B1 English Reading Comprehension — Questions and Answers
Question 1: You read a notice at your local GP surgery: 'Due to high demand, appointments must be booked 48 hours in advance. Walk-in clinics are available on Saturdays from 9am to 12pm.' What does this notice tell you?
- You can only see a doctor on Saturdays
- You need to book appointments at least two days ahead (Correct answer)
- The surgery is closing due to high demand
- Walk-in appointments are available every day
Correct answer: You need to book appointments at least two days ahead
The notice states appointments must be booked 48 hours (two days) in advance. Saturday walk-in clinics are an alternative, not the only option.
Question 2: A job advert states: 'The successful candidate will be expected to work on a rota basis, including occasional weekends and bank holidays. Enhanced pay applies to all unsocial hours.' What does 'unsocial hours' most likely refer to?
- Hours when you work alone without colleagues
- Working hours outside the standard Monday-to-Friday daytime schedule (Correct answer)
- Overtime hours that exceed your contract
- Hours spent in training rather than working
Correct answer: Working hours outside the standard Monday-to-Friday daytime schedule
In UK employment, 'unsocial hours' refers to work outside normal daytime hours, typically evenings, nights, weekends, and bank holidays. The advert confirms this by mentioning weekends and bank holidays.
Question 3: You receive a letter from your local council: 'Your Council Tax band has been reassessed following recent property improvements. You have 28 days to appeal this decision.' What should you do if you disagree?
- Ignore the letter as Council Tax bands never change
- Contact the council within 28 days to challenge the reassessment (Correct answer)
- Stop paying Council Tax immediately
- Move to a different property to avoid the change
Correct answer: Contact the council within 28 days to challenge the reassessment
The letter gives a clear 28-day window to appeal. If you disagree with the reassessment, you must act within this timeframe to formally challenge the decision.
Question 4: A sign in a car park reads: 'Maximum stay 3 hours. No return within 2 hours. Penalty Charge Notice: £70 (reduced to £35 if paid within 14 days).' If you park at 10am, when is the earliest you could return and park again?
- 1pm the same day
- 3pm the same day (Correct answer)
- 12 noon the same day
- You cannot return the same day
Correct answer: 3pm the same day
You must leave by 1pm (3-hour maximum from 10am). The 'no return within 2 hours' rule means you cannot park again until 2 hours after leaving, which is 3pm at the earliest.
Question 5: An email from your child's school reads: 'Please note that the school will be closed on Friday 21st March for an INSET day. Normal service resumes on Monday 24th March.' What is an INSET day?
- A day when the school building is being inspected
- A teacher training day when pupils do not attend (Correct answer)
- A day for parents to visit the school
- An extra bank holiday for schools only
Correct answer: A teacher training day when pupils do not attend
INSET (In-Service Education and Training) days are designated for teacher professional development. Pupils do not attend school on these days.
Question 6: A leaflet from the NHS states: 'If you have symptoms of flu, do not visit your GP surgery. Instead, contact NHS 111 for advice or visit www.nhs.uk. Call 999 only in a life-threatening emergency.' According to this leaflet, what should you do first if you have flu symptoms?
- Go directly to A&E at your nearest hospital
- Visit your GP surgery for an appointment
- Contact NHS 111 by phone or check the NHS website (Correct answer)
- Call 999 for an ambulance
Correct answer: Contact NHS 111 by phone or check the NHS website
The leaflet explicitly states not to visit your GP and instead to contact NHS 111 or the NHS website. 999 is reserved for life-threatening emergencies only.
B1 English Reading Comprehension
You read a notice at your local GP surgery: 'Due to high demand, appointments must be booked 48 hours in advance.
Walk-in clinics are available on Saturdays from 9am to 12pm.' What does this notice tell you?