College Car Parking Policy Staff & Maternity Benefits – IELTS Reading

With the diligent practice of IELTS General Reading passages, like ‘College Car Parking Policy Staff’ and ‘Maternity benefits’, you can ace the section with ease. 

The questions in these IELTS passages are divided into sets, each of which involves the completion of a specific type of work. Therefore, you need to work on your time management skills to answer all 13 questions within 20 minutes. By incorporating a strategic plan for each question type and effective skimming as well as scanning techniques, you will comprehend the information given in the passage.

Let’s start with the practice now!

Types of Questions in College Car Parking Policy Staff & Maternity Benefits

The passages, ‘College Car Parking Policy Staff’ and ‘Maternity benefits’, are from Section 1 of the general reading module. To achieve a higher band score in the IELTS Exam, you will need to first understand how to approach the question type. This will help you to do a targeted study so that you become confident in attempting these questions.

The question types found in the ‘College Car Parking Policy Staff’ passage are:

• IELTS Reading Short Answer Questions (Q. 1-13)

Band 8+ Strategies to Attempt IELTS Reading Passages On College Car Parking Policy Staff & Maternity Benefits

Since there is only one question type in these passages on ‘College Car Parking Policy Staff & Maternity Benefits’, you will be able to focus on the specific strategy. With the  IELTS Exam Preparation Tips for Band Score of 8+, you take a step towards success. Remember that you need to note the areas of improvement so that you can understand how to improve those skills. The following are some of the band 8+ strategies to attempt the IELTS Reading passages.

• The short answer questions are open-ended and require you to respond according to the instructions given. If you do not follow them, your answer will not be considered even if a part of it is correct.
• It is important to first read the questions and then look at the passage. Before reading the passage, make sure you understand what the prompt is. You will then be aware of the important topics to keep an eye out for as you skim-read.
• The answers will be listed in chronological order in the text. So, once you’ve answered question 1, you’ll know that question 2 will follow soon after, and so on.
• Remember that Time Management for IELTS Reading is very important for which you must use the stopwatch and put the timer on as you attempt the questions. This will make you become familiar with the exam setting and help you build confidence for the exam day.
• Use only the actual words from the text for your answer. You may need to change the tense of any verbs you use to ensure your answer is grammatically correct.
• The questions will be paraphrased though, where you might encounter different words or synonyms. Therefore, you need to practice with the IELTS Vocabulary words to enhance your skills.
• Work on your scanning skills so that you can identify the keywords given in the question and then look for the same in the passage. However, do not assume your answers based just on the keywords. You must comprehend the information or the context surrounding the keyword.

Are you looking to learn for Band 9 strategies on how to attempt short answer questions? Dive into the video below!

IELTS Reading Passages On College Car Parking Policy Staff & Maternity Benefits

College Car Parking Policy – Staff

Parking permits and tickets
Staff permits are required to park a motor vehicle (other than a motorcycle parked in the cycle bays) on campus between 8.30 am and 4.30 pm, Monday to Friday, during term time. Annual permits can be purchased from the Hospitality Department. Application forms can be downloaded from the College website. All permits/tickets must be clearly displayed in the windscreen of vehicles during the dates of term time, as published in the academic calendar. Please inform the Services Administrator of any changes to registration details on telephone ext. 406. Annual car parking permits can be purchased from 20th September and are valid for one academic year from 1st October to 30th June. The annual charges for car parking are displayed on the application form.

Enforcement
The nominated contractor will issue fixed Penalty Charge Notices (see below) on vehicles that fail to display a valid permit and/or parking ticket, or vehicles that are parked on yellow lines or in disabled parking bays without displaying a blue disabled-parking permit. Reductions of parking space availability may arise in order to accommodate College recruitment activities and/or estate development/maintenance projects. Vehicles that are in breach of the policy will be issued with a Penalty Charge Notice.

Penalty Charge Notice (PCM)
The PCN is £30, increasing to £60 seven days after issue. The nominated contractor is responsible for the collection of unpaid PCNs and may use legal action where necessary to recover unpaid PCNs. If issued with a PCN, appeals must be taken up directly with the parking enforcement company (details included on the notice) not the college.

Disabled parking
The college has designated car parking spaces for disabled car drivers. The college will make all reasonable efforts to ensure these parking spaces are used only by drivers who display their blue disabled parking permits, and a valid pay-and-display or annual permit, as appropriate.
If issues arise concerning the availability of parking spaces, those concerned should raise the matter with the Domestic Services Department in order to effect a temporary solution.

Visitors
The College welcomes visitors and provides parking arrangements through pre-arranged permits, which must be displayed in the vehicle. Please contact the Hospitality Department for further information, On Open Days, sections of car parking on campus may be reserved for visitors.

Short-term drop-off/pick-up provision
There will be two short-term drop-off/pick-up spaces for users of the nursery, with a maximum of ten minutes’ waiting time allowed. These are located outside Concorde Building. The nursery staff bays may not be used under any circumstances.

Questions 1-6

1. Where can you buy parking permits at the college?
2. Which document shows the dates of term time?
3. What is the start date of annual parking permits?
4. Who is responsible for giving out parking fines if you park in the wrong place?
5. What do visitors need to show when parking?
6. Where can the nursery pick-up point be found?

Maternity benefits

If you are expecting a baby, there are a number of benefit schemes that could help you financially. However, eligibility differs for each individual scheme.

Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP)
You may be entitled to Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) from your employer. This is a weekly payment, to help make it easier for you to take time off, both before and after the birth of your baby. SMP can be paid for up to 39 weeks.

You are entitled to SMP if you have been employed by the same company for at least 26 weeks by the end of the 15th week before your baby is due. You must also be earning an average of at least £87 per week (before tax). The amount you get depends on how much you earn. For 6 weeks, you will receive 90% of your average weekly earnings. Then you will receive £112.75 per week for the remaining 33 weeks.

Maternity Allowance (MA)
Maternity Allowance (MA) is available to those who are employed or self-employed but not eligible for Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP). You may be entitled to Maternity Allowance if you have been employed or self-employed for at least 26 weeks in the 66 weeks before you are due to give birth. You don’t have to work for the same employer for those 26 weeks. You also don’t have to work full weeks (as a part week counts as a full week) during the same period. Maternity Allowance can be paid for up to 39 weeks, and is either paid at the same standard rate as SMP or 90% of your average weekly earnings. You’ll receive whichever amount is the lower. You can find Maternity Allowance forms at antenatal clinics throughout the country.

Child Tax Credit
If you’re on a low income, over 16, and are responsible for at least one child, you may also be entitled to Child Tax Credit. The amount you get will depend on your personal circumstances and income. When your income is being assessed, any child benefit, maintenance payments or Maternity Allowance payments will not be classed as income. This means that it will not be taken into account when calculating your Child Tax Credit.

Sure Start Maternity Payments
If you get benefits or Child Tax Credit because you’re on a low income, then you may be entitled to Sure Start Maternity Payments. These are individual grants to help towards the cost of a new baby.

Questions 7-13

7. What is the minimum period you must have worked for an employer in order to be eligible for SMP?
8. For how long is SMP payable every week as a percentage of your average weekly earnings?
9. What sum is payable every week as the second part of SMP entitlement?
10. What is the maximum length of time MA is payable?
11. Where can MA forms be obtained?
12. Apart from income, what else is considered when assessing how much Child Tax Credit is paid?
13. What are Sure Start Maternity Payments?

Answers With Location and Explanation  For IELTS Reading Passages on College Car Parking Policy Staff & Maternity Benefits 

Were you able to get all the answers to the questions? Did the strategies help you?  The answers are provided so that you can compare yours with the correct answers where the location and explanation are also given. This will help you to understand the progress level while aiming to achieve a higher IELTS Band Score. Let’s check out the answer key for the passages of the ‘College Car Parking Policy Staff & Maternity Benefits’ given below.

You need to develop more skills than just comprehension skills to achieve a band 8+ in the IELTS Reading module. By delving into the passages for general reading like these ones on ‘College Car Parking Policy Staff & Maternity Benefits’, you will become familiar with the exam format. With the right strategies to attempt short answer questions, you will be able to review your answers analytically and even stay calm on the exam day.

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