The Best Suitcases and The Oxford School of Drama – IELTS Reading Answers

With regular practice, individuals preparing for the Reading module of the IELTS General exam can enhance their chances of achieving top scores. Proficiency in navigating different question types is key. The IELTS General Passages ‘The Best Suitcases’ & ‘The Oxford School of Drama’ are a part of Cambridge IELTS 13 General Training Reading Test 1 and ideally, you should not spend more than 20 minutes on these passages.

There are 14 questions in the given passage. It’s imperative to understand the subject, look up key terms, and solve accordingly. Additionally, regularly practicing timed IELTS General practice tests is crucial if your goal is to become proficient in these passages and achieve a high reading band score.

The question type found in this passage is:

• Matching Information (Questions 1-7)
• True/False/Not Given (Questions 8-14 )

Reading Passage 1

The Best Suitcases 

A Briggs and Riley Weekender

A weekend suitcase that’s sophisticated and unusually spacious for its type. The strong nylon outer fabric is water and abrasion resistant, so it should handle any knocks without showing signs of damage.

B Mulberry Scotchgrain

Trimmed in brown leather, with gold details, this bag from the renowned fashion house is a truly indulgent buy. If you’re investing this much in a suitcase then you’d better be planning an amazing holiday to go with it.

C Rimova Salsa

A design you can trust, this case is built from super light polycarbonate and is incredibly solid. The built-in combination lock offers state-of-the-art security so you can travel with peace of mind.

D Tripp Holiday

Simple and affordable, the Tripp range offers a great selection of tough cases. They also come in a huge range of cheerful colours that should go with anything you choose to put on, and you’ll definitely be able to spot it on the luggage carousel at the airport.

E Eastpak Tranverz Holdall

For those who want something in between an annual holiday suitcase and a weekend bag, this is a fantastic compromise. With two wheels and a telescopic handle, the bag is guaranteed for 30 years. Did we mention it also comes in colourful leopard print?

F Herschel Parcel

From the brand behind some of today’s most popular rucksacks, this suitcase really is a delight. Custom printed, with Herschel’s signature leather toggles this well-crafted case is as cool, stylish and up to date as they come.

G The Diplomat

Travel in style with this beautiful suitcase that goes back to the days when trains ran on steam and air travel was leisurely. The leather case, part of the Steamline Luggage range, features roller wheels and a metal frame to hold it in shape.

Questions 1-7 

1 This suitcase is for those who wish to purchase expensive luggage.
2 This suitcase is the right one for people who like to follow the latest fashion.
3 It is easy to choose one of these suitcases to match most clothing.
4 The manufacturer is confident that this suitcase will last a long time.
5 Items in this suitcase will not be affected if it gets wet.
6 This suitcase is of a useful, medium size.
7 Those who want to be reminded of an earlier age of travel will like this suitcase.

Reading Passage 2

The Oxford School of Drama 

One-Year Acting Course

This is an intensive course which is designed for those who have completed their academic studies and have some theatre or film experience already. In order to be accepted, you should be a high achiever, knowledgeable about the industry and determined to succeed.

Term One: Technical classes in acting, voice, movement, applied movement and characterisation, music, singing, film, radio and professional development. The term finishes with an internal production given for tutors and students.

Term Two: All technical classes continue from term one. There is an internal performance of a one-act play, the recording of an audio showreel at a professional studio and the Showcase Drama in front of an invited audience including casting directors and agents.

Term Three: Technical classes continue with additional focus on audition technique, workshops and masterclasses. This term includes a public performance of a play outdoors in the grounds of Blenheim Palace, and the chance to act a short film recorded on location by a professional crew.

How to Apply

Entry to The Oxford School of Drama is by audition only and there are no academic requirements for any of our courses. Once we have received your application form and audition fee, we will email you with a date for your audition and further details about what to expect when you are here. For your initial audition, you will need to prepare two contrasting speeches from plays, lasting no longer than two minutes. There will also be some group work for which you will need to wear loose, comfortable clothing. If you are applying from overseas, you will be able to submit your first audition by means of DVD, YouTube or link to a secure website. You will be invited to submit this once we have received your application form and audition fee. If you are successful in your first audition, you will be invited to attend future auditions here at the school. The school will provide a free bus from central Oxford for those attending auditions.

Questions 8 -14

1 Students can begin the one-year course without any previous involvement in acting.
2 Students will act in a performance in front of their classmates at the end of the first term.
3 Family members may attend a performance during the second term.
4 Students are required to make a film on their own in the last term of the course.
5 In their first audition, candidates perform speeches they have worked on in advance.
6 The Oxford School of Drama will send candidates details of local accommodation.
7 Overseas candidates can do all their auditions via a digital link.

Answers for The Best Suitcases & The Oxford School of Drama Reading Answers with Location and Explanations

1 Answer: B
Question Type: Matching Information
Answer location: Paragraph B, Lines 2-3
Answer Explanation: Take a look at this review for bag Mulberry Scotchgrain “…this bag from the renowned fashion house is a truly indulgent buy…” Here indulgent buy refers to an expensive purchase. Hence, the answer is ‘ B’.

2 Answer: F
Question Type: Matching Information
Answer location: Paragraph F, Line 3
Answer Explanation: In the last line of Paragraph F it is clearly stated that “… Custom printed, with Herschel’s signature leather toggles this well-crafted case is as cool, stylish and up to date as they come…” that it is stylish and up to date. Hence, the answer is ‘ F’.

3 Answer: D
Question Type: Matching Information
Answer location: Paragraph D, Lines 2-3
Answer Explanation: Take a look at these lines, “…They also come in a huge range of cheerful colours that should go with anything you choose to put on, and you’ll definitely…” Here it is written it will go with anything you choose to wear ( put on ). Hence, the answer is ‘ D’.

4 Answer: E
Question Type: Matching Information
Answer location: Paragraph E, Line 2
Answer Explanation: In this line of Paragraph E, “… the bag is guaranteed for 30 years…” 30 years is a long time for a bag. Hence, the answer is ‘ E’.

5 Answer: A
Question Type: Matching Information
Answer location: Paragraph A, Lines 2-3
Answer Explanation: In these lines, it is written that “…The strong nylon outer fabric is water and abrasion resistant…” and it is clear that the bag is water resistant. So, it will not get wet. Hence, the answer is ‘A’.

6 Answer: E
Question Type: Matching Information
Answer location: Paragraph E, Line 1 
Answer Explanation: Take a look at line 1 of paragraph E, “…between an annual holiday suitcase and a weekend bag, this is a fantastic compromise…” Here, they are comparing two bags one big and one small. So, it means that the bag is of medium size. Hence, the answer is ‘ E’.

7 Answer: G
Question Type: Matching Information
Answer location: Paragraph G, Lines 2-3
Answer Explanation: In these lines of Paragraph G, “… Travel in style with this beautiful suitcase that goes back to the days when trains ran on steam and air travel was leisurely…” they are talking about the old times. Hence, the answer is ‘G’.

8 Answer: False
Question type: True/False/Not Given
Answer location: Paragraph 1, Line 1
Answer Explanation: Take a look at the first line of this passage, “…This is an intensive course which is designed for those who have completed their academic studies and have some theatre or film experience already…” Here, it is clearly stated that this course is designed for candidates who already have prior theatre experience. Hence, the answer is ‘ False’.

9 Answer: True
Question type: True/False/Not Given
Answer location: Paragraph 2, Lines 2-3
Answer Explanation: In this line of Paragraph 2, it is mentioned that “…The term finishes with an internal production given for tutors and students…” It means that the first term concludes with an in-house performance, providing an opportunity for students to participate. Hence, the answer is ‘ True’.

10 Answer: Not Given
Question type: True/False/Not Given
Answer location: N/A
Answer Explanation: The information mentioned in the statement is not found in the passage.

11 Answer: False
Question type: True/False/Not Given
Answer location: Paragraph 4, Lines 2-3
Answer Explanation: Take a look at these lines, “…in the grounds of Blenheim Palace, and the chance to act a short film recorded on location by a professional crew…” The film will be recorded by a professional crew, not the students. Hence, the answer is ‘ False ‘.

12 Answer: True
Question type: True/False/Not Given
Answer location: Paragraph 5, Line 3-4
Answer Explanation: In these lines of Paragraph 5 “ … For your initial audition, you will need to prepare two contrasting speeches from plays, lasting no longer than two minutes…” It is stated that students need to perform speeches they have prepared for the audition. Hence, the answer is ‘ True’.

13 Answer: Not Given
Question type: True/False/Not Given
Answer location: N/A
Answer Explanation: The information mentioned in the statement is not found in the passage.

14 Answer: False
Question type: True/False/Not Given
Answer location: Paragraph 5, Lines 4-5
Answer Explanation: Take a look at these lines, “… If you are applying from overseas, you will be able to submit your first audition by means of DVD, YouTube or link to a secure website…” If applicants are from overseas, they have the option to submit their initial audition through DVD, YouTube, or a link to a secure website. This submission is requested once the management has received their application form and audition fees. Successful candidates from this initial audition will then be invited to attend further audition rounds at the school.
Hence, the answer is ‘ False’.

Tips to Solve the Question types in The Best Suitcases and The Oxford School of Drama Reading Answers 

Since now you know the answers to The Best Suitcases and The Oxford School of Drama Reading, let us check out some quick tips to answer the question type in IELTS Reading.

Matching Information questions 

Matching information is a type of IELTS reading question that requires you to match a list of features to the correct people, places, or things in a passage.

To answer matching information questions, you can use the following strategies:

• Before starting, ensure clarity on what needs to be matched, such as headings to paragraphs or statements to sections.
• Quickly go through the passage to grasp its content and layout, aiding in locating relevant information.
• Identify keywords or key phrases in both the question and passage, as they often lead to the correct answer.
• Mark information in the passage that matches the question, facilitating easy reference during answering.
• Be mindful of synonyms and paraphrases, as they may replace exact words from the question within the passage.

True/False/Not Given: 

True/False/Not Given questions are a type of IELTS Reading question that requires you to identify whether a statement is true, false, or not given in the passage.

To answer this type of question, you can use the following strategies:

• Before reading the material, have a look at your list of True/False/Not Given questions.
• Scan the passage for synonyms or paraphrased words of the keywords. When you have highlighted the keywords, swiftly read the text to look for paraphrases or synonyms.
• Match the highlighted words in the questions with their synonyms in the text. Once you find both sets of keywords, cross-check them to find the answer.
• If the facts match, the answer is correct so it would be yes, and in case it doesn’t match, it is No. If you are unable to find the answer or unsure of it, mark it NOT GIVEN.

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