How a Repair Cafe Changed Its Booking System
About this practice test
Practise B1 English summary writing by selecting the main ideas and preserving the limits of a supplied account.
What you’ll practice
Answering the task
Address the purpose, audience and every requirement.
Developing your ideas
Build clear paragraphs with relevant support.
Using language well
Choose precise vocabulary and varied, accurate sentences.
What to expect:
1 writing task. Write and save each response, then choose feedback for 25 coins. Sign in to receive feedback and practice scores out of 10.
The practice timer allows 10 minutes.
Study the questions and tasks
Work through the material below, or start the interactive practice above to complete an attempt. Use the task instructions and the guidance at the end of the page to review your own response.
- 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
- Writing response
How to approach this practice
Identify the purpose of the task and plan your main points before writing. For a visual task, compare the important features and use the supplied data accurately.
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Summarise the account · Summary
Write your own response, addressing every part of the task.
Write a concise summary of the passage in your own words. Include the problem, the action taken and the main result or limitation.
For its first year, Meadow Street Repair Cafe accepted anyone who arrived on Saturday morning. Volunteers helped residents repair lamps, toys and small kitchen appliances. The service was free, although visitors paid for any replacement parts. It became popular, but some people waited more than two hours and others went home without being seen. The organisers introduced appointments for electrical items. Visitors now describe the problem when they book, allowing volunteers to decide whether they have the right tools. One table still accepts simple repairs without an appointment, so people who cannot book online can continue to take part. The cafe opens for the same four hours each week and has not increased its number of volunteers. After three months, fewer visitors were turned away and average waiting times had fallen. However, the organisers found that a few people booked appointments and did not attend. They plan to add a telephone reminder rather than charge a booking fee, because they want the service to remain accessible.
Task requirements
- Select the main ideas rather than minor examples.
- Preserve the original meaning and any important limitation.
- Use your own wording and add no personal opinion.
Write at least 50 words. Suggested practice time: 10 minutes.
What to review next
Check every task requirement, paragraph organisation, word choice and sentence accuracy. Revise your response after reviewing any feedback you choose to request.
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.