Balancing Work, Study and Travel
About this practice test
Read about balancing flexible study with work and travel, making productive use of a train journey, and following the practical arrangements for an evening English course.
What you’ll practice
Finding detail
Locate specific information and evidence.
Interpreting ideas
Connect main points and inferences.
Evaluating arguments
Assess claims, evidence, and limitations.
What to expect:
18 questions with explanations to review after submission.
Study the questions and tasks
Work through the material below, or start the interactive practice above to complete an attempt. Try the exercises before opening any answer or transcript sections, then use them to review your work.
- Practice level
- B1. Try this level if you can follow the instructions and understand most of the language; choose an earlier level if you need more support.
- Question formats
- Yes / No / Not Given, Single choice, Cloze (text), Short answer, Fill in the blank (dropdown)
How to approach this practice
Read the passage for its main idea, then return to the relevant sentence or paragraph for each question. Base answers on the passage.
Mara and the Flexible Course
When my bakery shift finishes late, I do not want to miss class, so I study on the train with my notes open on my phone. On busy days I check the timetable before I leave the shop, because a late bus or a slow train can change my evening. I chose a flexible course because it lets me move one seminar to another week and watch a recording later. That freedom matters to me more than having a fixed classroom every Tuesday. Still, flexibility works only if you plan your hours well, and I keep a paper list in my bag so I do not forget what is due. My tutor, Elaine, says the system is not easier, just different. I agree. In a live session I ask questions at once, but a recording is useful when I am tired after work or when I am travelling to see my brother in Leeds. Last month I missed one discussion because the bakery stayed open later than expected, and the recording helped me catch up the next morning. What I do not like is leaving everything until Sunday night. Then the week's lessons pile up and the course feels heavier, not lighter. Some people think flexible study is best for everyone, but I do not. It suits students like me who need to earn money and move around, yet it can make lonely students feel more cut off if they never meet classmates in person. For me, the best arrangement is a mix: a clear weekly plan, online notes, and one real meeting each month. That way I can work, study, and still travel without falling behind.
Nina's Useful Train Ride
Tuesday's train from Cardiff was meant to be ordinary. I left at 6:30 with my laptop, a sandwich and a folder full of lecture notes. I work mornings at a small printing shop and study marketing in the evenings, so I usually treat travel time as dead time. That day I was going to Birmingham for a one-day sales workshop, and I had promised my supervisor that I would bring back some practical ideas. I expected to arrive tired and behind on both work and study. The carriage was busy, but a seat near the window opened after the first stop. Across from me sat a man called Leo, who said he used his commute to plan a community theatre group. When he saw my notes, he asked if I was revising for an exam. I explained that I had been missing classes because of extra shifts at work. He showed me a simple way to divide a long task into three parts: read, note, review. I tried it with the chapter in my folder, and for the first time in weeks the chapter felt manageable. That small change mattered more than I expected. By the time we reached Coventry, I had finished two pages of useful notes. At the workshop, I was calmer than usual because I had already organised my questions. On the return train, I wrote a list of small changes: leave earlier, keep one notebook for both roles, and use quiet travel time for study instead of scrolling. The journey was still long, but it no longer felt wasted. I had gone out expecting to lose a day, and I came home with a better way to use it.
Bright Street Learning Centre Evening Course Notice
Bright Street Learning Centre has opened enrolment for its new evening English course. The class meets on Monday and Wednesday from 6.30 to 8.00 p.m. It is designed for people who work or travel during the day, so the provider has tried to keep the timetable regular and simple. Students should arrive five minutes early because the door closes when the lesson starts. If you miss a class, you do not need to worry about losing your place, but you should read the short notes on the student portal before the next lesson. Attendance still matters. Anyone who misses more than two classes in a term may be asked to speak with the course coordinator. The team does this not to punish students, but to check whether evening study is still suitable for them. If your work shifts change, tell the office as soon as possible. In some cases we can move you to another group, but only if there is a seat. Because many students travel after class, the centre will keep the café open until 8.15 p.m. Lockers are available near the main hall, and bicycles may be parked in the side yard. Please do not leave bags in the corridor, since cleaners need the space at the end of the night. We hope the course will fit busy lives without becoming stressful. If you are unsure about the timetable, contact Maya Reed at reception before Friday. She can explain the fee, the books and the short test that all new students take at the first meeting.
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Question 1 · Yes / No / Not Given
Decide whether the statement agrees with the writer’s or speaker’s view. Choose Not Given when the view is not stated.
The writer believes every student should choose flexible study.
Return to the passage, recording or visual- Yes
- No
- Not Given
Check answers and explanations
- Answer
- No
No. The writer says, 'Some people think flexible study is best for everyone, but I do not.' He also says it can suit some students but not all, so the statement is rejected. Yes is wrong because he disagrees, and Not Given is wrong because his opinion is clear.
Some people think flexible study is best for everyone, but I do not
yet it can make lonely students feel more cut off
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Question 2 · Yes / No / Not Given
Decide whether the statement agrees with the writer’s or speaker’s view. Choose Not Given when the view is not stated.
The writer believes flexible study is easier than a fixed classroom course.
Return to the passage, recording or visual- Yes
- No
- Not Given
Check answers and explanations
- Answer
- No
No. The writer says, 'The system is not easier, just different.' That directly rejects the statement. Yes is wrong because the passage says the opposite, and Not Given is wrong because the writer clearly comments on difficulty.
My tutor, Elaine, says the system is not easier, just different
I agree
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Question 3 · Yes / No / Not Given
Decide whether the statement agrees with the writer’s or speaker’s view. Choose Not Given when the view is not stated.
The writer thinks lessons watched later are helpful when the writer is tired or travelling.
Return to the passage, recording or visual- Yes
- No
- Not Given
Check answers and explanations
- Answer
- Yes
Yes. The writer says a lesson watched later is useful when she is tired after work or travelling. No is wrong because the passage directly supports the statement. Not Given is wrong because the writer gives the reason openly.
a recording is useful when I am tired after work or when I am travelling
to see my brother in Leeds
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Question 4 · Yes / No / Not Given
Decide whether the statement agrees with the writer’s or speaker’s view. Choose Not Given when the view is not stated.
The writer prefers morning classes to evening classes.
Return to the passage, recording or visual- Yes
- No
- Not Given
Check answers and explanations
- Answer
- Not Given
Not Given. The passage talks about shifts, saved versions, travel, and planning, but it never compares morning classes with evening classes. Yes and No are both wrong because there is no statement to support or oppose this preference.
For me, the best arrangement is a mix: a clear weekly plan, online notes, and one real meeting each month
That way I can work, study, and still travel without falling behind
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Question 5 · Yes / No / Not Given
Decide whether the statement agrees with the writer’s or speaker’s view. Choose Not Given when the view is not stated.
The writer thinks flexible study is useful for people with changing work hours.
Return to the passage, recording or visual- Yes
- No
- Not Given
Check answers and explanations
- Answer
- Yes
Yes. The writer links flexible study to late shifts and says it suits people who need to earn money and move around. That matches the statement. No is wrong because the passage supports usefulness, and Not Given is wrong because the idea is stated clearly.
When my bakery shift finishes late, I do not want to miss class
It suits students like me who need to earn money and move around
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Question 6 · Single choice
Choose one answer.
What is the writer's overall view of flexible study?
Return to the passage, recording or visual- It is mainly useful for avoiding homework on busy weeks.
- It can work well for working students, but it needs planning and some face-to-face contact.
- It should be replaced by full-time classroom study.
- It is perfect for everyone, so planning does not matter.
Check answers and explanations
- Answer
- It can work well for working students, but it needs planning and some face-to-face contact.
The correct answer is that flexible study can work well, but only with planning and some in-person contact. The writer values the freedom it gives, yet also says it is not easier, can feel heavier if time is wasted, and works best as a mix. The other options are wrong because the writer does not call it perfect, does not say it replaces all classroom study, and does not present it as a way to avoid learning.
That freedom matters to me more than having a fixed classroom every Tuesday
Still, flexibility works only if you plan your hours well
For me, the best arrangement is a mix: a clear weekly plan, online notes, and one real meeting each month
It is mainly useful for avoiding homework on busy weeks.: The writer never presents flexible study as a way to avoid work.
It can work well for working students, but it needs planning and some face-to-face contact.: This matches the writer's balanced view.
It should be replaced by full-time classroom study.: The writer values the freedom of flexible study rather than rejecting it.
It is perfect for everyone, so planning does not matter.: The writer says flexibility only works if you plan your hours well.
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Question 7 · Cloze (text)
Complete each blank with the missing word or phrase.
Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER from the passage for each gap. Complete the summary below. After the workshop, Nina decided to make three changes. She wanted to leave 1___, keep 2___ for both roles and use 3___ for study instead of 4___. This made the long trip feel less like 5___.
Return to the passage, recording or visualCheck answers and explanations
- Blank 1
- earlier
- Blank 2
- one notebook
- Blank 3
- quiet travel time
- Blank 4
- scrolling
- Blank 5
- dead time
Gap 1: The answer is “earlier” because Nina decided to “leave earlier” after the workshop. Gap 2: The answer is “one notebook” because she planned to “keep one notebook for both roles”. Gap 3: The answer is “quiet travel time” because she decided to “use quiet travel time for study”. Gap 4: The answer is “scrolling” because she wanted to study instead of “scrolling”. Gap 5: The answer is “dead time” because she usually treated travel time as “dead time”, but the journey no longer felt wasted.
On the return train, I wrote a list of small changes: leave earlier, keep one notebook for both roles, and use quiet travel time for study instead of scrolling
I usually treat travel time as dead time
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Question 8 · Short answer
Write a short answer to the question.
Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER from the passage. To which city was Nina travelling for the workshop?
Return to the passage, recording or visualCheck answers and explanations
- Accepted answers
- Birmingham
She was travelling to Birmingham. Other places in the passage, such as Cardiff and Coventry, are mentioned for different parts of the journey, so they do not answer the question.
That day I was going to Birmingham for a one-day sales workshop
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Question 9 · Short answer
Write a short answer to the question.
Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER from the passage. What kind of shifts caused Nina to miss classes?
Return to the passage, recording or visualCheck answers and explanations
- Accepted answers
- extra shifts
The text says she missed classes because of extra shifts at work. 'Work' on its own is too general, and 'classes' is the thing she missed, not the cause.
I explained that I had been missing classes because of extra shifts at work
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Question 10 · Short answer
Write a short answer to the question.
Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER from the passage. How many pages of useful notes had Nina finished by the time the train reached Coventry?
Return to the passage, recording or visualCheck answers and explanations
- Accepted answers
- two / two pages / 2
She had finished two pages of useful notes. Both 'two' and 'two pages' fit the passage, because the question asks how many pages she had finished and the text gives the full phrase.
By the time we reached Coventry, I had finished two pages of useful notes
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Question 11 · Short answer
Write a short answer to the question.
Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER from the passage. In the sentence 'The journey was still long, but it no longer felt wasted', what did 'it' refer to?
Return to the passage, recording or visualCheck answers and explanations
- Accepted answers
- the journey / journey
'It' refers to the journey. The sentence talks about the train journey as a whole, not the workshop or the return train separately.
The journey was still long, but it no longer felt wasted
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Question 12 · Short answer
Write a short answer to the question.
Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER from the passage. How did Nina feel at the workshop compared with usual?
Return to the passage, recording or visualCheck answers and explanations
- Accepted answers
- calmer / calmer than usual
She felt calmer than usual. Both 'calmer' and 'calmer than usual' are acceptable, and the passage gives this attitude directly and links it to her having already organised her questions.
At the workshop, I was calmer than usual because I had already organised my questions
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Question 13 · Fill in the blank (dropdown)
Choose the correct option for each blank.
The class meets on ___ and Wednesday from 6.30 to 8.00 p.m.
Return to the passage, recording or visualChoices for blank 1
- Monday
- Thursday
- Friday
- Tuesday
Check answers and explanations
- Blank 1
- Monday
Monday is correct because the notice says the class meets on Monday and Wednesday. Tuesday, Thursday and Friday are not mentioned for the class schedule.
The class meets on Monday and Wednesday from 6.30 to 8.00 p.m
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Question 14 · Fill in the blank (dropdown)
Choose the correct option for each blank.
Students should arrive ___ minutes early.
Return to the passage, recording or visualChoices for blank 1
- fifteen
- ten
- five
- twenty
Check answers and explanations
- Blank 1
- five
Five is correct because the notice says students should arrive five minutes early. Ten, fifteen and twenty do not match the stated instruction.
Students should arrive five minutes early
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Question 15 · Fill in the blank (dropdown)
Choose the correct option for each blank.
Anyone who misses more than two classes in a term may be asked to speak with the course ___.
Return to the passage, recording or visualChoices for blank 1
- coordinator
- teacher
- receptionist
- manager
Check answers and explanations
- Blank 1
- coordinator
Coordinator is correct because the notice names the course coordinator as the person students may need to speak with. Receptionist, teacher and manager are not the word used in the text.
may be asked to speak with the course coordinator
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Question 16 · Fill in the blank (dropdown)
Choose the correct option for each blank.
Because many students travel after class, the centre will keep the café open until ___ p.m.
Return to the passage, recording or visualChoices for blank 1
- 8.00
- 8.15
- 7.45
- 8.30
Check answers and explanations
- Blank 1
- 8.15
8.15 is correct because the notice gives that exact closing time. 7.45, 8.00 and 8.30 are not supported by the passage.
the centre will keep the café open until 8.15 p.m
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Question 17 · Fill in the blank (dropdown)
Choose the correct option for each blank.
Bicycles may be parked in the ___ yard.
Return to the passage, recording or visualChoices for blank 1
- front
- rear
- side
- back
Check answers and explanations
- Blank 1
- side
Side is correct because the notice says bicycles may be parked in the side yard. Front, rear and back are natural location words, but they do not match the location given in the passage.
bicycles may be parked in the side yard
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Question 18 · Single choice
Choose one answer.
What is the main purpose of the notice?
Return to the passage, recording or visual- To give practical information for students with jobs or travel plans.
- To explain only the attendance rules for the course.
- To advertise the café and locker facilities.
- To ask students to contact reception only about fees and books.
Check answers and explanations
- Answer
- To give practical information for students with jobs or travel plans.
The notice mainly gives practical information for students who work or travel during the day. That purpose best fits the timetable, attendance rules, facilities and contact details together. The other options each cover only one small part of the notice, so they are too narrow.
It is designed for people who work or travel during the day
We hope the course will fit busy lives without becoming stressful
What to review next
Find the words that support each answer. For a mistake, compare the question with the evidence and identify the detail or inference you missed.
A focused practice result shows how you did on these tasks. Use several activities across skills to decide what to study next; one practice score does not certify an overall CEFR level.
Before you practise: a worked example
Look for evidence in the text. Separate what the writer says from what you already know about the topic.
The library normally closes at six, but on Fridays it stays open until eight. When does it close on Friday?
The answer is eight. But introduces an exception to the normal closing time, so the first time mentioned is not the answer.
This teaching example is separate from the scored questions. After your test, compare any mistakes with the explanation and revisit the topic before trying again.