Table of Contents
BEST IELTS General Reading Test 28
GENERAL READING TEST 28 – PASSAGE – 2
GENERAL READING TEST 28
READING PASSAGE – 2
The London to Brighton Veteran Car run
The Bonhams London to Brighton Veteran Car Run starts in Hyde Park, London on the first Sunday in November every year. The cars congregate from 6.00 am with the first car departing at sunrise (6.56am) and the last car leaving from between 8.00am – 8.30 am.
Hyde Park is located in central London and is easily accessible. Cars not associated with the Run and without valid identification will NOT be allowed access to the Park from 5.00 am – 12.00pm. Should you wish to show your support at Hyde Park, please enter the park on foot.
How to get to Hyde Park
If you are using a mobile device, the postcode for the park is W2 2UH. This is for guidance only as the park covers a large area.
By Tube
The tube stations that surround Hyde Park are:
• Lancaster Gate (Central Line)
• Marble Arch (Central Line)
• Hyde Park Corner (Piccadilly Line)
• Knightsbridge (Piccadilly Line)
• The Closest tube station to the VCR start line is Hyde Park Corner.
By Bus
The buses that stop at Hyde Park are:
• North London: 6, 7, 10, 16, 52, 73, 82, 390, 414
• South London: 2, 36, 137, 436
• West London: 9, 10, 14, 19, 22, 52, 74, 148, 414
• East London: 8, 15, 30, 38, 274
By Car
Should you wish to travel by car, there are many car parks located nearby to Hyde Park. The closest car park is situated to the south of Hyde Park and is managed by Q Park. Please contact them directly for prices and location.
The open top bus tours give spectators the opportunity to be involved and experience the 60 mile route taken by the veteran cars. You will be able to soak up the atmosphere at the start line with exclusive access to the paddock area and then follow the cars down the whole route.
Due to the unpredictable British weather the buses will only be filled to 50 Per cent capacity giving everyone the opportunity to shelter on the lower deck in the case of inclement weather.
Questions 15-20
Do the Following statements agree with the information given in the reading passage?
In boxes 15-20 on your answer sheet, 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
15. The first cars arrive when it is still dark.
16. If you arrive by car to watch the race you can park in Hyde Park.
17. The Postcode will take you to the exact place in Hyde Park.
18. If travelling by tube then the Central Line gets you closest to the VCR start line.
19. Tea and light refreshment will be provided on the open top bus.
20. Travelling on the open top bus means you will get wet if it rains.
Read the text below and answer Questions 21-27
Animal Courtship
Peacock Spiders
Rather like a 6-pack for men, the male peacock spider tries to impress with decorative, colorful abdominal flaps. The spider begins his courtship by vibrating his peacock-like flaps that reveal a pair of black and white third legs. For female peacock spiders nothing could be sexier but males beware because if their courtship goes too far the female, rather like the black widow spider, might eat its mate.
Bowerbirds
Male bowerbirds have to be ultimate home designers of the animal kingdom. To start their courtship they build an elaborate home called a ‘bower’. To make their nest as attractive as possible, bowers have been known to use flowers, berries, seashells, plastic beads, coins, broken glass and even rifle shells. The potential mate can be quite fussy and if not impressed the male will keep adding to his elaborate home to make it more and more colourful.
Northern Cardinals
The male Northern Cardinal will bring bits of food, usually fish, to the bird they are courting and with a tilt of his head, place a tasty snack into her beak. As if this wasn’t enough, Cardinals will also take part in what is known as counter singing, each bird, still within its own territory, will sing to each other by matching and repeating phrases together.
Chameleons
A male chameleon will try to attract a mate by bobbing his head up and down and from side to side to try and get the attention of a potential mate. For males not so sensitive to their progress, the female will show dull colours if she likes him but if not other colours will be shown and he had better run!
Frigates
In addition to waving their heads, flapping their wings and calling to females, the males congregate in large numbers and display their vibrant red throat sacs. For about 20 minutes they force air into these throat sacs, which then resemble large red balloon. If a male has wooed a female, she will simply fly in and land alongside her new mate.
Hooded seals
Female hooded seals are attracted by males that have the most attractive nasal balloons. Male hooded seals have evolved specialized pinkish-red nasal cavities that they can blow up like bubblegum. To get a female’s attention, the male blows up his balloon and starts bouncing it around. The cavities can expand to roughly the size of the seal’s head.
Questions 21-27
Look at the following statements and the list of animals below.
Match each statement with the correct animal, A-F.
Write the correct letter, A-F, in boxes 21-27 on your answer sheet.
NB you may use any letter more than once.
21. This male tries to attract a partner by giving her food.
22. This male likes to look for a partner at the same time as many others.
23. This male might end up being eaten if he’s not careful.
24. This male knows if he has been successful or not by the colour of the female.
25. This male likes to think he is a macho man.
26. This male would be a great painter and decorator if he were a man.
Animals
A. Peacock spiders
B. Bowerbirds
C. Northern Cardinals
D. Chameleons
E. Frigates
F. Hooded Seals
15. TRUE
16. FALSE
17. FALSE
18. FALSE
19. NOT GIVEN
20. FALSE
21. C
22. E
23. A
24. D
25. F
26. A
27. B
