GT Reading Test 54 Section 1 - How to choose your builder & Island adventure activities

GT Reading Test 54 Section 1 - How to choose your builder & Island adventure activities

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Read the text below and answer Questions 1-7.

How to choose your builder

Building a new home is a significant investment, and it’s essential to find the right builder for the job. Before you look for a builder, it’s important to develop a comprehensive budget and have clear plans. Once you have a design in mind, it is time to start narrowing down your builder shortlist, and this starts with assessing how qualified each builder is. In Australia, this means checking that the builder holds a residential building licence. Most states have their own building authority who you can contact to check a builder’s licence.

You can also check if the builder is a member of an industry association such as the Housing Industry Association (HIA), and whether they have won any industry awards. For instance, the HIA runs a state and national awards programme, with a category that recognises the level of customer service that a builder delivers.

Most experts agree that display homes (homes constructed by the builder that are open to the public) offer a great opportunity to study their work up close. Display homes are usually offered by major project builders who work on a large scale and can deliver good quality and value . You can also talk to the salesperson and find out about the home design and what is and isn’t included in the sale price. And it may be possible to talk to other customers you meet there and ask their opinion of the workmanship in the display home.

Finally, avoid signing any business contract before you have read and understood it thoroughly. Ask your builder to use a standard building contract that has been designed to comply with the Domestic Building Contracts Act, and to be fair to both client and builder. You have five business days within which you may withdraw from the contract after signing it.

Questions 1-7
Do the following statements agree with the information given in the text above?
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

1.  After selecting a builder, you should decide on the design of your new house.
2.  In Australia, you can make sure that a builder has the appropriate license.
3.  The best builders usually belong to the Housing Industry Association.
4.  The HIA gives an award to builders whose standards of customer service are very high.
5.  Builders who work on smaller projects are more likely to have display homes.
6.  It is advisable to have a contract which is in accordance with the Domestic Building Contracts Act.
7.  A contract is legally binding from the time it has been signed.

Read the text below and answer Questions 8-14.

A.  Rib riding
Conquer stormy seas on a high-speed ride in an RIB (Rigid Inflatable Boat ). These powerful boats cut through choppy waters with ease. You’ll need to hold on tight as the boat bounces across the wake of awesome cruise liners in one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes.

B.  Horse riding
Experience the thrill of riding on horseback along peaceful country lanes and secluded bridleways with the help of expert guides. Even a novice can quickly take the reins and feel the thrill of riding one of nature’s most magnificent beasts.

C.  Kayaking
Test your kayak nerves paddling around a deserted military fort built on a rocky outcrop out at sea, then explore the island’s busy harbours before gliding back to dry land where a hot shower and a cup of tea await.

D.  Cycling
Test your endurance on the famous Round the Island Cycle Route. Grit your teeth and tackle the brutal hills in the south of the island, or for something less challenging, discover our car-free cycle tracks on former railway lines.

E.  Segway riding
Have you got what it takes to master a Segway? In theory, these quirky electric machines are simple to control, with users leaning forwards to go faster and back to slow down. In reality, you’ll need some practice before you can master the skill and glide around the island.

F.  Tree climbing
A climb into the canopy of a 25-metre oak tree is an amazing experience. Supported by a rope and harness, you can stand on branches no bigger than your wrist, and swing out between the boughs, or simply take the opportunity to lie in a tree-top hammock and absorb the stunning bird’s eye views.

G.  Coasteering
Tackle the spectacular coast in the north of the island. Scrabble over the rocks around cliff edges as the waves crash around you, dive through submerged caves and emerge onto a beach once used by smugglers. This is a thrilling experience, but not an adventure to attempt alone.

H.  Mountain boarding
First developed as an off-season alternative to winter sports and now a sport in its own right, mountain boarding has the speed of snowboarding but with a harder landing when you fall. After a bit of practice and a few bruises, you’ll learn to control the ride and can join the few people who can call themselves mountain boarders

Questions 8-14

Look at the eight advertisements for adventure sports on an island, A- H on the text above.
For which adventure sport are the following statements true?
Write the correct letter, A- H, in boxes 8-14 on your answer sheet.

NB You may use any letter more than once.

8.  You will be provided with safety equipment.
9.  You may get some minor injuries doing this activity.
10. You can see a disused, isolated building.
11. You can relax and look down from above in an unusual location.
12. You will take an exciting trip in rough water close to big ships.
13. You can choose easy options or more difficult ones.
14. You may find this more difficult than you expect.

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