General Training Reading 2025-05 Test 11

General Training

Exam month: 2025-05

Rebuilt from test-taker recalls — not official IELTS material. Audio and passages are recreations for practice.

SECTION 1 NEW RELEASES DESCRIPTIONS

Questions 1-7 For which description are the following statements true? Write the correct letter, A-G NB You may use any letter more than once

A. BOOK 1: An epic novel, spanning four generations, of a family living in Korea and Japan, and the struggles the family endures, set against the ever-changing events of the 20th century.
B. BOOK 2: A novel based on fact, as the author draws on his experiences in the British Secret Service at the height of the Cold War. Real-life figures from history blend seamlessly with fictional characters as historical events are re-visited.
C. BOOK 3: The second novel in the anticipated trilogy, the author continues the story of Jordan Branson, a convicted murderer now released and working as a newly qualified lawyer, but one with an insight into both sides of the legal system.
D. BOOK 4: This story is the true recounting of one family in Pakistan and their search for peace and understanding, but taking in the current global problems of religious and cultural divides, and contrasting the minutia of daily family life and the struggles of the great and not-so-great.
E. BOOK 5: The author, a scientist-cum-famous writer has penned an amazing, and lengthy at over 1000 pages, epic book on the history of the universe and the world, and how everything works, from atoms and molecules to whales, mountains and the stars, in easy and addictive prose!
F. BOOK 6: An engrossing thriller, one difficult to put down. A young man, accused of killing his parents, escapes from custody and, while attempting to find who the real killer(s) is, uncovers more unsettling details about his own family. And himself. A real page-turner.
G. BOOK 7: On first discovery, a nature book about the coastal birds of this country would appear to be an uninteresting choice, but the author mixes fact with an investigative flair as she charts the decline of many native bird species, and the reasons, often at the hands of man and 'progress', for this alarming development.
  1. 1

    A book about crime and the law, one of a three-part series.

  2. 2

    An author moves from his original profession to write a history of nearly everything.

  3. 3

    A non-fiction account of how a species of animal is on the verge of extinction.

  4. 4

    One family and their descendants and their lives in two countries.

  5. 5

    A family in an Asian country and their contrasting fortunes in securing happiness.

  6. 6

    A fact-based fictional spy story.

  7. 7

    An unforgettable crime novel with twists and turns.

Insurance Direct

Questions 8-14 Do the following statements agree with the information given in the text. TRUE - if the statement is true FALSE - if the statement is false NOT GIVEN - if the information is not given in the text

When it comes to home insurance, choosing the right cover is vital. Whether it's your family home or a rental property, Insurance Direct can help you choose the level of cover that suits you best. We have a network of branches and agencies across the country, as well as two contact centres which are available 24/7. We have an A+ (Excellent) financial strength rating so you know you're in good hands!
Just some of the reasons to use Home Insurance Direct
No claims bonus if you haven't made a claim in the last year
Stolen keys? Put your mind at ease with our keys and locks replacement benefit
We can cover your accommodation costs while your house is being repaired or rebuilt
Benefits
Replacement cover and temporary accommodation: Replacement insurance for your home up to the sum insured. Temporary accommodation cover is also provided - up to £15,000 for temporary accommodation expenses, or £25,000 with our additional Protector policy - feel at ease knowing that you'll have somewhere to live if you have to move out of your home while it's being repaired or rebuilt.
Keys and locks cover: Up to $1,000 cover, free of any excess, to replace keys, remote door openers and locks if yours are stolen or illegally duplicated - helping relieve any burglary worries.
One event - one excess: If we've already accepted a claim for damage to your home and you have to make another claim related to that same event then there will only be one excess payable. It will be the highest excess or excess refund that applies.
Property security cover: Up to $2,000 to temporarily secure your house while it's unoccupied following loss or damage - one less worry at a stressful time.
Liability cover: We will cover you for your legal liability as the owner of your house for claims made on you as a result of accidents at the house which cause property damage.
Landscape cover: Up to $2,500 to replace your lawn, flowers, hedges, trees or shrubs damaged by a house fire or a vehicle damaging your house.
No claims bonus: If you haven't made any claims with your previous insurer or with us for the last year, you'll receive a no claims bonus. And, if you don't make any claims during the next two years you'll qualify for an extra no claims bonus.
Boundary fences: We'll help repair any damage to your boundary fences up to $25,000. In the case of fence lines shared with neighbours, Insurance Direct will pay 50% of the cost.
Swimming and spa pool pumps and motors: We'll help repair or replace your swimming or spa pool pumps and motors up to their current value if they are damaged. So call us now and give yourself peace of mind!
  1. 8

    You can speak to the company any time, day or night.

  2. 9

    The maximum amount available to spend on short term accommodation is £15,000.

  3. 10

    Insurance Direct does not cover vehicles.

  4. 11

    There is no additional payment required for replacing keys.

  5. 12

    You only need to pay one excess payment even if you are involved in a second accident.

  6. 13

    Non-claimants qualify for a discount after 12 months and again after 24 months.

  7. 14

    Insurance Direct will cover all costs of communal fencing between properties.

Great Barrier Tourism Info

Questions 15-21 Choose NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS for each answer.

Great Barrier Island water taxis: Wharf to wharf at a time that suits you - 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days of the year. Great Barrier water taxis can take you from the main harbour to any of the local marinas for a set fee using our on-demand service - you call us and tell us when you want to leave and where you want to go, and we'll be there. Our fleet of safe, high speed and comfortable Water Taxis are driven by professional skippers who have years of local experience.
Fishing charter: Unlike road taxis, we can deliver you to more than just your final destination - we service the Hauraki Gulf so can drop you on one of the secret, secluded beaches or perfect fishing spots. Catch your own fish for dinner! The clean and sparkling blue waters in the local area are abundant with sea life, and our knowledgeable skippers can guarantee you won't return empty handed. Fishing charters are aboard our high speed boat, comfortable for a maximum of 4 people. A half-day fishing charter costs $275, which includes fuel and skipper.
Harbour tours: We also offer the best in harbour tours, taking you from the Great Barrier wharf to all the places of interest. Get perfect views of the city, as well as the harbour bridge, before setting off to see the internationally famous Dorin Cliffs.
From here we sail to Westhaven Marina, one of the largest marinas in the southern hemisphere and home to a wide range of pleasure boats of all shapes and sizes. Then on to Golden Sands beach before returning to the wharf via the Marble, a stunning rock formation that can't be seen without a boat. The whole trip takes two hours, with an option to stop at Golden Sands beach and catch the next water taxi back to the wharf. The harbour tour costs $45 per person and includes tea, coffee and light snacks.
  1. 15

    You can visit the local marina via water taxi for a ____________.

  2. 16

    You can book a water taxi using their ____________.

  3. 17

    You can go fishing or spend some time on little known ____________.

  4. 18

    The driver and the cost of ____________ are included in the half day fishing trip.

  5. 19

    The Harbour tour includes a visit to the world renowned ____________.

  6. 20

    The last thing passengers can see on the Harbour tour before going back to the wharf is ____________.

  7. 21

    The harbour trip costs $45 and includes drinks and ____________.

WORKPLACE HARASSMENT

Questions 22-27 Choose NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER from the text for each answer

If you believe that you are being subjected to undue pressure from a colleague or manager, there are clear guidelines you can follow to find a resolution.
How do I know if I am being harassed?
The person causing the issue
is being verbally hostile — making unfair comments or criticising you or your work unduly or in an excessively public manner.
is withholding resources without clear explanation ('resources' can refer to information, training or equipment so you can't complete your job properly).
encourages co-workers to contribute to the harassment.
What should I do if I feel I am being harassed?
Keep records: Every time you feel you are being harassed, make a note of it - where, when, who was responsible, potential witnesses etc. This is invaluable evidence in a harassment case if you decide to take action.
Talk to your manager: Assuming this is not the person concerned, you should report the situation to your manager. Remember that you are entitled to confidentiality and in the majority of cases the issue can be resolved without compromising this. If the problem is with your manager, you can approach senior management in writing with the issue.
Avoid directly responding to the harassment: As soon as you retaliate against the person harassing you, the company is unable to successfully support your case. If you feel that the situation has become intolerable and you cannot work with the person concerned, you need to discuss the matter immediately with your manager.
Don't feel that you would be better off if you left: The company prides itself on providing a welcoming, positive atmosphere for staff. If someone is acting in a manner which means this is not possible, we need to know!
Remember that if you quit, the person concerned will more than likely repeat the behaviour with the next member of staff, but with additional confidence in having been successful in intimidating other staff.
  1. 22

    Feelings of unfair ____________ from workmates or superiors may come from being the victim of workplace harassment.

  2. 23

    This is characterised by having your work or yourself overly criticised in ____________ or by being prevented from the completion of your job through lack of access to proper ____________.

  3. 24

    This is characterised by having your work or yourself overly criticised in public or by being prevented from the completion of your job through lack of access to proper ____________.

  4. 25

    You may also find that ____________ support (and are motivated by) the perpetrator in actions against you.

  5. 26

    Keep notes/records as ____________ of harassment.

  6. 27

    Talk to the manager unless this is the person involved if so, approach ____________.

Reading Passage 3 — POISON RAIN

A: In the late 1970s, people in Northern Europe were observing a change in the lakes and forests around them. Areas once famous for the quality and quantity of their fish began to decline, and areas of once-green forest were dying. The phenomenon they witnessed was acid rain - pollutants in rain, snow, hail and fog caused by sulphuric and nitric acids.
B: The principal chemicals that cause these acids are sulphur dioxide and oxides of nitrogen, both by-products of burning fossil fuels (coal, oil and gas). A percentage of acid rain is natural, from volcanoes, forest fires and biological decay, but the majority is unsurprisingly manmade. Of this, transportation sources account for 40%, power plants 30%, industrial sources 25%, and commercial institutions and residences 5%. What makes these figures particularly disturbing is that since the 1970s, nitrogen oxide emissions have tripled. Each year the global atmosphere is polluted with 20 billion tons of carbon dioxide, 130 million tons of sulphur dioxide, more than three million tons of toxic metals, and a wealth of synthetic organic compounds, many of which are proven causes of cancer, genetic mutations and birth defects.
C: For natural causes of acid rain, nature has provided a filter. Naturally occurring substances such as limestone or other antacids can neutralise this acid rain before it enters the water cycle, thereby protecting it. However, areas with a predominantly quartzite- or granite-based geology and little topsoil have no such effect, and the basic environment shifts from an alkaline to an acidic one. Recycled and intensified through the water table, acid rain has reached such a degree in some parts of the world that rainfall is now 40 times more acidic than normal - the same acidic classification as vinegar.
D: Environmentally, the impact is devastating. Lakes and the life they support are dying, unable to withstand such a battering. This has a direct effect on the animals that rely on fish as a food source. Certain species of American otter have had their numbers reduced by over half in the last 20 years, for example. Yet this is not the only effect. Nitrogen oxides, the principal reactant in acid rain, react with other pollutants to produce ozone, a major air pollutant responsible for destroying the effectiveness of farmland, making it significantly less productive. With scientists working on producing ever bigger and longer lasting genetically modified foods, some farmers are reporting abnormally low yields. Tomatoes grow to only half their full weight and the leaves, stalks and roots of other crops never reach full maturity.
E: Naturally it rains on cities too, eating away stone monuments and concrete structures, and corroding the pipes which channel the water away to the lakes where the cycle is repeated. Paint exposed to rain is not lasting as long due to the pollution in the atmosphere speeding up the corrosion process. In some communities the drinking water is laced with toxic metals freed from metal pipes by the acidity. After any period of non-use, we are encouraged to run taps for at least 60 seconds to flush any excess debris, as increased concentrations of metals in plumbing such as lead, copper and zinc result in adverse health effects. As if urban skies were not already grey enough, typical visibility has declined from ten to four miles, in many American cities, as acid rain turns into smog. Also, now there are indicators that the components of acid rain are a health risk, linked to human respiratory disease.
F: Acid rain itself is not an entirely new phenomenon. In the nineteenth century, acid rain fell both in towns and cities. What is new, and of great concern, is that it can be transported thousands of kilometres due to the introduction of tall chimneys dispersing pollutants high into the atmosphere, allowing strong wind currents to blow the acid rain hundreds of miles from its source. Thus, the areas where acid rain falls are not necessarily the areas where the pollution comes from. Pollution from industrial areas of England are damaging forests in Scotland and Scandinavia. Acids from the Midwest United States are blown into northwest Canada. More and more regions are beginning to be affected, and given that 13 of the world's most polluted cities are in neighbouring Asia, countries like Australia and New Zealand are increasingly under threat.
G: Transboundary pollution, the spread of acid rain across political and international borders, has prompted a number of international responses. International legislation during the 1980s and 1990s has led to reductions in sulphur dioxide emissions in many countries but reductions in emissions of nitrogen oxides have been much less, leading to the conclusion that without a cooperative global effort, the problem of acid rain will not simply blow away.

Questions 28–33: Matching headings

The text has seven paragraphs. Choose the most suitable heading for the paragraphs from the list below. LIST OF HEADINGS i. Impact on the urban landscape ii. Higher dispersal creates a global problem iii. Recent changes in Europe iv. Artificial causes of acid rain v. Metals in acid rain vi. International reactions vii. Secondary impact on flora and fauna viii. First signs ix. Acid rain in Asia x. Effects of the natural environment

  1. 28

    Section B

    • i. Impact on the urban landscape
    • ii. Higher dispersal creates a global problem
    • iii. Recent changes in Europe
    • iv. Artificial causes of acid rain
    • v. Metals in acid rain
    • vi. International reactions
    • vii. Secondary impact on flora and fauna
    • viii. First signs
    • ix. Acid rain in Asia
    • x. Effects of the natural environment
  2. 29

    Section C

  3. 30

    Section D

  4. 31

    Section E

  5. 32

    Section F

  6. 33

    Section G

Questions 34–40: Short answer

Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER from the text

  1. 34

    Pollution in rain is a result of sulphuric and nitric ____________.

  2. 35

    Nearly half of manmade sources of acid rain are due to ____________.

  3. 36

    Some animals have declined in number by over 50% as ____________ rely on fish as a ____________.

  4. 37

    Land used for farming is becoming ____________.

  5. 38

    Urban household water supplies are contaminated by ____________.

  6. 39

    Air pollution is travelling further as it is disgorged through ____________.

  7. 40

    Legislation passed in the 1980s and the 1990s was a response to ____________.

Answer sheet

Fill in as you go — checking is instant and local, and every miss lands in your mistake log with the lesson that fixes it.

  1. 1.
  2. 2.
  3. 3.
  4. 4.
  5. 5.
  6. 6.
  7. 7.
  8. 8.
  9. 9.
  10. 10.
  11. 11.
  12. 12.
  13. 13.
  14. 14.
  15. 15.
  16. 16.
  17. 17.
  18. 18.
  19. 19.
  20. 20.
  21. 21.
  22. 22.
  23. 23.
  24. 24.
  25. 25.
  26. 26.
  27. 27.
  28. 28.
  29. 29.
  30. 30.
  31. 31.
  32. 32.
  33. 33.
  34. 34.
  35. 35.
  36. 36.
  37. 37.
  38. 38.
  39. 39.
  40. 40.
Saved on this device — no account needed. Sign in on your progress page if you want it synced elsewhere.
Show answer key

Answer key

  1. 1. C

  2. 2. E

  3. 3. G

  4. 4. A

  5. 5. D

  6. 6. B

  7. 7. F

  8. 8. TRUE

  9. 9. FALSE

  10. 10. NOT GIVEN

  11. 11. TRUE

  12. 12. TRUE

  13. 13. TRUE

  14. 14. FALSE

  15. 15. set fee

  16. 16. on-demand service

  17. 17. secluded beaches

  18. 18. fuel

  19. 19. Dorin Cliffs

  20. 20. the Marble

  21. 21. light snacks

  22. 22. pressure

  23. 23. public

  24. 24. resources

  25. 25. co-workers

  26. 26. evidence

  27. 27. senior management

  28. 28. iv

    The answer is iv (Artificial causes of acid rain) because Section B explains that most acid rain is manmade, listing sources like transportation, power plants, and industry, and gives percentages for each.

  29. 29. x

    The answer is x (Effects of the natural environment) because Section C discusses how natural substances like limestone can neutralise acid rain, but in areas with certain geology, acid rain changes the environment from alkaline to acidic.

  30. 30. vii

    The answer is vii (Secondary impact on flora and fauna) because Section D describes how acid rain kills lakes and fish, which then affects animals like otters and also harms crops, showing the knock-on effects on living things.

  31. 31. i

    The answer is i (Impact on the urban landscape) because Section E talks about acid rain damaging city buildings, pipes, and paint, and causing health problems in urban areas.

  32. 32. ii

    The answer is ii (Higher dispersal creates a global problem) because Section F explains how tall chimneys send pollution far away, so acid rain falls in places far from where the pollution started, making it a global issue.

  33. 33. vi

    The answer is vi (International reactions) because Section G describes how countries have responded to acid rain with international laws and efforts to reduce emissions, but says more cooperation is needed.

  34. 34. acids

  35. 35. transportation

  36. 36. food sources

  37. 37. less productive

  38. 38. toxic metals

  39. 39. tall chimneys

  40. 40. Transboundary pollution

Want the full timed experience? Try the free full mock exam — real recalled questions, in the real exam interface.

Start mock exam →