The Young Person's Railcard Reading Answers

Nov 7, 2025

The reading answers for "The Young Person's Railcard" include 7 questions and are part of the evaluation framework for the IELTS General Reading assessment. Test takers are allotted 10 minutes to complete the reading answers related to "The Young Person's Railcard." This section of the IELTS reading test features different question formats, such as choosing no more than three words.

The reading answers for "The Young Person's Railcard" offer an in-depth look at how this passage explores the Young Person’s Railcard, which allows 16–25-year-olds and full-time mature students to get discounted train fares across Britain with valid proof of age or study. It costs £28, must be signed, and offers flexible travel except before 10 a.m. on weekdays (with some restrictions on first-class and Eurostar travel). For additional practice with similar reading assessments, candidates can refer to the IELTS Reading Practice Test section.

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The Young Person's Railcard Reading Answers

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The Young Person's Railcards Reading Answers

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 …………………….

Answer: full-time education

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

Keywords: mature student, over this age, apply

Keyword Location: Paragraph 2, Line 3

Explanation: The passage clearly mentions that applicants over 25 must be in full-time education to apply for the railcard.

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

Answer: officially stamped

Supporting statement: “…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.”

Keywords: photo, signed, stamped

Keyword Location: Paragraph 2, Lines 4–5

Explanation: Mature students must have one of their photographs signed and officially stamped to confirm their eligibility.

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

Answer: minimum fares

Supporting statement: “But if you travel before 10 am Monday to Friday (except during July and August) minimum fares will apply.”

Keywords: except during July and August, minimum fares

Keyword Location: Paragraph 4, Lines 2–3

Explanation: During July and August, minimum fares do not apply at any time, hence no minimum fares are charged in these months.

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

Answer: signature

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

Keywords: invalid, signature

Keyword Location: Paragraph 5, Line 1

Explanation: The railcard must have the user’s signature; otherwise, it cannot be used for travel.

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

Answer: anybody else

Supporting statement: “Neither your railcard nor any tickets bought with it may be used by anybody else.”

Keywords: not used, anybody else

Keyword Location: Paragraph 5, Line 2

Explanation: The benefits of the railcard cannot be transferred or used by anybody else.

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

Answer: purchase facilities

Supporting statement: “Unless there are no purchase facilities available at the station where you began your journey, you will be required to pay the full fare…”

Keywords: no purchase facilities, station, journey

Keyword Location: Paragraph 5, Lines 3–4

Explanation: If there were no purchase facilities at the starting station, you can still buy a discounted ticket onboard.

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

Answer: full rate

Supporting statement: “Passengers will be charged the full rate if they want to use these services.”

Keywords: Eurostar links, charged, full rate

Keyword Location: Paragraph 6, Line 2

Explanation: Railcard discounts don’t apply to Eurostar; passengers must pay the full rate.

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