IELTS General Sample Reading Test 1

UK Car Insurance for the over 50s

If you're looking for insurance that gives you the kind of policy you deserve, call for a no-obligation quote today. Independent online research has shown that 3 out of 5 over 50s could save money with UK Car insurance.

No upper age limit

Statistically, older drivers have fewer accidents so we believe older drivers should be rewarded and not penalised by car insurance policies. Unlike many other car insurance companies, we do not discriminate against more mature drivers. We pride ourselves on delivering an unbiased and great value policy to our older clientele.

No extra charges for paying monthly

Our policy is to give our customers a fair deal for their money. Hence, we will not charge interest if you choose to pay by monthly instalments.

If you need to make a claim

Should you have to make a claim and you have comprehensive insurance cover, you will be guaranteed a courtesy car in the event of an accident. You can therefore rest assured that you will never be left high and dry without a means of transport should your vehicle need to be taken in for repair. We also cover the cost of a medical transfer service for you or any passengers if hospitalisation is required and the trip exceeds a 50-mile radius from your home. For simple breakdowns, if it is not possible to repair your vehicle by the roadside, we will collect you and your vehicle. You can claim up to £100 should you break down more than 25 miles from home to cover costs of accommodation in the event of an emergency. Home service is also included in the cost of your insurance.

Don't delay, act today!

If you have already received a quote from us or bought a UK Car Insurance policy, thank you! If you're still making up your mind, why not call the UK-based team for a quote today on 0800 7893 234? Alternatively, pop into your local UK Car Insurance branch or get a quote online.

Winter Events in London

A. The Art of the Brick Exhibition

It’s not improbable that you indulged a Lego habit as a child. When you see this exhibition you might wish you had kept going. Former corporate lawyer turned master of tiny bricks, Nathan Sawaya, never stopped. Returning from a tour of Asia, America and Australia, the show is headed for Brick Lane, London (where else?) for its UK debut at the Old Truman Brewery.

Venue: Old Truman Brewery, Brick Lane, El 6QL

B. Harry Potter Tour

A walking tour for fans of J.K. Rowling's much-loved fictional character, Harry Potter. The tour explores film locations and inspirations for the books with props and trivia. Ten percent of proceeds go to charity. Group sizes are restricted so booking is essential. A travel card is also needed as a short tube ride is incorporated in the tour.

Venue: London Bridge. Please refer to our website [email protected] for further details.

C. Covent Garden

Glittering baubles and twinkling fairylights turn the cobbled piazza into a winter wonderland. Wander amongst the street buskers and living statues and experience the lively atmosphere of the market. Even if you're not a fan of bric-a-brac and crafts, Covent Garden is irresistible at this time of year, tempting even the most reluctant of shoppers.

Every Saturday a live reindeer will put in an appearance to add to the festive fun. Liquid refreshments will be nearby as well as festive fare.

Venue: Covent Garden Piazza

D. Somerset House Skating Rink

No matter how impressive your skating skills, a trip to this 900-m² outdoor rink is highly recommended.

With the magnificent eighteenth-century Somerset House as a stunning backdrop and a rink that is aglow with fairylights as dusk falls, this is the perfect Christmas setting. The now well-established Skate School and Penguin Club are on hand to help visitors of all ages build confidence and learn new tricks.

Tickets available now!

Advance bookings recommended for peak sessions during weekends.

Venue: Somerset House, Strand WC2 R1LA

E. Winter Sun Installation

Offering up a more unorthodox form of entertainment but promising to chase away the January

blues, 'Winter Sun’ is a commission undertaken by a 3-strong team of two artists and one architect. Doubling up as an event space and bar, the circular, metallic construction is covered on the outside by mini ‘suns’ that mimic the effect of natural daylight. Within, the space functions as a bar and venue for events. If the mini ‘suns’ fail to lift your spirits then step inside and cheer yourself up with a selection of warming winter drinks and enjoy the entertainment on offer.

Venue: Granary Square, London NCI 4AA

Lunar Cycles and Sleep

A _Sleep specialist Professor Wiseman recently set out to determine if sound could affect dream content. However, he also ended up uncovering an uncanny correlation between lunar cycles and sleep processes.

B _Volunteers in his study were played a variety of sounds ranging from bird song to traffic. If sensors detected the subject was sleeping, shortly before the alarm was set to go off, the sounds were played. The reasoning behind this was that sleepers recall dreams more accurately just after waking and so would still remember sound-induced dreams.

C _Whilst the content of dreams was found to remain constant with the seasons or the days of the week, it showed considerable variation with the full moon. Dreams became increasingly bizarre, bearing little relation to the usual pedestrian dreams we normally have about being late for work or losing personal items. In some cases, subjects became superheroes such as Batman or Superman.

D _The findings build on research that had previously demonstrated a link between lunar cycles and duration and quality of sleep rather than content. These earlier findings revealed a more fitful sleep in subjects during the full moon and difficulty initially falling asleep.

E _Biologically, an inability to sleep soundly during a full moon is probably attributable to low levels of the sleep hormone melatonin. The waxing and waning of the moon can directly affect melatonin levels and hence sleep quality.

F_Wiseman believes that the evolutionary advantage conferred on our predecessors by such sensitivity to lunar rhythms was incalculable. Sleeping lightly at the full moon would have heightened our awareness to predators. In addition, a full moon may have been the optimum conditions for our ancestors to go hunting by. This accounts for the lunar influence on our sleeping habits today.

G _Sensitivity to the moon's rhythms and concurrent lack of good quality sleep is likely, however, to be seen as a source of irritation to most. This is because contemporary Man is unlikely to derive the same benefit from moon-induced sleep changes compared to his ancestors.

Different ways to exercise and get healthy

As the pounds pile on we may become more complacent about keeping fit. However there is a lot at stake if you resign yourself to an indolent lifestyle. Cosmetic concerns as to increasing girths and flabby abdomens aside, there is also your health to consider. Many diseases such as Type 2 diabetes and cancer arise from obesity and an unhealthy lifestyle. So here are some suggestions to kick start your exercise regime, focusing on body-specific areas that you might wish to improve upon.

If you are seeking to improve stamina and cardiovascular fitness, then interval training is a good way to start. Activities are completed at high intensity for a specific length of time, followed by another cycle of low intensity exercises termed 'sets' which are repeated throughout the routine.

For those desiring speedy results and wanting to simultaneously boost overall fitness levels, then practising squats is the answer. Squats not only help burn fat but also build muscle strength and aid suppleness throughout the entire body, which in turn helps prevent injuries. Performing this exercise that is heavily focused on working the muscles along the hips and upper thighs can help streamline your body. Lunges are another ideal choice for toning and building thigh muscles. They are also regarded by fitness experts as one of the best functional activities during which the body is exercised through multiple planes of motion. Because the entire body is involved, lunges are a great exercise choice for hectic days as they offer multiple benefits within a short time frame. If your focus is more on improving your chest and torso then you would be better off doing push ups. In addition to working on the chest and torso, push ups also help define the shoulders, triceps and oblique muscles.

If increasing body bulk takes precedence over improving fitness levels and general mobility, then weight training is for you. This activity aims to develop the size and strength of the skeletal muscles by using weight stacks, dumbbells and weighted bars to create gravity resistance, thereby increasing muscle mass. Since individual target goals will vary with regard to what muscle groups need to be developed, weight training programmes need to be adjusted to the individual concerned.