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IELTS GT Reading Part 1 (Young Person’s Railcard)

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Part 1 of IELTS General Training Reading is divided into 2 sections (two completely separate texts).

The texts are about ‘social survival’ and are mainly about general factual information, for example, notices, advertisements and timetables.

There is one set of questions for each text.

The 3 most common question types for Part 1 are:

  • Gapfill (Summary or Sentence completion)
  • Matching Headings
  • True False Not Given

Spend 10 minutes maximum on each text/set of questions (20 minutes total for Part 1).

5 Gapfill tips

1. Always check how many words you are allowed in the gaps.

In the examples below, you can only write a MAXIMUM of 3 words.

Sometimes the instructions say ‘one word only’ or ‘two words and/or a number’.

2. The gaps are in the SAME ORDER as the they appear in the text, so you don’t need to look through the whole text.

3. The gaps are always words taken from the text – so you just have to COPY them, even if you don’t know what all the words mean.

Always check your spelling when you copy (transfer) the answers onto your answer sheet.

4. Try to make guesses about the gaps.

For example, what kind of word do you need in this gap? (noun, adjective, or verb?)

If your railcard doesn’t have your ……………………… it will be impossible to use it for travel.

What do you usually need to include on discount cards and credit cards?

5. The answers usually rely on SYNONYMS, so it’s important to build your vocabulary as you prepare, and keep notes of common synonyms (see examples below each text).

Get more advice on gap-fill summaries.

Section 1 Text 1

Questions 1-7

Complete the sentences below.

Choose NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS from the text for each answer.

Write your answers in boxes 1-7 on your answer sheet.

  1. Railcard applicants over 25 need to be involved in ……………………….. .
  2. For mature, full-time students, one of the photographs submitted must be signed and ……………………….. .
  3. At certain times of the year, there are no ………………………. for railcard holders at any time of day.
  4. If your railcard doesn’t have your ……………………….. it will be impossible to use it for travel.
  5.  The benefits of a railcard are not transferable to ……………………….. .
  6.  If you have no ticket but boarded a train at a station without any ……………………….. you will still be eligible for a discounted ticket.
  7.  If railcard holders wish to use the Eurostar network they must pay the ……………………….. .

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.

1. Railcard applicants over 25 need to be involved in ……………………….. .

2. For mature, full-time students, one of the photographs submitted must be signed and ……………………….. .

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.

3. At certain times of the year, there are no ………………………. for railcard holders at any time of day.

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.

4. If your railcard doesn’t have your ……………………….. it will be impossible to use it for travel.

5.  The benefits of a railcard are not transferable to ……………………….. .

6. If you have no ticket but boarded a train at a station without any ……………………….., you will still be eligible for a discounted ticket.

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.

7. If railcard holders wish to use the Eurostar network they must pay the ……………………….. .

1. Railcard applicants over 25 need to be involved in full-time education.

Alternatively, if you are a mature student over this age but in full-time education, you can also apply.

2. For mature, full-time students, one of the photographs submitted must be signed and officially 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.

  1.  At certain times of the year, there are no minimum fares for railcard holders at any time of day.

…But if you travel before 10 am Monday to Friday (except during July and August) minimum fares will apply.

  1. If your railcard doesn’t have your signature it will be impossible to use it for travel.

In cases where a railcard does not bear the user’s signature, it will be treated as invalid.

  1.  The benefits of a railcard are not transferable to anybody else.

Neither your railcard nor any tickets bought with it may be used by anybody else.

  1.  If you have no ticket but boarded a train at a station without any purchase facilities you will still be eligible for a discounted ticket.

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.

  1.  If railcard holders wish to use the Eurostar network they must pay the full 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.

Section 1 Text 2

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 15 kgs 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 8-14

Complete the summary below.

Choose NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS 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 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.

8. 25 per cent/%

9 Sales Department.

10. 15%

11. 10%

12 same day returns

13 dates, times (In either order; both required for one mark)

14. 2 minutes

Explanations

8. An elderly person who is also studying full-time receives a concession of 25 per cent/%*

  • students – 25% – student card must be shown
  • senior citizens – 25% – seniors card must be shown

* Only one discount may apply to each fare.

Elderly people (senior citizens) cannot get 50% if they are also a student, because ‘only one discount‘ can be used.

9. Large groups of people who want to reserve seats should get in touch with the Sales Department.

  • If you would like to charter a train, or make reservations for over 25 passengers travelling together, call the Sales Department.

10. If travellers cancel their trip, they will usually receive back the ticket price less 15%,

11. or they may change the date of their trip by paying 10% of the original value.

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. 

12. These concessions do not apply in the case of same day returns.

(Not applicable to same day returns.)

13. It is the passenger’s responsibility to make sure the dates and times are correct.

  • 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.

14. Travellers should ensure they are ready to board the train with at least 2 minutes to spare.

  • Ticket control and access to each train platform will be open until 2 minutes before departure of the train.

Synonyms and Paraphrasing

The answers are always in the synonyms and paraphrased sentences (rewritten in a different way).

Sometimes the synonyms are simple and clear, for example:

  • to reserve a seat = to make a reservation
  • to get your money back = to receive a refund

But sometimes the sentence is paraphrased. Look out for these typical paraphrasing strategies:

Passives: 

  • they may change the date (active) = the date may be changed (passive)
  • you must be = you will be charged

Conditionals:

  • If you can’t = Unless you can

Word formation changes

  • This does not apply (verb) = this is not applicable (adjective)

Idiomatic expressions

  • it’s up to you = it’s your responsibility

Reference words

  • these services (= Eurostar services)
  • the latter needs to be stamped

‘the latter’ is a high-level reference word which refers BACK to the previous sentence (see this lesson).

Synonyms for Part 1

These Part 1 examples are often paraphrased (rewritten in a different way).

For mature, full-time students, one of the photographs must be officially stamped.

…one of your photos needs to be officially stamped.

At certain times of the year = during July and August

If your railcard doesn’t have your signature it will be impossible to use it for travel.

In cases where a railcard does not bear the user’s signature, it will be invalid.

The benefits of a railcard are not transferable to anybody else.

Neither your railcard nor any tickets bought with it may be used by anybody else.

If you have no ticket but boarded a train at a station without any purchase facilities 

Unless there are no purchase facilities available at the station where you began your journey…

If railcard holders wish to use the Eurostar network they must pay the full rate.

Reduced rate tickets are not available for Eurostar links. Passengers will be charged the full rate if they want to use these services.

Synonyms for Part 2

  • concession = discount
  • large groups of people = over 25 passengers
  • to reserve seats = to make reservations
  • get in touch with = to call
  • receive back the ticket price = refund
  •  less 15% = for a charge of 15%
  • the original value = the ticket price
  • do not apply = Not applicable
  • It is the passenger’s responsibility  = it is up to you
  • to make sure = to check
  • correct = exactly as you requested.
  • they may change the date = the journey may be changed to another day [Active – Passive]

Podcast: Questions 1 – 7

Podcast: Questions 8 – 14

Get more help with GT Reading

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Section 1:

Section 2:

Section 3

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Comments

  1. In section 1 ,Q3 i wrote only fares instead of minimum fares . Is my answer correct?
    Similarly, in Q5, i wrote anybody instead of anybody else. Is my answer correct?

    Reply

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