IELTS General Training Reading – Practice Set

IELTS General Training Reading – Practice Set

Time: 1 hour | 4 passages | 40 questions

Read the instructions carefully. Answers and short reasons are at the end.

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PASSAGE 1

Read the passage below and answer Questions 1–10.

Ashfield Community Centre – Notice to Members

Ashfield Community Centre is open to all residents of Ashfield and nearby areas. The centre opens at 8 a.m. from Monday to Friday and closes at 9 p.m. On Saturdays, it opens at 9 a.m. and closes at 6 p.m. The centre is closed on Sundays and public holidays.

Membership is free for children under 16. Adults pay a yearly fee of $30. Senior citizens pay $15. New members must show proof of address, such as a utility bill or a bank statement. Membership cards are issued within three working days.

The centre has a sports hall, a small library, and two meeting rooms. The sports hall can be booked for one hour at a time. Members may book up to two weeks in advance. The library holds books, magazines, and newspapers. Books may be borrowed for two weeks. Reference books and newspapers cannot be taken out of the library.

A computer room is available on the first floor. It has ten computers and free internet access. Users must sign in at the front desk before entering. Printing costs 10 cents per page. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult in the computer room.

The centre runs several classes, including yoga, painting, and English conversation. Yoga classes are held on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. Painting classes take place on Saturday mornings. English conversation classes are free for all members and are held on Wednesday afternoons. Places are limited, so members should register early at the front desk.

The café on the ground floor serves hot and cold drinks, sandwiches, and cakes. It is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day except Sunday. Members receive a 10% discount on all food and drinks.

For more information, please speak to the receptionist or visit our website.

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Questions 1–10

Complete the sentences below.

Write NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer.

1.      On weekdays, the centre opens at __________.

2.      Adults must pay a yearly fee of __________.

3.      New members must show __________ of address.

4.      Membership cards are issued within __________ working days.

5.      Members may book the sports hall up to __________ in advance.

6.      Books may be borrowed for __________.

7.      Printing in the computer room costs __________ per page.

8.      Yoga classes are held on Tuesday and __________ evenings.

9.      English conversation classes are held on __________ afternoons.

10. Members get a __________ discount at the café.

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PASSAGE 2

Read the passage below and answer Questions 11–20.

Northgate Recycling Centre – Visitor Guide

Northgate Recycling Centre accepts household waste from local residents. The centre is located on Mill Road, next to the train station. It is open from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. from Monday to Friday, and from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturdays. The centre is closed on Sundays.

Visitors must bring proof of address, such as a driving licence or a recent electricity bill. Commercial waste is not accepted. Only household waste from Northgate residents is allowed. Cars, small vans, and trailers are permitted. Large trucks cannot enter the site.

The centre accepts paper, glass, plastic bottles, metal cans, and garden waste. These materials must be separated before arrival. Batteries and old paint should be placed in the special containers near the entrance. Electrical items such as old computers and televisions are accepted at the far end of the site.

Hazardous waste, including chemicals and medical waste, is not accepted at Northgate. Residents should take such items to the County Waste Centre on Bridge Road. The County Waste Centre is open on weekdays only.

For safety reasons, all visitors must wear strong shoes. Children under 14 are not allowed on the site. Pets must stay in vehicles at all times. Smoking is strictly prohibited.

Staff at the centre can help with heavy items. Visitors should ask at the office near the main gate. A maximum of two staff members are available for assistance at any time. Trolleys are provided free of charge.

The centre does not accept food waste. Residents can put food waste in their green household bins, which are collected every Wednesday.

For more information, call 555-0147 or email info@northgaterecycling.org.

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Questions 11–20

Complete the notes below.

Write NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer.

Northgate Recycling Centre

• Location: Mill Road, next to the __________ (11)
• Saturday opening hours: 8 a.m. to __________ (12)
• Commercial waste: not accepted
• Proof of address: driving licence or __________ (13)
• Large __________ cannot enter the site (14)
• Batteries and paint: placed in special containers near the __________ (15)
• Hazardous waste: take to __________ on Bridge Road (16)
• Children under __________ are not allowed (17)
• Pets must stay in __________ (18)
• Trolleys: provided __________ (19)
• Food waste: put in green household bins collected every __________ (20)

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PASSAGE 3

Read the passage below and answer Questions 21–30.

Hillside Hotel – Staff Handbook (Extract)

Welcome to Hillside Hotel. This handbook explains the main rules for all staff. Please read it carefully and keep it for future reference.

Working Hours

Full-time staff work 40 hours per week. Part-time staff work fewer than 30 hours per week. All staff must clock in at the staff entrance using their ID card. If you are late by more than 15 minutes, you must inform your manager by phone.

Uniforms
All staff must wear the official hotel uniform. Uniforms are provided free of charge. Staff must keep uniforms clean and in good condition. If a uniform is damaged, report it to the housekeeping office. New uniforms are issued twice a year, in January and July.

Breaks
Staff working more than six hours are entitled to a 30-minute break. Breaks can be taken in the staff room on the ground floor. The staff café offers tea and coffee at half price. Smoking is only allowed in the outdoor area behind the car park.

Training
All new staff must attend a two-day training session. Training covers customer service, safety procedures, and hotel software. Training sessions are held on the first Monday and Tuesday of each month. Staff must pass a short test at the end of training.

Holidays
Staff may request holidays through the manager. Requests must be made at least four weeks in advance. During busy periods, such as December, holiday requests may be refused. Each staff member is entitled to 20 days of paid holiday per year.

Safety
Staff must report accidents to the duty manager immediately. A first-aid box is kept at reception. Fire exits must be kept clear at all times. Staff should know the location of the nearest fire extinguisher.

Pay
Salaries are paid on the last Friday of each month. Pay slips are sent by email. Any questions about pay should be directed to the finance office on the second floor.

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Questions 21–30

Complete the sentences below.

Write NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer.

21. Full-time staff work __________ hours per week.

22. Staff must clock in using their __________.

23. If late by more than 15 minutes, staff must inform their manager by __________.

24. Uniforms are provided __________ of charge.

25. New uniforms are issued twice a year, in January and __________.

26. Staff working more than six hours get a __________ break.

27. Smoking is only allowed in the outdoor area behind the __________.

28. New staff must attend a __________ training session.

29. Holiday requests must be made at least __________ in advance.

30. Salaries are paid on the last __________ of each month.

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PASSAGE 4

Read the passage below and answer Questions 31–40.

Greenfield Adult Education Centre – Course Information

Greenfield Adult Education Centre offers a range of evening and weekend courses for adults aged 18 and over. The centre is located on Park Lane, opposite the public library. It is easily reached by bus routes 12 and 15.

Registration
Students can register online or in person at the centre office. Online registration opens on 1 August. In-person registration begins on 5 August. Students must pay the full course fee at the time of registration. Places are given on a first-come, first-served basis. A valid email address is required for online registration.

Course Fees

Most courses cost between $80 and $150. Students aged over 60 receive a 20% discount. Unemployed students may apply for a special reduction. Course fees include all materials unless stated otherwise. Refunds are available only if a course is cancelled by the centre.

Attendance
Students are expected to attend at least 80% of classes. If a student misses three classes without explanation, the centre may cancel their place. Students who miss a class should contact the teacher by email. Class schedules cannot be changed after registration.

Courses Offered

• Basic Photography: Tuesdays, 6–8 p.m., 8 weeks
• Creative Writing: Wednesdays, 6:30–8:30 p.m., 10 weeks
• Spanish for Beginners: Thursdays, 6–8 p.m., 12 weeks
• Cake Decorating: Saturdays, 10 a.m.–12 p.m., 6 weeks
• Digital Marketing: Mondays, 6–8 p.m., 8 weeks

Facilities
The centre has a small car park with 20 spaces. Parking is free after 5 p.m. A café on the first floor serves snacks and drinks until 8 p.m. The library on the second floor is open to all students. Wi-Fi is free throughout the building.

Contact
For more information, call 555-0163 or visit the centre office between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. on weekdays.

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Questions 31–40

Complete the notes below.

Write NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer.

Greenfield Adult Education Centre

• Located on Park Lane, opposite the __________ (31)
• Bus routes: 12 and __________ (32)
• Online registration opens on __________ (33)
• Students must pay the full course fee at the time of __________ (34)
• Students aged over 60 receive a __________ discount (35)
• Refunds only if a course is __________ by the centre (36)
• Students should attend at least __________ of classes (37)
• Basic Photography: Tuesdays, 6–8 p.m., __________ weeks (38)
• Cake Decorating: Saturdays, 10 a.m.–__________ (39)
• Car park has __________ spaces (40)

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ANSWERS WITH SHORT REASONS

Passage 1

Q	Answer	Reason
1	8 a.m.	Passage says centre opens at 8 a.m. Monday to Friday.
2	$30	Text states adults pay a yearly fee of $30.
3	proof	"New members must show proof of address."
4	three	"Membership cards are issued within three working days."
5	two weeks	"Members may book up to two weeks in advance."
6	two weeks	"Books may be borrowed for two weeks."
7	10 cents	"Printing costs 10 cents per page."
8	Thursday	"Yoga classes are held on Tuesday and Thursday evenings."
9	Wednesday	"English conversation classes ... held on Wednesday afternoons."
10	10%	"Members receive a 10% discount."

Passage 2

Q	Answer	Reason
11	train station	"next to the train station."
12	12 p.m.	Saturday hours: 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
13	electricity bill	"driving licence or a recent electricity bill."
14	trucks	"Large trucks cannot enter the site."
15	entrance	"special containers near the entrance."
16	County Waste Centre	Hazardous waste goes to County Waste Centre.
17	14	"Children under 14 are not allowed."
18	vehicles	"Pets must stay in vehicles at all times."
19	free of charge	"Trolleys are provided free of charge."
20	Wednesday	Green bins collected every Wednesday.

Passage 3

Q	Answer	Reason
21	40	"Full-time staff work 40 hours per week."
22	ID card	"clock in ... using their ID card."
23	phone	"inform your manager by phone."
24	free	"Uniforms are provided free of charge."
25	July	"issued twice a year, in January and July."
26	30-minute	"entitled to a 30-minute break."
27	car park	"outdoor area behind the car park."
28	two-day	"must attend a two-day training session."
29	four weeks	"at least four weeks in advance."
30	Friday	"paid on the last Friday of each month."

Passage 4

Q	Answer	Reason
31	public library	"opposite the public library."
32	15	"bus routes 12 and 15."
33	1 August	"Online registration opens on 1 August."
34	registration	"pay the full course fee at the time of registration."
35	20%	"aged over 60 receive a 20% discount."
36	cancelled	"Refunds are available only if a course is cancelled."
37	80%	"attend at least 80% of classes."
38	8	Basic Photography: 8 weeks.
39	12 p.m.	Cake Decorating: 10 a.m.–12 p.m.
40	20	"car park with 20 spaces."