General Training Reading 2025-08 Test 1 — IELTS General Training Reading Practice Test with Answers

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

Section 1 — Community Library Membership Information

Welcome to Westfield Community Library. We offer a wide range of services and resources for members of all ages. Membership is free for all residents of Westfield. Non-residents may also join for a small annual fee of $25.

How to Join:

To become a member, complete the online application form or visit the library in person. You will need to provide proof of identity and address.

Membership cards are issued immediately when applying in person and within five working days for online applications.

Borrowing:

Members can borrow up to ten items at a time, including books, DVDs, and magazines. The loan period is three weeks. Items can be renewed twice unless they are reserved by another member.

Late Returns and Fines:

Fines are charged for overdue items: $0.50 per day for books and $1.00 per day for DVDs. There is a maximum fine of $20 per item. No fines are charged for items returned within three days of the due date.

Additional Services:

Free internet and Wi-Fi access

Printing and photocopying (small fee applies)

Study rooms available for booking

Monthly reading groups and workshops

Questions 1–7: True/False/Not Given

Do the following statements agree with the information given in the text? In boxes 1–7 below, choose: TRUE – if the statement agrees with the information; FALSE – if the statement contradicts the information; NOT GIVEN – if there is no information on this.

1
Residents of Westfield can become members without paying a fee.
2
All membership cards must be collected in person.
3
Each member may borrow up to ten items at once.
4
DVDs can be borrowed for two weeks.
5
Members can extend their loan period more than once for a fee.
6
Overdue books returned after three days will result in a fine.
7
Members must pay to use the library’s internet service.

Notice from Greenway Apartment Management

To all residents,

We are carrying out scheduled maintenance on the building’s water supply system on Saturday, 12 August, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. During this period, water will be temporarily shut off in all units.

Please take the following steps to prepare:

Fill buckets or containers with water the night before.

Avoid using washing machines or dishwashers during the maintenance period.

Use public restrooms available at the community centre on Grove Street (open 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.).

Maintenance workers may need limited access to individual units to inspect water lines. You will be notified if your unit is affected.

We apologise for any inconvenience and appreciate your cooperation.

— Greenway Management Office

Questions 8–14: Multiple Choice

Choose the correct letter, A, B, or C.

8
What is the purpose of the notice?
- A. To Announce emergency plumbing repairs
- B. To inform residents of a planned service disruption
- C. To explain changes to building rules
9
On what date will the maintenance take place?
- A. Friday, 11 August
- B. Saturday, 12 August
- C. Sunday, 13 August
10
What will happen between 9:00 a.m and 4:00 p.m?
- A. No hot water will be available
- B. Residents cannot use electricity
- C. The water supply will be turned off
11
What should residents do before the maintenance begins?
- A. Contact the management office
- B. Store water for use during the day
- C. Leave their apartments unlocked
12
Where can residents go to use bathroom facilities
- A. The lobby of the building
- B. The management office
- C. The community centre
13
When will the alternative bathroom facilities close?
- A. 6 p.m
- B. 8 p.m
- C. 10 p.m
14
Why might workers enter some apartments?
- A. To fix faulty taps
- B. To check water pipes
- C. To take meter readings

Section 2 — Staff Guidelines – Annual Leave Requests at Helix Logistics

All full-time employees at Helix Logistics are entitled to 25 days of annual leave per calendar year. Leave does not include public holidays, which are granted separately.

Request Process:

Employees must submit leave requests at least two weeks in advance through the online HR portal. Approval is subject to staffing requirements and will be confirmed via email within three working days.

Peak Periods:

During peak periods (June to August and mid-November to end of December), only one staff member per team may be on leave at any time. Requests for these periods are approved on a first-come, first-served basis. Leave that is submitted first will be prioritised.

Unused Leave:

A maximum of 5 unused days may be carried over to the next year. Any additional unused leave will be forfeited unless there are exceptional circumstances, such as medical issues, approved by HR.

Emergency Leave:

In urgent situations, staff should notify their line manager immediately. Documentation may be required, and approval is at management’s discretion.

Questions 15–20: Sentence Completion

Complete the sentences below. Choose NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER from the text for each answer.

15. Employees must request annual leave using the company’s ___________

16. Staff have to submit leave applications a minimum of __________ ahead of time.

17. During peak times, leave requests are handled in the order they are __________ .

18. Only __________ person from each team can be away at once during busy periods.

19. Employees may carry over no more than __________ of unused leave days.

20. Requests to keep more unused leave than allowed due to __________ need to be approved.

Safety Regulations for Warehouse Employees – Northport Distribution Centre

To ensure a safe and productive work environment, all warehouse staff at Northport Distribution Centre must follow the safety protocols outlined below.

Protective Equipment:

All workers must wear standardised boots, high-visibility vests, and safety helmets while on the warehouse floor. Gloves are required when handling heavy or sharp-edged goods.

Forklift Safety:

Only employees who hold a valid forklift licence are permitted to operate forklifts. Forklifts must be parked in the designated stations when not in use and never left unattended with the engine running.

Emergency Procedures:

In the event of a fire, staff should evacuate immediately via the nearest exit and gather at the assembly point in Car Park B. Fire drills are conducted every six months. First aid kits can be found in the main office and loading bay.

Incident Reporting:

Any accident or injury must be reported immediately to a supervisor. An incident report form must be completed within 24 hours, even for minor injuries.

Mobile Phones:

The use of personal mobile phones is strictly prohibited on the warehouse floor to prevent distractions. Phones may be used only in designated break areas.

Questions 21–27: Table Completion

Complete the table below. Choose NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER from the text for each answer.

Item/Procedure Requirement/Details

Safety footwear Must be 21._______

Forklift operation Only for those with a 22.________

Forklifts not in use Parked in the 23.________

Fire drill frequency Every 24.________

First aid kit locations In the main office and 25.________

Incident report form Must be filled out within 26.________

Mobile phone use Only allowed in 27.________

21
Safety footwear Must be 21._______
22
Forklift operation Only for those with a 22.________
23
Forklifts not in use Parked in the 23.________
24
Fire drill frequency Every 24.________
25
First aid kit locations In the main office and 25.________
26
Incident report form Must be filled out within 26.________
27
Mobile phone use Only allowed in 27.________

Section 3 — The Benefits of Urban Gardening: How Cities Are Embracing Green Spaces

As cities around the world continue to expand and become more crowded, urban gardening has emerged as a solution to some of the biggest challenges facing urban areas.

A. Urban gardening is not a new concept. In fact, it has been practiced for centuries in various forms. However, in recent decades, it has gained significant momentum as people have begun to look for ways to reconnect with nature. Over the past few years, many cities have launched initiatives to encourage urban gardening. In New York City, for example, the GreenThumb program has supported over 600 community gardens, allowing residents to transform vacant lots into green spaces.

B. One of the primary advantages of urban gardening is its ability to reduce the environmental impact of cities. Gardens help to mitigate the effects of urban heat islands — areas where concrete and asphalt absorb and retain heat. Plants cool the air, improving the microclimate of cities. They also filter pollutants, such as carbon dioxide and particulate matter, from the atmosphere. Studies have shown that plants can reduce air pollution by up to 30%.

C. Urban gardens also have a positive impact on health. Research has demonstrated that access to green spaces can improve mental health by reducing stress and promoting relaxation. The act of gardening itself can also be therapeutic, providing physical activity and helping to reduce anxiety and depression. For urban residents who live in small apartments or have limited access to nature, gardening offers a valuable opportunity to engage with the environment and enjoy the benefits of fresh, homegrown produce.

D. Urban gardens can bring communities together in a unique way. Community gardens provide a shared space where people can meet, collaborate, and work toward a common goal. This fosters a sense of belonging and strengthens social ties. Many urban gardens also serve as educational hubs, where people can learn about sustainable gardening practices and healthy eating habits. Additionally, gardening can be a way to provide food for those who may not otherwise have access to fresh produce, particularly in low-income neighborhoods.

E. Despite the many benefits, urban gardening does come with its challenges. One of the biggest obstacles is the availability of space. In densely populated cities, finding suitable land for gardening can be difficult, especially when land is already in high demand for commercial or residential use. Additionally, urban gardening requires time, effort, and knowledge. Not all city dwellers have the resources or expertise to create and maintain a garden. Fortunately, many local organizations offer training and support to help people get started.

F. Looking ahead, urban gardening is expected to continue growing in popularity. With increasing concerns over food security and environmental sustainability, urban gardens could become a crucial part of city life. Local governments and organizations are likely to invest more in green infrastructure, and the demand for urban gardening programs will only increase. It is clear that urban gardening has the potential to shape the future of cities, providing environmental, health, and social benefits for generations to come.

Questions 28–33: Matching Headings

Choose the correct heading for each paragraph. Write the correct letter (A–F) in boxes 28–32 on your answer sheet.

Headings:

i. The environmental benefits of urban gardening

ii. The importance of community gardens in urban spaces

iii. Overcoming the challenges of urban gardening

iv. The increasing popularity of urban gardening

v. Health benefits of gardening for city residents

vi. The role of urban gardening in food security

28
Paragraph A
29
Paragraph B
30
Paragraph C
31
Paragraph D
32
Paragraph E
33
Paragraph F

Questions 34–36: Multiple Choice

Choose the correct letter A, B, or C.

34
According to the text, what benefit do urban gardens have on air quality?
- A. They completely eliminate all pollution.
- B. They reduce air pollution.
- C. They are not effective in improving air quality.
35
What is one way urban gardens help the local community?
- A. By providing food to people
- B. By creating new commercial spaces
- C. By offering large amounts of space for recreational activities
36
What is one of the biggest challenges of urban gardening?
- A. The lack of public support
- B. The lack of space for gardening
- C. The difficulty in finding volunteers

Questions 37–40: Sentence Completion

Complete the sentences below. Choose NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER from the text for each answer.

37. The act of gardening can improve mental health by reducing __________ and encouraging relaxation.

38. People without the time or expertise to garden may find help from __________ .

39. Urban gardens are expected to grow in popularity, especially due to concerns over __________ and sustainability.

40. It is predicted that interests in urban gardening will likely __________.

Answer sheet

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Show answer key

1. True
The passage says membership is free for all residents of Westfield, so residents do not have to pay a fee.
2. Not Given
The passage does not say that all membership cards must be collected in person; it only says cards are issued immediately in person and within five days for online applications.
3. True
It states members can borrow up to ten items at a time, so this is correct.
4. False
The loan period for all items, including DVDs, is three weeks, not two weeks.
5. Not Given
There is no information about paying a fee to extend the loan period; it only says items can be renewed twice unless reserved.
6. Ture
The passage says fines are charged for overdue items returned after three days of the due date, so this is true.
7. Flase
Free internet and Wi-Fi access is listed as an additional service, so members do not have to pay.
8. B
The notice is to inform residents of a planned service disruption, as it explains water will be shut off for maintenance. Option A is wrong because it is not an emergency, and C is wrong because it is not about building rules.
9. B
The notice says maintenance is on Saturday, 12 August.
10. C
It says water will be temporarily shut off in all units between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Option A is wrong because it is not just hot water, and B is wrong because electricity is not affected.
11. B
Residents are told to fill buckets or containers with water the night before, so they should store water.
12. C
Residents can use public restrooms at the community centre on Grove Street.
13. B
The community centre is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., so facilities close at 8 p.m.
14. B
Workers may need access to inspect water lines, which means to check water pipes. Option A is wrong because it does not mention fixing taps, and C is wrong because it is not about meter readings.
15. hr portal
Leave requests must be submitted through the online HR portal.
16. two weeks / 2 weeks
Employees must submit leave requests at least two weeks in advance.
17. submitted
During peak periods, leave is approved on a first-come, first-served basis, so requests are handled in the order they are submitted.
18. one / 1
Only one staff member per team may be on leave at any time during peak periods.
19. five / 5
A maximum of 5 unused days may be carried over to the next year.
20. exceptional
Additional unused leave can only be kept if there are exceptional circumstances, such as medical issues.
21. standardised
All workers must wear standardised boots as part of protective equipment.
22. license / licence
Only employees with a valid forklift licence are allowed to operate forklifts.
23. designated stations
Forklifts must be parked in the designated stations when not in use.
24. 6 months / six months
Fire drills are conducted every six months.
25. loading bay
First aid kits are found in the main office and loading bay.
26. 24 hours
An incident report form must be completed within 24 hours of any accident or injury.
27. break areas
Personal mobile phones may only be used in designated break areas.
28. iv
Paragraph A is about the history and recent growth of urban gardening, which matches heading iv.
29. i
Paragraph B discusses how urban gardening helps the environment, matching heading i.
30. v
Paragraph C is about health benefits, matching heading v.
31. ii
Paragraph D is about community and social benefits, matching heading ii.
32. iii
Paragraph E is about challenges, matching heading iii.
33. vi
Paragraph F is about the future of urban gardening, matching heading vi.
34. B
Urban gardens reduce air pollution, as the passage says plants can reduce air pollution by up to 30%. Option A is wrong because they do not eliminate all pollution, and C is wrong because they are effective.
35. A
Urban gardens provide food for people, especially in low-income neighborhoods. Option B is wrong because it is not about commercial spaces, and C is wrong because the gardens are not large recreational areas.
36. B
One of the biggest challenges is the availability of space, as finding suitable land is difficult in crowded cities.
37. stress
Gardening can improve mental health by reducing stress and promoting relaxation.
38. local organisations / local organizations
Many local organisations offer training and support to help people start gardening.
39. food security
Urban gardening is expected to grow due to concerns over food security and sustainability.
40. increase
Interest in urban gardening will likely increase, as the passage says demand will only increase in the future.

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