This General Training IELTS Reading post focuses on solutions to IELTS Cambridge 13 Reading Test 3 Section 1 that has two texts titled ‘New York Late-Starters String Orchestra’ & ‘The 7 best running watches’. This is a targeted post for GT IELTS candidates who have big problems finding out and understanding Reading Answers in the GT module. This post can guide you the best to understand every Reading answer without much trouble. Finding out IELTS Reading answers is a steady process, and this post will assist you in this respect.

IELTS Cambridge 13 Test 3: GT Reading Module 

Section 1: New York Late-Starters String Orchestra

Questions 1-7: TRUE, FALSE, NOT GIVEN

[In this type of question, candidates are asked to find out whether:

The statement in the question agrees with the information in the passage – TRUE
The statement in the question contradicts with the information in the passage – FALSE
If there is no information on this – NOT GIVEN

For this type of question, you can divide each statement into three independent pieces and make your way through with the answer.]

Question 1: The idea behind NYLSO was based on another orchestra.

Keywords for this question: idea, NYLSO, based on, another orchestra, 

In the first paragraph, the writer of the text says in lines 1-3, “It was founded in early 2007, and grew out of a concept developed by The East London Late Starters Orchestra (ELLSO), an award-winning group in England.. .. ..”  

Here, grew out of a concept developed by The East London Late Starters Orchestra (ELLSO) = based on another orchestra,  

So, the answer is: TRUE 

Question 2: An ability to read music is essential.   

Keywords for this question: ability, read music, essential,        

In the second paragraph the writer describes the requirements to join the orchestra. Take a close look at line no.1, “Participants should have basic music reading skills and a willingness to commit to the group, .. . .. .” 

Here, should have = essential, basic music reading skills = basic ability to read music, 

So, the answer is: TRUE

Question 3: The NYLSO might be unsuitable for very advanced level musicians.  

Keywords for this question: NYLSO, might be unsuitable, very advanced level musicians, 

If you look closely at paragraph no. 2, lines 3-5 say, “ . . .. …..  If you have ever been paid to play your instrument, recently graduated with a degree in performance, or have been playing continuously since elementary school, you may decide we are not the appropriate group for you.” 

Here, have ever been paid to play your instrument, recently graduated with a degree in performance, or have been playing continuously since elementary school = very advanced level musicians, we are not the appropriate group for you = might not be suitable, 

So, the answer is: TRUE

Question 4: NYLSO concerts are free to members’ families and friends. 

Keywords for this question: NYLSO concerts, free, members’ families and friends,       

In paragraph no. 3, we find the phrase ‘friends-and-family’ in line no. 5. However, we DO NOT find any information regarding the NYLSO concert being free to members’ families and friends. 

So, the answer is: NOT GIVEN 

Question 5: Rehearsals always involve the full orchestra playing together. 

Keywords for this question: rehearsals, always involve, full orchestra, playing together,  

Again, in paragraph no. 3, the first few lines say, “We know that New Yorkers are busy people. It is fine if you miss an entire rehearsal period when an emergency arises. Ultimately, though, too many absences disrupt the function of the group and make it difficult to perform the pieces. .. .. .” 

Here, It is fine if you miss an entire rehearsal period when an emergency arises = rehearsals DO NOT ALWAYS involve the full orchestra playing together, 

So, the answer is: FALSE 

Question 6: The conductor provides her services free to NYLSO. 

Keywords for this question: conductor, provides, her services, free, to NYLSO,        

In the fifth paragraph, the final lines say, “ . .. . .. . Payments are applied to the costs of rehearsal space, conductor’s fees, and photocopying music.” 

Here, this line suggests that the conductor takes payment for his/her services to NYLSO. 

So, the answer is: FALSE 

Question 7: The NYLSO gives advice on what instrument to purchase.  

Keywords for this question: NYLSO, advice, what instrument, to purchase,    

In the final paragraph, it is said that participants need an instrument; however there is no information regarding NYLSO’s suggestion or advice on what instrument to purchase. 

So, the answer is: NOT GIVEN 

Questions 8-14: The 7 best running watches

Questions 8-14:  Identifying information

[This question asks you to find information from the passage and write the number of the paragraph (A, B, C or D … .. ) in the answer sheet. Now, if the question is given in the very first part of the question set, I’d request you not to answer them. It’s mainly because this question will not follow any sequence, and so it will surely kill your time. Rather, you should answer all the other questions first. And just like List of Headings, only read the first two lines or last two lines of the expected paragraph initially. If you find the answers, you need not read the middle part. If you don’t find answers yet, you can skim the middle part of the paragraph. Keywords will be a useful matter here.]

Question 8: This would be a suitable and not too expensive first watch for a runner.  

Keywords for this question: suitable, not too expensive, first watch, 

In the description of Garmin Forerunner 10, the writer says, “This is a well-priced, entry-level watch . .. . . ..” 

Here, well-priced = not too expensive, entry-level watch = suitable, first watch for a runner, 

So, the answer is: E 

Question 9: Care has been taken to make this watch very attractive to look at.  

Keywords for this question: care, to make, very attractive, to look at,  

In the description of Nike Fuelband, the writer says, “ .. . . .. . this soft-touch and lightweight watch has been lovingly designed to appear more like a piece of futuristic jewellery than a running watch.

Here, has been lovingly designed to appear more like a piece of futuristic jewellery = Care has been taken to make this watch very attractive to look at, 

So, the answer is: F 

Question 10: This watch can be programmed to let the runner know when it is time to get some refreshment. 

Keywords for this question: can be programmed, let the runner know, when, time, get some refreshment,   

In the description of Timex Run Trainer 2.0, the writer says in the final lines, “ . . .. … Alerts remind you when it’s time to hydrate or top up the nutrition.

Here, Alerts remind you = can be programmed to let the runner know, time to hydrate or top up the nutrition = it is time to get some refreshment, 

So, the answer is: D

Question 11: This watch will need recharging at frequent intervals.  

Keywords for this question: will need, recharging, at frequent intervals, 

In the description of Garmin Forerunner, the writer says, “ . .. . .. although battery life is limited.”

Here, battery life is limited = will need recharging at frequent intervals, 

So, the answer is: C 

Question 12: Both experienced and inexperienced runners will find this watch useful.

Keywords for this question: both experienced and inexperienced, will find, useful, 

In the description of Timex Run Trainer 2.0, the writer says, “The hi-res screen makes this a great watch for athletes at any level . .. .. . .” 

Here, athletes at any level = Both experienced and inexperienced runners, 

So the answer is: D 

Question 13: Runners will find all the features on this watch are useful.  

Keywords for this question: will find, all the features, useful,   

In the description of Soleus FIT 1.0, the writer says, “Soleus claims this has everything you need and nothing you don’t. . . . .. ….. .” 

Here, everything you need and nothing you don’t = Runners will find all the features on this watch are useful, 

So the answer is: A 

Question 14: People who do most of their running in cities may find this watch is not appropriate for them. 

Keywords for this question: people, do most of, running, in cities, may find, not appropriate,    

In the description of Suunto Ambit2 S HR, the writer says, “This is better suited to off-roaders rather than urban runners and

Here, rather than urban runners = who do most of their running in cities may find this watch is not appropriate, 

So the answer is: G 

© All the texts with inverted commas used in this post are taken from Cambridge IELTS Series 13 GT Test book

Click here for solutions to Cambridge 13 GT Test 3 Reading Section 2

Click here for solutions to Cambridge 13 GT Test 3 Reading Section 3