IELTS General Training Reading: Cambridge 9 Test B; complete test with top solutions and best explanations

August 23, 2019May 15, 2023

This General Training IELTS Reading post deals with a complete solution package for IELTS Cambridge 9 Reading Test B. This is a targeted post for candidates who have major problems in searching for and understanding Reading Answers. This post can guide you the best to understand every Reading answer easily and without much difficulty. Finding IELTS Reading answers is a step-by-step process and I hope this post can help you in this respect.

IELTS Cambridge 9 Test B: GT Reading Module

Section 1:

Question 1-7:

The headline of the passage: The Young Person’s Railcard

Questions 1-7 (Completing sentences with NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS):

In this type of question, candidates are asked to write maximum three words to complete sentences on the given topic. For this type of question, first, skim the passage to find the keywords in the paragraph concerned with the answer, and then scan to find the exact word.

[TIPS: Here, scanning technique will come in handy. Target the keywords of the questions to find the answers. Remember to focus on Proper nouns, random Capital letters, numbers, special characters of text etc.]

Question 1: Railcard applicants over 25 need to be involved in ___________.

Keywords for this question: applicants, over 25, need, involved,

We can find the answer in the section ‘Who can apply?’ where we can see information about age. “Absolutely anybody between 16 and 25 can apply. You will need to provide proof that you are under 26 years of age. For this, only your birth certificate, driving licence, passport or medical card will be acceptable. Alternatively, if you are a mature student over this age but in full-time education, you can also apply.. . .”

This description about age restriction says clearly that a mature student (over 25) can also apply, if he/she is in full-time education.

So, the answer is: full-time education

Question 2: For mature, full-time students, one of the photographs submitted must be signed and __________.

Keywords for this question: mature, full-time students, photographs, must be signed,

The answer lies in section ‘Who can apply?’ in lines 4-6 where we can find the word ‘photos’, “. . . In order to prove your eligibility, you will need to get your headteacher, tutor, and head of department to sign the application form as well as one of your photos, the latter also needing to be officially stamped.

Here, we see a phrase after ‘photos’ which is ‘the latter’. This means the thing mentioned after one other thing is mentioned. Here, the lines suggest that the person needs to get his application form signed by his/her tutor, headteacher or head of department. He/she also needs to get one of his/her photos officially stamped.

So, the answer is: (officially) stamped

Question 3: At certain times of the year, there are no __________ for railcard holders at any time of day.

Keywords for this question: certain times, no, for railcard holders, any time of day,

The answer can be found in section ‘Using your railcard’. Here, take a look at this line, “. . .. But if you travel before 10 am Monday to Friday (except during July and August) minimum fares will apply.”

This means during July and August (certain times of the year) minimum fares for ticket will not apply.

So, the answer is: minimum fares

Question 4: If your railcard doesn’t have your ___________, it will be impossible to use it for travel.

Keywords for this question: railcard doesn’t have, will be impossible to use, for travel,

The answer is in the section ‘Conditions’ at the very beginning. “In cases where a railcard does not bear the user’s signature, it will be treated as invalid.”

Here, invalid means it will be impossible to use it

So, the answer is: signature

Question 5: The benefits of a railcard are not transferable to ___________.

Keywords for this question: benefits, railcard, not transferable, to,

The answer is in the section ‘Conditions’ in line no. 2. “Neither your railcard nor any tickets bought with it may be used by anybody else.”

Here, may be used by anybody else = transferable

This means the railcard and the tickets bought with it can ONLY be used by the USER, not anyone else.

So, the answer is: anybody else

Question 6: If you have no ticket but boarded a train at a station without any _________, you will still be eligible for a discounted ticket.

Keywords for this question: have no ticket, but boarded, without any, will still be eligible, discounted ticket,

The answer can be traced in lines 3-5 in the section ‘Conditions’, “ .. . Unless there are no purchase facilities available at the station where you began your journey, you will be required to pay the full fare if you are unable to produce a valid ticket for inspection during a journey.”

This line indicates to the fact that a railcard holder can still be eligible to pay at a discount price during inspection of tickets if he/she forgets to produce a valid ticket, if he/she boards a train at a station which doesn’t have any purchase facilities.

So, the answer is: purchase facilities

Question 7: If railcard holders wish to use the Eurostar network, they must pay the ____________.

Keywords for this question: railcard holders wish, use, Eurostar network, must pay,

The answer is in the last lines of the section ‘Conditions’. Here, the writer says, “Reduced rate tickets are not available for first-class travel or for Eurostar links to France and Belgium. Passengers will be charged the full rate if they want to use these services.”

Here, passengers will be charged = they must pay

So, the answer is: full fare/rate

Questions 8-14:

The headline of the passage: TRAIN TRAVEL INFORMATION

Questions 8-14 (Summary completion)

(In this kind of question candidates are given a summary for one, two, or three paragraphs with some fill-in-the-blanks questions. Candidates need to find out the related paragraphs by correctly studying the keywords from the questions. Then, they should follow the steps of finding answers to fill in the gaps.)

Question 8: An elderly person who is also studying full-time receives a concession of ___________.

Keywords for this question: elderly person, studying, receives, concession,

Take a look at the table that gives different types of tickets and discount prices. Look at ticket information at row no. 5 which says, “Senior citizens – 25% – student card must be shown.”

Here, senior citizens = elderly person

So, the answer is: 25%

Question 9: Large groups’ people who want to reserve seats should get in touch with the ___________.

Keywords for this question: Large groups, want to reserve seats, should get in touch with,

This question’s answer can be found in the section ‘INFORMATION OF INTEREST TO TRAVELLERS’ in bullet point no. 4, “If you like to charter a train, or make reservations for over 25 passengers travelling together, call the Sales Department.”

Here, over 25 passengers = large groups’ people,

So, the answer is: Sales Department

Question 10 & 11: If travelers cancel their trip, they will usually receive back the ticket price less 10. __________, or they may change the date of their trip by paying 11. ___________ of the original value.

Keywords for this question: cancel, trip, usually receive back, ticket price less, may change the date, trip, by paying, original value,

In the section ‘CHANGES AND REFUNDS’, the writer of the text says, “Tickets may be refunded not later than 5 minutes before the departure of the train for a charge of 15% of the ticket price, or the journey may be changed to another day for a charge of 10% of the ticket price.”

Here, 5 minutes before the departure = cancel their trip, changed to another day = change the date of their trip,

So, the answers are:

15%
10%

Question 12: These concessions do not apply in the case of ___________.

Keywords for this question: concessions, do not apply, in…case of,

In the section ‘CHANGES AND REFUNDS’, the writer of the text says in the end, “(Not applicable to same day returns.)”

Here, Not applicable to = do not apply in the case of

So the answer is: same day returns

Question 13: It is the passenger’s responsibility to make sure the ________ and __________ are correct.

Keywords for this question: concessions, do not apply, in…case of,

This question’s answer can be found in the section ‘INFORMATION OF INTEREST TO TRAVELLERS’ in bullet point no. 1, “When you buy your ticket it is up to you to check that the dates and times of the journey on it are exactly as you requested.”

Here, When you buy your ticket it is up to you = the passenger’s responsibility, make sure = check,

So the answer is: dates, times/ times, dates (in any order)

N.B.: You cannot write the word ‘and’ with your answer. It is because

Question 14: Travellers should ensure they are ready to board the train with at least _________ to spare.

Keywords for this question: travellers, should ensure, ready to board the train, at least . .. .. to spare,

This question’s answer can again be found in the section ‘INFORMATION OF INTEREST TO TRAVELLERS’ in bullet point no. 2, “Ticket control and access to each train platform will be open until 2 minutes before departure of the train.”

This means the travellers should confirm they are ready to board the train while they have at least 2 minutes in hand.

So the answer is: 2 minutes

Section 2:

The headline of the passage: Professional Credentials: Advice for Immigrants

Questions 15-20: (Completing sentences with NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS):

In this type of question, candidates are asked to write maximum two words to complete sentences on the given topic. For this type of question, first, skim the passage to find the keywords in the paragraph concerned with the answer, and then scan to find the exact word.

Question 15: New arrivals to North America need to make sure that their academic qualifications or their _________ are accepted.

Keywords for this question: new arrivals, North America, make sure, academic qualifications, are accepted,

The answer is in the first paragraph. Here, the author says, “As an immigrant to North America, you will need to ensure that employers and organisations such as colleges and universities properly recognise your international credentials. These may be trade certificates, but also educational qualifications such as degrees or diplomas, that you have completed or partially-completed.”

The lines suggest that immigrants to North America should confirm that their educational or academic qualifications or trade certificates are properly recognised or accepted.

So, the answer is: trade certificates

Question 16: A significant number of companies view _______ as a major requirement.

Keywords for this question: significant number of companies, view, major requirement,

The answer is in the second paragraph. Lines 2-3 say, “.. .. . But at the same time, employers see formal education as very important when hiring. Education is a hiring requirement for 60% of employment opportunities… .”

Here, 60% = significant number of,

So, the answer is: (formal) education

Question 17: People educated in North America may initially be offered a higher _______ than immigrants.

Keywords for this question: people educated, North America, initially, be offered, higher, than immigrants,

The answer is given in this text in a reverse way. In paragraph no. 3, the writer explains, “Research has shown that sometimes immigrants start with a lower salary level than people who have completed their training in North America.”

This means people who have got educated in North America will get a higher salary (opposite to lower) than immigrants.

So, the answer is: salary (level)

Question 18: ________ courses often provide more job stability.

Keywords for this question: courses, often provide, more job security,

The answer remains in the third paragraph, at the very last line, “There is a good potential for long-term job security after completion of apprenticeship training.”

Here, good potential = more, long-term job security = job stability,

So, the answer is: apprenticeship (training)

Question 19: Most of the effort to find work is spent trying to obtain ________.

Keywords for this question: most of the effort, find work, spent, trying to obtain,

In paragraph no. 4, in lines 7-8, the author of this text says, “. .. . Getting job interviews is more than 50% of the whole process of securing employment . . . .. .”

Here, getting = trying to obtain, more than 50% = most of the effort, securing employment = find work,

So, the answer is: (job) interviews

Question 20: As more newcomers enter the workforce, _______ increases.

Keywords for this question: more newcomers, enter, workforce, increases,

The last paragraph gives us the answer as the writer mentions, “Establishing yourself in North America is a difficult process, but companies do consider integrating immigrants into the workforce important to the workplace mosaic. Employers are making significant progress in improving diversity at work.”

Here, in the last line, improving = increases,

So, the answer is: (workforce/workplace) diversity

The headline of the passage: How to Prepare for a Presentation

Questions 21-27: (Completing sentences with ONE WORD ONLY):

In this type of question, candidates are asked to write ONE WORD ONLY to complete sentences on the given topic. For this type of question, first, skim the passage to find the keywords in the paragraph concerned with the answer, and then scan to find the exact word.

Question 21:

You should regard an invitation to speak as a ____________.

Keywords for this question: regard, an invitation to speak, as,

In the first paragraph the author talks about presentation invitation, “The first time your boss suggests that you formally present something to your department or a client, your reaction may be to panic. But remember that being asked to present is a compliment. . . .”

Here, being asked to present = invitation to speak,

So, the answer is: compliment

Question 22:

Express your main idea in a _____________.

Keywords for this question: Express, main idea in,

In the second paragraph the answer is found in lines 1-2, “… .. Condense your topic into one sentence. .. .”

Here, condense your topic = express your main idea,

So, the answer is: sentence

Question 23:

Try using a ___________ to support the major points you are making.

Keywords for this question: try using, support, major points,

The answer can be found in paragraph no. 3. Here, lines 1-2 say, “Think of three main points you want to make to support your overall topic. Develop a story to demonstrate each of those concepts. .. .. .”

Here, develop = try using, to demonstrate each of those concepts = to support the major points you are making,

So, the answer is: story

Question 24:

Add visual excitement to your talk by using ____________.

Keywords for this question: add, visual excitement, by using,

The answer can be found in paragraph no. 4, “We have all heard the saying A picture is worth a thousand words. Think about how your presentation can be more interesting to watch. Props are a wonderful way to make your talk come alive. .. . . .”

Here, picture = visual excitement,

So, the answer is: props

Question 25:

Express appreciation to your listeners for their _____________.

Keywords for this question: express appreciation, to listeners,

The answer lies in the last line of paragraph no. 5, “ . . . . After your energetic introduction, identify yourself briefly and thank the audience for taking the time to listen to you.”

Here, express appreciation to your listeners = thank the audience,

So, the answer is: time

Question 26:

A _________ will get the audience to interact.

Keywords for this answer: will get, the audience, interact,

This answer can also be found in paragraph no. 6. Here, the author says in lines 2-3, “ .. . .. so conclude with a game in which they can participate, . .. . .”

Here, they can participate = get the audience to interact,

So, the answer is: game

Question 27:

It is important to prepare well as this will increase your _________.

Keywords for this answer: important, to prepare well, will increase,

This answer can be found in the last paragraph in the last lines. “. . . . Instead, practice your dynamic introduction and conclusion until you can deliver them effortlessly. If you do this you’ll feel a burst of confidence that will help you sail through the whole of the speech.”

Here, practice your dynamic introduction and conclusion until you can deliver them effortlessly = It is important to prepare well, you’ll feel a burst = will increase,

So, the answer is: confidence

Section 3:

The headline of the passage: The Birdmen

Questions 28-30: (Multiple choice questions)

[‘Multiple choice questions’ is a common type of question set in the IELTS Reading test. It is also found in the Listening test. Most of the time, they come with four options but sometimes there are three options. Candidates need to work hard for this type of question because this may confuse them easily in passage 2 or passage 3. There will be long answers for each question, so they may kill valuable time. So, quick reading or skimming techniques might come in handy here. Remember that answers in 3 options out of 4 will be very close. So, vocabulary power will help a lot to choose the best answer.

TIPS: Skimming is the best reading technique. You need not understand every word here. Just try to gather the gist of the sentences. That’s all. Read quickly and don’t stop until you finish each sentence.]

Question 28: What information is given about Vandenbulcke in paragraph 3?

Keywords for this answer: information given, about Vandenbulcke, paragraph 3,

As the question asks us to look for the answer in paragraph 3, we should not lose any time by taking a peek into paragraph 1 or 2. Let’s go straight to paragraph 3 and find the word ‘Vandenbulcke’. The answer can be traced in the first two lines, “Another keen paramotorist recently experienced a close call when in the air. “I started to get a warm feeling in my back,” says Pattrick Vandenbulcke. . . .. “ Then Vandenbulcke details about how he avoided a near-death situation.

Here, experienced a close call = narrowly avoided a dangerous situation

So, the answer is: A (He narrowly avoided a dangerous situation)

Question 29: When the writer refers to some second-hand paramotoring equipment which was for sale, he is emphasizing that –

Keywords for this answer: some second-hand paramotoring equipment, for sale, emphasizing,

The answer lies in paragraph no. 3 in the last lines, “. . . There was one pre-used kit advertised on a website, with a bit of damage to the cage and tips of the propellers due to a rough landing. ‘Scared myself to death,’ the seller reported, ‘hence the reason for this sale.’

Here, pre-used kit = second-hand paramotoring equipment, advertised on a website = for sale,

Also, the seller’s comment made on the advertisement, ‘Scared myself to death,” means that paramotoring can be a very unsafe hobby.

So, the answer is: D (paramotoring can be a dangerous pastime.)

Question 30: The description of what happened at Lake Geneva is given to suggest that Rossy –

Keywords for this answer: what happened, Lake Geneva, Rossy,

In paragraph no. 4 the author talks about Yves Rossy and the incident in Lake Geneva. “Fun though it is, paramotoring is not in the same league as the acrobatics demonstrated by Yves Rossy. He has always enjoyed being a daredevil showman.”

Here, He has always enjoyed being a daredevil showman = he likes to do what appears impossible.

Daredevil is the person who dares and loves to do tasks in a way which other people may think stupid.

So, the answer is: B (likes to do what appears impossible.)

Questions 31-35 (Summary completion with ONE WORD AND/OR A NUMBER)

[In this kind of questions candidates are given a summary for one, two or three paragraphs with some fill in the blanks questions. As these are fill in the blanks or gaps, there is a condition of writing no more than ONE, TWO or THREE words AND/OR a Number for each answer and candidates must maintain this condition. Candidates need to find out the related paragraphs by correctly studying the keywords form the questions. Then, they should follow the steps of finding answers for fill in the gaps.]

The title of the summary: Yves Rossy

Question 31: Yves Rossy was born in 1959. He worked as both a military and _________ pilot before focusing on his ambition of becoming a jet-powered flying man.

Keywords for this answer: born, 1959, worked, military, pilot, before focusing, ambition, becoming a jet-powered flying man,

The answer can be found in paragraph no. 5, in lines 1-3, “Rossy, who has been labelled ‘the Birdman’, was born in 1959 in Switzerland. After flying planes for the air force from the ages of 20 to 28, he went on to do a job as a pilot with a commercial airline from 1988 to 2000.”

Here, flying planes for the air force = worked as ….a military,

Also, we find the information that he worked as a pilot for a commercial plane.

So, the answer is: commercial

Question 32 & 33: First he asked a firm which made 32. _______ planes to construct some 33. _______ for him, but these proved unsuitable.

Keywords for this answer: first, asked a firm, made, planes, construct, but, proved unsuitable,

The answers for these two questions are in paragraph no. 6, lines 6-11, “Initially he had approached a company called Jet-kit which specialised in miniature planes, but the wings they made for him weren’t rigid enough to support the weight of the engines.”

Here, initially = first, approached a company = asked a firm, which specialised in = which made, these proved unsuitable = weren’t rigid enough to support the weight of the engines,

So, the answers are:

miniature
wings

N.B.: We’ve found the answers in the last half section of paragraph no. 6 because of the keyword ‘Initially’. So, we might get the next few questions in the first half part of the same paragraph. Though this is not very common, it may happen sometimes that this type of questions’ answers might break the general sequence.

Question 34 & 35: The second company he approached was able to help him, however. On a flight in May 2008, he managed to achieve a top speed of 34. _________ easily exceeding the speed achieved by the average 35. _________. He had engines to keep him in the air and then used a parachute when it was time to come down.

Keywords for this answer: second company, was able to help him, May 2008, managed, achieve a top speed of, easily exceeded, speed, achieved by the average,

In paragraph no. 6, in the very first line we find the keywords ‘May 2008’. So, the answers should be somewhere very close. Let’s read:

“In May 2008, he stepped out of an aircraft at about 3000 metres. Within seconds he was soaring and diving at over 290 kph, at one point reaching 300 kph, about 107 kph faster than the typical falling skydiver.”

Here, managed to achieve = at one point reaching, typical = average,

So, the answers are:

300 kph
skydiver

Questions 36-40 (Matching statements with people)

[In this kind of questions candidates are given some statements based on the text and asked to match them with the correct people. These sorts of questions DO NOT maintain a sequence. So, candidates need to be alert and must not read everything everywhere. Following KEYWORDS is the best idea here to locate the answers.

Question 36: He acknowledges the role of his equipment in enabling him to a flying record.

Keywords for this answer: acknowledges, role of, equipment, enabling him to, flying record,

The answer lies in paragraph no. 6. In the end of this paragraph we find this sentence, “Rossy says has become ‘the first person to maintain a stable horizontal flight, thanks to aerodynamic carbon foldable wings.’ Without these special wings, it is doubtful he would have managed to do this.”

Here, the first person to maintain a stable horizontal flight = the record, thanks to means Rossy acknowledges the role of aerodynamic carbon foldable wings

So, the answer is: D (Yves Rossy)

Question 37: He explains how he uses his flying expertise to promote a product.

Keywords for this answer: explains, he uses, flying expertise, promote a product,

Take a look at paragraph no. 1, lines 8-9, “As Scott says: ‘I get to do what I love and wherever I go I advertise Go Fast drinks.”

Here, advertise Go Fast drinks = promote a product

So, the answer is: A (Eric Scott)

Question 38: He explains what led him to experiment with different ways of flying.

Keywords for this answer: explains, led him, to experiment, different way of flying,

The answer lies in paragraph no. 5, in lines 3-5, where Yves Rossy explains why he wanted to do experiments with different methods of flying, “The cockpit of a plane is the most beautiful office in the world, he says, ‘but I didn’t have any contact with the air around me. It was a bit like being in a box or a submarine under water.’ The lines suggest to the point that Rossy was bored being inside a plane and wanted to feel the air directly.

So, the answer is: D (Yves Rossy)

Question 39: He describes a mistake some beginners might make.

Keywords for this answer: mistake, beginners, might make,

In paragraph no. 3, lines 6-9, the author says, “However he warns: ‘Although it seems cheaper to try to teach yourself, you will regret it later as you won’t have a good technique.’ A training course will cost over £1,000, while the equipment costs a few thousand pounds. You may pick up cheaper equipment secondhand, however.”

This means some people who want to learn this daredevil act of paramotoring, may sometimes make the big mistake of picking up cheaper equipment.

So, the answer is: C (Patrick Vandenbulcke)

Question 40: He mentions circumstances which prevent you from leaving the ground.

Keywords for this answer: circumstances, prevent you, from leaving, ground,

In paragraph no. 2, look at these comments made by Chris Clarke, “Getting about is roughly comparable with driving a petrol-powered car in terms of expense. The trouble is that paramotoring is ill-suited to commuting because of the impossibility of taking off in strong winds,’ says Clarke.”

Here, the impossibility of taking off in strong winds = prevent you from leaving the ground

So, the answer is: B (Chris Clarke)

Click here for complete solutions of Cambridge 9 General Training Reading Test A

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Click here for complete solutions to Cambridge 10 GT Reading Test B

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