Collins IELTS 1 General Training Reading Test 2
3 passages · 40 questions · 60 minutes
Manor Road Primary School / Support Away Day
[[READ: 1–6]]
Manor Road Primary School
Dear Parents
It will soon be Literacy Week here at school and as in previous years we intend to deal with your child's reading and writing skills in the context of a motivational theme. And the theme for this year's literacy week is 'superheroes'!
During the week your child will carry out a variety of tasks to help them develop their reading and writing skills. Children will produce artwork, videos, podcasts, drama performances, pictures, books and DVDs. They will also create imaginative pieces of writing full of interesting characters and plots. We can't wait to see all their work on show in the school reception and main school hall in the coming weeks. There will also be a competition for which prizes will be awarded.
What can you do to help? Please get involved with what your child is doing. At the end of the day ask them what they've been involved in and, if you have the chance, help them with their superhero homework tasks like finding information on the Internet or from books in the library.
Friday 19th October is 'Dressing-Up Day' and your child can come into school dressed as their favourite superhero.
The week will end with parents being invited into the school hall on Friday 19th to view the children's work. Classes end at 3.00 as usual but the school will be open from 2.00 p.m. and parents will be able to take their child home early if they wish.
We look forward to what we think will be a very creative week!
With best regards
Margaret Maclean Principal
[[READ: 7–13]]
Support Away Day
Away Day relies on generous donations from sympathetic supporters like you to be able to offer disadvantaged children invaluable experiences and lifelong memories, doing things that that are financially out of the reach of their parents.
How can your donation help?
£10 will pay for the cost of petrol for a trip to London. £20 will pay for the cost of a picnic for four children on a day out in the countryside. £50 will pay for the hire of eight uniforms for a fancy dress party. £100 will pay for the cost of a ticket to the seaside with parents or a guardian. £150 will pay for a trip to the theatre at Christmas for two families of four with a chance to see the children's favourite pantomime characters. £500 will buy accommodation at Disneyland Paris for two children.
Almost £7 out of every £10 we raise comes from the general public so your contributions are essential if we are to be able to continue offering this valued service.
How to donate
Why not set up a direct debit? If you live in the UK you could make a small monthly or annual donation.
If you prefer to make a single donation you can do so using any of the following options:
Donate by text message – It's free and very easy. Just text AWAYDAY and an amount to 71117111. Donate by post – Send a cheque or postal order to the address at the bottom of this leaflet. To make a donation over the phone by credit or debit card, please call 03318 463219.
Gift Aid your donation Add Gift Aid to your donation and help us benefit even more from your generosity. For every £1 you give, we are able to claim 25p more from the government. If you donate by text, watch out for our 'thank you' message. We'll supply a link to a webpage where you can fill in details to allow us to claim Gift Aid.
Questions 1–6
Do the following statements agree with the information given in the passage?
TRUEif the statement agrees with the information
FALSEif the statement contradicts the information
NOT GIVENif there is no information on this
1. Children will be able to watch films and go to the theatre.
2. The school will be putting the children's work on show.
3. There will be three prizes for the best work.
4. Parents should try not to help their child too much with their homework.
5. The children don't have to wear school uniform on the final day.
6. Children must stay in school until 3.00 on Friday 19th October.
Questions 7–13
Complete the notes below. Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer.
The charity enables children to do things that would be (7) ………………………… difficult for their parents.
Donations of £(8) …………………………
and £(9) ………………………… will enable the charity to organise events for the whole family.
Children can go and watch their (10) ………………………… at the theatre.
70% of donations the charity receives come from (11) ………………………….
People can make a regular donation by setting up a (12) ………………………….
If people Gift Aid their donation the charity can get (13) ………………………… money from the government.
Expenses Policy / Join a Workplace Walking Group
[[READ: 14–20]]
Expenses Policy
All candidates invited for interview at Masons Finance are invited to claim back expenses for costs that are, by the HM Revenue and Customs definition, WHOLLY, NECESSARILY AND EXCLUSIVELY incurred during the process of attending the interview.
In general, for candidates travelling from within the UK, expenses covered include those for travel such as mileage or train tickets. Expenses are paid on the basis of the cost of second-class rail travel or 25p per mile for car travel. Mileage will be paid up to but not more than the equivalent cost of second-class rail travel. We request that when travelling by train an off-peak service is used whenever possible. Candidates can also claim taxi fares to and from Sharnfield Station to the company head office. In exceptional circumstances the company is prepared to reimburse candidates from the UK requiring hotel accommodation. However, this must be agreed with our HR department first.
For candidates travelling from overseas, subsistence and hotel costs can be reimbursed in addition to travel expenses. Candidates should contact our HR department regarding accommodation as we will pre-book and pay for a room at a local hotel. Please note that the company will not normally reimburse the costs of accommodation that has been booked independently by the candidate. As a general guide, candidates travelling from overseas can claim the cost of an economy airfare. Meals and refreshments consumed during travel can be claimed to a maximum of £20 per day. In exceptional cases we understand that further nights of accommodation might be required for candidates travelling from overseas. In such cases additional expenses may be claimed but only after written agreement has been received from our HR department.
Candidates must retain all receipts and submit these with the expense report we ask you to fill in when making a claim. Please note that the company will not reimburse any costs the candidate incurs in the form of tips paid nor will it pay for fines such as parking tickets or speeding tickets issued during travel.
If you have a question regarding an expense, please contact your interview contact or our HR team.
[[READ: 21–26]]
Join a Workplace Walking Group
[A] Several members of staff have been busy planning a series of lunchtime walks that we are sure you and your colleagues will soon become addicted to. Why join? The reasons are endless. You'll get the chance to chat with close friends and colleagues who participate as you would if you were stuck in your office. But what about all those other people you are on nodding terms with but have yet to get into conversation with? A lunchtime walk will be the perfect opportunity to get to know each other better.
[B] We rarely get the chance to experience work outside of our own department, which obviously isn't healthy for an organisation like ours. So apart from the pleasure you'll get from talking to new people, these lunchtime walks will also give you the chance to get an insight into how other teams and departments work and share experiences of how teams work together, including situations where problems sometimes arise. This may hopefully lead to better communication and more efficient internal systems.
[C] We also appreciate that many of you may want to completely switch off from work during your lunch break so we've tried to organise walks that will appeal to everyone. We are situated close to many historical landmarks and one of our walks takes in several of these sites. We've already had one or two employees with an interest in local history volunteer to act as guides, so now's your chance to discover more about where you work.
[D] For those who prefer a gentle stroll through the great outdoors we have countryside walks taking in some of the beautiful lanes and fields at the back of the building. You'll be amazed at how tranquil this area can be – experience some lovely views and the sound of birdsong to help you relax before returning to work fully revitalised after lunch. By the way, these walks take in a stop at the local café for those who'd like to end with a tea or coffee. And there's no need for walking boots as we'll follow landscaped routes.
[E] Of course an added benefit is the chance to get away from your desk, clear your head and keep fit. Walking, even at a gentle pace, is regarded as a great way to get into shape and help reduce stress. We also like to think it a pleasurable way to do this for those who don't like the idea of a gym or an aerobics session.
[F] We appreciate that people take their lunch breaks at different times and so have organised a staggered timetable so there will always be a spot at least once a week for everyone. However, please feel free to organise a walk independently if you'd like to make it a daily event.
[G] All departmental secretaries and managers have signed up already and will be more than pleased to give you any information you need. We also have a 'walking ambassador' in each department who will be able to answer any questions. See the departmental notice board to check for names or watch out for our next email on the subject. If you're convinced and are ready to sign up see if you can encourage some of your colleagues to join you. The more the merrier!
Questions 14–16
Choose THREE letters, A–G.
14. Which THREE of the following are true?
A The company uses an official definition for allowable expenses.
B Candidates can claim more than the cost of a second-class ticket if they travel by car.
C Candidates should try to avoid travelling at busy times of the day.
D The company has special rates with a local taxi firm.
E Accommodation expenses for UK candidates are not usually paid.
F UK candidates must agree all expenses with HR before travelling.
G Candidates must choose a hotel close to the company offices.
15. Which THREE of the following are true?
A The company uses an official definition for allowable expenses.
B Candidates can claim more than the cost of a second-class ticket if they travel by car.
C Candidates should try to avoid travelling at busy times of the day.
D The company has special rates with a local taxi firm.
E Accommodation expenses for UK candidates are not usually paid.
F UK candidates must agree all expenses with HR before travelling.
G Candidates must choose a hotel close to the company offices.
16. Which THREE of the following are true?
A The company uses an official definition for allowable expenses.
B Candidates can claim more than the cost of a second-class ticket if they travel by car.
C Candidates should try to avoid travelling at busy times of the day.
D The company has special rates with a local taxi firm.
E Accommodation expenses for UK candidates are not usually paid.
F UK candidates must agree all expenses with HR before travelling.
G Candidates must choose a hotel close to the company offices.
Questions 17–20
Choose the correct letter, A, B, C or D.
17. Candidates from overseas
A find travel in the UK expensive.
B always need hotel accommodation.
C are allowed to claim for more items than candidates from the UK.
D should contact HR about travel expenses.
18. Candidates from overseas can claim for food and drinks
A if they were consumed in a hotel.
B up to the value of £20 in total.
C for more than one day.
D on the outward journey only.
19. The company believe that candidates from overseas
A sometimes need accommodation for more than one night.
B should avoid booking additional nights' accommodation.
C may find it difficult to reach agreement for expenses.
D are likely to need accommodation for several nights.
20. When claiming expenses candidates should
A include any additional expenses such as fines incurred during the trip.
B notify HR about motoring offences.
C report to the HR department on arrival.
D supply evidence of things they have purchased.
Questions 21–26
Choose the correct heading for each paragraph from the list of headings below.
List of Headings:
i. Help improve our working practices
ii. Become an ambassador
iii. How to get involved
iv. Get to know your colleagues
v. No need to work up a sweat
vi. The equipment you need
vii. Discover our fascinating town
viii. A time to suit everyone
ix. Get back to nature
21. Paragraph B:
22. Paragraph C:
23. Paragraph D:
24. Paragraph E:
25. Paragraph F:
26. Paragraph G:
The Carvers of Bukittinggi
The world is becoming increasingly familiar with the products of Indonesia's talented artists. The beautiful batik paintings from Java, the slender wood statues from Bali and the local jewellery from Sulawasi can be found in shops in New York and Paris. Fortunately, the natural wealth and beauty of the area around the Minangkabau town of Bukittinggi allowed both time and inspiration for the development of crafts, especially weaving, silverwork and wood-carving. Although the wood-carvers of the Minangkabau may not be as well known as some other Indonesian artisans, their strong sense of tradition and of dedication to detail makes for a fascinating story.
Nestled in a high valley between the two volcanic mountains of Merapi and Singgalang is the small village of Pandai Sikek, better known as the "Wood Carving Village." The village is south of Bukittinggi, the cultural centre of the Minangkabau, and east of Padang, the capital of west Sumatra. The terraced rice fields, lush tropical vegetation, cool breezes and abundant water of the Anai Valley have made it an ideal spot for creativity and an inspiration for centuries of wood-carvers. The neighbouring forest provides an abundance of the wood called suriyan, a hard but workable medium for the carvers. Today, more than one hundred carvers claim Pandai Sikek as their home, though only a few can be found at work in the village. Many are away on contract assignments in Malaysia and in major Indonesian cities.
In the village, carvers knee-deep in wood shavings work in little huts along the roadside. Many have two or three apprentices carving repetitive patterns on small items to supplement their incomes. Cigarette boxes, jewellery boxes, ashtrays, bookholders – all can be purchased for sums that seem very modest in relation to the skill involved in making them. Most large items, such as chairs, tables and bed frames, are done on a custom-order basis, and all the shops were busy filling orders, evidence of both the continual need for their craft and the appreciation of their handiwork.
The village's Handicraft Centre is a large framed hall whose outside and inside walls display a wide variety of the wood-carvers' work. The hall is also used as a centre to train future wood-carvers: recently, 19 students from Sekolah Menengah Seni Rupa, a fine-arts school in Padang, were being instructed, carving the letters of the alphabet and the numbers one to nine. Each student first stencilled a number or letter on a block of wood, which he or she then chiselled, carved and sanded into a finished product. The village craftsmen took turns inspecting, advising and encouraging the trainees.
"Pandai" translates as "clever" and Sikek, according to one of several local traditions, is a contraction of Si Ikek, the name of a cultural hero who introduced wood-carving in the area centuries ago. There are many "pandai" carvers in the village of Pandai Sikek today, such as one known as Bapak (Father or Uncle) Fauzi. His skill was developed through 20 years of memorizing, manipulating and mastering the styles and motifs his uncle taught him. As a young boy, Fauzi would intently watch his uncle's hands as they felt, touched, explored and worked the block of wood until an ornately carved treasure was created. Several years ago, Fauzi was chosen along with many of the other village carvers to work on the Minangkabau Palace of Pagaruyung. It was to be an exact replica of the royal palace destroyed by fire during the early days of Dutch colonial rule, and would be used as a museum to recall the wealth and artistry of the Minangkabau at the peak of their power.
Fauzi jumped at the opportunity, because he would be able to see, learn and recreate many of the historical patterns used in wood-carving.
The patterns used on many Minangkabau wood carvings are believed by anthropologists to have been adapted from stone carvings found scattered about the Anai Valley. The original settlers of the valley, probably Hindus, believed strongly in ancestral and natural spirits, and portrayed these beliefs on the stones. Other patterns came from the artistic interpretation of the carvers as they observed the local flora and fauna. The designs taken from nature, such as the bamboo shoot, fern tendrils and sirih leaf, have been passed down from generation to generation, and have symbolic social and cultural meanings for the Minangkabau.
The early inhabitants arrived in elaborately carved boats, so it was to be expected that they would also carve their houses, and indeed the gables on each end of the roof are decorated with intricately carved wood panels. On these panels adorning the inside walls of their traditional houses, the bamboo-shoot motif is usually placed on the border and is representative of the three male leaders in the Minangkabau culture: the clan chief, the religious leader and the intellectual leader. The fern tendril is thought to represent man as the Father and Uncle, symbolically signifying flexibility to turn inward and outward in dealing with the family unit. The sirih leaf is symbolic of male fertility. The traditional colours painted on the wood carvings of Minangkabau houses also have significance in the culture: red symbolizes life, black stands for independence and yellow for wisdom.
The Minangkabau can be proud of their past and look forward to new generations of master craftsmen following in the footsteps of present-day masters. Bapak Fauzi and his fellow carvers now have the responsibility to pass on to the younger generation the traditions and skills they were taught by their elders.
Questions 27–32
Do the following statements agree with the information given in the passage?
TRUEif the statement agrees with the information
FALSEif the statement contradicts the information
NOT GIVENif there is no information on this
27. Indonesia is famous for its wood-carvers.
28. Wood is hard to find near the village.
29. The majority of the wood-carvers work away from their village.
30. It is difficult to become an apprentice.
31. Smaller items are cheap in relation to the skill involved in making them.
32. Craftsmen make some items to suit the requirements of customers.
Questions 33–36
Complete the notes below. Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS for each answer.
The Handicraft Centre also functions as a training centre for aspiring (33) ………………………….
Students are given feedback on their work by (34) ………………………….
Pandai Sikek gets its name from the word 'clever' and the name of a (35) ………………………….
Working on an exact copy of a royal palace enabled Fauzi to learn a number of the (36) ………………………… used by carvers in the past.
Questions 37–40
Choose the correct letter, A, B, C or D.
37. Wood carvings
A were originally found all over the Anai Valley.
B are based on images found on ancient stone carvings.
C are made out of respect for local spirits.
D are the same as those found on stone carvings.
38. Designs featuring local plants and wildlife
A appear in carvings created by several generations of craftsmen.
B have less symbolic significance than in the past.
C are interpreted in unusual ways by the wood-carvers.
D are painted by local artists.
39. The carvings in the houses
A are copies of designs that originally appeared on boats.
B feature leaders of the community.
C are in the form of wall panels.
D are made from recycled panels from old boats.
40. The fern and sirih leaves
A represent particular qualities.
B are painted in different colours.
C are worn by men who feature in the carvings.
D only serve a decorative purpose.
Answers
1. False
2. True
3. Not Given
4. False
5. True
6. False
7. financially
8. 100
9. 150
10. favourite pantomime characters
11. the public
12. direct debit
13. more
14. The company uses an official definition for allowable expenses.
15. Candidates should try to avoid travelling at busy times of the day.
16. Accommodation expenses for UK candidates are not usually paid.
17. are allowed to claim for more items than candidates from the UK.
18. for more than one day.
19. sometimes need accommodation for more than one night.
20. supply evidence of things they have purchased.
21. i
22. vii
23. ix
24. v
25. viii
26. iii
27. False
28. False
29. True
30. Not Given
31. True
32. True
33. carvers
34. craftsmen
35. cultural hero
36. patterns
37. are based on images found on ancient stone carvings.
38. appear in carvings created by several generations of craftsmen.
39. are in the form of wall panels.
40. represent particular qualities.
Explanations
- 1. False
- The letter says children will produce (i.e. create) artwork, videos, podcasts, drama performances, pictures, books and DVDs during Literacy Week - it is about the children making multimedia content, not about them watching films or attending the theatre. Paraphrase: 'The children are making their own creative work in a range of formats, not going out to watch films or theatre shows.' Distractor analysis: the statement swaps the children's role from creator to audience member, which the letter never supports; nothing in the letter mentions a cinema or theatre trip for the children.Common trap: Role-reversal trap - the statement turns the children from creators of the work into passive viewers of films/theatre.
- 2. True
- The letter confirms the children's work will be displayed at school. Paraphrase: 'All the pieces the children produce will be exhibited in the school's public areas over the following weeks.' Distractor analysis: this is a direct match with no contradiction, so False does not apply; the information is explicitly given, so Not Given does not apply either.Common trap: None significant - the answer is directly stated.
- 3. Not Given
- The letter mentions a competition with prizes but never states how many prizes will be awarded. Paraphrase: 'A competition is planned and prizes will be given out, but the letter does not say how many prizes there are.' Distractor analysis: True would require a specific number ('three') to be stated, which it is not; False would require the letter to deny prizes exist, which it does not - the letter simply omits the quantity.Common trap: Unsupported-number trap - the passage confirms prizes exist but never gives a quantity.
- 4. False
- The letter explicitly asks parents to get involved and help with the superhero homework tasks - the opposite of discouraging help. Paraphrase: 'Parents are encouraged to actively assist their child with research tasks such as finding information online or in the library.' Distractor analysis: True would require the letter to warn against over-involvement, but it does the reverse by inviting parental help.Common trap: Reversed-truth trap - the statement contradicts the letter's explicit request for parental involvement.
- 5. True
- Friday 19th October is designated 'Dressing-Up Day', when children come to school dressed as their favourite superhero rather than in normal school uniform. Paraphrase: 'On the last day of the week, children are permitted to wear a superhero costume instead of their usual uniform.' Distractor analysis: False would require uniform still to be compulsory that day, which contradicts the dressing-up instruction; Not Given would apply only if the letter said nothing about that day's dress code, but it clearly does.Common trap: None significant - the answer is directly implied by the dressing-up instruction.
- 6. False
- The letter explicitly says parents can collect their child early on that day. Paraphrase: 'Although lessons normally finish at 3.00, on the Friday of the showcase parents have the option of picking their child up before the end of the school day.' Distractor analysis: True would require attendance to be compulsory until 3.00, but the letter offers an early-collection option, directly contradicting the statement.Common trap: Reversed-truth trap - the statement claims a compulsory finish time that the letter explicitly relaxes.
- 7. financially
- The leaflet says Away Day lets children do things that are financially out of their parents' reach. Paraphrase: 'The charity funds activities that families could not otherwise afford, because of the cost involved.' Distractor analysis: the gap needs a single word describing the type of difficulty, and the leaflet's own word is 'financially', not a synonym such as 'practically' or 'physically'.Common trap: None significant - the answer is directly stated.
- 8. 100
- The donation table lists a ticket to the seaside with parents or a guardian at £100 - a family activity. Paraphrase: 'A gift of one hundred pounds funds a seaside outing that a parent or guardian can attend with the child.' Distractor analysis: other listed amounts (£10, £20, £50, £500) fund activities without the whole family present, so they don't fit the 'whole family' note; only £100 and £150 involve parents/families directly.Common trap: Similar-number trap - several other pound amounts appear nearby in the list (£10, £20, £50, £500) but only £100 and £150 fund family events.
- 9. 150
- £150 funds a Christmas theatre trip for two families of four, a whole-family event. Paraphrase: 'A gift of one hundred and fifty pounds pays for two entire families to attend a pantomime together at Christmas.' Distractor analysis: as with Q8, only the £100 and £150 tiers involve family groups rather than the child alone, distinguishing them from £10, £20, £50 and £500.Common trap: Similar-number trap - several other pound amounts appear nearby in the list but only £100 and £150 fund family events.
- 10. favourite pantomime characters
- The £150 tier lets children see their favourite pantomime characters at the theatre at Christmas. Paraphrase: 'The theatre trip gives children the chance to see, in person, the pantomime characters they like best.' Distractor analysis: the gap requires the exact three-word phrase from the leaflet; 'panto' is an accepted short form of 'pantomime' used elsewhere in everyday English but the leaflet itself uses 'pantomime'.Common trap: None significant - the answer is directly stated.
- 11. the public
- 'Almost £7 out of every £10' equals roughly 70%, and that money comes from the general public rather than large sponsors. Paraphrase: 'Most of the charity's income - about seven-tenths of it - is made up of small contributions from ordinary members of the public.' Distractor analysis: the passage phrase is 'the general public'; a plausible-looking but wrong distractor might be 'companies' or 'sponsors', which are not mentioned as a funding source.Common trap: Number-to-percentage trap - the source gives a fraction (£7 out of £10) that the student must convert to the 70% used in the question.
- 12. direct debit
- The leaflet suggests setting up a direct debit for a small monthly or annual donation, which is the regular/recurring option. Paraphrase: 'For an ongoing contribution rather than a one-off gift, supporters are advised to arrange automatic bank payments.' Distractor analysis: the leaflet also describes several ways to make a single donation (text, post, phone), but only a direct debit is offered for a regular donation.Common trap: Partial-information trap - the leaflet lists several other donation methods (text, post, phone) that apply only to single, not regular, donations.
- 13. more
- Gift Aid lets the charity claim an extra 25p from the government for every £1 donated, i.e. more money. Paraphrase: 'By adding Gift Aid, donors allow the charity to receive additional funds from the government on top of what was actually given.' Distractor analysis: the exact word used in the leaflet is 'more'; the gap does not need the 25p figure itself, only the concept that Gift Aid increases the total.Common trap: None significant - the answer is directly stated.
- 14. The company uses an official definition for allowable expenses.
- The policy states expenses are judged against the HM Revenue and Customs 'WHOLLY, NECESSARILY AND EXCLUSIVELY' definition, i.e. an official definition is used. Paraphrase: 'The company does not decide what counts as a valid expense arbitrarily - it applies a recognised government standard.'Common trap: None significant - the answer is directly stated.
- 15. Candidates should try to avoid travelling at busy times of the day.
- Candidates are asked to use an off-peak train service whenever possible, which means avoiding busy travel times. Paraphrase: 'Travellers are encouraged to book cheaper, quieter train times rather than travelling during rush hour.'Common trap: None significant - the answer is directly stated.
- 16. Accommodation expenses for UK candidates are not usually paid.
- Hotel accommodation for UK candidates is only reimbursed in exceptional circumstances, which implies it is not usually paid for. Paraphrase: 'As a rule, the company does not cover a UK candidate's hotel costs - it will only do so in unusual cases.'Common trap: None significant - the answer is directly stated.
- 17. are allowed to claim for more items than candidates from the UK.
- Overseas candidates can claim subsistence and hotel costs in addition to travel expenses, whereas UK candidates normally only claim travel costs (hotel only in exceptional cases). Paraphrase: 'Because of the distance involved, candidates coming from abroad are covered for a wider range of costs than those travelling within the UK.'Common trap: Partial-information trap - option D picks up a real detail (contacting HR) but attaches it to the wrong topic (travel expenses rather than accommodation).
- 18. for more than one day.
- Meals and refreshments can be claimed up to £20 per day, meaning the allowance applies daily rather than as a single one-off total, so it can cover more than one day of overseas travel. Paraphrase: 'The £20 limit resets each day, so a multi-day trip allows several days' worth of food and drink to be claimed.'Common trap: Total-vs-daily trap - option B misreads a daily cap as a single overall total.
- 19. sometimes need accommodation for more than one night.
- The company acknowledges that in exceptional cases further nights of accommodation might be required for overseas candidates. Paraphrase: 'The company recognises that, on occasion, a longer stay is genuinely necessary for candidates travelling from abroad.'Common trap: Overgeneralisation trap - option D exaggerates an exceptional possibility into a likely, routine occurrence.
- 20. supply evidence of things they have purchased.
- Candidates must keep and submit all receipts with their expense report, which is evidence of what they bought. Paraphrase: 'Any claim for money spent needs to be backed up with proof of purchase in the form of receipts.'Common trap: Reversed-truth trap - option A takes something the policy explicitly refuses to pay (fines) and presents it as claimable.
- 21. i
- Paragraph B explains that the walks give colleagues insight into how other departments work, which may lead to better communication and more efficient internal systems. Paraphrase: 'By mixing with people from other teams, staff learn how those teams operate, and this can help the organisation run more smoothly.' Distractor analysis: 'Get to know your colleagues' (iv) is closer to paragraph A's theme of chatting with friends and acquaintances; paragraph B's focus is specifically on cross-department insight and improving how the organisation works.Common trap: Adjacent-paragraph trap - heading iv (about colleagues generally) belongs to paragraph A, not B.
- 22. vii
- Paragraph C describes a walking route that passes several historical landmarks, guided by employees interested in local history. Paraphrase: 'One walking option lets staff explore notable historical sites in the area, led by colleagues who know the local history well.' Distractor analysis: 'No need to work up a sweat' (v) and 'Get back to nature' (ix) describe other walk types (gentle/countryside), not the historical-sights walk in C.Common trap: Similar-topic trap - several headings describe different walk options, so the specific 'historical landmarks' detail must be matched precisely.
- 23. ix
- Paragraph D describes a countryside walk with lanes, fields, views and birdsong - an outdoor, natural setting. Paraphrase: 'This walking option takes staff through rural surroundings, offering scenery and wildlife sounds away from the office.' Distractor analysis: 'No need to work up a sweat' (v) is about exercise intensity, which belongs to paragraph E, not the countryside scenery described here.Common trap: Similar-topic trap - the gentle pace mentioned could suggest heading v, but the paragraph's core content is the natural/countryside setting, matching ix.
- 24. v
- Paragraph E presents walking as a gentle-paced alternative to the gym or aerobics for those who don't like intense exercise. Paraphrase: 'Even at a relaxed pace, walking is offered as a low-effort way to stay fit, appealing to people who dislike strenuous workouts.' Distractor analysis: 'Get back to nature' (ix) belongs to paragraph D's countryside description, not E's focus on exercise intensity.Common trap: Similar-topic trap - both D and E involve gentle activity, but only E frames it as an alternative to strenuous exercise.
- 25. viii
- Paragraph F explains that lunch breaks are staggered so that everyone, regardless of when they take lunch, has a chance to join a walk. Paraphrase: 'Because staff take lunch at different times, the walking schedule is arranged so that no one is excluded.' Distractor analysis: 'How to get involved' (iii) is tempting since it also concerns participation, but it belongs to paragraph G's sign-up instructions, not F's scheduling explanation.Common trap: Similar-topic trap - both F and G relate to joining the walks, but F is about scheduling while G is about the sign-up process.
- 26. iii
- Paragraph G tells staff who to contact (secretaries, managers, walking ambassadors) and encourages them to sign up. Paraphrase: 'This final paragraph gives practical instructions on who can provide information and how to register to take part.' Distractor analysis: 'Become an ambassador' (ii) mentions the walking ambassador role, which appears in G only as a contact point, not as the paragraph's main topic of signing up.Common trap: Partial-detail trap - heading ii latches onto the 'walking ambassador' mention rather than the paragraph's overall sign-up message.
- 27. False
- The passage says Indonesia is known for batik paintings, wood statues and jewellery, and specifically notes that the Minangkabau wood-carvers are not as well known as other Indonesian artisans. Paraphrase: 'Indonesia's international reputation rests on other crafts; the wood-carvers described here are, by contrast, relatively obscure.' Distractor analysis: True would require Indonesia's fame to rest specifically on wood-carving, but the passage attributes fame to other crafts and explicitly says these wood-carvers are less well known.Common trap: Reversed-truth trap - the statement claims fame that the passage explicitly denies for this particular craft.
- 28. False
- The passage says the neighbouring forest provides an abundance of suriyan wood, the opposite of scarcity. Paraphrase: 'The wood used by the carvers is plentiful in the forest right next to the village.' Distractor analysis: True would require the wood to be scarce or difficult to obtain, but 'abundance' directly contradicts this.Common trap: Word-confusion trap - 'hard' describes the wood's texture (hard but workable), not its scarcity; the statement misapplies 'hard' to availability.
- 29. True
- Of more than one hundred carvers who call the village home, only a few actually work there, with many away on contract elsewhere. Paraphrase: 'Most of the registered carvers are currently working outside the village, on assignments in other cities or countries.' Distractor analysis: this matches the passage directly - 'only a few can be found at work in the village' confirms the majority are elsewhere.Common trap: None significant - the answer is directly stated.
- 30. Not Given
- The passage mentions that carvers have two or three apprentices but says nothing about how easy or difficult it is to become one. Paraphrase: 'Apprentices exist and help the carvers, but the passage never discusses the process or difficulty of becoming one.' Distractor analysis: True or False would both require information about the selection or entry process, which the passage simply does not provide.Common trap: Unsupported-claim trap - the passage confirms apprentices exist but is silent on how hard it is to become one.
- 31. True
- Small items such as cigarette boxes, jewellery boxes, ashtrays and bookholders sell for sums described as very modest given the skill required. Paraphrase: 'Considering the craftsmanship involved, these small carved items are sold at surprisingly low prices.' Distractor analysis: 'modest' directly supports 'cheap', and 'in relation to the skill involved' matches the statement's wording almost exactly.Common trap: None significant - the answer is directly stated.
- 32. True
- Large items like chairs, tables and bed frames are made to custom order, i.e. according to individual customer requirements. Paraphrase: 'For bigger furniture pieces, the carvers build to each customer's specific request rather than making standard stock items.' Distractor analysis: 'custom-order basis' directly matches 'suit the requirements of customers'.Common trap: None significant - the answer is directly stated.
- 33. carvers
- The Handicraft Centre's hall is also used to train future wood-carvers, including students from a fine-arts school. Paraphrase: 'Besides displaying finished work, the hall doubles as a place where the next generation of carvers learns the craft.' Distractor analysis: the passage's own phrase is 'future wood-carvers'; the shorter 'carvers' captures the same meaning within the three-word limit.Common trap: None significant - the answer is directly stated.
- 34. craftsmen
- The village craftsmen took turns inspecting, advising and encouraging the students as they worked. Paraphrase: 'Experienced carvers from the village supervised the trainees, offering guidance and comments as they carved.' Distractor analysis: 'inspecting, advising and encouraging' together amount to giving feedback, and the subject performing this action is 'the village craftsmen'.Common trap: None significant - the answer is directly stated.
- 35. cultural hero
- 'Pandai' means 'clever' and 'Sikek' is said to derive from Si Ikek, a cultural hero who introduced wood-carving to the area. Paraphrase: 'The village's name combines a word meaning intelligent with the name of a legendary figure credited with bringing the craft to the region.' Distractor analysis: the passage's exact term is 'a cultural hero'; a plausible distractor like 'village founder' or 'king' does not appear in the text.Common trap: None significant - the answer is directly stated.
- 36. patterns
- By working on the replica Minangkabau Palace, Fauzi could see, learn and recreate many of the historical patterns used in wood-carving. Paraphrase: 'The palace reconstruction project gave Fauzi direct exposure to traditional designs that older carvers once used.' Distractor analysis: the passage's phrase is 'historical patterns'; the shorter 'patterns' still captures the answer within the word limit.Common trap: None significant - the answer is directly stated.
- 37. are based on images found on ancient stone carvings.
- Anthropologists believe the wood-carving patterns were adapted from stone carvings scattered around the Anai Valley. Paraphrase: 'Experts think the designs used in wood-carving originally came from older stone carvings found in the region.' Distractor analysis: it is the stone carvings, not the wood carvings, that were 'found scattered about the Anai Valley' (A misattributes this); the settlers, not the carvings, held spiritual beliefs (C); 'adapted from' means influenced by, not identical to (ruling out D).Common trap: Misattribution trap - option A shifts a detail about the stone carvings' location onto the wood carvings.
- 38. appear in carvings created by several generations of craftsmen.
- Nature-based designs like the bamboo shoot, fern tendrils and sirih leaf have been passed down from generation to generation. Paraphrase: 'These plant- and animal-inspired patterns have continued to be carved by successive generations of craftsmen over a long period.' Distractor analysis: the passage never suggests symbolism has weakened over time (ruling out B); interpretation is described as artistic, not 'unusual' (ruling out C); the designs are carved, not painted (ruling out D).Common trap: None significant - the answer is directly stated.
- 39. are in the form of wall panels.
- The passage describes carved wood panels on the gables and adorning the inside walls of traditional houses. Paraphrase: 'Inside Minangkabau houses, the decorative carvings take the shape of panels fixed to the walls.' Distractor analysis: boats are mentioned only as a possible reason the early inhabitants also carved their houses, not as the source of the actual house designs (ruling out A and D); community leaders are represented by a motif on the panels (the bamboo shoot border), not the panels themselves (ruling out B).Common trap: Partial-information trap - option A borrows the boat detail from an earlier sentence and misapplies it to the panel designs.
- 40. represent particular qualities.
- The fern tendril symbolises flexibility in the family unit, and the sirih leaf symbolises male fertility - both stand for specific qualities. Paraphrase: 'Each of these plant motifs carries its own symbolic meaning, representing an abstract human trait or characteristic rather than existing purely for decoration.' Distractor analysis: colour symbolism (red, black, yellow) is discussed separately for the carvings generally, not specifically for these two leaves (ruling out B); the passage does not describe these motifs as worn by depicted men (ruling out C); their clear symbolic meanings rule out 'only decorative' (ruling out D).Common trap: None significant - the answer is directly stated.
Comments
Loading comments…