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BEST IELTS General Reading Test 131
GENERAL READING TEST 131 – PASSAGE – 1
GENERAL READING TEST – 131
READING PASSAGE – 1
Self-Catering Holiday Cottages in the Lake District National Park
At Lilliput Farm we have three cottages for rent as self-catering holiday accommodation.
We have been awarded 4 stars in the Holiday Accommodation Accreditation Service for excellence in quality and service.
Dairymaid’s Loft is situated above the barn under the eaves. It is the largest of the properties, having one double bedroom with en suite, a twin room and a single room. There is also a sofa-bed in the living room. There is a large kitchen, a living room, dining room and newly-fitted bathroom. Please note that, since the entire property is on the first floor, and the stairs are steep, the accommodation is not suitable for the elderly, the infirm, pets and very young children.
Shepherd’s Rest is suitable for up to four occupants. There is a double bedroom and a twin room with bunk-beds. There is a small kitchen and a large living room. There is a shower room with separate WC. The accommodation is spread over two floors. Pets are allowed, but we request that they are kept downstairs.
Haymaker’s Den is a one-bedroom cottage at ground floor level. There is also a sofa bed in the living room which can sleep two people. It has a large living area comprising a kitchen/diner and living space. There is a ramp leading up to the property, and the large bathroom is fitted so as to be suitable for wheelchair users and people who use walking aids. We ask that pets are not brought into this property.
All the properties have: a television, CD player and DVD player. Dairymaid’s Loft and Haymaker’s Den have Sky Television. Shepherd’s Rest has wi-fi access. Cots can be provided to all properties, but please note that Dairymaid’s Loft may be unsuitable for toddlers and crawling babies. All properties have a washing machine, fridge freezer and microwave. Dairymaid’s Loft also has a dishwasher and a tumble drier.
The cottages share an outside area with swings, a patio and barbecue area. Outdoor furniture is available in the barn.
All cottages have electric power. None are fitted with gas. Electricity is paid via a meter. You will receive a £10 worth of electricity at the beginning of your stay with our compliments (£5 for short breaks). After that, you will need to add money to the meter. Shepherd’s Rest also has a wood-burning stove. Guests will receive one complimentary basket of wood. Subsequent baskets can be purchased for £2 each. Please help yourself to wood in the barn and put money in the honesty box.
Cottages can be booked by the week or for short breaks. Short breaks are either Fridays – Mondays (3 nights) or Mondays to Fridays (4 nights). Discounts are available in the low season (October to March). Couples staying in Dairymaid’s Loft and Shepherd’s Rest can also get a two-person discount. Week-long bookings are on a Saturday – Saturday basis. We regret that it is not possible to accommodate arrivals on Fridays. We ask that guests arrive after 3pm and vacate the property by 10.30 on their departure date, so allow us to clean and prepare the properties for the next guests.
To make a booking, you will need to make a deposit of fifty percent up front. The remainder is payable one month before your arrival. (If you make a booking less than a month in advance, you must pay the entire amount up front). If you need to cancel your stay, you will receive a complete refund if you contact us 30 days in advance of your booking. Cancellations made two weeks in advance will receive a 60% discount. We regret that we cannot give a discount for cancellations made less than two weeks in advance.
Questions 1 – 6
Which of the cottages is most suitable for the following guests?
1. An elderly couple, one of whom uses a walking frame?
2. A family of two adults and two children, the youngest being 3 years old?
3. A group of six young adults.
4. Someone who wants to use the internet during their stay.
5. Someone who doesn’t want to wash up while on holiday.
6. A family with a dog.
Questions 7 – 10
Do the following statements agree with the information given in the passage?
TRUE – if the statement agrees with the information
FALSE – if the statement contradicts the information
NOT GIVEN – if there is no information on this
7. Guests have to pay extra for all the electricity they use.
8. Each property has its own garden.
9. Dairymaid’s Loft costs less to rent if only two people stay there in December.
10. There are no electric heaters in Shepherd’s Rest.
Questions 11 – 14
Complete the spaces USING NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS OR A NUMBER.
11. Guests staying for a weekend should arrive on a ………….. .
12. Guests staying for a full week should arrive on a ………….. .
13. If you book two weeks before your stay, you must pay ………….. % of the cost at once.
14. To get all your money back, you must cancel your stay at least ………….. in advance.
ANSWERS ARE BELOW
ANSWERS
1. HAYMAKER’S DEN
2. SHEPHERD’S REST
3. DAIRYMAID’S LOFT
4. SHEPHERD’S REST
5. DAIRYMAID’S LOFT
6. SHEPHERD’S REST
7. FALSE
8. FALSE
9. TRUE
10. NOT GIVEN
11. FRIDAY
12. SATURDAY
13. 100/HUNDRED
14. 30 DAYS