Reading

What is the main purpose of a job advertisement?

• ATo sell goods or services
• BTo teach people about jobs, work, and history
• CTo inform people about a job vacancy✓
• DTo entertain readers on a train journey

Answer: Job advertisements are written to inform potential candidates about available positions and encourage them to apply.

Where would you typically find the price of an item?

• AOn a receipt or price label✓
• BIn the staff handbook or contract
• CIn the address and postcode section
• DIn the company history or diary

Answer: Prices are commonly displayed on receipts, price labels, invoices, and product packaging.

What type of document gives step-by-step instructions?

• AA newspaper article
• BA recipe✓
• CA diary entry
• DA love letter

Answer: A recipe provides step-by-step instructions on how to prepare food. Other documents have different purposes.

Which text type is designed to persuade the reader?

• AA persuasive letter or advertisement✓
• BA formal report or set of notes
• CA dictionary entry
• DInstructions for putting up a garden shed

Answer: Persuasive texts like advertisements and persuasive letters aim to convince the reader to do or believe something.

What information would you find in a bus timetable?

• AHow to repair a bus engine and gearbox
• BBus routes and departure times✓
• CThe price of petrol or diesel today
• DThe history of buses

Answer: A bus timetable shows routes and the times when buses depart and arrive at various stops.

How can you tell if a piece of writing is formal?

• AIt leaves out the punctuation
• BIt includes text speak
• CIt uses slang or chat
• DIt uses standard grammar and vocabulary✓

Answer: Formal writing uses standard grammar, proper vocabulary, and correct punctuation without slang or colloquialisms.

What is the purpose of a CV (Curriculum Vitae)?

• ATo list the foods or drinks that you like best
• BTo summarise your work experience and qualifications✓
• CTo share jokes or funny stories
• DTo give a full history of your family and where they live

Answer: A CV summarises your educational background, work experience, and qualifications for potential employers.

Reading the first paragraph of an article helps you understand what?

• AThe main topic and purpose✓
• BThe author's favourite pet
• CHow old the author is
• DWhat the weather was like

Answer: The opening paragraph typically introduces the main topic and purpose of the article.

Which text type is written to inform without trying to persuade?

• AA poster or advert
• BA persuasive essay
• CA factual news article✓
• DAn angry complaint letter

Answer: Factual news articles are written to inform readers of events and facts without persuading them to take action.

What does the term 'skim reading' mean?

• AReading quickly to find main points✓
• BReading the page backwards
• CReading each word carefully
• DReading slowly and out loud

Answer: Skim reading means looking over a text quickly to get the general idea and the main points. Reading to find one specific detail is called scanning.

In a customer service email, what should you do first?

• AIgnore the main issue and change the subject
• BAddress the customer's concern or question✓
• CJump straight to the end, then close the message
• DTell a joke or story to the customer

Answer: Professional customer service requires addressing the customer's concern or question as the priority.

How can headlines help when reading a newspaper?

• AThey confuse and annoy the reader
• BThey help you decide which stories to read✓
• CThey make the page look prettier and brighter
• DThey replace all careful reading

Answer: Headlines summarise the story's main point, helping readers decide what to read in detail.

What type of text would contain health and safety information at work?

• AA greeting card or postcard
• BA safety manual or leaflet✓
• CA shopping list, note, and receipt
• DA recipe book or cookery magazine

Answer: Health and safety information is found in safety manuals and official leaflets from employers.

Which document would contain contact information for a business?

• AA written script from a cooking show on TV
• BA poetry book or a novel
• CA fairy tale about a princess and a dragon
• DA telephone directory or business website✓

Answer: Telephone directories and business websites contain contact information like phone numbers and addresses.

Why is punctuation important in written communication?

• AIt helps clarify meaning and shows where to pause✓
• BIt makes the text bright and colourful
• CIt matters in poems but not in letters
• DPunctuation matters little in everyday writing

Answer: Punctuation clarifies meaning and shows readers where to pause, making text easier to understand.

What should you do if you don't understand a word while reading?

• ASkip it and keep reading, and never check it
• BLook it up, use the context, or ask someone✓
• CStop reading and give up on the text
• DCopy the word out until you remember it

Answer: There is more than one good strategy: a dictionary gives the meaning, the surrounding words often make it clear, and a colleague or tutor can explain it. Giving up on the text, or copying the word out, will not tell you what it means.

A memo is typically used for communication between whom?

• AColleagues within an organisation✓
• BCustomers or suppliers in another town
• CLeaders or heads of other countries
• DGovernment officials and diplomats

Answer: Memos are brief written messages used for internal communication between colleagues in a workplace.

What is the most important detail in a food instruction label?

• AThe colour and size of all the printing on the box
• BThe use-by date and storage instructions✓
• CThe year the company was started or first opened
• DThe name and address of the person who owns it

Answer: The use-by date and the storage instructions are the details that keep food safe to eat, so they matter most on a food label.

How do you identify the main idea of a paragraph?

• ARead the paragraph twice, then write down the long words
• BLook for the topic sentence, usually at the beginning✓
• CLook at the last line or the title
• DCount the number of words or sentences in the paragraph

Answer: The main idea is usually stated in the topic sentence, which is commonly the first sentence of a paragraph.

What does 'context clues' mean in reading?

• AWords printed in bold and in a different colour
• BPictures or drawings next to the text
• CInformation around a word that helps explain its meaning✓
• DThe name or photo of the author

Answer: Context clues are surrounding words and sentences that help readers understand the meaning of unfamiliar words.

Which type of document would explain how to use a product?

• AA user manual or instruction booklet✓
• BA person's own life story or memories
• CA magazine with all the latest photos and news
• DA short story or poem about family life

Answer: User manuals and instruction booklets provide detailed explanations on how to use products correctly.

What is the function of a table of contents?

• ATo give recipes for all the meals in the book
• BTo describe the author's early life or family
• CTo tell jokes, stories, and poems about people
• DTo list all chapters and their page numbers✓

Answer: A table of contents lists chapters and sections with their page numbers, helping readers navigate a book.

When reading a formal letter, what should be at the top?

• AA joke and a riddle
• BThe sender's address and date✓
• CA recipe or shopping list
• DA cartoon or photograph of the sender

Answer: Formal letters include the sender's address and date at the top for proper documentation.

What information helps you decide if an article is recent or outdated?

• AThe publication date✓
• BThe colour of the paper
• CThe author's age
• DThe number of paragraphs

Answer: The publication date tells you when the article was written and helps determine if information is current.

Why might a company use bullet points in their documents?

• ATo make all the text smaller, so it fits the page
• BTo make information clearer and easier to scan✓
• CTo confuse or slow down the reader
• DTo waste space and fill up the bottom of the page

Answer: Bullet points organise information clearly and allow readers to quickly scan important points.

Read this notice from a community centre: NOTICE TO ALL HALL USERS The main hall will be closed from Monday 3 March to Friday 14 March while the heating system is replaced. All classes that normally meet in the main hall will move to the upstairs meeting room. The upstairs room is smaller, so some classes will be limited to 15 people. Please book your place at reception before the day of your class. The café and the library corner will stay open as usual. We are sorry for any inconvenience.

Why is the main hall closing?

• AThe meeting room is being painted
• BThe heating system is being replaced✓
• CThe café is being made bigger
• DThe library corner is being moved

Answer: The notice says the hall will be closed 'while the heating system is replaced'. The café and the library corner are mentioned only as places that stay open.

Read this notice from a community centre: NOTICE TO ALL HALL USERS The main hall will be closed from Monday 3 March to Friday 14 March while the heating system is replaced. All classes that normally meet in the main hall will move to the upstairs meeting room. The upstairs room is smaller, so some classes will be limited to 15 people. Please book your place at reception before the day of your class. The café and the library corner will stay open as usual. We are sorry for any inconvenience.

What should people do before the day of their class?

• APhone the heating company
• BCollect a key for the hall
• CBook a place at reception✓
• DPay a fee at the café

Answer: The notice asks hall users to 'book your place at reception before the day of your class', because the upstairs room holds fewer people.

Read this notice from a community centre: NOTICE TO ALL HALL USERS The main hall will be closed from Monday 3 March to Friday 14 March while the heating system is replaced. All classes that normally meet in the main hall will move to the upstairs meeting room. The upstairs room is smaller, so some classes will be limited to 15 people. Please book your place at reception before the day of your class. The café and the library corner will stay open as usual. We are sorry for any inconvenience.

Why will some classes be limited to 15 people?

• AThe café needs the extra chairs that week
• BThe centre has fewer teachers in March
• CThe upstairs room is smaller than the main hall✓
• DThe library corner is closed for two weeks

Answer: The notice gives the reason directly: 'The upstairs room is smaller, so some classes will be limited to 15 people.' The word 'so' links the cause to the result.

Read this notice from a community centre: NOTICE TO ALL HALL USERS The main hall will be closed from Monday 3 March to Friday 14 March while the heating system is replaced. All classes that normally meet in the main hall will move to the upstairs meeting room. The upstairs room is smaller, so some classes will be limited to 15 people. Please book your place at reception before the day of your class. The café and the library corner will stay open as usual. We are sorry for any inconvenience.

What is the main purpose of this notice?

• ATo persuade people to join a new class
• BTo inform people about a temporary change✓
• CTo complain about the heating system
• DTo describe what the main hall looks like

Answer: The notice gives dates, a new room and what to do, so its purpose is to inform. It does not try to persuade anyone to join, and it apologises rather than complains.

Read this email from a shop manager to her staff: Subject: Change to the Saturday rota Hi everyone, From next month the shop will open at 8.00 am on Saturdays instead of 9.00 am. Head office has made this change because Saturday mornings are now our busiest time. This means the early shift will start at 7.30 am so that the tills and shelves are ready. If you cannot work the earlier start, please tell me by Friday 20 June so I can swap your shift with someone else. I will put the new rota on the staff noticeboard on Monday 23 June. Thanks, Dana

What time will the early shift start on Saturdays from next month?

• A9.00 am
• B8.30 am
• C7.30 am✓
• D8.00 am

Answer: The shop will open at 8.00 am, but the email says 'the early shift will start at 7.30 am' so the tills and shelves are ready before opening. 9.00 am is the old opening time.

Read this email from a shop manager to her staff: Subject: Change to the Saturday rota Hi everyone, From next month the shop will open at 8.00 am on Saturdays instead of 9.00 am. Head office has made this change because Saturday mornings are now our busiest time. This means the early shift will start at 7.30 am so that the tills and shelves are ready. If you cannot work the earlier start, please tell me by Friday 20 June so I can swap your shift with someone else. I will put the new rota on the staff noticeboard on Monday 23 June. Thanks, Dana

Why has head office changed the opening time?

• ASaturday mornings are now the busiest time✓
• BStaff asked for a longer working day
• CThe tills take a long time to set up
• DThe shop was opening late on Fridays

Answer: The email says head office made the change 'because Saturday mornings are now our busiest time'. Setting up the tills explains the 7.30 am shift start, not the new opening time.

Read this email from a shop manager to her staff: Subject: Change to the Saturday rota Hi everyone, From next month the shop will open at 8.00 am on Saturdays instead of 9.00 am. Head office has made this change because Saturday mornings are now our busiest time. This means the early shift will start at 7.30 am so that the tills and shelves are ready. If you cannot work the earlier start, please tell me by Friday 20 June so I can swap your shift with someone else. I will put the new rota on the staff noticeboard on Monday 23 June. Thanks, Dana

What should a member of staff do if they cannot start earlier?

• ASwap shifts without telling anyone
• BPhone head office before next month
• CTell Dana by Friday 20 June✓
• DWrite on the noticeboard by Monday 23 June

Answer: Dana writes 'please tell me by Friday 20 June so I can swap your shift'. Monday 23 June is when the new rota goes on the noticeboard, and Dana arranges the swap herself.

Read this email from a shop manager to her staff: Subject: Change to the Saturday rota Hi everyone, From next month the shop will open at 8.00 am on Saturdays instead of 9.00 am. Head office has made this change because Saturday mornings are now our busiest time. This means the early shift will start at 7.30 am so that the tills and shelves are ready. If you cannot work the earlier start, please tell me by Friday 20 June so I can swap your shift with someone else. I will put the new rota on the staff noticeboard on Monday 23 June. Thanks, Dana

Which word best describes the tone of this email?

• AAngry and rushed
• BCold and unfriendly
• CFunny and chatty
• DPolite and clear✓

Answer: Dana explains the change, gives the reason and dates, says 'please' and signs off with 'Thanks'. That is polite and clear. Nothing in the email is angry, jokey or unfriendly.

Read this leaflet from a local council: YOUR BINS ARE CHANGING From 1 September, we will collect your rubbish and recycling on different weeks. • Week 1: black bin (general rubbish) • Week 2: blue bin (paper, card, tins and plastic bottles) • Every week: green caddy (food waste) Please put your bin at the edge of the pavement by 6.30 am on collection day. We cannot empty bins that are too full to close. Glass does not go in any of these bins. Take it to a bottle bank. To find your nearest one, visit our website or call 01632 960 111.

Which bin is collected every week?

• AThe blue bin for paper and card
• BThe bottle bank for glass jars
• CThe black bin for general rubbish
• DThe green caddy for food waste✓

Answer: The leaflet lists 'Every week: green caddy (food waste)'. The black and blue bins are collected on alternate weeks, and glass is not collected at all.

Read this leaflet from a local council: YOUR BINS ARE CHANGING From 1 September, we will collect your rubbish and recycling on different weeks. • Week 1: black bin (general rubbish) • Week 2: blue bin (paper, card, tins and plastic bottles) • Every week: green caddy (food waste) Please put your bin at the edge of the pavement by 6.30 am on collection day. We cannot empty bins that are too full to close. Glass does not go in any of these bins. Take it to a bottle bank. To find your nearest one, visit our website or call 01632 960 111.

What does the leaflet tell people to do with glass?

• ALeave it beside the black bin
• BTake it to a bottle bank✓
• CPut it in the green caddy
• DPut it in the blue bin

Answer: The leaflet says 'Glass does not go in any of these bins. Take it to a bottle bank.' So none of the three bins is correct for glass.

Read this leaflet from a local council: YOUR BINS ARE CHANGING From 1 September, we will collect your rubbish and recycling on different weeks. • Week 1: black bin (general rubbish) • Week 2: blue bin (paper, card, tins and plastic bottles) • Every week: green caddy (food waste) Please put your bin at the edge of the pavement by 6.30 am on collection day. We cannot empty bins that are too full to close. Glass does not go in any of these bins. Take it to a bottle bank. To find your nearest one, visit our website or call 01632 960 111.

Why might a bin not be emptied?

• AIt is too full for the lid to close✓
• BIt is left at the pavement edge
• CIt has paper and card inside it
• DIt is put out the night before

Answer: The leaflet states 'We cannot empty bins that are too full to close.' Putting a bin at the pavement edge is what residents are asked to do, so that would not stop a collection.

Read this leaflet from a local council: YOUR BINS ARE CHANGING From 1 September, we will collect your rubbish and recycling on different weeks. • Week 1: black bin (general rubbish) • Week 2: blue bin (paper, card, tins and plastic bottles) • Every week: green caddy (food waste) Please put your bin at the edge of the pavement by 6.30 am on collection day. We cannot empty bins that are too full to close. Glass does not go in any of these bins. Take it to a bottle bank. To find your nearest one, visit our website or call 01632 960 111.

Why has the writer used bullet points for the bins?

• ATo make the collection weeks easy to see✓
• BTo hide the changes from residents
• CTo show which bin is most important
• DTo make the leaflet look much longer

Answer: Bullet points set out separate items in a list so a reader can find each one quickly. Here each bullet matches a bin to its week, which makes the information easy to pick out.

Read this short article from a staff newsletter: WALK TO WORK WEEK Next week is Walk to Work Week, and we think everyone should give it a try. Walking is the best way to start the day. It costs nothing, and a survey of 200 of our staff found that 64% of those who walk to work said they felt more awake in the morning. You do not have to walk the whole way. Get off the bus one stop early, or park ten minutes from the office. Staff who walk on three or more days will be entered into a prize draw for a £50 voucher.

Which of these is a fact from the article?

• AWalking is the best way to start the day
• BThe survey asked 200 members of staff✓
• CEveryone should give walking a try
• DWalking the whole way is too tiring

Answer: A fact can be checked. The number of staff surveyed can be checked, so it is a fact. 'The best way to start the day' and 'everyone should' are the writer's opinions.

Read this short article from a staff newsletter: WALK TO WORK WEEK Next week is Walk to Work Week, and we think everyone should give it a try. Walking is the best way to start the day. It costs nothing, and a survey of 200 of our staff found that 64% of those who walk to work said they felt more awake in the morning. You do not have to walk the whole way. Get off the bus one stop early, or park ten minutes from the office. Staff who walk on three or more days will be entered into a prize draw for a £50 voucher.

What do staff need to do to enter the prize draw?

• AWalk on three or more days✓
• BPark ten minutes from the office
• CWalk the whole way every day
• DFill in the survey of 200 staff

Answer: The article says 'Staff who walk on three or more days will be entered into a prize draw.' Parking further away is one suggested way of walking, not the rule for the draw.

Read this short article from a staff newsletter: WALK TO WORK WEEK Next week is Walk to Work Week, and we think everyone should give it a try. Walking is the best way to start the day. It costs nothing, and a survey of 200 of our staff found that 64% of those who walk to work said they felt more awake in the morning. You do not have to walk the whole way. Get off the bus one stop early, or park ten minutes from the office. Staff who walk on three or more days will be entered into a prize draw for a £50 voucher.

Why does the writer suggest getting off the bus one stop early?

• ATo make the journey much quicker
• BTo help staff save money on fares
• CTo show you can walk part of the way✓
• DTo show the bus is often very late

Answer: The suggestion follows the sentence 'You do not have to walk the whole way.' It is an example of how to fit in a shorter walk, not a comment about buses or fares.