Intercity Sleeper between London and Scotland - IELTS General Reading Sample with Explanation

The IELTS reading section tests a candidate’s understanding skills through three passages and forty questions. This IELTS reading topic - Intercity Sleeper between London and Scotland is a general topic. Candidates will need to read the passage thoroughly to answer different types of questions. This IELTS reading passage has question types like:

• Matching Headings
• Label the diagram
• Sentence completion

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Section 1

Read the Passage to Answer the Following Questions

Intercity Sleeper between London and Scotland IELTS General Reading Sample

Most tickets may be used for travel by Sleeper, subject to availability, and a reservation in a two-berth cabin can be made for £25, except in the case of Solo and Special tickets, which include Sleeper reservations in the fare. The price includes early morning tea or coffee and biscuits. A continental or hot breakfast can be ordered if you wish.

1. SuperApex

Only available for travel after 9 am. Book at least 2 weeks ahead and travel between Edinburgh or Glasgow and London for the unbeatable price of £59 return. This ticket is non-refundable unless the service is canceled.

2. Apex

A real bargain fare. Only £69 return between Edinburgh or Glasgow and London. Great value Sleeper travel available by booking at least a week before outward travel. Ticket refundable on payment of a 25% administrative charge.

100. SuperSaver

Available right up to the day of travel and valid any day except these peak days: all Fridays, also 18-30 December, 31 March and 28 May. Departures between midnight and 2 am count as previous day’s departures. London to Glasgow or Edinburgh £82.

500. Saver

This flexible ticket is valid every day and can be bought on the day of travel. Your ticket allows standard class travel on any train between 10 am and midnight. No seat reservations available. London to Glasgow or Edinburgh £95.

5. Solo

Treat yourself and enjoy exclusive use of a Standard cabin. Solo is an inclusive return travel ticket with Sleeper reservations for one or both directions. Outward and return reservations should be made at the time of booking. The journey must include a Saturday night away. £140-£160 London to Edinburgh/Glasgow return.

6. Special

Special is an inclusive return travel package for two people including sleeper reservations for one or both directions. It can mean savings for both of you. Outward and return reservations should be made at the time of booking. From £120.

7. Standard

Not the cheapest option but available up to the time of travel and valid for all trains and at all times. You are advised to turn up early for travel on a Friday.

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Section 2

Solution and Explanation

Questions 7-14
Look at the seven types of the train ticket, A-G.
For which type of train ticket are the following statements true? Write the correct letter, A-G, in boxes 7-14 on your answer sheet.

Note: You may use any letter more than once.

Question 7. There are advantages to booking a trip with a friend.

Answer: F

Supporting Sentence: Special is an inclusive return travel package for two people including sleeper reservations for one or both directions. It can mean savings for both of you. Outward and return reservations should be made at the time of booking. From £120.

Keyword: Savings, both, reservations

Keyword Location: F- Special, Paragraph 6

Explanation: Special is an inclusive return trip package for two people which includes sleeper reservations for one or both directions. So answer F-Special is the answer for advantages to book a trip with a friend.

Question 8. You cannot use this on Fridays.

Answer: C

Supporting Sentence: Available right up to the day of travel and valid any day except these peak days: all Fridays, also 18-30 December, 31 March and 28 May. Departures between midnight and 2 am count as previous day’s departures. London to Glasgow or Edinburgh £82.

Keyword: Valid, Except, all Fridays

Keyword Location: C- Supersaver, Paragraph 3

Explanation: This ticket can be used any day of the week except friday. So the answer is C-Superfaver.

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Question 9. This can be used without restrictions.

Answer: G

Supporting Sentence: Not the cheapest option but available up to the time of travel and valid for all trains and at all times. You are advised to turn up early for travel on a Friday.

Keyword: Valid, All trains, All time

Keyword Location: G-Standard, Paragraph-8

Explanation: This ticket is available for all trains and at all times but it is also not the cheapest option. So the answer is G-Standard as it can be used without restrictions.

Question 10. Can only be booked up to 7 days before departure.

Answer: B

Supporting Sentence: Areal bargain fare. Only £69 return between Edinburgh or Glasgow and London. Great value Sleeper travel available by booking at least a week before outward travel. Ticket refundable on payment of a 25% administrative charge.

Keyword: week, atleast, booking

Keyword Location: B-Apex, Paragraph-2

Explanation: This ticket has to be booked 7 days prior. It is also refundable on payment of a 25% charge. So the answer is B-Apex.

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Question 11. It's the cheapest ticket available, but there is a departure time limit.

Answer: A

Supporting Sentence: Super Apex- Only available for trips after 9 a.m. Book at least 2 weeks in advance and travel between Edinburgh or Glasgow and London for the unbeatable price of £ 59. This ticket is non-refundable unless the service is canceled.

Keyword: Non-refundable, service, advance

Keyword Location: A-SuperApex, Paragraph-1

Explanation: It is the cheapest ticket and only available for trips after 9 a.m. So the correct answer is A-SuperApex.

Question 12. If you decide not to travel after you have bought a ticket, you cannot get your money back.

Answer: A

Supporting Sentence: This ticket is non-refundable unless the service is canceled.

Keyword: non-refundable

Keyword Location: A-SuperApex, Paragraph-1

Explanation: The tickets are non-refundable. So option A is the correct answer.

Question 13. This is not available if you are traveling on a Monday and returning the next day.

Answer: E

Supporting Sentence: Treat yourself and enjoy exclusive use of a Standard cabin. Solo is an inclusive return travel ticket with Sleeper reservations for one or both directions. Outward and return reservations should be made at the time of booking. The journey must include a Saturday night away. £140-£160 London to Edinburgh/Glasgow return.

Keyword: inclusive return, reservations

Keyword Location: E-Solo, Paragraph-5

Explanation: It is an inclusive return travel ticket and includes a Saturday night away. So the correct answer is E-Solo.

Question 14. You cannot use this ticket for departures between midnight and 10 am.

Answer: D

Supporting Sentence: This flexible ticket is valid every day and can be bought on the day of travel. Your ticket allows standard class travel on any train between 10 am and midnight. No seat reservations available. London to Glasgow or Edinburgh £95.

Keyword: midnight, flexible ticket

Keyword Location: D-Saver, Paragraph-4

Explanation: It cannot be used for departures between midnight and 10 am because it allows standard class travel between 10 am and midnight. so the answer is D-Saver.