses for those who need help to improve their writing, oral and numeracy skills for the successful completion of their college course. Help with basic skills is also available.
C This service is available to anyone who is undecided as to which course to follow. It is very much a service for the individual, whatever your age, helping you to select the best option to suit your circumstances. The service includes educational advice, guidance and support, including a facility for accrediting your previous experience—the Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL). The Admissions Office is open Monday to Friday 9.00 am to 5.00 pm. All interviews are confidential and conducted in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. Evening appointments are available on request.
D The College Bookshop stocks a wide range of books, covering aspects of all courses, together with a good selection of stationery. It also supplies stamps, phone cards, blank videos and computer disks. The shop is open at times specified in the Student Handbook in the mornings, afternoons and evenings.
E When students are weary from study and want the chance to relax and enjoy themselves with friends, they can participate in a number of recreational activities. Depending on demand, we offer a range of sporting activities including football, badminton, basketball, table tennis, volleyball, weight training and aerobics. For the non-sporting students we offer a debating society, video club, hair and beauty sessions, as well as a range of creative activities. Suggestions for activities from students are always welcome.
F This confidential service is available if you have practical or personal difficulties during your course of study, whether of a financial or personal nature. Our Student Advisors can help you directly or put you in touch with someone else who can give you the help you need.
G The College Nurses are there for general medical advice and for treatment of illness or injury. All visits are confidential. First aid boxes and fully-trained First Aiders are also on hand at various locations around the college.
H West London employers have a permanent base in the centre of college, with access to a database of more than 24,000 jobs available locally and in Central London. They will also help you with job applications and interview techniques.
Questions
Questions 14–20 True / False / Not Given
write
TRUE if the statement is true
FALSE if the statement is false
NOT GIVEN if the information is not given in the passage
Questions 21–26 Matching Headings
From the list below choose the most suitable summaries for paragraphs A, C and E-H. Write the appropriate numbers.
NB There are more summaries than paragraphs, so you will not use them all.
i. A shop for the books and stationery needed to study
ii. Counselling and welfare willing to listen, offer advice or arrange a referral
iii. An Examinations Office arranging exams and issuing certificates
iv. A Registrar's Office handling all fee payments and related enquiries
v. A Medical Service offering on-site assistance with health-related problems
vi. A tutorial system for regular one-to-one guidance, support and feedback
vii. Careers Advice helping students into employment
viii. An Admissions Service providing assistance in choosing and applying for higher education courses
ix. A Student Union representing students on college committees
x. Clubs and societies for students' free-time
xi. A Learning Support Service supporting students in studying, presenting information and handling numbers
Answers & Explanations Summary
| # | Answer | Evidence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q14 | NOT GIVEN | West Thames College (initially known as Hounslow Borough College) came into existence in 1976 following the merger of Isleworth Polytechnic with part of Chiswick Polytechnic | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that West Thames College started in 1976 after combining Isleworth Polytechnic and a piece of Chiswick Polytechnic. However, it does not say what happened to the rest of Chiswick Polytechnic or if the whole school stopped operating at that time. Answer Explanation: The answer is NOT GIVEN because the text does not provide information about whether Chiswick Polytechnic was closed down at the moment West Thames College was created. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is NOT GIVEN because the passage only mentions that a merger occurred between Isleworth Polytechnic and "part of" Chiswick Polytechnic to create Hounslow Borough College (which later became West Thames College). Since only a "part" was involved, the rest of Chiswick Polytechnic might have continued to exist. There is no information in the text confirming the closure of the entire Chiswick Polytechnic or the specific timing of any such closure relative to the opening of the new college. |
| Q15 | TRUE | In fact, about eight percent of its students come from continental Europe and further afield, whilst a further 52 percent are from outside the immediate area | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that 8% of students are from far away places and 52% more are from outside the neighborhood. Together, these groups make up 60% of the students, which is the majority. Answer Explanation: The answer confirms that more than half of the college's students do not live in the local area near the school. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is TRUE because the text provides specific percentages of students who live elsewhere. It states that 8 percent of students come from other countries (continental Europe and further) and another 52 percent come from outside the "immediate area" (the local area). When you add 8% and 52% together, it equals 60%. Since 60% is more than half, it is correct to say that "most" students come from outside the local area. |
| Q16 | TRUE | Since 1 April 1993, when it became independent of the local authority and adopted its new title, West Thames College has continued to build on that first class reputation | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that starting from April 1, 1993, the school began using the name West Thames College. Answer Explanation: The answer confirms that the statement is correct based on the information in the text. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is found in the fourth paragraph of the first section. It states that on April 1, 1993, the college became independent and used a new name. The phrase 'adopted its new title' is used in the text to show that the college changed its name to West Thames College at that time. |
| Q17 | FALSE | More than half of West Thames College's 6000 students are over 19 years old | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that there are 6000 students in total at the college, and only a part of that number (specifically more than 50%) is older than 19. Answer Explanation: The answer False means that the statement provided is not true according to the information in the text. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is False because the total number of students at West Thames College is 6000. Out of this total number, 'more than half' are older than 19. This means that while many students are over 19, not all 6000 of them are. The question wrongly says that all 6000 students are in that older age group. |
| Q18 | NOT GIVEN | More than half of West Thames College's 6000 students are over 19 years old The college is also very popular with 16-18 year olds, who see it as a practical alternative to a further two years at school |
Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage discusses students who are at least 16 years old (both the 16-18 age group and those over 19), but it provides no details or rules regarding students who are younger than 16. Answer Explanation: The answer means that the text does not say whether or not students younger than 16 can take classes at the college. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is NOT GIVEN because while the text mentions students who are 16 to 18 years old and those who are over 19, it never mentions anyone under the age of 16. Without information about this specific age group, we cannot determine if the statement is true or false. |
| Q19 | TRUE | They want to study in the more adult atmosphere the college provides | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage states that young students prefer the college because it feels more like an adult place to learn than a school does. Answer Explanation: The answer means that the college has an environment that feels more adult or grown-up compared to a regular school for students. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is TRUE because the text says students aged 16 to 18 often pick this college instead of staying in school. It mentions that they like the 'more adult atmosphere' at the college. In this context, 'adult atmosphere' is a synonym for 'mature environment'. |
| Q20 | TRUE | They can choose from a far wider range of subjects than it would be practical for a sixth form to offer | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage states that students at the college can pick from many more subjects than a regular school's sixth form is able to provide. Answer Explanation: The answer TRUE means that there are fewer subjects to study at a school's sixth form than at the college. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is TRUE because the text explains that West Thames College offers more subjects than a school's sixth form can normally offer. This is one reason why many 16-18 year olds prefer the college. The phrase 'far wider range' means a lot more choices, showing that the college has more variety than the school. |
| Q21 | vi | As a full-time student at West Thames College you will have your own Personal Mentor who will see you each week to guide you through your studies, and discuss any problems which may arise | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that every student has their own personal helper (mentor) who meets with them every week to help them with their studies and talk about any issues they might have. Answer Explanation: The answer 'vi' refers to a student support system where teachers or mentors meet with students regularly to help them with their schoolwork and provide advice. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is section vi because Paragraph A describes a system where each student is assigned a 'Personal Mentor.' This mentor meets with the student 'each week,' which matches the 'regular' part of the summary. The purpose of these meetings is to 'guide' the student and discuss 'problems,' which aligns with the 'guidance' and 'support' mentioned in summary vi. Additionally, the mention of assessments and discussions relates to receiving 'feedback.' |
| Q22 | viii | This service is available to anyone who is undecided as to which course to follow. It is very much a service for the individual, whatever your age, helping you to select the best option to suit your circumstances | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage states that this specific office helps people who have not chosen a class yet by offering advice to help them pick the best one for their personal situation. Answer Explanation: The answer viii tells us that Paragraph C describes an Admissions Service, which helps students choose and join the right classes. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is viii because Paragraph C explains what the Admissions Office does. It describes how they help people who are not sure which course is right for them by giving advice and support. The passage uses the term 'Admissions Office' and mentions helping students 'select the best option', which matches the description in summary viii. |
| Q23 | x | When students are weary from study and want the chance to relax and enjoy themselves with friends, they can participate in a number of recreational activities. Depending on demand, we offer a range of sporting activities including football, badminton, basketball, table tennis, volleyball, weight training and aerobics. For the non-sporting students we offer a debating society, video club, hair and beauty sessions, as well as a range of creative activities | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that when students are tired of studying, they can take part in fun activities with friends, such as sports, joining societies, or watching videos. Answer Explanation: The answer is x, which stands for clubs and groups that students can join during their spare time. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is x because Paragraph E describes the fun things students can do when they are not in class. It uses the phrase 'recreational activities' to describe these options. The passage lists specific groups students can join, such as 'sporting activities', a 'debating society', and a 'video club'. These match the terms 'clubs' and 'societies' for 'free-time' mentioned in the summary. |
| Q24 | ii | This confidential service is available if you have practical or personal difficulties during your course of study, whether of a financial or personal nature. Our Student Advisors can help you directly or put you in touch with someone else who can give you the help you need | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that there is a private service for students who have problems with their money or personal life, where staff can help them personally or find the right person to help them. Answer Explanation: The answer identifies a service that supports students with their personal life and well-being, specifically through listening, giving advice, or finding other experts to help. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'ii' because Paragraph F discusses a 'confidential service' for students facing 'practical or personal difficulties,' which is another way of saying 'counselling and welfare.' The text mentions that advisors help students 'directly' (offer advice) or 'put you in touch with someone else' (arrange a referral), matching the summary provided in option ii perfectly. |
| Q25 | v | The College Nurses are there for general medical advice and for treatment of illness or injury. All visits are confidential. First aid boxes and fully-trained First Aiders are also on hand at various locations around the college | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that the college has nurses and first aid workers who give medical help and advice to students who are sick or injured. Answer Explanation: The answer "v" means that the best title or short summary for paragraph G is a medical service that helps students with their health while at the college. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "v" because paragraph G talks about "nurses," "medical advice," and "treatment" for being sick or hurt. In the summary list, option v uses the phrase "Medical Service" and "health-related problems," which matches the idea of providing help for illness or injury on campus. |
| Q26 | vii | West London employers have a permanent base in the centre of college, with access to a database of more than 24,000 jobs available locally and in Central London. They will also help you with job applications and interview techniques | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that there is a place in the college that has a large list of jobs for students in the local area and in London. This service also helps students learn how to apply for jobs and how to answer questions in a job interview. Answer Explanation: The answer identifies that Paragraph H describes a student service focused on career guidance and helping students find work. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'vii' because Paragraph H describes a service where students can find a large list of 24,000 jobs. It also mentions that staff help students with the process of getting a job, such as writing applications and practicing for interviews. These activities are exactly what is meant by 'Careers Advice' and 'helping students into employment'. |