You should spend about 20 minutes on Questions 1-14, which are based on Reading Passages below.
Write answers to questions in boxes 1-14 on your answer sheet.
GT Reading Sample – “A cure for the common cold?” & “Car Theft”
Read the text below and answer Questions 1-7.
A CURE FOR THE COMMON COLD?
The average person comes down with three colds a year, each lasting for about nine days. There is still no cure but the following advice may help.
Take time off work, because your body will fight off the cold virus better if it is well rested. However, if you have to work, avoid close contact with your co-workers as the virus is contagious. Wash your hands frequently or use an alcohol-based disinfectant gel. Non-sedating allergy medications, which you can buy from a chemist, can decrease drowsiness and also alleviate the problems of a runny nose, watery eyes and blocked sinuses.
As soon as you feel a cold coming on, boost your fluid intake. Water or juice is ideal but hot herbal teas with lemon will help thin mucus and expel it from the body. A warm gargle with salt water will relieve a scratchy throat by reducing inflammation and clearing mucus and irritants. It also flushes out bacteria and viruses so it can be used as a preventative measure as well.
The warm moisture generated by a hot shower or bath will soothe and clear nasal passages. Inhaling steam over a bowl of hot water relieves congested sinuses, too. For a tickly cough, the latest research suggests that honey, either straight from the jar or dissolved in a hot drink, works as well if not better than costly lozenges and sprays.
A good diet is essential for a quick recovery, so start the day with a healthy breakfast including vitamin C in the form of fresh fruit or berries. For lunch, chicken soup is good, but be sure to add chunks of lean chicken meat, for protein helps build immune cells. Not only is this the perfect comfort food but it has been proven to be medicinally beneficial. For dinner, a spicy curry makes a good decongestant and some ingredients (ginger, garlic, chilli) are recognised as being anti-viral and anti-bacterial.
A little light exercise is beneficial, as this will enhance your emotional wellbeing, but don’t attempt anything too strenuous. Finally, to recharge your body and regain your strength, you need a full eight hours’ sleep.
Questions 1 – 7
Complete the summary below.
Choose NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS from the text for each answer.
Write your answers in boxes 1-7 on your answer sheet.
People usually get three colds every year. When sick, it is good to stay away from work because you need rest and you could spread the illness to 1 …………………. . Reduce 2 …………………. and cold symptoms by using medicines that you can buy from a pharmacy.
Drink a lot and gargle with salt water to help clear your throat. Gargling with salt water is a good 3 …………………. to keep you safe from future illness, too. Steam helps clear the nose and 4 …………………., instead of expensive medicine, is good for a cough.
Take lots of vitamin C. Chicken soup is healthy and it is ideal 5 …………………., as well as having curative properties. In the evening, a meal of hot curry will clear the airways. This also has 6 …………………. that can neutralise harmful bacteria and viruses. Some kind of 7 …………………. is a good idea to improve your mood and sleep will help you to get better.
Read the text below and answer Questions 8-14.
CAR THEFT
Car theft is a constant problem, but if you own a newer model of car, there is less likelihood of it being stolen. Newer models incorporate security systems that help prevent theft. However, thieves often steal car keys to access newer vehicles so it is a good policy to know where your keys are at all times. Never leave them in your car, even if it is parked in your garage at home. You make life easy for the burglar if you leave keys in a receptacle just inside the door or hanging from a hook. Think of a less obvious place, hidden from view. Once a thief has access to your keys, everything you own is at risk, including your personal safety.
While older cars are a potential target, there are some simple precautions you should take. Definitely, lock your car before you leave it, even for the shortest time, even in the driveway of your house. Think of installing an alarm or a steering lock or consider a mechanical immobilizer that fits across the steering wheel. This is a relatively inexpensive item but it is a good deterrent for thieves. They generally go for the easiest and fastest option.
Obviously, it is in your own interest to make your vehicle as difficult to steal as possible – not only to avoid stress and inconvenience, but also because your insurance premiums will soar if you make a claim. If you are unfortunate enough to have your vehicle stolen, phone the police immediately. You will need to provide information relating to your vehicle including make, model, year, colour, registration number and VIN (vehicle identification number). You need all of this when you file a stolen vehicle report. Police will also log any personal items that were in the vehicle. If these items include identifying documents such as a registration certificate, this will make the illegal resale of the vehicle simpler for the thieves, so keep these documents in a separate place.
Next, contact your insurance company. If your wallet was in the car and it contained credit cards, you will need to notify your bank. If your house keys were in the car, call a locksmith and have your locks changed, and if you are still making payments on the car, you will need to inform the finance company. Both your insurance company and the finance company will ask you for copies of the police report so it is best to obtain one in the first instance.
Questions 8-14
Complete the notes below.
Choose NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS from the text for each answer.
Write your answers in boxes 8–14 on your answer sheet.
Car theft
• modern cars are more difficult to steal because of their 8 ………………….
• If they have your keys, burglars could steal your car or even threaten your 9 ………………….
• older models are easier to steal, so get an alarm or steering lock or use an immobilizer (cheap but effective 10 ………………….)
• the loss of your car is stressful and also makes your 11 …………………. more expensive
• if your car is taken:
– call the police
– supply all identifying information for vehicle – fill out a 12 ………………….
– NB: the 13 …………………. of the vehicle will be easier for the thieves if you leave official papers inside
– call the insurance company, bank (if necessary), and the 14 …………………. if you owe money on the car.
Answer:
1. (your) co-workers
2. drowsiness
3. preventative measure
4. honey
5. comfort food
6. (some) ingredients
7. (light) exercise
8. security systems
9. personal safety
10. deterrent
11. insurance premiums
12. stolen vehicle report
13. illegal resale
14. finance company