General Training Reading 2025-08 Test 2

General Training

Exam month: 2025-08

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

Section 1 — Rosehill Community Centre – Your Local Hub for Learning and Leisure

The Rosehill Community Centre offers a variety of resources and activities designed to serve residents of all ages. Whether you’re looking to learn a new skill, attend local events, or simply relax, we’ve got something for you.
Opening Hours:
Monday to Friday: 9:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Saturday: 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Closed on Sundays and public holidays.
Facilities Include:
A public library with free Wi-Fi access
A fitness suite (induction required before first use)
Art and craft studio with materials supplied
Multipurpose hall for hire (bookable in advance)
Regular Events:
Monday Morning Market (9:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.): A local market featuring homemade goods, fresh produce, and handmade crafts.
Wednesday Night Film Club (7:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.): Open to all over age 15; refreshments available.
Friday Seniors’ Social (11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.): Games, tea, and light exercise for community members over 60.
Joining Activities:
To participate in activities or use the gym or hall, visitors must register online or at the front desk. A £5 annual membership covers insurance and basic admin costs. Event attendance may involve an extra fee depending on the activity.
Volunteer Opportunities:
We’re always looking for friendly volunteers to assist with events, help in the library, or run workshops. Training is provided.

Questions 1–7: Multiple Choice

Choose ONE answer, A, B, C, or D.

  1. 1

    What do visitors need before they can use the gym?

    • A. Fitness test
    • B. Online registration
    • C. Induction
  2. 2

    Which of the following is TRUE about the multipurpose hall?

    • A. It can be used at any time without booking
    • B. User must book in advance
    • C. Users must bring their own materials
  3. 3

    On which day can visitors attend a film screening?

    • A. Monday
    • B. Wednesday
    • C. Friday
  4. 4

    What is the Monday Morning Market mainly known for?

    • A. Live performances
    • B. Imported groceries
    • C. Locally produced items
  5. 5

    Who is the Friday social event specifically for?

    • A. Teenagers
    • B. Full-time members
    • C. Over-60s
  6. 6

    What does the £5 fee cover?

    • A. Unlimited gym access
    • B. Administrative costs
    • C. Refreshments at events
  7. 7

    What is offered to volunteers at the centre?

    • A. Training
    • B. Gift vouchers
    • C. Free memberships

Section 1 — CityCycle Rental Scheme – Terms of Use

CityCycle provides short-term bicycle rentals in major city zones for both residents and tourists. Bicycles can be picked up and returned to any of the 120 docking stations across the city.
Registration:
To use CityCycle, users must create an account online or via the CityCycle mobile app. A valid debit or credit card is required. Registration includes a safety waiver confirming the user understands road rules and accepts liability for misuse or damage.
Rental Duration and Charges:
Rides under 30 minutes are free after the initial access fee (£2 for 24 hours, £10 for 7 days). After the first 30 minutes, users are charged £1.50 per additional half hour. Riders are encouraged to return bikes promptly to avoid extra charges. Unreturned bikes after 24 hours are considered stolen and a penalty of £300 will apply.
Using the Bikes:
Each docking station has a touchscreen terminal where users can unlock bikes using their account PIN. Helmets are not provided. Riders are responsible for checking brakes, tyres, and seat height before setting off. If a bike is faulty, it should not be used.
Safety and Conduct:
Riders must comply with local traffic laws, use bike lanes when available, and avoid riding on pavements. Bikes are for individual use only and cannot be carried on public transport or used for delivery services.
Customer Support:
CityCycle’s helpline operates daily from 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. For lost or damaged bikes, users should call immediately to avoid additional charges. FAQs and account management are also available through the mobile app.

Questions 8–14: True/False/Not Given

Do the following statements agree with the information given in the text? Write 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. 8

    You can rent a CityCycle bike without creating an account.

  2. 9

    The first 30 minutes of each ride is included in the access fee.

  3. 10

    You may be fined if you keep a bike longer than 24 hours.

  4. 11

    Helmets can be collected from some docking stations.

  5. 12

    If a bike doesn’t work properly, you should report the problem immediately.

  6. 13

    CityCycle bikes can be used to deliver food if permission is given.

  7. 14

    All roads in the city have designated bike lanes.

Section 2 — New Meeting Room Booking Policy – Effective June 1st

Subject: New Meeting Room Booking Policy – Effective June 1st
Dear Team,
To improve the efficiency of our shared spaces, we are implementing a new system for booking meeting rooms. Please read the following changes carefully, as the current process will no longer be valid after the end of this month.
Booking Platform:
All room reservations must now be made through our internal booking system on the Staff Portal. Requests via email or phone will no longer be accepted. You can check room availability and confirm your bookings in real time.
Types of Rooms Available:
Small rooms (2–4 people): ideal for one-to-one discussions or video calls.
Medium rooms (5–10 people): suited for team meetings.
Large rooms (11–25 people): for presentations or interdepartmental briefings.
All rooms are equipped with projectors and whiteboards. Laptops and conferencing tools are available on request.
Booking Conditions:
Bookings are limited to two hours per session, per team.
Cancellations must be made at least 3 hours in advance; otherwise, the room is marked as a “no-show.”
Teams that accumulate three no-shows in a calendar month will lose booking privileges for two weeks.
Reminders and Etiquette:
You will receive an automated reminder 30 minutes before your scheduled time. Please ensure rooms are left clean and tidy for the next users. If you encounter any issues with the system or room equipment, report them via the IT Helpdesk portal.
Thank you for your cooperation.
Facilities Management

Questions 15–20: Note Completion

Choose NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER from the text for each answer.

15. Where must staff now go to book a meeting room? __________
16. What kind of room is suitable for a meeting of eight people? __________
17. What is the maximum duration allowed for a single meeting? __________
18. What will be displayed on a room if a team cancels late? __________
19. How many missed bookings will lead to a suspension of privileges? __________
20. Where should staff report broken projectors? __________

Section 2 — Workplace Fire Safety Procedures

In accordance with updated health and safety regulations, all employees must be familiar with the revised fire safety protocols in effect from March 1st. These procedures apply to all floors and departments within the building.
Evacuation Routes and Assembly Points
Each floor has clearly marked evacuation maps posted near all lifts and stairwells. Employees must use staircases—not lifts—during any fire evacuation. Designated fire marshals will guide staff to the nearest assembly point:
Building A: staff gather in the south car park
Building B: staff proceed to the main plaza outside Reception
Assembly points are strictly no-smoking areas. Staff must remain there until further instructions are given.
Alarm System
The building is fitted with an automatic smoke detection system linked to both sirens and flashing beacons. Upon hearing the alarm, all staff should stop work immediately and proceed to the nearest exit in an orderly fashion. Do not attempt to retrieve personal items.
Fire Wardens and Responsibilities
Each department has at least two appointed fire wardens. They wear high-visibility vests and are responsible for checking that all rooms, including restrooms and meeting spaces, are empty. Wardens must report to the building’s Chief Fire Warden at the assembly point.
Weekly Testing
The fire alarm system is tested every Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. A voice announcement will precede the test. Staff are not required to evacuate during tests unless the alarm continues for more than 30 seconds.
Training
Mandatory fire safety training sessions are held twice a year. Failure to attend scheduled sessions without prior notice may lead to disciplinary action.

Questions 21–26: Sentence Completion

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

Evacuation maps are located close to lifts and 21.__________ .
In the event of fire, employees must not use the 22.__________ .
Staff from Building B must go to the 23.__________ when evacuating.
The alarm is tested every 24.__________.
If an alarm sounds for over 30 seconds during testing, staff should 25.__________ .
Fire training must be completed by new employees within 26.__________
  1. 21

    Evacuation maps are located close to lifts and 21.__________ .

  2. 22

    In the event of fire, employees must not use the 22.__________ .

  3. 23

    Staff from Building B must go to the 23.__________ when evacuating.

  4. 24

    The alarm is tested every 24.__________.

  5. 25

    If an alarm sounds for over 30 seconds during testing, staff should 25.__________ .

  6. 26

    Fire training must be completed by new employees within 26.__________

Section 3 — The Analysis of Fear

Researchers are investigating the processes in the brain that give rise to fear in animals. The results may lead to new ways to treat human anxiety.
Over the years, the majority of people acquire a range of skills for coping with frightening situations. They will attempt to placate a vexed teacher or boss and will shout and run when chased by a hostile stranger. But some individuals become overwhelmed in circumstances others would consider only minimally stressful: fear of ridicule might cause them to shake uncontrollably when called on to speak in a group, or terror of strangers might lead them to hide at home, unable to work or shop for groceries. Why do certain people fall prey to excessive fear?
Ned H. Kalin and Steven E. Shelton at the University of Wisconsin-Madison are addressing this problem by identifying specific brain processes that regulate fear and its associated behaviors. Despite the availability of non-invasive computer imaging techniques, such information is still extremely difficult to obtain in humans. Hence, they have turned their attention to another primate, the rhesus monkey. These animals undergo many of the same physiological and psychological developmental stages that humans do, but in a more compressed time span. As we gain more insight into the nature and operation of neural circuits that modulate fear in monkeys, it should be possible to pinpoint the brain processes that cause inordinate anxiety in people, and to devise new therapies to counteract it. Effective interventions would be particularly valuable if they were applied at an early age, as growing evidence suggests overly fearful youngsters are at high risk of later emotional distress.
When they began their studies two decades ago, Kalin and Shelton knew that they would first have to find cues that elicit fear and identify behaviors that reflect different types of anxiety. With such information in hand, they could then proceed to determine the age at which monkeys begin to match defensive behaviors selectively to specific cues. Finally, by determining the parts of the brain that reach maturity during the same time span, they could gain clues to the regions that underlie the regulation of fear and fear-related behavior.
The experiments were carried out at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Kalin and Shelton discerned varied behaviors by exposing monkeys between six and 12 months old to three related situations. In the alone condition, an animal was separated from its mother and left by itself in a cage for ten minutes. In the no-eye-contact condition, a person stood motionless outside the cage and avoided looking at the solitary infant. In the stare condition, a person was again present and motionless but, assuming a neutral expression, peered directly at the animal. These positions are no more frightening than those that primates encounter frequently in the wild, or those that human infants encounter every time they are left at a day-care center.
In the alone condition, most monkeys became very active and emitted frequent gentle 'coo' calls made with pursed lips. More than 40 years ago it was deduced that when an infant monkey is separated from its mother, it yearns to regain the closeness and security provided by nearness to the parent. These responses help to draw the mother's attention. In contrast, in the more frightening no-eye-contact situation, the monkeys reduced their activity greatly and sometimes froze for extended periods of time. When an infant spots a potential predator, its goal shifts from attracting the mother to becoming inconspicuous. Inhibiting motion and freezing are common attempts to achieve this in many species. If the infant perceives that it has been detected, its aim shifts to warding off an attack. So the stare condition evoked a third set of responses. The monkeys made several hostile gestures: barking (forcing air from the abdomen through the vocal cords to emit a harsh, growl-like sound) and staring back. Sometimes the animals mixed the threatening displays with submissive ones, such as fear grimaces, which look something like wary grins, or grinding of teeth.
Having identified three categories of defensive behaviors, Kalin and Shelton set about determining when infant monkeys first begin to apply them effectively. Several lines of work had led them to surmise that the ability to make such choices emerges when an infant is around two months old. To establish the critical period of development, they examined four groups of infant monkeys ranging in age up to 12 weeks old. The babies were separated from their mothers, left to acclimatize to a cage, and then exposed to the alone, no-eye-contact and stare conditions. All sessions were videotaped for analysis.
They found that the infants in the youngest group (no more than two weeks old) engaged in defensive behaviors. But they lacked some motor control and seemed to act randomly, as if they had not noticed the human beings that were present. Babies in the two intermediate-age groups had good motor control, but their actions seemed unrelated to the test condition. Only animals in the oldest group (nine-to-12-week-olds) conducted themselves differently in each situation, and their reactions were both appropriate and identical to those of mature monkeys. This finding meant motor control was not the prime determinant of selective responding and that nine to 12 weeks is the critical age for the appearance of a monkey’s ability to adaptively modulate its defensive activity to meet changing demands.

Questions 27–30: Multiple Choice

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

  1. 27

    In the first paragraph, the writer points out that

    • A. fear and stress are different feelings.
    • B. most humans develop strategies for dealing with fear.
    • C. business situations cause more fear than others.
    • D. some people never experience fear.
  2. 28

    When discussing the use of rhesus monkeys as experimental subjects, the writer notes that

    • A. they react more quickly for fear than humans.
    • B. they are more influenced by fear than humans.
    • C. their mental growth resembles that of humans.
    • D. their brains work more slowly than those of humans.
  3. 29

    Which of the following did Kalin and Shelton outline as the second stage of their research project?

    • A. the identification of expressions of anxiety in monkeys
    • B. the identification of situations that arouse stress in monkeys
    • C. an analysis of brain development in monkeys
    • D. the study of reactions to fear on monkeys of different ages
  4. 30

    In the fourth paragraph, the writer notes that the three related situations

    • A. reflect common experiences for infant humans and monkeys.
    • B. highlight the similarities between monkey and human infant care.
    • C. were predicted to cause monkeys more distress than human infants.
    • D. were graded in terms of their potential effect on young monkeys.

Questions 31–35: Matching

Look at the following responses of monkeys (Questions 31-35) and the list of conditions below. Match each response with the correct condition, A, B or C. Write the correct letter, A, B or C, in boxes 31-35. NB You may use any letter more than once. List of Conditions A. the alone condition B. the no-eye-contact condition C. the stare condition

List of Conditions
A. the alone condition
B. the no-eye-contact condition
C. the stare condition
  1. 31

    aggressive facial

  2. 32

    prolonged stillness

  3. 33

    a combination of contradictory signals

  4. 34

    appeals for maternal protection

  5. 35

    the production of soft sounds

Questions 36–40: Summary Completion

Complete the summary below. Choose NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER from the passage for each answer.

Once they had identified three types of defensive behaviour, Kalin and Shelton grouped the monkeys according to their 36.___________ , in order to discover precisely when they were able to respond appropriately to different fear-related cues. They videotaped their results and found that monkeys as young as 37.___________ reacted to the cues but in a haphazard fashion. The researchers noted that they seemed to be unaware of the 38.___________ who were around them. Despite demonstrating 39.___________ , the monkeys in the middle groups failed to react in ways corresponding to the experimental situation. The oldest group, however, reacted in the same way as 40.___________ and the researchers concluded that monkeys are capable of selective responding between nine and 12 weeks old.
  1. 36

    Once they had identified three types of defensive behaviour, Kalin and Shelton grouped the monkeys according to their 36.___________ , in order to discover precisely when they were able to respond appropriately to different fear-related cues.

  2. 37

    They videotaped their results and found that monkeys as young as 37.___________ reacted to the cues but in a haphazard fashion.

  3. 38

    The researchers noted that they seemed to be unaware of the 38.___________ who were around them.

  4. 39

    Despite demonstrating 39.___________ , the monkeys in the middle groups failed to react in ways corresponding to the experimental situation.

  5. 40

    The oldest group, however, reacted in the same way as 40.___________ and the researchers concluded that monkeys are capable of selective responding between nine and 12 weeks old.

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.

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Answer key

  1. 1. C

    The passage says the fitness suite requires an 'induction before first use,' so visitors must have an induction before using the gym. Online registration is needed to join activities, but not specifically for gym use.

  2. 2. B

    The multipurpose hall is 'bookable in advance,' so users must book before using it. Option A is wrong because it cannot be used at any time without booking.

  3. 3. B

    The 'Wednesday Night Film Club' is held on Wednesday evenings, so visitors can attend a film screening on Wednesday.

  4. 4. C

    The Monday Morning Market features 'homemade goods, fresh produce, and handmade crafts,' which are all locally produced items.

  5. 5. C

    The Friday Seniors’ Social is for 'community members over 60,' so it is specifically for over-60s.

  6. 6. B

    The £5 annual membership 'covers insurance and basic admin costs,' so it is for administrative costs, not unlimited gym access or refreshments.

  7. 7. A

    Volunteers are offered 'training,' so training is provided. There is no mention of gift vouchers or free memberships.

  8. 8. False

    Users must 'create an account online or via the CityCycle mobile app' to rent a bike, so you cannot rent without an account.

  9. 9. True

    'Rides under 30 minutes are free after the initial access fee,' so the first 30 minutes are included in the access fee.

  10. 10. True

    If bikes are 'unreturned after 24 hours,' there is a penalty of £300, so you may be fined if you keep a bike longer than 24 hours.

  11. 11. False

    The passage says 'helmets are not provided,' so helmets cannot be collected from docking stations.

  12. 12. True

    If a bike is faulty, 'it should not be used,' and users should call customer support immediately to avoid charges, so you should report the problem right away.

  13. 13. False

    Bikes 'cannot be used for delivery services,' so even with permission, they cannot be used to deliver food.

  14. 14. Not Given

    The passage says riders must use bike lanes when available, but does not say all roads have bike lanes, so the answer is not given.

  15. 15. staff portal

    'All room reservations must now be made through our internal booking system on the Staff Portal,' so staff must go to the staff portal to book a meeting room.

  16. 16. medium / medium room

    A 'medium room (5–10 people)' is suitable for a meeting of eight people.

  17. 17. two hours / 2 hours

    'Bookings are limited to two hours per session, per team,' so the maximum duration is two hours.

  18. 18. no-show / no show

    If cancellations are not made at least 3 hours in advance, 'the room is marked as a "no-show".'

  19. 19. three / 3

    'Teams that accumulate three no-shows in a calendar month will lose booking privileges for two weeks,' so three missed bookings lead to suspension.

  20. 20. it helpdesk portal

    Issues with room equipment should be 'reported via the IT Helpdesk portal.'

  21. 21. stairwells

    Evacuation maps are posted 'near all lifts and stairwells.'

  22. 22. lifts

    Employees must use 'staircases—not lifts—during any fire evacuation.'

  23. 23. main plaza

    Staff from Building B 'proceed to the main plaza outside Reception' when evacuating.

  24. 24. wednesday

    The fire alarm system is tested 'every Wednesday at 9:30 a.m.'

  25. 25. evacuate

    During alarm tests, staff 'are not required to evacuate... unless the alarm continues for more than 30 seconds,' then they should evacuate.

  26. 26. one mouth / 1 mouth

    Fire safety training is 'mandatory' and must be completed by new employees within one month.

  27. 27. B

    The passage says 'the majority of people acquire a range of skills for coping with frightening situations,' so most humans develop strategies for dealing with fear.

  28. 28. C

    Rhesus monkeys 'undergo many of the same physiological and psychological developmental stages that humans do,' so their mental growth resembles that of humans.

  29. 29. D

    After identifying cues and behaviors, the next step was to 'determine the age at which monkeys begin to match defensive behaviors selectively to specific cues,' which means studying reactions to fear in monkeys of different ages.

  30. 30. A

    The situations are 'no more frightening than those that primates encounter frequently in the wild, or those that human infants encounter every time they are left at a day-care center,' so they reflect common experiences for both.

  31. 31. C

    In the stare condition, monkeys made 'hostile gestures: barking... and staring back,' which are aggressive facial expressions.

  32. 32. B

    In the no-eye-contact condition, monkeys 'froze for extended periods of time,' showing prolonged stillness.

  33. 33. C

    Sometimes the animals mixed 'threatening displays with submissive ones,' which is a combination of contradictory signals.

  34. 34. A

    In the alone condition, monkeys made 'gentle 'coo' calls' to draw the mother's attention, which are appeals for maternal protection.

  35. 35. A

    The 'gentle 'coo' calls' are soft sounds produced in the alone condition.

  36. 36. age

    They examined groups of monkeys 'ranging in age up to 12 weeks old,' so they grouped them by age.

  37. 37. 2 weeks old / two weeks old

    The youngest group was 'no more than two weeks old' and reacted in a haphazard fashion.

  38. 38. human beings

    The youngest monkeys seemed 'as if they had not noticed the human beings that were present.'

  39. 39. good monitor control

    The two intermediate-age groups 'had good motor control,' but their actions did not match the situation.

  40. 40. mature

    The oldest group reacted 'identically to those of mature monkeys,' so they acted like mature monkeys.

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General Training Reading 2025-08 Test 2 — IELTS General Training Reading Practice Test with Answers | Ieltsa