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Family Practice — WORK

IELTS General Training

Read. Write. Check yourself.

📖 Reading Practice

Read each text. Answer the questions. Then tap Check to see the answer and why it is correct.

Text A — A notice at work

Notice to All Warehouse Staff
New Shift Pattern and Safety Rules

From Monday, 9 November, the warehouse team will move to a new shift pattern. There will be two shifts each day: an early shift from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. and a late shift from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. Overtime will be paid at one and a half times your normal hourly rate.

All staff must wear safety shoes in the warehouse at all times, and high-visibility jackets are required in the yard.

If you cannot work one of your new shifts, you must speak to your shift manager at least 48 hours before the shift begins. Staff may not swap shifts with a colleague without a manager's approval.

Please note that the staff canteen will be closed on Friday, 13 November, for repairs. It will open again on Saturday, 14 November.

Finally, all staff must complete a short online safety course before the end of November.

1. The new shift pattern begins on Monday, 9 November.
Answer: True. The notice says: "From Monday, 9 November, the warehouse team will move to a new shift pattern."
2. Workers may wear their normal shoes in the warehouse if they prefer.
Answer: False. The notice says all staff must wear safety shoes in the warehouse at all times.
3. Overtime is paid at double the normal hourly rate.
Answer: False. The notice says overtime is paid at one and a half times the normal rate — not double.
4. The staff canteen will be closed for two weeks in November.
Answer: False. The canteen is closed for one day only — Friday, 13 November — for repairs.
5. What must you do if you cannot work one of your new shifts?
Answer: B. The notice says you must speak to your shift manager at least 48 hours before the shift begins.

Text B — A community project

The Riverside Clean-Up: Neighbours Working Together

The Riverside Clean-Up is a volunteer project that began in 2022, when local resident Marta Alvarez invited her neighbours to help clean the banks of the river. The aim of the project is simple: to keep the riverbank clean and to bring neighbours together.

The clean-up takes place on the first Saturday of every month. Volunteers meet at 9 a.m. at the Riverside Library car park, and work in small teams until midday. The group provides gloves, bags and litter pickers, so volunteers only need to bring a bottle of water.

Everyone aged 16 or over is welcome to join, and younger children may come with an adult. Last year, the group collected 1.8 tonnes of rubbish, including bottles, cans and even two old bicycles. After each clean-up, local cafés offer all volunteers a free hot drink.

6. What is the main purpose of the Riverside Clean-Up?
Answer: C. The text says the aim is "to keep the riverbank clean and to bring neighbours together".
7. Volunteers must bring their own gloves to the clean-up.
Answer: False. The group provides gloves, bags and litter pickers. Volunteers only need to bring a bottle of water.
8. Last year, the group collected more than two tonnes of rubbish.
Answer: False. The text says the group collected 1.8 tonnes last year — less than two tonnes.
9. Who can take part in the clean-up?
Answer: B. The text says: "Everyone aged 16 or over is welcome to join."
10. Complete the sentence: The clean-up takes place on the first ______ of every month.

Answer: Saturday. The text says the clean-up takes place on the first Saturday of every month.
11. Complete the sentence: Before each clean-up, volunteers meet at the ______.

Answer: library car park (the Riverside Library car park). The text says volunteers meet there at 9 a.m.

✍️ Writing Practice

Write your answer in the box. Your writing is saved on this device. When you finish, open the model answer and check yourself honestly. This is self-check only — not a real exam score.

Task 1 — Write a letter

You recently moved into a rented flat. The heating in your flat is not working, and the rooms are very cold.
Write a letter to your landlord. In your letter:
  • explain the problem with the heating
  • describe how this problem affects you
  • say what you would like the landlord to do
Write at least 150 words. You do NOT need to write any addresses.
Words: 0 — target: at least 150 words

Dear Mr Carter,

I am writing about a problem with the heating in my flat at 14 Rose Street, which I moved into last month.

The heating stopped working a week ago, and since then the flat has been extremely cold, especially in the evenings. I have checked the boiler, but it does not start at all. As a result, I cannot sleep well at night, and I am finding it difficult to study at home because my hands get too cold to write. I am also worried that the pipes may freeze if the weather becomes colder.

I would be grateful if you could arrange for an engineer to repair the heating as soon as possible, ideally this week. Please let me know which day the engineer can come, and I will make sure I am at home. If the repair will take a long time, I would appreciate a temporary electric heater in the meantime.

Thank you for your help. I look forward to your reply.

Yours sincerely,
Anna Smith

Check yourself:

Task 2 — Write an essay

Many companies now allow their employees to work from home. Some people think this is a positive change, while others believe it is negative.
Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
Write at least 250 words.
Words: 0 — target: at least 250 words

In recent years, working from home has become common in many companies. While some people welcome this change, others are worried about its effects. This essay will discuss both views before giving my own opinion.

On the one hand, there are clear benefits for employees. People who work from home do not waste time and money travelling to an office, so they can start the day feeling calmer and less tired. They also have more time for their families, which can improve their health and happiness. In addition, many workers say they can concentrate better at home, away from the noise and interruptions of a busy office. Working from home can also help companies, because they can employ people who live in different towns or even in different countries.

On the other hand, working from home can create problems. Firstly, some employees feel lonely and miss the social side of office life, especially young workers who learn a lot from older colleagues. Secondly, it can be difficult for managers to know whether staff are really working, and communication may become slower. Finally, not everyone has a quiet space or a good internet connection at home.

In my opinion, working from home is positive overall, but only when people can choose. A mix is probably best: employees can work at home for tasks that need concentration, and go to the office for meetings and teamwork.

In conclusion, home working offers real advantages for workers, but it also has disadvantages for communication and social life. For this reason, a balanced approach is the most sensible solution for most companies.

Check yourself:

Cyrus IELTS Academy — Family Practice