The second part of the Reading Task 1
Five people have posted reviews of the package holidays they have recently been on. Read the reviews and answer the questions below. For questions (1–4), tick the correct letter (A, B, C, D or E).
An example (0) has been given.
Beware. Some rewiews may appear multiple times in a response, while others may not be used at all.
PACKAGE HOLIDAYS: REVIEWS
A
We had a wonderful week-long break away from the UK, which we spent on Mauritius island. The tour operator has done impressive background research, offering fascinating options and not just the standard venues offered by other companies. This is an idyllic place to relax and unwind in the sun. We also did lots of activities including sea kayaking and cookery lessons. However, I wouldn’t visit the tea plantation again since it was poorly organized, and we didn’t even get a single cup of tea. As far as the accommodation is concerned, I have read a lot of negative comments from people who don’t find it of high quality. To me it looks like people often go there with the thought that it is first-class accommodation and are disappointed. It is very basic indeed, but when you go on holiday, you only sleep in the apartment, not live in it. The hotel is a good base to visit other places as it is in the very heart of town and you literally take a five-minute walk to the beach with the shops being on your doorstep.
B
We wanted a hassle-free trip with pre-arranged hotels and tours. We were absolutely thrilled with the itinerary which really exceeded our expectations. The tour operator took great care to ensure the holiday ran smoothly. We definitely lacked the opportunity to communicate with the local inhabitants of the island, though. What we struggle to understand is any of the positive reviews about the hotel we stayed in. Look through all the reviews and pick out the ones describing poor indifferent service, impossibility of booking the included restaurants, and lack of support from the hotel reps, and you will hit the nail on the head. Moreover, the hotel is not mosquito-free at all. They covered the bathroom windows with special nets, but still there were places mosquitoes could come into the room. All we can guess is that all the other positive reviews are posted by the hotel owners themselves. Why do we think this? We suffered terrible service, we complained constantly to the local reps, and they promised twice to call us but failed both times.
C
We had a wonderful holiday in India which will remain long in our memory. India is a breathtaking country full of splendid temples and palaces, peaceful rural scenes, and, most of all, friendly and welcoming locals. Even the noise and bustle is an experience in itself, and we enjoyed the contrast between the busy streets, quiet hotels, and rural experiences. We enjoyed immensely the peacefulness and variety of wildlife in the countryside. The guides were excellent throughout our stay, and the tour operator was there to support and advise when we needed it. The hotel was fantastic with a brilliant fountain in the main courtyard. Even though we did find the beds a little too hard for our liking, it was difficult to find anything we didn’t really like.
D
We wanted to be more off the beaten track but still comfortable. So, we started with a few days in Mumbai and ended in Delhi. The operator is a tailor-made holiday company. Their itinerary is a wonderful mixture of must see sites and unexpected experiences, so we had a chance to visit ancient temples and palaces as well as national parks. Unluckily, on occasion we overheard a group of locals loudly declaring how they disliked tourists and couldn’t wait to get their town back. We were satisfied with the hotel we stayed in. It was quite old but as it was quiet and one of the cheapest, we would consider going again. The rooms were very basic, but adequate. The food though was pretty dire and the staff, with the exception of those on the reception desk, were offhand. The hotel has an excellent swimming pool, but the pool area could do with some maintenance work. Well, bearing that in mind, it is fair value for the money.
E
We completed a fourteen-day guided tour of phenomenal Sri Lanka, taking in the tea plantations and a safari. In fact, we appreciated the experience with the locals, enjoying their delicious food and exceptional hospitality. The tour operator managed to meet all of our requirements and provided excellent support before and during the holiday. The accommodation was excellent. The restaurants were five-star, and I have never seen such a range anywhere, with Japanese, American, and Spanish food on offer, to name just a few. The staff at the hotel were friendly and always ready to help with any queries we had. On arrival, we were welcomed with cool glasses of orange juice, which immediately set the precedent for the entire holiday. The departure from the hotel was perfectly organised as our bags were collected by the porter as soon as we rang, and it made the whole experience of leaving the hotel hassle-free and, more importantly, stress-free.
Piemērs:
0. Which reviewer considers that other visitors had too high expectations of the hotel? — A
1. Which reviewer admits a minor inconvenience in the hotel? — Review
2. Which reviewer was unhappy with the offered activity? — Review
3. Which reviewer questions the authenticity of the reviews they read? — Review
4. Which reviewer shares review C’s opinion about the local residents? — Review
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