West Thames College - IELTS Reading Sample with Explanation
The IELTS reading test spans 60 minutes. It has 40 questions. IELTS reading passages are based on different topics like science, technology, arts, humanities. A variety of question formats are used to assess reading ability. Skimming, grasping logical argumentation, recognizing writers' perspectives, attitudes, and intent are all examples of reading for gist. The IELTS reading sample article - West Thames College consists of passages along with the answers and explanations.
The following passage contains following types of questions:
- True/False/Not Given
- Matching Paragraphs
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Section 1
Read the Passage to Answer the Following Questions
West Thames College IELTS Reading Sample
West Thames College (initially known as Hounslow Borough College) came into existence in 1976 following the merger of Isleworth Polytechnic with part of Chiswick Polytechnic. Both parent colleges, in various guises, enjoyed a long tradition of service to the community dating back to the 1890s.
The college is located at London Road, Isleworth, on a site occupied by the Victorian house of the Pears family, Spring Grove House. An earlier house of the same name on this site had been the home of Sir Joseph Banks, the botanist who named Botany Bay with Captain Cook in 1770. Later he founded Kew Gardens.
Situated at the heart of West London, West Thames College is ideally placed to serve the training and education needs of local industry and local people. But its influence reaches much further than the immediate locality.
Under its former name, Hounslow Borough College, it had already established a regional, national and international reputation for excellence. In fact, about eight per cent of its students come from continental Europe and further afield, whilst a further 52 per cent are from outside the immediate area. Since 1 April 1993, when it became independent of the local authority and adopted its new title, West Thames College has continued to build on that first-class reputation.
These days there is no such thing as a typical student. More than half of West Thames college’s 6000 students are over 19 years old. Some of these will be attending college part-time under their employers training schemes. Others will want to learn new skills purely out of interest, or out of a desire to improve their promotion chances, or they may want a change in career.
The college is also very popular with 16-18-year-olds, who see it as a practical alternative to a further two years at school. They want to study in the more adult atmosphere the college provides. They can choose from a far wider range of subjects than it would be practical for a sixth form to offer. If they want to go straight into employment they can still study at college to gain qualifications relevant to the job, either on a day-release basis or through Network or the Modern Apprenticeship Scheme.
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Section 2
Solution With Explanation
In boxes 14-20 on your answer sheet write
TRUE if the statement is true
FALSE if the statement is false
NOT GIVEN if the information is not given in the passage
- Chiswick Polytechnic was closed at the same time West Thames College was opened.
Answer: Not Given
Supporting Sentence: West Thames College (initially known as Hounslow Borough College) came into existence in 1976 following the merger of Isleworth Polytechnic with part of Chiswick Polytechnic.
Keyword: Chiswick Polytechnic, closed, West Thames College, opened
Keyword Location: 1st Paragraph, 1st line
Explanation: This is the correct option as the formation of West Thames College was a result of Isleworth Polytechnic merging with a part of Chiswick Polytechnic. Whether the rest of Chiswick Polytechnic was shut down or remained functional is not mentioned in the passage.
- Most of the students at the college come from outside the local area.
Answer: True
Supporting Sentence: Situated at the heart of West London, West Thames College is ideally placed to serve the training and education needs of local industry and local people.
Keyword: students, college, outside, local area
Keyword Location: 3rd Paragraph, 1st line
Explanation: This is the correct option as the passage mentions that the college is made to cater for the educational needs of local people.
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- The college changed its name to West Thames College in 1993.
Answer: True
Supporting Sentence: Since 1 April 1993, when it became independent of the local authority and adopted its new title, West Thames College has continued to build on that first-class reputation.
Keyword: college, changed, name, West Thames College, 1993
Keyword Location: 4th Paragraph, last line
Explanation: This is the correct option as the passage mentions that when the college became free from the governance of the local authorities, then a new name was given and Hounslow Borough College, as it was previously called was changed to West Thames College in 1993.
- There are currently 6000 students over the age of 19 attending the college.
Answer: False
Supporting Sentence: More than half of West Thames college's 6000 students are over 19 years old.
Keyword: 6000 students, age of 19, attending college
Keyword Location: 5th Paragraph, last line
Explanation: This is the correct option as the passage mentions that “more than half” of 6000 students, not all, are over 19 years of age. The exact number is not stated; however, it can be concluded that the majority of the population in the college is above 19 years of age but not all 6000 students are over nineteen.
- Students under the age of 16 cannot attend any of the courses offered by the college.
Answer: Not given
Supporting Sentence: The college is also very popular with 16–18-year-olds, who see it as a practical alternative to a further two years at school. They want to study in the more adult atmosphere the college provides.
Keyword: under the age of 16, cannot attend, courses, college
Keyword Location: 6th Paragraph, 1st line
Explanation: The passage states that students in the age group 16-18 prefer West Thames College as it offers admission to them and is a good alternative from school. However, it does not mention anything about whether it allows or not allows admission to students who are under 16 years of age.
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- The college offers a more mature environment in which to learn than a school.
Answer: True
Supporting Sentence: The college is also very popular with 16–18-year-olds, who see it as a practical alternative to a further two years at school. They want to study in the more adult atmosphere the college provides.
Keyword: college, mature environment, school
Keyword Location: 6th Paragraph, 1st and 2nd line
Explanation: The college is equipped with educational and diverse training programs that have real-life applicability which helps the students to get employability once they secure their degree which is not possible by learning in a school. Hence the given statement is true.
- There are fewer subjects to study in the sixth form of a school than at the college.
Answer: True
Supporting Sentence: They can choose from a far wider range of subjects than it would be practical for a sixth form to offer.
Keyword: subjects, study, sixth form, school, college
Keyword Location: 6th Paragraph, 2nd line
Explanation: Since the curriculum of the school is not as diverse as that of the college, it does not cater to the practical needs of the students. On the contrary, West Thames College offers a broader range of subjects to choose and study for the students. Therefore, the given statement is true.
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West Thames College Services for Students
- As a full-time student at West Thames College, you will have your own personal mentor who will see you each week to guide you through your studies, and discuss any problems which may arise. We take a cooperative approach to the assessment of your work and encourage you to contribute to the discussion.
- This service provides specialist assistance and courses for those who need help to improve their writing, oral and numeracy skills for the successful completion of their college course. Help with basic skills is also available.
- This service is available to anyone who is undecided as to which course to follow. It is very much a service for the individual, whatever your age, helping you to select the best option to suit your circumstances. The service includes educational advice, guidance and support, including a facility for accrediting your previous experience – the Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL). The Admissions Office is open Monday to Friday from 9.00 am to 5.00 pm. All interviews are confidential and conducted in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. Evening appointments are available on request.
- The College Bookshop stocks a wide range of books, covering aspects of all courses, together with a good selection of stationery. It also supplies stamps, phone cards, blank videos and computer disks. The shop is open at times specified In the Student Handbook in the mornings, afternoons and evenings.
- When students are weary from study and want the chance to relax and enjoy themselves with friends, they can participate in a number of recreational activities. Depending on demand, we offer a range of sporting activities including football, badminton, basketball, table tennis, volleyball, weight training and aerobics. For the non-sporting students, we offer a debating society, video club, hair and beauty sessions, as well as a range of creative activities. Suggestions for activities from students are always welcome.
- This confidential service is available if you have practical or personal difficulties during your course of study, whether of a financial or personal nature. Our Student Advisors can help you directly or put you in touch with someone else who can give you the help you need.
- The College Nurses are there for general medical advice and for treatment of illness or injury. All visits are confidential. First aid boxes and fully-trained First Aiders are also on hand at various locations around the college.
- West London employers have a permanent base in the centre of the college, with access to a database of more than 24,000 jobs available locally and in Central London. They will also help you with job applications and interview techniques.
Questions 21-26
Each paragraph A-H describes a different service provided by the college.
From the list below (i-xi) choose the most suitable summaries for paragraphs A, C and E-H.
Write the appropriate number (i-xi) in boxes 21-26 on your answer sheet.
- Paragraph A
Answer: vi) A tutorial system for regular one-to-one guidance, support and feedback
Supporting Sentence: As a full-time student at West Thames College, you will have your own Personal Mentor who will see you each week to guide you through your studies, and discuss any problems which may arise.
Keyword: tutorial, regular, guidance, support, feedback
Keyword Location: Paragraph A, 1st line
Explanation: The paragraph mentions that in the West Thames College, every student will have his/her own personal mentor who would not only guide and discuss the problems but also give feedback through assessment and discussion. Hence, it is the correct option.
- Paragraph C
Answer: viii) An admissions Service providing assistance in choosing and applying for higher education courses
Supporting Sentence: This service is available to anyone who is undecided as to which course to follow. It is very much a service for the individual, whatever your age, helping you to select the best option to suit your circumstances.
Keyword: admission, service, assistance, choosing, applying, higher education, course
Keyword Location: Paragraph C, 1st and 2nd line
Explanation: Through a dedicated assistance team that guides, advises and accredits the previous experience of the students, the College helps the students in need to choose the course for higher education that is best suited for them. Hence, it is the correct option.
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- Paragraph E
Answer: x) Clubs and societies for students' free-time
Supporting Sentence: When students are weary from study and want the chance to relax and enjoy themselves with friends, they can participate in a number of recreational activities.
Keyword: clubs, societies, students, free-time
Keyword Location: Paragraph E, 1st line
Explanation: The paragraph mentions that the college offers numerous ways for the students to relax and enjoy in their free time. These include participating in recreational sporting activities like football, basketball, table tennis etc., and non-sporting activities like debating societies, clubs and beauty sessions. Hence, this is the correct option.
- Paragraph F
Answer: ii) Counseling and welfare willing to listen, offer advice or arrange a referral
Supporting Sentence: Our Student Advisors can help you directly or put you in touch with someone else who can give you the help you need.
Keyword: counselling, listen, offer advice, arrange a referral
Keyword Location: Paragraph F, last line
Explanation: The passage mentions that the College offers counselling services to students who undergo some personal or financial issues. For this, student advisors can directly be of help or can arrange an interaction with the required person. Hence, it is the correct option.
- Paragraph G
Answer: v) A Medical service offering on-site assistance with health-related problems
Supporting Sentence: The College Nurses are there for general medical advice and for treatment of illness or injury.
Keyword: medical, service, assistance, health-related, problems
Keyword Location: Paragraph G, 1st line
Explanation: Since the College offers medical assistance in the form of nurses who can advise, treat and look after any kind of health-related issues; therefore, it is the correct option.
- Paragraph H
Answer: vii) Careers Advice helping students into employment
Supporting Sentence: They will also help you with job applications and interview techniques.
Keyword: career, advice, helping, employment
Keyword Location: Paragraph H, last line
Explanation: The presence of West London employers helps the students to groom themselves for better employability as not only do they have a massive reach in the job openings but they also train and help the students with the interview process. Hence, it is the correct option.
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