Correct Answer: an offer
Passage Reference: Although I usually rent it at a higher rate than the slightly less roomy “Blue Oasis,” I am willing to offer it to you for the same price.
Why this is correct: The main purpose of the letter is to suggest another rental home, Seaside Escape, at the same price. Mrs. Smith can decide whether to accept it. So the letter is an offer.
Tips: Identify the main action the writer wants the reader to consider.
Why the other options are wrong:
- advice: Sandro does not tell Mrs. Smith what she should do. He offers her another house to rent.
- an agreement: Nothing has been agreed yet. Mrs. Smith still has to decide whether she wants Seaside Escape.
- an apology: Sandro says he regrets that Blue Oasis is booked. But most of the letter presents another house.
Correct Answer: a landlord
Passage Reference: The good news is that in the same neighbourhood I own another property which is larger - “Seaside Escape.” It has a pool and is desirably situated closer to the ocean.
Why this is correct: Sandro owns the property and rents it to guests. He is offering Mrs. Smith a weekly rental, so he is a landlord.
Tips: Find the words Sandro uses about the houses and what he does with them. Together they show his role.
Why the other options are wrong:
- an agent: Sandro says he owns the property himself. He is not acting for another owner.
- a parent: The children are in Mrs. Smith's family. Sandro writes as the owner of the house.
- a seller: Sandro offers the house for rent by the week. He is not selling it.
Correct Answer: taken
Passage Reference: I sincerely appreciate your choosing my rental property for your family’s Christmas holidays; however, I regret to inform you that the home you’ve chosen has already been booked. The good news is that in the same neighbourhood I own another property which is larger - “Seaside Escape.
Why this is correct: Another guest has already booked Blue Oasis. So it is taken and not available for Mrs. Smith's holiday.
Tips: Find where Sandro answers her request for Blue Oasis. Read the news he gives about it.
Why the other options are wrong:
- sold: Blue Oasis has already been booked. Nothing in the letter says it has been bought.
- roomy: The email clearly says Blue Oasis has already been booked. It compares the sizes of the houses but does not directly describe Blue Oasis as roomy.
- vacant: Blue Oasis is not free. It has already been booked, so Mrs. Smith cannot have it.
Correct Answer: more convenient beach access
Passage Reference: ” It has a pool and is desirably situated closer to the ocean. I think this house would be an excellent choice for a family with kids, such as yours, as the amenities include high speed wireless internet, video game consoles, and a four-player table tennis set, not to mention a home theatre system.
Why this is correct: Seaside Escape is closer to the ocean. The shorter distance makes it easier to reach the beach.
Tips: For a comparison, find the detail that directly shows how the two places differ.
Why the other options are wrong:
- fewer entertainment options: The email lists entertainment equipment at Seaside Escape but gives no matching list for Blue Oasis. It does not show that Seaside Escape has fewer options.
- more flexible payment terms: The letter gives one set of payment terms: a $450 deposit and the rest by October 31st. It never says these are easier than for Blue Oasis.
- higher quality kitchen appliances: The kitchen is called gourmet. But its appliances are not compared with those at Blue Oasis.
Correct Answer: video game consoles
Passage Reference: I think this house would be an excellent choice for a family with kids, such as yours, as the amenities include high speed wireless internet, video game consoles, and a four-player table tennis set, not to mention a home theatre system.
Why this is correct: Sandro lists video game consoles among the child-friendly indoor amenities. They give entertainment inside the house.
Tips: Choose the equipment that is named directly, not something merely related to entertainment.
Why the other options are wrong:
- a bowling lane: Sandro never mentions a bowling lane, in the house or nearby.
- a cinema ticket package: Sandro mentions a home theatre and movie theatres nearby. He does not offer any tickets.
- a climbing wall: There is no climbing wall anywhere in Sandro's description.
Correct Answer: confirm the booking
Passage Reference: Please be advised that a $450 deposit must be made at the time of the reservation, and the remainder must be paid by October 31st.
Why this is correct: The deposit is required when the reservation is made. Paying it confirms the booking.
Tips: Notice when each payment is due and what event that payment completes.
Why the other options are wrong:
- pay for damages: The letter never links the $450 deposit to damage.
- finalize the payment: The $450 is only the first payment. The rest must still be paid by October 31st.
- cover travel costs: The $450 is a deposit for the house. It has nothing to do with travel.
Correct Answer: description
Passage Reference: This three-level villa offers a total of 4 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms that are spread out over two floors and can sleep up to 8 people comfortably. On the main level is a large living room and a formal dining room off the open gourmet kitchen.
Why this is correct: Sandro gives detailed information about the home's rooms, size and features. Mrs. Smith calls this a thorough account of the residence.
Tips: Think about what fills most of Sandro's letter: rooms, floors, the pool and the decks. Choose the word for that kind of writing.
Why the other options are wrong:
- contract: Sandro gives details and an offer. No contract has been signed.
- confirmation: Nothing has been confirmed yet. Mrs. Smith still has questions before she decides.
- apology: Most of Sandro's letter describes the house and what it has. It is not saying sorry.
Correct Answer: modest
Passage Reference: Although I usually rent it at a higher rate than the slightly less roomy “Blue Oasis,” I am willing to offer it to you for the same price.
Why this is correct: Mrs. Smith's first choice is smaller and less luxurious than Seaside Escape. The word modest shows that Blue Oasis is the simpler property.
Tips: Use the comparison of size and luxury to choose the word for the simpler home.
Why the other options are wrong:
- private: Sandro mentions privacy only for the pool at Seaside Escape. He does not say Blue Oasis is more private.
- expensive: Blue Oasis is not the more expensive home. Seaside Escape usually rents at a higher rate.
- coastal: Both properties are in the same neighbourhood. Seaside Escape is the one said to be closer to the ocean.
Correct Answer: favourable
Passage Reference: Although I usually rent it at a higher rate than the slightly less roomy “Blue Oasis,” I am willing to offer it to you for the same price.
Why this is correct: Mrs. Smith would get the more valuable property at the price of the cheaper one. This lower rate is favourable to her.
Tips: Ask whether the special price helps or harms the person receiving the offer.
Why the other options are wrong:
- standard: This is not the normal price. Seaside Escape usually rents at a higher rate.
- complex: The price offer is simple. Mrs. Smith would pay the same as for Blue Oasis.
- inflexible: Sandro is ready to change his usual rate for Mrs. Smith. He is being flexible, not strict.
Correct Answer: choose
Passage Reference: I look forward to hearing from you regarding your decision.
Why this is correct: Mrs. Smith must decide whether to accept Seaside Escape. She wants answers about safety before she makes that choice.
Tips: Use the purpose of the reply to decide which action must happen next.
Why the other options are wrong:
- bid: There is no auction and no competing offer. Sandro has named a fixed price.
- move: Mrs. Smith is asking questions before she decides. She is booking a holiday stay, not moving house.
- buy: Seaside Escape is offered as a holiday rental. It is not for sale.
Correct Answer: desirable
Passage Reference: The available house is more spacious and luxurious than your original choice. This three-level villa offers a total of 4 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms that are spread out over two floors and can sleep up to 8 people comfortably.
Why this is correct: The larger house and pool are presented as attractive benefits. Mrs. Smith likes these features, but she needs to check they are safe for her baby. So they are desirable.
Tips: Use the writer's positive tone to identify a word meaning wanted or attractive.
Why the other options are wrong:
- exotic: Nobody in the letters calls these features foreign or strange. Sandro presents them as good points of the house.
- brand-new: Neither letter says how old the house, the stairs or the pool are.
- unusual: Sandro presents the features as benefits for a family. Nothing says they are rare or strange.
