General Training Reading 2026-01 Test 5

General Training

Tháng thi: 2026-01

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Sydney Opera House Tours

We offer three different tours of this iconic building.
A. The Essential Tour brings to life the story behind the design and construction of one of the world's most famous landmarks. Using interactive audio-visual technology, your guide will take you on a memorable journey inside the youngest building ever to be World Heritage listed.
B. Afterwards, why not stay around and eat at the Studio Café, with its modern Australian menu? Not only can you enjoy the best views in Sydney, you can claim a 20% reduction on the total cost of your meal. (Don't forget to show your ticket in order to claim your discount.)
C. Languages: English, French, German
Takes place: Daily between 9 am and 5 pm
Prices: Adults $35 / Online $29.75
Concessions: Australian seniors and pensioners; students and children of 16 and under $24.50. Prior bookings are not essential.
D. The Backstage Tour gives you backstage access to the Sydney Opera House. It is a unique opportunity to experience the real-life dramas behind the stage! You might even get to stand on the concert hall stage, take up a conductor's baton in the orchestra pit and imagine you are leading the performance. You will also get to see inside the stars' dressing rooms. The tour concludes with a complimentary breakfast in the Green Room, the private dining area of performers past and present.
E. Takes place: Daily at 7 am
Prices: $155. No concessions. To purchase: Bookings are essential. Limited to 8 people per tour. Online sales expire at 4.30 pm two days prior.
Notes: The tour includes up to 300 steps. Flat, rubber-soled shoes must be worn. For safety reasons, children of 12 years old and under are not permitted.
F. Opera High Tea consists of a tour where you will walk in the footsteps of world-class singers, dancers and musicians, followed by fine food and music in the spectacular surroundings of the Bennelong Dining Room. What could be better than a treat of delicious light snacks and soft drinks followed by a live recital by a leading Australian singer? An unforgettable treat for young and old!
G. Takes place: Every second Wednesday, 2 pm
Duration: 1.5 hours
Prices: $145 per person
Book online or visit the Guided Tours Desk.

Questions 1-7

The text has seven sections. Which section contains the information found in the statements? Write the correct letter, A-G. NB You may use any letter more than once.

  1. 1

    Discounts available to younger visitors.

  2. 2

    The need for suitable footwear.

  3. 3

    The opportunity to pretend you are taking part in a concert.

  4. 4

    A restriction on the number of participants.

  5. 5

    A reduction that applies to purchases using the internet.

  6. 6

    The need to book your ticket in advance.

  7. 7

    The length of one of the tours.

A Penny that Saved a Life

Of the three Trickett brothers who left their home in Lincolnshire to fight for the United Kingdom in the First World War, only John would survive. Horace and Billy were among the more than eight million soldiers killed in the Great War, which saw casualties on an unprecedented scale due to the advent of new, more advanced weapons. John, however, was saved by the most ordinary and rudimentary equipment on the entire battlefield: a penny in his breast pocket that deflected a bullet intended for his heart.
The penny, issued in 1889 (10 years before John was born) and severely bent from the bullet's impact, was sold on March 22, 2019, in Hansons Auctioneers' Medals and Militaria Auction. Initially, the highest bid was £1,700, vastly exceeding Hansons' initial estimate of between £100 and £200. Ultimately, it sold for £4,500.
The lot included a British victory medal as well as Trickett's 1918 discharge certificate, among other items. Six phone bidders as well as internet bidders battled to own the collection but it was sold to a buyer in the room - Mr. Nigel Trickett, 55, of Owston Ferry, near Doncaster. Mr. Trickett, owner of a carpet business, said:
"Private Trickett was my grand-dad and we wanted to keep the medals and penny in the family. It will be handed down. It's where it belongs and we'll take a lot of pride in showing it to family members.
"When the story went viral it brought 50 members of the family together - we all got in touch with each other. My grand-dad's story is very interesting and true. Everything wouldn't have happened in our family the way it has without that penny.
While we don't know precisely when and where Private Trickett had his brush with death, Adrian Stevenson, Hansons' military expert, says that the incident occurred in 1917, on the war's Western Front. The bullet, fired by a German soldier, ricocheted off Trickett's penny and traveled up through Trickett's nose, exiting through his left ear. Trickett lost hearing in that ear for the rest of his life, his granddaughter Maureen Coulson told Hansons. Trickett received an honorable discharge from the military in September 1918. After coming home, he got married, had eight children, and worked as a postmaster and switchboard operator. Coulson answered Hansons' advertisement for a routine valuation event, bringing the penny and Trickett's other effects to Stevenson. Ironically, the coin was "one of those real impossible things to value," says Stevenson, who eventually settled on a relatively low estimate for the item due to the "very modest" value of the metal itself. It's not the first time in Stevenson's career that he's heard of an everyday item blocking a bullet and making the difference between life and death. Bibles, shaving mirrors, and cigarette cases, he says, have all done the same and during the war, some manufacturers even began advertising thicker mirrors, explicitly pitching their life-saving potential.
"It's strange to think," said Coulson, "that, but for that penny, [Trickett's] children would not have been born and I wouldn't be here." There could be many more families throughout the world who could say the same about other objects: Since Coulson delivered the coin to Hansons, the auction house has also acquired a shrapnel-damaged flask and belt buckle that may have saved their carriers.
"I was born after my grand-dad died but I remember seeing the penny when I was seven. We plan to visit my grand-dad's grave in Bolton upon Dearne, Yorkshire, on the way home." The medal was sold by Private Trickett's granddaughter Mrs. Maureen Coulson, 63, from Duffield, Derbyshire, who plans to give some of the proceeds to charity.

Questions 8-14

Do the following statements agree with the information given in the text? TRUE - if the statement is true. FALSE - if the statement is false. NOT GIVEN - if the information is not given in the text.

  1. 8

    The penny was a piece of equipment issued to all soldiers.

  2. 9

    The penny that saved Trickett's life was bought by his grandson.

  3. 10

    John Trickett served in the British Army till 1918.

  4. 11

    The auction house set a low initial price for the penny because it was made of a metal which was not very expensive.

  5. 12

    But for the penny, there would have been no Mr. Coulson.

  6. 13

    Thicker shaving mirrors helped to save lives during the war.

  7. 14

    The auction house had acquired a shrapnel damaged flask that may have saved its carrier.

Health and Safety Certificate for the Construction Industry (H&S Certificate)

Who should register for this course? The H&S Certificate is aimed at people who work as supervisors within the construction industry (whether or not that is part of their job title), who are required to ensure that activities under their control are undertaken safely.
Course duration
Option 1 - Conversion Course (for those who have a PHS Certificate - see below): 10 days, either one day a week or two weeks full-time.
Option 2 - Full Course (for all others): 15 days, either one day a week or three weeks full-time. For both options, the written exam and practical assessment take half a day.
About the course
The course provides thorough preparation for the H&S Certificate, which is an award in health and safety specifically designed for the construction industry. It combines theory with practice, ensuring that those who gain the certificate are capable of managing health and safety throughout each stage of the construction process, from planning and design to use and finally demolition.
You may already be one step towards gaining an H&S Certificate
The PHS (Principles of Health and Safety) Certificate can be taken separately or as part of the H&S Certificate. If you gained this qualification no more than five years before entering for the H&S Certificate, it will be recognised as contributing to your Certificate without the need to repeat that unit of the course.
Course content
The H&S Certificate is divided into three units. Unit 1 covers the principles of health and safety (and is identical to the PHS Certificate), Unit 2 covers the identification and control of hazards, and Unit 3 deals with practical applications of health and safety.
How is the course assessed?
Candidates take written examinations for Units 1 and 2. Unit 3 is assessed by a practical examination testing the ability to identify health and safety issues in a construction workplace. Unit 3 needs to be taken within 14 days of a written examination. A full certificate is issued on successful completion of all three units.
Funding
Candidates from non-EU countries may be eligible for a small number of grants. These cover the cost of tuition, but not examination fees. For details, please contact the Registrar.
Enquiries
For further information please contact our administration office.

Questions 15-21

Choose ONE WORD ONLY for each answer.

15. Which position is the Certificate intended for?
16. How many days must a student without a PHS Certificate study?
17. What is the last stage of the construction process that is covered by the course?
18. For how many years does a PHS Certificate count towards the H&S Certificate?
19. What do students learn to identify and deal with in Unit 2?
20. What type of examination is used for Unit 3?
21. What will a grant pay for?

Job Brief: Receptionist

We are looking for a Receptionist to manage our front desk on a daily basis and to perform a variety of administrative and clerical tasks.
What does a Receptionist do?
As a Receptionist, you will be the first point of contact for our company. Our Receptionist's duties include offering administrative support across the organization. You will welcome guests and greet people who visit the business. You will also coordinate front desk activities, including distributing correspondence and redirecting phone calls.
To be successful, you should have a pleasant personality, as this is also a customer service role. You should also be able to deal with emergencies in a timely and effective manner, while streamlining office operations. Multitasking and stress management skills are essential for this position. This role may require working in shifts, so flexibility is a plus. Ultimately, your duties and responsibilities are to ensure the front desk welcomes guests positively, and executes all administrative tasks to the highest quality standards.
Responsibilities
Greet and welcome guests as soon as they arrive at the office
Direct visitors to the appropriate person and office
Answer, screen and forward incoming phone calls
Provide basic and accurate information in-person and via phone/email
Receive, sort and distribute daily mail/deliveries
Maintain office security by following safety procedures and controlling access via the reception desk (monitor logbook, issue visitor badges)
Order front office supplies and keep inventory of stock
Arrange travel and accommodations, and prepare vouchers
Keep updated records of office expenses and costs
Perform other clerical receptionist duties such as filing, photocopying, transcribing and faxing
Requirements
Proven work experience as a Receptionist, Front Office Representative or similar role
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite
Hands-on experience with office equipment (e.g. fax machines and printers)
Professional attitude and appearance
Solid written and verbal communication skills
Excellent organizational skills
Multitasking and time-management skills, with the ability to prioritize tasks
Customer service attitude
High school degree; additional certification in Office Management is a plus

Questions 22-27

Choose NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER from the text for each answer.

22. Whenever a visitor comes into the office, you will be the ................. person to meet him or her.
23. The position of a Receptionist is also a ....................... Role.
24. Since the role requires ......................... you should be able to work in shifts.
25. One of the responsibilities is to keep track of the ................... in the office.
26. The tasks required to be performed are not only administrative in nature, but also ................
27. Hands-on experience with .......... equipment is a requirement for this role.

The History of Early Cinema

The history of the cinema in its first thirty years is one of major and, to this day, unparalleled expansion and growth. Beginning as something unusual in a handful of big cities - New York, London, Paris and Berlin - the new medium quickly found its way across the world, attracting larger and larger audiences wherever it was shown and replacing other forms of entertainment as it did so. As audiences grew, so did the places where films were shown, finishing up with the 'great picture palaces' of the 1920s, which rivalled, and occasionally superseded, theatres and opera-houses in terms of opulence and splendour. Meanwhile, films themselves developed from being short 'attractions' only a couple of minutes long, to the full-length feature that has dominated the world's screens up to the present day.
Although French, German, American and British pioneers have all been credited with the invention of cinema, the British and the Germans played a relatively small role in its worldwide exploitation. It was above all the French, followed closely by the Americans, who were the most passionate exporters of the new invention, helping to start cinema in China, Japan, Latin America and Russia. In terms of artistic development it was again the French and the Americans who took the lead, though in the years before the First World War, Italy, Denmark and Russia also played a part.
In the end, it was the United States that was to become, and remain, the largest single market for films. By protecting their own market and pursuing a vigorous export policy, the Americans achieved a dominant position in the world market by the start of the First World War. The centre of film-making had moved westwards, to Hollywood, and it was films from these new Hollywood studios that flooded onto the world film markets in the years after the First World War, and have done so ever since. Faced with total Hollywood domination, few film industries proved competitive.
The Italian industry, which had pioneered the feature film with spectacular films like Quo Vadis? (1913) and "Cabiria" (1914), almost collapsed. In Scandinavia, the Swedish cinema had a brief period of glory, notably with powerful epic films and comedies. Even the French cinema found itself in a difficult position. In Europe, only Germany proved industrially capable, while in the new Soviet Union and in Japan, the development of the cinema took place in conditions of commercial isolation.
Hollywood took the lead artistically as well as industrially. Hollywood films appealed because they had better-constructed narratives, their special effects were more impressive, and the star system added a new dimension to the screen acting. If Hollywood did not have enough of its own resources, it had a great deal of money to buy up artists and technical innovations from Europe to ensure its continued dominance over present or future competition.
From early cinema, it was only American slapstick comedy that successfully developed in both short and feature format. However, during this Silent Film era, animation, comedy, serials and dramatic features continued to thrive, along with factual films or documentaries, which acquired an increasing distinctiveness as the period progressed. It was also at this time that the avant-garde film first achieved commercial success, this time thanks almost exclusively to the French and the occasional German film. Of the countries which developed and maintained distinctive national cinemas in the silent period, the most important were France, Germany and the Soviet Union. Of these, the French displayed the most continuity, in spite of the war and post-war economic uncertainties. The German cinema, relatively insignificant in the pre-war years, exploded onto the world scene after 1919. Yet even they were both overshadowed by the Soviets after the 1917 Revolution. They turned their back on the past, leaving the style of the pre-war Russian cinema to the émigrés who fled westwards to escape the Revolution.
The other countries whose cinemas changed dramatically are: Britain, which had an interesting but undistinguished history in the silent period; Italy, which had a brief moment of international fame just before the war; the Scandinavian countries, particularly Denmark, which played a role in the development of silent cinema quite out of proportion to their small population; and Japan, where a cinema developed based primarily on traditional theatrical and, to a lesser extent, other art forms and only gradually adapted to western influence.

Questions 28-30

Which THREE possible reasons for American dominance of the film industry are given in the text. Write answers A-F.

A plenty of capital to purchase what it didn't have
B making films dealing with serious issues
C being first to produce a 'feature' film
D well-written narratives
E the effect of the First World War
F excellent special effects
  1. 28

    Which THREE possible reasons for American dominance of the film industry are given in the text.

    • A. plenty of capital to purchase what it didn't have
    • B. making films dealing with serious issues
    • C. being first to produce a 'feature' film
    • D. well-written narratives
    • E. the effect of the First World War
    • F. excellent special effects
  2. 29

    Which THREE possible reasons for American dominance of the film industry are given in the text.

  3. 30

    Which THREE possible reasons for American dominance of the film industry are given in the text.

Questions 31-33

Answer the questions below using NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS for each answer.

  1. 31

    Which type of film other than avant-garde was not made in major studios?

  2. 32

    Which type of film did America develop in both short and feature films?

  3. 33

    Which type of film started to become profitable in the 'silent' period?

Questions 34-40

Match each statement with the correct country. Write correct letter A-J. List of countries: A France, B Germany, C USA, D Denmark, E Sweden, F Japan, G Soviet Union, H Italy, I Britain, J China.

  1. 34

    It helped other countries develop their own film industry.

    • A. France
    • B. Germany
    • C. USA
    • D. Denmark
    • E. Sweden
    • F. Japan
    • G. Soviet Union
    • H. Italy
    • I. Britain
    • J. China
  2. 35

    It was the biggest producer of films.

  3. 36

    It was first to develop the 'feature' film.

  4. 37

    It was responsible for creating stars.

  5. 38

    It made the most money from 'avant-garde' films.

  6. 39

    It made movies based more on its own culture than outside influences.

  7. 40

    It had a great influence on silent movies, despite

Phiếu trả lời

Điền đáp án khi làm bài — kiểm tra kết quả ngay lập tức và lưu cục bộ, mọi câu sai sẽ vào nhật ký lỗi cùng bài học khắc phục.

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Lưu trên thiết bị này — không cần tài khoản. Đăng nhập ở trang tiến trình nếu muốn đồng bộ sang nơi khác.
Hiện đáp án

Đáp án

  1. 1. C

    C is correct because it says 'students and children of 16 and under $24.50', showing discounts for younger visitors.

  2. 2. E

    E is correct as it states 'Flat, rubber-soled shoes must be worn', showing the need for suitable footwear.

  3. 3. D

    D is correct because it mentions you might 'take up a conductor's baton in the orchestra pit and imagine you are leading the performance', letting you pretend to take part in a concert.

  4. 4. E

    E is correct as it says 'Limited to 8 people per tour', showing a restriction on the number of participants.

  5. 5. C

    C is correct because it lists 'Online $29.75', a reduced price for internet purchases. The other tours do not mention online discounts.

  6. 6. E

    E is correct as it says 'Bookings are essential', meaning you must book in advance.

  7. 7. G

    G is correct because it says 'Duration: 1.5 hours', giving the length of the Opera High Tea tour.

  8. 8. FALSE

    FALSE is correct because the passage says the penny was 'issued in 1889', not as standard equipment for all soldiers.

  9. 9. TRUE

    TRUE is correct as it says the penny 'was sold to a buyer in the room - Mr. Nigel Trickett, 55', who is John Trickett's grandson.

  10. 10. TRUE

    TRUE is correct because it says Trickett 'received an honorable discharge from the military in September 1918', meaning he served until then.

  11. 11. TRUE

    TRUE is correct as Stevenson gave a 'relatively low estimate for the item due to the "very modest" value of the metal itself.'

  12. 12. FALSE

    FALSE is correct because it says 'It's strange to think...I wouldn't be here', but Mr. Coulson is not mentioned; it is Maureen Coulson, his granddaughter.

  13. 13. NOT GIVEN

    NOT GIVEN is correct because the passage says some manufacturers advertised thicker mirrors, but does not say they actually helped save lives.

  14. 14. TRUE

    TRUE is correct as it says 'the auction house has also acquired a shrapnel-damaged flask and belt buckle that may have saved their carriers.'

  15. 15. supervisors

    'supervisors' is correct because the course is 'aimed at people who work as supervisors within the construction industry.'

  16. 16. 15

    15 is correct as the 'Full Course (for all others): 15 days' is for students without a PHS Certificate.

  17. 17. demolition

    'demolition' is correct because the course covers 'each stage of the construction process, from planning and design to use and finally demolition.'

  18. 18. five

    'five' is correct as it says the PHS Certificate is recognized if gained 'no more than five years before entering for the H&S Certificate.'

  19. 19. hazards

    'hazards' is correct because Unit 2 covers 'the identification and control of hazards.'

  20. 20. practical

    'practical' is correct as Unit 3 is 'assessed by a practical examination.'

  21. 21. tuition

    'tuition' is correct as grants 'cover the cost of tuition, but not examination fees.'

  22. 22. first

    'first' is correct because it says 'you will be the first point of contact for our company.'

  23. 23. customer service

    'customer service' is correct as it says 'this is also a customer service role.'

  24. 24. flexibility

    'flexibility' is correct as 'this role may require working in shifts, so flexibility is a plus.'

  25. 25. office expenses

    'office expenses' is correct as one responsibility is to 'keep updated records of office expenses and costs.'

  26. 26. clerical

    'clerical' is correct as it says 'perform other clerical receptionist duties.'

  27. 27. office

    'office' is correct as the requirements include 'hands-on experience with office equipment.'

  28. 28. A

    A is correct because the passage says Hollywood 'had a great deal of money to buy up artists and technical innovations from Europe.' B is wrong because the passage does not mention serious issues as a reason.

  29. 29. D

    D is correct as it says Hollywood films had 'better-constructed narratives.' C is wrong because Italy, not America, was first to produce a feature film.

  30. 30. F

    F is correct as it says Hollywood's 'special effects were more impressive.' E is wrong because the effect of the First World War is not given as a reason for dominance.

  31. 31. documentaries

    'documentaries' is correct because the passage says 'factual films or documentaries...acquired an increasing distinctiveness as the period progressed', showing they were not made in major studios like others.

  32. 32. slapstick comedy

    'slapstick comedy' is correct as it says 'only American slapstick comedy...developed in both short and feature format.'

  33. 33. avant-garde film

    'avant-garde film' is correct as it says 'the avant-garde film first achieved commercial success' during the silent period.

  34. 34. A

    A (France) is correct as it says the French 'helped to start cinema in China, Japan, Latin America and Russia.'

  35. 35. C

    C (USA) is correct as it says 'the United States...was to become, and remain, the largest single market for films.'

  36. 36. H

    H (Italy) is correct as it says Italy 'pioneered the feature film with spectacular films like Quo Vadis? (1913) and "Cabiria" (1914).'

  37. 37. C

    C (USA) is correct as it says 'the star system added a new dimension to the screen acting' in Hollywood.

  38. 38. A

    A (France) is correct as it says 'avant-garde film first achieved commercial success...thanks almost exclusively to the French.'

  39. 39. F

    F (Japan) is correct as it says Japanese cinema 'developed based primarily on traditional theatrical and...other art forms and only gradually adapted to western influence.'

  40. 40. D

    D (Denmark) is correct as it says Denmark 'played a role in the development of silent cinema quite out of proportion to their small population.'

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