[IELTS 5.] Unit 20.1 - Reading & Listening

Read the text about rural shops. Match paragraphs A - C to the specific information 1-3. You can use any letter more than once.

A. According to the Rural Shops Alliance, 600 country shops closed last year. Add the post office closure program into the mix, and thousands of neighborhood hubs are being removed from village life.

B. The people of Avebury, in the UK, are among those trying to reverse the process. In April last year, their village shop closed when the adjoining post office shut down. Last week, however, it reopened. The villagers, led by a small steering group, banded together to raise enough money to save it: 241 people bought £50 shares, with another £5,000 coming from local donations and nearly £40,000 from charitable schemes.

C. The National Trust, the organization which owns the building, offered the group a minimal rent. A local craftsman made the shop sign and fitted out the interior, and another volunteer regularly bakes cakes to sell. The shop, manned by a part-time manager and more than 30 volunteers, stocks everyday household items, as well as newspapers and some fresh food. There will also be post office facilities for part of the week.

Information:

1. a plan to prevent something from happening: 1.1

2. the number of facilities disappearing: 1.2

3. an example of a fund-raising activity: 1.3

Read the following passage which has seven paragraphs, labeled A - G.

Will you love your neighbors?

A. When you are interested in buying a house, it's easy to check the location and specifications of the house, but how can you assess an area's community spirit - not just if the neighbors are friendly, but whether people will get involved in helping to deliver public services, setting up social enterprises and tackling local issues? Here are some tips for finding out what an area's community spirit is like.

B. If an estate agent shows you around, ask for the vendor's phone number. "Meeting the seller is an opportunity to find out what an area is like," says Chris Gittins, manager of Streets Alive, a company that works with residents, councils, and voluntary groups to build communities by hosting events and activities in the street. It is also worth trying to meet the neighbors to find out more about an area. If you don't find anyone at home or don't get a clear response, try talking to someone in the nearest shop or café.

C. Living Streets, which promotes safe, active, and enjoyable streets, says to steer clear of heavy traffic. Its research shows that people living on busy streets shield themselves from noise, don't go outside, and restrict their children's independence - all of which reduce interaction with neighbors. And although an open space may seem like an asset, it can also become a source of conflict, says Dominic Church, senior adviser at the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment. "If they are not kept clear and nobody is clearly responsible for the maintenance, they can become breeding grounds for graffiti, antisocial behavior, and kids messing about," he says.

D. Local police can tell you whether there is a crime prevention group in your area. Living in an area with a group doesn't just reduce your insurance premiums and ensure that the police tackle local issues such as theft: research shows that even when neighbors have nothing in common they share a desire to create a safe area and create a community spirit. If there isn't a group, find out why.

E. Councils have lists of local voluntary organizations that can help to reveal the interests and activities of local communities. Some councils also run award schemes, which may include prizes for active and inspirational groups. Search the web, use social media, and post queries on forums to find out residents' views. This may give you more varied and up-to-date information than the council. Look online to see if there are any plans to set up a new free school in the area. This is a sign of socially engaged parents and community motivation.

F. Floods, high crime levels, and other issues can give a neighborhood a bad image, but they can boost community spirit. A recent case of serious flooding brought one village together to repair homes but also to tackle climate change, which then led to a low-carbon group that went on to win national competitions. Crime statistics can again be found online and will provide useful information on crime and antisocial behavior by area and police force. You can search by five types of crime and get details of your local neighborhood policing team, its contacts, and the next meeting with residents.

G. If you are confident about the house, you could go ahead with the purchase and even hold a street party to boost community spirit. "People who have just moved into an area are critical in setting up street parties," Gittins says. "After two or three years it becomes harder - they meet neighbors, get set in their routines, and feel less motivated to become involved."

Which paragraphs mention the following information? You can use any letter more than once.

1. the relationship between environment and behavior: 2.1

2. the benefits of asking around: 2.2

3. becoming an organizer: 2.3 

4. partnerships against crime: 2.4 

5. problems that have advantages: 2.5 

6. aspects of neighborhood research: 2.6

Answer the questions below. Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer.

Which exhibition does the tour guide recommend? 3.1

How long do the guided tours last? 3.2

On which floor do the tours start? 3.3

Complete the flow chart below. Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer.

How to buy a ticket for an exhibition

18. 4.1

19. 4.2

20. 4.3

Complete the notes below. Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer.

Focus of survey: 5.1 preferences

Number of questions: 20

Information required in the first three questions: cost, number of rooms, and 5.2

The topic of additional information: 5.3

Choose THREE answers.

Which THREE ways does the tutor suggest Monica and Tom can improve their questionnaire?

Complete the summary of the introduction to a lecture on bird migration below. Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer.

Birds migrate for two main reasons: to 7.1 and to breed. When they are breeding they need to move to areas where they can 7.2. In the spring they migrate from 7.3 to cooler countries in the north. They spend several months there, flying south again in the winter to 7.4.