Exercice

You have chosen to practice Reading questions.In the real exam, each reading passage will take you about 60 minutes to complete, but there is no time limit here.

What is in Practice Reading Questions

1.There is a reading text from a practice test.

2.There is one section of questions about the text.

3.Read the text and answer the questions.

When you finish, you can review your work. There is feedback for your right and wrong answers.

Your work will be reported to the Results Page.

This system is not the same as the IELTS on computer test, it has been optimised for a wide range of devices.

STEP 1 – Read the task

Renting Business Premises

Finding the right premises for your business is crucial. A key decision is whether to buy or rent a property. Renting can give you the flexibility to relocate easily should you need to. The type of premises you rent and the location will be partly dictated by the type of business you are running. The amount you can afford – taking into account extra costs such as business and utility rates and building insurance – will also be a deciding factor.

Buying business premises is a big commitment and it is important to consider carefully whether renting is a better option. Renting can provide more flexibility for your business as it grows. You are not locked into property ownership and you can usually agree with your landlord the length of the lease that you require, or have a break clause included in the lease. This will allow you to end the lease (usually on a specific date) if, for instance, you want to relocate. Financially, renting can make good business sense. Upfront costs for leasing premises are often relatively low, though sometimes you may also have to provide a refundable deposit. However, renting generally ties up less capital than buying, freeing up cash that can be used elsewhere in the business.

It is essential to match your premises to your business needs. There are a number of ways to search for appropriate premises to rent. You could consider agents’ letting boards outside the premises, local newspapers, the internet, your local council – through their Economic Development Unit – estate agents and trade associations. A lot of these local organisations might have contacts who are retiring from or selling their businesses. Another good way to find suitable premises is through appointing a commercial agent or commercial surveyor. Commercial agents and surveyors have expertise in the property market in the area and can keep you up to date with any new developments. They will also send you detailed specifications of suitable premises, which can prove invaluable, particularly if you are limited by time.

Planning permission is not always required if you wish to make alterations to the property – for example, if you want to make changes to the inside of the building or minor alterations to the outside. In addition, a specific application is not needed if you want to put up low walls or fences, although you should always check whether building regulations are required by contacting the building control section at your local authority. However, planning permission is generally required if you want to extend, convert or change the external nature of the premises. It is always a good idea to check with your local planning authority whether the development will require planning permission at the proposal stage. The majority of significant building work also has to conform to building regulations.

Before you start any alteration work, you should check the details of the lease. You may need to get permission from the landlord. Unless the lease expressly prohibits improvements, the landlord may not unreasonably withhold consent to tenants’ improvements. You should also clarify whether you will be required to reinstate the property to its original condition before the agreement expires.

The lease will state whether you or the landlord need to arrange insurance for the premises. If the landlord arranges this, you will pay the premiums as part of the service charges. You may therefore need to take out additional insurance to cover risks, such as loss or damage to contents, which are not covered in the building policy.

Finally, find out if there are any restrictions on delivery or loading times that may affect your business. There may be, due to restrictions or covenants in the lease or imposed by the local authority; these could include parking, noise, lighting and working hours.

STEP 2 – Write your answer

Questions 21 – 27

Complete each sentence with the correct ending. Write the appropriate letters, A – J.