Read the following message.
Dear Mr. Albertson,
We are interested in renting your charming cottage for the first two weeks of September. I found your ad on the internet, and the pictures are really attractive. Living that close to the ocean would be a real treat for a few weeks. I can already smell the refreshing salt air!
I’ve heard that the Atlantic Ocean is quite cold and that swimming isn’t always possible. Is that true? Your ad mentions nearby Martinique Beach, a 5-km-long white sand beach with beautiful waves enjoyed by surfers. The pictures I’ve seen show surfers in protective wetsuits, but perhaps that’s winter surfing? We’re hoping to put in long hours lying on the beach, and then cooling off in the fresh ocean water.
Another thing I’ve heard is that Nova Scotia gets hurricanes, especially in September. Is that true? I’ve read all about Hurricane Juan that hit in late September, 2003. I learned that the power was out for some residents for as long as three weeks. How can anyone survive without electricity for that long? It’s unimaginable. In a situation such as this, what do you do for food and coffee, for heat and water? Do you keep emergency supplies and information in the cottage? I just can’t imagine winds of 160 km/h! Wow. The waves must be spectacular with that much wind. It would be fantastic watching the waves from the comfort of your lovely cottage!
We really enjoy sampling the local cuisine, and we’ve read about Nova Scotian specialties such as lobster and scallops. On the internet I found one food place-it can’t really be called a restaurant-that serves seafood. This is Scallopini’s, which is supposed to be a short drive from your cottage. It features two dishes worth trying, a scallop sauté and a cold lobster roll. Would you recommend Scallopini’s, or should we go into the city to a real restaurant?
Anyway, we would like to reserve your cottage. Please let me know what details you need and how to send the deposit.
Thanks,
Alison MacGregor
Using the drop-down menu (▾), choose the best option according to the information given in the message.
2.Alison is interested in
3.Alison suspects the Atlantic may be too chilly for swimming since
4.The event Alison has read about is
5.Alison finds it difficult to imagine
6.The main attraction of this cottage for Alison is that
Here is a response to the message. Complete the response by filling in the blanks. Select the best choice for each blank from the drop-down menu ( ).
We would be delighted to have you rent our cottage in September. I can hold those dates while we arrange your deposit.
Answering your question about the 7., it may be true, depending on what you’re used to. We think it’s pleasant, and early September is when it’s warmest. For cold-water surfing, bring your own 8. to provide insulation; we supply the boards.
People experience considerable 9. when hurricanes hit, and conditions can change quickly. I cannot guarantee what the weather will be during your visit. To answer your questions, the cottage has 10., containing drinking water, packaged food, a flashlight and written emergency instructions.
Yes, we recommend Scallopini’s, and there are several other excellent 11. close by.
See you in September!
John Albertson
AI explanationShows the answer. Tap to open.
Correct Answer: make a cottage reservation
Why this is correct: make a cottage reservation is Alison's main purpose. She clearly says that she wants to reserve the cottage.
Passage Reference: Anyway, we would like to reserve your cottage. Please let me know what details you need and how to send the deposit.
Tips: Alison asks many questions, so ask what she most wants from Mr. Albertson. Find the sentence that states it directly.
Why the other options are wrong:
- request a refund of her deposit: She asks how to send a deposit.
- cancel an existing reservation: She wants to reserve it.
- report a problem during her stay: She has not stayed there yet.
Correct Answer: trying local seafood
Passage Reference: We really enjoy sampling the local cuisine, and we’ve read about Nova Scotian specialties such as lobster and scallops.
Why this is correct: trying local seafood matches Alison's interest in local cuisine. She especially mentions lobster and scallops as foods she wants to sample.
Tips: Separate activities the writer hopes to enjoy from problems the writer is worried about.
Why the other options are wrong:
- working in a seafood restaurant: She wants to eat local cuisine.
- enrolling in surfing lessons: She discusses beach relaxation, not lessons.
- purchasing a holiday cottage: She wants a two-week rental.
Correct Answer: she was told that it’s cold
Passage Reference: I’ve heard that the Atlantic Ocean is quite cold and that swimming isn’t always possible.
Why this is correct: She was told that it’s cold matches the words “I’ve heard.” Alison learned this information from what other people have said.
Tips: Notice whether information was heard, read, seen, or personally experienced.
Why the other options are wrong:
- the owner warned her in an earlier letter: No previous owner warning is quoted.
- she has already swum there in September: No previous swim is mentioned.
- she measured the water during a visit: She relies on reports and photographs.
Correct Answer: Hurricane Juan in September 2003
Passage Reference: I’ve read all about Hurricane Juan that hit in late September, 2003.
Why this is correct: Hurricane Juan in September 2003 is named directly in the email. Alison has read about this storm and when it happened.
Tips: For an event question, match both the event name and its date.
Why the other options are wrong:
- a storm that struck in early July: The stated event was in late September.
- a storm expected on her arrival date: She asks about risks, not a forecast.
- a hurricane during her previous cottage stay: No previous stay is reported.
Correct Answer: living without electricity for three weeks
Passage Reference: I learned that the power was out for some residents for as long as three weeks.
Why this is correct: living without electricity for three weeks is what Alison calls unimaginable. She wonders how people could manage for that length of time without power.
Tips: Find where Alison says something is hard to believe. Read the sentence just before it to see what she means.
Why the other options are wrong:
- travelling a short distance for seafood: She considers that outlet.
- spending two weeks beside the ocean: That is her desired holiday.
- wearing protection while surfing: She has seen wetsuit photographs and asks about them.
Correct Answer: it’s near the ocean
Passage Reference: Living that close to the ocean would be a real treat for a few weeks.
Why this is correct: It’s near the ocean is what attracts Alison most to this cottage. She says that staying so close to the ocean would be a special treat.
Tips: Choose the reason the writer praises, not a detail that only describes the area.
Why the other options are wrong:
- it is the cottage she has rented before: No prior stay is mentioned.
- it includes a reserved restaurant table: No table is included.
- the owner guarantees calm weather: No guarantee is provided.
Correct Answer: ocean being cold
Passage Reference: I’ve heard that the Atlantic Ocean is quite cold and that swimming isn’t always possible.
Why this is correct: ocean being cold is the subject of Alison's question. John's reply explains that the temperature depends on what a visitor is used to.
Tips: Use the original question to identify what a reply is answering.
Why the other options are wrong:
- restaurant being closed: No closure was mentioned.
- cottage being unheated: Her question concerns water temperature.
- beach being private: No private access is discussed.
Correct Answer: wetsuits
Passage Reference: wetsuits are the protective clothing Alison saw surfers wearing. The text states For cold-water surfing.
Why this is correct: wetsuits are the protective clothing Alison saw surfers wearing. They provide insulation for surfing in cold water.
Tips: Match an item's stated purpose, such as insulation, with the item designed to provide it.
Why the other options are wrong:
- swimming goggles: These protect eyes, not body warmth.
- sun hats: These do not insulate the body in cold water.
- beach towels: These are not worn as surfing insulation.
Correct Answer: inconvenience
Passage Reference: I learned that the power was out for some residents for as long as three weeks.
Why this is correct: inconvenience fits the serious problems caused by a hurricane. Losing power for three weeks would make food, coffee, heat, and water difficult to manage.
Tips: Use the surrounding examples to decide whether the missing word needs a positive or negative meaning.
Why the other options are wrong:
- certainty about travel plans: Conditions can change quickly.
- improved access to services: Outages interrupt services.
- freedom from disruption: The source describes substantial disruption.
Correct Answer: an emergency supply kit
Passage Reference: The reply lists drinking water, packaged food, a flashlight and emergency instructions. The text states containing drinking water, packaged food, a flashlight and written emergency instructions..
Why this is correct: The reply lists drinking water, packaged food, a flashlight and emergency instructions. These belong in an emergency supply kit and answer Alison’s question about storm preparations.
Tips: Match the owner's answer to the full list of needs in the guest's question.
Why the other options are wrong:
- a guaranteed independent power station: No guarantee or station is supplied.
- a year-round surfing instructor: This does not answer emergency preparedness.
- a reserved table in the city: This does not answer the emergency-supplies question.
Correct Answer: spots to dine
Passage Reference: spots to dine fits Alison's request for restaurant advice. The text states we recommend Scallopini’s.
Why this is correct: spots to dine fits Alison's request for restaurant advice. John recommends Scallopini's and says there are other good nearby places to eat.
Tips: Check that the noun after a describing word such as “excellent” matches the topic of the paragraph.
Why the other options are wrong:
- emergency shelters: The subject here is recommended dining.
- surfing schools: The sentence answers the food question.
- equipment rental shops: These do not answer where to eat.
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