IELTS General Reading Practice Test 02
Passage A
Westwood Community Leisure Centre: Membership and Facilities
Westwood Community Leisure Centre offers a wide range of modern facilities designed to cater for all fitness levels and age groups. Our primary aim is to make physical activity accessible, affordable and enjoyable for everyone in the local community.
Facilities
Our facilities include a fully equipped 50-metre heated indoor swimming pool, a modern gymnasium featuring cardiovascular and resistance machines, three dedicated squash courts and a spacious studio where over forty weekly fitness classes are held. The swimming pool is open daily from 6:00 am to 10:00 pm, except on Tuesday mornings when it is closed until 9:00 am for routine chemical testing and deep cleaning.
Membership Tiers and Access
- Gold Membership: Provides unlimited priority access to the gymnasium, swimming pool and all weekly fitness classes. Gold members can book squash courts up to seven days in advance with no additional court fees. Complimentary towel hire is also included with every visit.
- Silver Membership: Offers full access to the gymnasium and swimming pool during off-peak hours only (9:00 am to 4:00 pm on weekdays, and all day at weekends). Silver members receive a 50% discount on fitness classes and can book squash courts up to three days in advance, subject to standard court-hire fees.
- Bronze Membership: Designed for occasional users. Bronze members pay a low monthly fee which grants them entry to the pool and gym at a discounted pay-as-you-go rate. Class bookings and squash-court reservations can only be made on the day of use and are charged at standard rates.
Important Regulations
Safety is our highest priority. All members must undergo a brief safety induction before using any gymnasium equipment for the first time. Children under the age of 12 must be accompanied in the water by a supervising adult aged 16 or over at all times, with a maximum ratio of two children per adult.
If you have booked a personal training session or a squash court and need to cancel, you must provide at least 24 hours’ notice. Failure to do so will result in the full booking fee being charged to your account. Please note that while we have plans to develop an outdoor running track in the future, construction has not yet been scheduled, and the rear fields remain strictly off-limits to the public.
Passage B
Guide to Local Public Transport Options in High Wycombe
A. The Red Line Bus Service
The Red Line is the backbone of High Wycombe’s urban transport network, connecting residential suburbs directly to the central shopping district and the main hospital. Buses run every ten minutes from Monday to Saturday, and every thirty minutes on Sundays and public holidays. To ensure fast boarding, drivers do not accept cash payments under any circumstances; all passengers must use a contactless bank card or pre-purchase a SmartTravel pass from local newsagents. Senior citizens holding a valid concessionary pass can travel free of charge, but only during off-peak hours between 9:30 am and 11:00 pm on weekdays.
B. Valley Link Trains
For commuters looking to travel further afield, Valley Link Trains provides rapid connections to London and Oxford. Trains are equipped with free high-speed Wi-Fi, power sockets at every seat and overhead racks suitable for suitcases and heavy backpacks. Bicycles are permitted on board, though space is limited to two bikes per carriage. Passengers travelling in groups of four or more can receive a 30% discount on their tickets, provided they book online at least twenty-four hours in advance. Standard single tickets purchased from station vending machines on the day of travel are non-refundable.
C. Eco-Cab Shuttle
The Eco-Cab Shuttle is a modern, on-demand transport service using a fleet of fully electric vehicles. Operating primarily within the business parks and university campus, this service is available 24 hours a day on Friday and Saturday nights to assist hospitality workers and students. Bookings must be managed through the Eco-Cab smartphone application, where passengers can track their driver’s location in real time. Under its shared-journey model, passengers travelling in the same direction may be paired together and split the fare, making it a cost-effective alternative to a traditional private taxi.
D. Wycombe Community Car Club
The Wycombe Community Car Club provides self-service vehicles at fifteen reserved parking bays across the town. Members can collect a car from one bay and return it to any other designated Car Club location. Before using the service, drivers must register on the Car Club website, upload a valid driving licence and link a credit card to their account. Once approved, members can reserve and unlock vehicles through the mobile application. The first thirty minutes of each booking are included at no extra charge; after that, a fixed hourly rate applies. Fuel, insurance and routine maintenance are included in the hire fee.
Questions 1–7
Do the following statements agree with the information given in Passage A?
In boxes 1–7 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
- Gold members do not have to pay extra money to use the squash courts.
- The swimming pool is unavailable to the public for a short period every Tuesday.
- Bronze members are allowed to use the gymnasium during peak evening hours.
- Children under 12 years old must be supervised by an adult when using the gym.
- Members will be charged if they cancel a court reservation 12 hours before the booked time.
- Towels are available to rent for Silver and Bronze members.
- Work on the new outdoor running track will begin early next year.
Questions 8–14
Look at the four public transport options, A–D, in Passage B.
For which transport option are the following statements true?
Write the correct letter, A–D, in boxes 8–14 on your answer sheet.
NB You may use any letter more than once.
- This transport option offers a lower fare for passengers who travel together on a shared journey.
- This transport option does not allow passengers to pay with paper money or coins.
- This transport option gives a price reduction to larger parties who plan their trip beforehand.
- This transport option includes free use during the initial half-hour of a booking.
- This transport option requires users to register on a website before they can use the service.
- This transport option changes its schedule and operates less frequently on public holidays.
- This transport option provides late-night service over the weekend.
Passage C
Oakridge Engineering: Workplace Health and Safety Guidelines
At Oakridge Engineering, we are committed to maintaining a safe, healthy and productive working environment for all employees, contractors and visitors. It is a collective responsibility to ensure that safety hazards are identified, minimised and managed effectively.
Mandatory Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
All staff working in or entering the main fabrication workshop must wear the required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) at all times. This is non-negotiable. Standard mandatory PPE includes high-visibility vests, steel-toe boots and protective safety helmets. Depending on the specific task, additional equipment such as safety goggles, ear defenders or heavy-duty welding masks must be worn. Visitors must be fitted with temporary safety equipment at the reception desk before they are permitted to enter any operational areas.
Hazard Identification and Reporting
A hazard is anything that has the potential to cause harm, injury or ill health. If you spot a hazard—such as a liquid spill, damaged electrical wiring or a blocked access point—you must take immediate action. If it is safe to do so, resolve the issue straight away, for example by cleaning up a minor spill. If the hazard requires specialist attention, you must report it immediately to your shift supervisor and log the details in our online reporting system, known as the hazard database, within two hours.
Emergency Evacuation Procedures
In the event of a fire or other emergency, the evacuation alarm will sound continuously. All employees must immediately stop what they are doing, switch off any machinery they are operating and exit the building via the nearest designated fire exit. Do not stop to collect personal belongings.
Assemble at the designated muster point in the car park, where your department fire warden will conduct a roll call. Fire wardens are easily identified by their bright yellow caps. Under no circumstances should any employee block a fire exit or leave the muster point until the emergency services or the safety coordinator has declared the building safe to re-enter.
First Aid and Medical Support
First aid boxes are located throughout the facility, specifically next to the staff kitchen in the main office block and on the wall adjacent to the tool storage locker in the workshop. A list of qualified first aid officers, along with their internal telephone extension numbers, is posted on every department noticeboard. For specialist safety training, such as chemical handling or forklift operation, employees must contact the Human Resources department directly.
Passage D
Grange Retail Group: Employee Code of Conduct and Customer Service Standards
Grange Retail Group takes great pride in delivering an exceptional shopping experience to our customers. Our reputation relies heavily on the professionalism, appearance and conduct of our employees.
Dress Code and Appearance
All front-of-house staff are required to wear the official company uniform during their shifts. The uniform must be clean, ironed and free from visible stains. Name badges must be securely pinned to the upper-left side of the uniform shirt at all times so that customers can easily identify staff members. For safety and professional reasons, open-toed shoes and sandals are strictly prohibited in both the retail area and the stockroom. Clean, dark-coloured trainers or formal leather shoes are acceptable.
Punctuality and Attendance
Reliability is essential for the smooth operation of our retail outlets. Employees are expected to arrive at the store at least ten minutes before their scheduled shift begins. This allows sufficient time to store personal belongings, log into the point-of-sale system and receive any urgent updates from the departing team. If you are going to be late or are unable to attend work due to illness, you must telephone the duty manager directly at least two hours before your shift is due to start. Text messages and emails are not acceptable forms of notification.
Handling Customer Complaints
When dealing with a dissatisfied customer, employees must remain calm, polite and professional at all times. Staff should follow the “LEAP” method to resolve disputes effectively:
- Listen: Allow the customer to explain the issue fully without interruption.
- Empathise: Acknowledge the customer’s frustration and show genuine understanding.
- Apologise: Offer a sincere apology on behalf of the company for the inconvenience caused.
- Problem-solve: Propose a practical solution.
For standard item exchanges or store-credit vouchers, staff can process the request immediately. However, if a customer insists on a full cash refund, employees must contact the duty manager to authorise the transaction.
Personal Mobile Device Policy
To maintain focus and avoid distractions, personal mobile phones must be switched off or put on silent mode during working hours. They should be stored securely inside employee lockers in the staff room. Under no circumstances should personal devices be used on the shop floor, unless specifically authorised by a manager for work-related stock checks.
Questions 15–20
Complete the sentences below.
Choose NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS from Passage C for each answer.
Write your answers in boxes 15–20 on your answer sheet.
- Visitors must obtain their safety equipment at the .................... before entering operational areas.
- If a worker cannot fix a hazard safely, it must be reported to the .....................
- Details of identified hazards must be entered in the company’s .................... within two hours.
- During an evacuation, employees can recognise fire wardens by their yellow .....................
- The workshop first aid box is mounted beside the tool .....................
- Staff must contact .................... to request specialist safety training.
Questions 21–27
Answer the questions below.
Choose NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER from Passage D for each answer.
Write your answers in boxes 21–27 on your answer sheet.
- On which part of the shirt must an employee’s name badge be fastened?
- What style of footwear is banned in both the retail area and the stockroom?
- How many minutes before a shift should employees arrive at the store?
- How must an employee notify the duty manager if they are unable to attend work?
- What is the first stage of the “LEAP” method for managing customer complaints?
- Who has the authority to approve a cash refund for a customer?
- Where must employees keep their mobile phones while they are working?
Passage E
The History and Ecology of the English Hedgerow
A
For centuries, the hedgerow has been a defining feature of the English countryside. These living barriers, consisting of closely spaced shrubs and trees, twist across the landscape like green veins, dividing fields, lining narrow country lanes and marking ancient parish boundaries. Although they may appear entirely natural, hedgerows are deliberate structures with a rich history shaped by farming practices, land ownership and changes in government policy.
B
The origins of English hedgerows can be traced back to the Roman occupation, when early settlers used local thorn bushes to enclose small plots of land. However, the most significant expansion occurred during the Enclosure Acts of the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. During this period, Parliament passed laws that transformed common land—previously shared by local farmers—into privately owned fields. Landowners were legally required to construct physical boundaries around their new estates. Planting quick-growing hawthorn hedges was the fastest and most cost-effective way to comply, resulting in thousands of miles of new hedgerows within just a few decades.
C
A traditional English hedgerow is far more than a simple fence. Over time, it develops into a complex ecosystem. A mature hedge is typically dominated by woody species such as hawthorn, blackthorn and hazel, but it may also contain larger trees such as oak and ash. The sheltered base allows wild flowers, ferns and mosses to thrive. Because many hedgerows have remained undisturbed for hundreds of years, they contain a wide mixture of plant life. Ecologists can often estimate a hedge’s age by counting the number of distinct woody species in a standard thirty-yard stretch; as a general rule, each species represents approximately one hundred years of history.
D
This plant diversity supports a rich variety of native wildlife. For small mammals such as bank voles, wood mice and dormice, the dense network of branches provides protection from birds of prey. Hedgerows are also important nesting sites for many bird species, which feed on the plentiful autumn berries and insects. In addition, hedgerows act as vital “wildlife corridors” in modern farming landscapes. These green routes allow animals to travel safely between isolated areas of woodland without crossing wide, open fields, where they would be exposed to predators and agricultural machinery.
E
Despite their ecological value, the twentieth century was a devastating period for English hedgerows. After the Second World War, there was a major drive to increase domestic food production through intensive farming. The government paid farmers to remove hedgerows so that small, irregular fields could be merged into large, uniform areas. This enabled farmers to use large modern machinery, such as combine harvesters, much more efficiently. It is estimated that between 1945 and 1990, more than 120,000 miles of hedgerow were destroyed across England, causing a severe decline in rural wildlife and breaking up natural habitats.
F
The widespread removal of hedgerows also caused unexpected environmental damage. Without deep hedge roots to bind the earth together, large quantities of fertile topsoil were swept away by heavy rain and strong winds, a process known as soil erosion. Hedgerows also absorb excess rainfall, reducing surface-water run-off and helping to prevent localised flooding in agricultural valleys. Their ability to absorb and store carbon dioxide is now increasingly recognised as another useful natural tool in addressing climate change.
G
Fortunately, attitudes towards hedgerows have changed dramatically in recent decades. Today, these green landmarks are protected by strict environmental laws, and the deliberate destruction of historic hedges can result in substantial financial penalties. The government now provides financial incentives and grants to farmers who maintain, restore and replant hedgerows on their land. Local volunteer conservation groups also organise annual “hedge-laying” events to keep traditional rural skills alive and ensure that these important structures survive for future generations.
Questions 28–33
Passage E has seven paragraphs, A–G.
Choose the correct heading for paragraphs B–G from the list of headings below.
Write the correct number, i–viii, in boxes 28–33 on your answer sheet.
List of Headings
- i The environmental damage caused by hedgerow loss
- ii A safe shelter and travel route for wild animals
- iii Modern protection and conservation initiatives
- iv The plant composition and age estimation of hedges
- v The historical rise of hedges through private-ownership laws
- vi Why modern machinery required larger fields
- vii The rapid decline of hedgerows during intensive farming
- viii Ancient Roman farming techniques
- Paragraph B
- Paragraph C
- Paragraph D
- Paragraph E
- Paragraph F
- Paragraph G
Questions 34–37
Choose the correct letter, A, B, C or D.
Write the correct letter in boxes 34–37 on your answer sheet.
- Why did the expansion of hedgerows accelerate during the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries?
- A Landowners preferred hawthorn berries for agricultural use.
- B Parliament passed laws requiring landowners to define their property boundaries.
- C Local farmers wanted to block access to common land.
- D The Roman style of land division became popular again.
- According to Paragraph C, how can ecologists estimate the age of an old hedgerow?
- A By measuring the height of the tallest trees inside it.
- B By counting the different woody plant species within a set distance.
- C By analysing the depth of the moss growing at its base.
- D By calculating the width of mature oak-tree trunks.
- Why were hedgerows removed in large numbers after the Second World War?
- A The government wanted to replace them with modern wire fences.
- B Larger open fields were needed for big agricultural machines.
- C A disease killed most mature hawthorn and hazel plants.
- D New countryside housing required additional land.
- What benefit of hedgerows is mentioned in Paragraph F?
- A They filter pollutants from local drinking water.
- B They lower the temperature of rivers in summer.
- C They absorb rainwater and help to reduce local flooding.
- D They stop agricultural chemicals entering the soil.
Questions 38–40
Complete the summary below.
Choose NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS from Passage E for each answer.
Write your answers in boxes 38–40 on your answer sheet.
Saving the English Hedgerow
Public opinion has changed, and English hedgerows are now protected by strict
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