Using the Self-Service Laundry: Reading Answers & Explanations
IELTS Reading practice test · 9 questionsGeneral Trainingeasy
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About this passage
The passage opens: “Our self-service launderette is open every day from 7.00 a.m. to 10.00 p.m. Staff are on duty between 9.00 a.m. and 5.00 p.m. to help you if needed.”
- Passage length: about 345 words
- Questions: 9
- Question types: True / False / Not Given, Multiple Choice
“Using the Self-Service Laundry” is an original IELTS-style practice passage written by IELTS-Bank. It is not taken from an official IELTS or Cambridge test, so these answers only apply to our version.
Answer key at a glance
Using the Self-Service Laundry answers with explanations
Questions 1–5: True / False / Not Given
Do the following statements agree with the information given in the text? Write TRUE if the statement agrees, FALSE if it contradicts, or NOT GIVEN if there is no information.
- 1
Members of staff are present at the launderette until it closes at 10.00 p.m.
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Answer: FALSE
Why: This sentence directly contradicts the statement, so the answer is FALSE.
Evidence · Paragraph 2 “Staff are on duty between 9.00 a.m. and 5.00 p.m. to help you if needed.”
- 2
Very delicate items can be washed by hand at the rear of the building.
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Answer: TRUE
Why: This sentence confirms the statement, so the answer is TRUE.
Evidence · Paragraph 4 “…a separate hand-washing sink is provided at the rear of the building for these.”
- 3
Detergent should be poured directly onto the clothes in the drum.
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Answer: FALSE
Why: This sentence directly contradicts the statement, so the answer is FALSE.
Evidence · Paragraph 8 “Add it to the correct drawer, not directly onto the clothes.”
- 4
A cold wash is recommended for delicate or brightly coloured items.
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Answer: TRUE
Why: This sentence confirms the statement, so the answer is TRUE.
Evidence · Paragraph 8 “…use a warm wash for everyday items and a cold wash for delicate or brightly coloured items.”
- 5
The launderette offers a discount to regular customers.
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Answer: NOT GIVEN
Why: The statement claims the launderette offers discounts to regular customers, but the passage does not confirm or deny this, only providing information on machine usage and payment methods.
Question 6: Multiple Choice
Choose the correct letter, A, B, C or D.
- A. The door will not open
- B. You cannot fit your hand comfortably into the top of the drum
- C. The dial will not turn
- D. The light turns red
- 6
How can you tell whether the machine is overfilled?
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Answer: B — You cannot fit your hand comfortably into the top of the drum
Why: This is the part of the passage that supports B — You cannot fit your hand comfortably into the top of the drum.
Evidence · Paragraph 6 “…you should be able to fit your hand comfortably into the top of the loaded drum. Overfilling gives poor results”
Question 7: Multiple Choice
Choose the correct letter, A, B, C or D.
- A. Brightly coloured items
- B. Delicate items
- C. Heavily soiled items such as bedding
- D. Everyday items
- 7
For which kind of item is a hot wash recommended?
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Answer: C — Heavily soiled items such as bedding
Why: This is the part of the passage that supports C — Heavily soiled items such as bedding.
Evidence · Paragraph 8 “A hot wash is available but is only recommended for heavily soiled items such as bedding.”
Question 8: Multiple Choice
Choose the correct letter, A, B, C or D.
- A. Add detergent to the drawer
- B. Clean the lint filter
- C. Press the green button
- D. Insert a £1 coin
- 8
What should you do before using a tumble dryer?
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Answer: B — Clean the lint filter
Why: This is the part of the passage that supports B — Clean the lint filter.
Evidence · Paragraph 12 “Clean the lint filter of the dryer before you use it.”
Question 9: Multiple Choice
Choose the correct letter, A, B, C or D.
- A. To avoid extra charges
- B. So that others may use the machine
- C. To protect the clothes from shrinking
- D. Because staff will remove it otherwise
- 9
Why are customers asked to remove laundry promptly when the wash finishes?
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Answer: B — So that others may use the machine
Why: This is the part of the passage that supports B — So that others may use the machine.
Evidence · Paragraph 12 “Please remove your laundry from the washing machine promptly when it finishes, so that others may use it.”
Estimated band score for this test
Your raw score out of 9 scaled to the 40-question IELTS Reading (General Training) conversion table. This is the same estimate the practice page shows after you submit. A single passage is a small sample, so treat it as a guide.
| Correct answers | Estimated band |
|---|---|
| 9 / 9 | 9.0 |
| 8 / 9 | 7.5 |
| 7 / 9 | 6.0 |
| 6 / 9 | 5.5 |
| 5 / 9 | 4.5 |
| 4 / 9 | 4.0 |
| 3 / 9 | 3.5 |
| 2 / 9 | 3.0 |
| 1 / 9 | 2.0 |
| 0 / 9 | 0.0 |
Full-test score? Use the IELTS band calculator.
Tips for the question types in this test
True / False / Not Given
- Read the statement first and underline the key idea, especially any qualifiers like "all", "only", "never", "always", "more than" or dates and numbers.
- Because the questions follow the order of the passage, scan for the paragraph that deals with the same topic rather than re-reading everything.
Common trap: Confusing "False" with "Not Given": choose False only when the passage actively contradicts the statement; if the passage is silent, it is Not Given.
Full True / False / Not Given strategyMultiple Choice
- Read the question stem carefully before the options so you know exactly what is being asked.
- Because multiple-choice questions follow passage order, locate the relevant section and read it in full — the answer usually depends on more than one sentence.
Common trap: Distractors that use exact words from the passage but distort the meaning.
Full Multiple Choice strategyPractise “Using the Self-Service Laundry” under exam conditions
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