This General Training IELTS Reading post focuses on solutions to IELTS Cambridge 13 Reading Test 4 Section 1 that has two texts titled ‘The Guardian Newspaper’s Travel Photography Competition’ & ‘Running headphones’. 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 4: GT Reading Module 

Section 1:

Question 1-8: The Guardian Newspaper’s Travel Photography Competition

Questions 1-8: 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: This is the first year that The Guardian has run a travel photography competition.

Keywords for this question: first year, has run, a travel photography competition, 

In the first paragraph, the writer of the text says, “The photo competition is back, giving you another chance to win an incredible trip to Swedish Lapland.”  

Here, The photo competition is back, giving you another chance = this is NOT the first year, there has been such competition before, 

So, the answer is: FALSE 

Question 2: Any photograph for the competition must have been taken on an overseas trip.   

Keywords for this question: any photograph, must have been taken on, overseas trip,         

In the second paragraph the writer says in lines , “ . . … .. . It’s an opportunity for you to capture the essence of the journeys you make, whether far afield or close to home, and for us to showcase your work online. .. . .. .” 

Here, whether far afield or close to home = can be taken on an overseas trip OR can be taken anywhere close to home, 

So, the answer is: FALSE

Question 3: The end-of-year exhibition in London is free for the public to attend.

Keywords for this question: end-of-year exhibition, London, free for the public, to attend,  

In paragraph no. 2, in lines 4-7, the writer says, “ . .. .. . . .. The winner of each month’s competition will also see their shot mounted and displayed in the end-of-year exhibition for the public at The Guardian ‘s offices in London. Once the exhibition is finished, each monthly winner will receive a framed copy of their shot to place with pride on their own wall.” 

Here, we DO NOT FIND any information on whether the end-of-year exhibition in London is free for the public to attend or not. 

So, the answer is: NOT GIVEN

Question 4: The judging panel is made up of a group of journalists and a professional photographer. 

Keywords for this question: judging panel, made up of, a group of journalists and a professional photographer,       

Paragraph no. 3 has the answer to this question as the writer says here, “There will be a different theme for each month. Members of The Guardian travel writing team, and photographer Michael Ryan of Fotovue.com will judge the monthly entries and the overall winner.” 

Here, Members of The Guardian travel writing team, and photographer Michael Ryan = a group of journalist and a professional photographer, 

So, the answer is: TRUE 

Question 5: The trip to Swedish Lapland will only be offered to one winner. 

Keywords for this question: trip to Swedish Lapland, will only be offered, to one winner, 

The first lines of paragraph no. 5 say, “The overall winner (chosen from the 12 monthly winners) will go on an amazing four­ night trip to Swedish Lapland. .. .. .” 

Here, The overall winner = one winner, will go on an amazing four­ night trip to Swedish Lapland = the trip to Swedish Lapland, 

So, the answer is: TRUE 

Question 6: Every activity on the trip is focused on improving photography techniques. 

Keywords for this question: every activity, trip, focused on, improving, photography techniques,         

In the fifth paragraph, the final lines say, “ . .. . .. . Each day has a specific focus. The trip includes: winter light photography workshops, an image editing workshop, a night photography course, and an action photography workshop.” 

Here, the phrases photography workshops & editing workshop suggest that all the activities on the trip are focused on how to improve photography techniques. 

So, the answer is: TRUE 

Question 7: Anyone going on the trip may take some of the cold weather clothing home at the end of the trip.  

Keywords for this question: anyone going on the trip, may take, cold weather clothing, home, end of the trip, 

In the sixth paragraph, the writer says, “ .. .. .. Included in the prize: return flights from the UK, four nights’ accommodation with full board, cold weather clothing for the duration of the trip – thermal overalls, winter boots, gloves, hats and woollen socks – fully qualified wilderness guides, and instructors.”

Here, Included in the prize & cold weather clothing for the duration of the trip means NOT some BUT all of the cold weather clothing can be taken home as a prize. 

So, the answer is: FALSE 

Question 8: Articles written about the trip may be changed before being published.  

Keywords for this question: articles, written about the trip, may be changed, before being published,  

The writer also says in the final paragraph, “ . . .. . . . . The Guardian reserves the right, however, to modify your report and photos as necessary. .. . …”

Here, The Guardian reserves the right .. . . .. . to modify = The Guardian authority can change the articles when necessary, 

So, the answer is: TRUE 

Questions 9-14: Running headphones

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 9: These headphones would suit someone who doesn’t mind spending a lot to get good quality.  

Keywords for this question: would suit, doesn’t mind spending a lot, to get good quality,  

In the description of Powerbeats 2, the writer says in the beginning, “If money is not an issue, then these are definitely worth considering. .. . . .” 

Here, If money is not an issue = would suit someone who doesn’t mind spending a lot,  

So, the answer is: G (Powerbeats 2) 

Question 10: The battery on these headphones has a surprisingly long life. 

Keywords for this question: battery, has, surprisingly long life, 

In the description of Plantronics Backbeat Fit, the writer says in the final lines, “ . . .. … As well as providing reasonably clear sound they will also last a remarkable eight hours on a single charge.” 

Here, last a remarkable eight hours on a single charge = the battery . …  has a surprisingly long life, 

So, the answer is: A (Plantronics Backbeat Fit) 

Question 11: It is possible to keep in contact with other people while using these headphones.

Keywords for this question: possible, keep in contact with other people, while using, 

In the description of Sennheiser CX685 Sports, the writer says in the middle, “ . .. . .. have a handy remote and a mic for phone calls. .. … .”

Here, have a handy remote and a mic for phone calls = possible to keep in contact with others while using these headphones, 

So, the answer is: B (Sennheiser CX685 Sports)  

Question 12: Although these headphones are cheaper than most, music sounds quite good through them.

Keywords for this question: although, cheaper than most, music, sounds quite good,  

In the description of Betron B7505, the writer says, “If you’re on a tight budget, it can always feel risky buying a bottom of the market pair of headphones, but with these you needn’t worry. Not only do they provide fair sound quality,. .. .. . .” 

Here, If you’re on a tight budget .. . .. you needn’t worry = these headphones are cheaper than most, they provide fair sound quality = music sounds quite good through them, 

So the answer is: E (Betron B7505) 

Question 13: These headphones are very strong and do not require gentle handling.  

Keywords for this question: very strong, do not require, gentle handling,    

In the description of Plantronics Backbeat Fit, the writer says in the beginning, “These headphones are really tough so you don’t need to worry about just throwing them into your bag before or after a workout. .….. .” 

Here, really tough so you don’t need to worry about just throwing them into your bag = very strong and do not require gentle handling, 

So the answer is: A (Plantronics Backbeat Fit)   

Question 14: These headphones allow users to move around their playlist of music easily while they are exercising. 

Keywords for this question: allow users, move around, playlist of music, easily, while, exercising,     

In the description of Happy Plugs, the writer says, “ . .. . . . They also come with a handy remote built into the cable to skip and pause songs with while you work out.” 

Here, a handy remote built into the cable to skip and pause songs with while you work out = allow users to move around their playlist of music easily while they are exercising, 

So the answer is: F (Happy Plugs)  

© 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 4 Section 2

Click here for solutions to Cambridge 13 GT Test 4 Section 3