SLP 3333 Reading Comprehension Task

NATO STANAG 6001 SLP 3333 Reading Comprehension Sample Test (L3/R/003)

Reading Task 1

Read the text "FREQUENT FLYER PROGRAM". Choose the correct answer. Circle a, b, c, or d. “0” is an example.

If you travel a lot, you’ve probably thought about getting a frequent flyer (FF) card. How does it work exactly? Although the programs started with U.S. airlines, they are a global fact of life in travel today. Foreign carriers initially resisted using an FF program; they theorized that it “reduced” the value of their service. However, their resistance resulted in a significant loss of market share to the U.S. airlines that flew worldwide. In the end, they formed their own programs. For the consumer, regardless of whether travel is for business or leisure, mileage and rewards are part of the bottom line.

The frequent flyer program is an incentive program operated by an airline to reward customers for their continued loyalty. The concept behind FF programs is that the airlines want their passengers to become lifetime customers. It is much more costly for the airlines to get new customers than it is to retain the ones they already have. So how do they reward you? The more frequently you fly with them, the greater your awards! Today’s frequent flyer programs offer benefits above and beyond free air travel.

You earn one mile for each mile that you fly on a particular airline. You can also earn “miles” or “points” for other travel and non-travel transactions. Travel transactions can include hotel stays, rental cars, and more. Non-travel-related awards include credit card purchases (you earn a mile for every dollar charged), long-distance telephone services, even mortgages and stock trades! Finally, shopping at certain stores, both brick-and-mortar and online, also provides an opportunity to “rack up” those miles.

Your FF miles reside in your account – much like your dollars in the bank. At this time, most of the larger domestic airlines use a fairly uniform policy: mileage does not expire, but there must be some activity in your account once every three years. The airlines may change their mileage expiration policies, so you should read their most current guidelines. When the mileage total reaches a certain amount, you can “redeem” them for an award, usually air travel.

If you are a frequent flyer, join the program that will allow you to consolidate your miles. This would usually be with the dominant airline in your region. The chosen airline should be convenient for you and the one that has the most flights to the places that you visit often. This is your number one consideration, because when you rapidly accumulate miles and reach the critical “25,000″ mark, you can qualify for “elite” status.

• Example: 0. Frequent flyer programs ____.
  • a. offer more than free flights
  • b. help you travel more easily
  • c. offer numerous discounts
  • d. help you earn extra money
• 1.  You do NOT get FF points if you ____.
  • a. do shopping
  • b. take out a mortgage
  • c. make a phone call
  • d. rent a house
• 2.  According to the text, the FF program ____.
  • a. met a quick and wide approval
  • b. reduced competition among airlines
  • c. helps attract new customers only
  • d. keeps customers loyal to the company
• 3. For a valid FF membership, you ____.
  • a. collect points by certain activities
  • b. keep track of airlines’ discounts policy
  • c. reach a certain number of points
  • d. open a new account for your FF miles
• 4.  The author’s attitude to the FF program is ____.
  • a. ambivalent
  • b. encouraging
  • c. criticizing
  • d. reserved

• Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Bulgaria, NATO STANAG SLP
• Ministry of Defence (Bulgaria) - wikipedia