Roamers

You are going to read about a businessman. For questions 1 – 7

choose the correct answer A, B,C or D.

In 1989 a young Australian was travelling around Europe and found

himself at his British hotel after closing time – at ten in the morning.
Whilst most of us might take this as an opportunity to find a cosy bed and
breakfast or at least a dry bench in a railway station, Matt Lassiter
spotted a business opportunity. Knowing that he was not alone and that
thousands of backpacking youngsters were wandering the world with
heavy bags and fat wallets, Lassiter came up with a plan to start his own
hostels that made young visitors feel at home whenever they arrived. “I
realised there was not so much a gap in the backpackers’ market, but
rather a canyon.”

A couple of years later, Lassiter formed his own company which he called
Roamers. His intention was to focus on creating hostels which would
provide accommodation for the dynamic youth tourism market. “The
average backpacker, around 18-21, is likely to be highly educated, often
taking time off between school and university and usually has quite a bit
of money to spend, and these are the people Roamers sets out to
attract,” says Lassiter.

Today, Roamers operates in more than 20 countries, has 70 hostels and

provides 1.5 million bed nights each year. Lassiter says that each hostel is
like a kindly aunt or uncle looking after young people. Backpackers like
that, and their parents like it even more, not because Roamers is a fun
environment, but because Roamers offers a safe and secure form of
accommodation.
A typical hostel has showers and toilets on each floor, a “chill out” room
with television, food, bar and drinks facilities, a laundry room and internet
access. Lassiter was very aware that his bright young customers would be
familiar with the internet and it would play an important part in marketing
his company.

Part of Lassiter’s success is knowing that backpackers want to feel like

explorers. “We have to be very careful how we market our products – it
must be their decision and not seen as a package holiday – we make
them think they are independent.” The Roamers technique is to offer pre-
booked two or four-day tours, a couple of nights recovering from jet-lag,
a welcome pack, clean sheets – no sleeping bags – and a free call home.
The formula is certainly working, which goes to show that Lassiter’s
instincts are exactly right for this growing holiday market.

Reading tips for when you are answering the questions

Question 1: Look carefully at how the information is clearly implied,

even if it is not stated clearly.

Question 4: Look back to the previous sentence. Pay careful attention to

the word “like.”

Question 6: Look at the fourth paragraph of the text. What does,

“Lassiter was very aware . . .” suggest?

1 How did Matt Lassiter react to the British hostel closing in the
morning?

A. He looked for alternative accommodation.

B. He decided to continue his journey.
C. It put him off travelling in Europe.
D. It gave him an idea for the future. Answer:

2 What did Lassiter think would help young travellers?

A. to be less spoilt financially by their parents

B. to be more aware of looking after their money
C. to accept that accommodation can vary
D. to find more welcoming accommodation Answer:

3 Roamers hostels are designed for young people who

A. are studying part-time.

B. have freedom and leisure.
C. are living on a small budget.
 D. have an interest in marketing. Answer:

4 What does “that” in paragraph 3 refer to?

A. the hostels’ caring attitude

B. hostels run by relatives
C. the hostels’ general facilities
D. hostels available worldwide Answer:

5 Why are parents in favour of Roamers?

A. They can pay extra for secure arrangements.

B. They approve of the entertainment on offer.
C. They don’t worry about their children’s safety.
D They like the fact that their children have fun. Answer:

6 Lassiter’s use of the internet

A. saves him time and money.

B. shows good business sense.
C. attracts business partners.
D helps him sell computers. Answer:

7 Lassiter is successful because

A. he has researched his market.

B. he operates a very fair formula.
C. travellers can depend on his advice.
D explorers benefit from his hostels. Answer: