This General Training IELTS Reading post focuses on solutions to an IELTS Reading Test 1 Section 1 that has two texts titled ‘Helping pupils to choose optional subjects when they are aged 14-15: what some pupils say’ & ‘It’s almost time for the next Ripton Festival’. 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 to 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 GT Test 1:

Section 1:

Title of the text: Helping pupils to choose optional subjects when they are aged 14-15: what some pupils say

Questions 1-6: 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 1: This pupil is interested in the subject despite the way it is taught.

Keywords for this question: interested in, the subject, despite, way it is taught,    

In paragraph D, Violeta says in lines 3-5, “ . . . the teacher is very knowledgeable, though I think we spend too much time listening to her: I’d like to meet more people working in the sector, and learn from their experience.”

Here, though I think we spend too much time listening to her = despite the way it is taught,

like to meet more people working in the sector, and learn from their experience = This pupil is interested in the subject,

So, the answer is: D

Question 2: This pupil is hoping to have a career that makes use of the subject.  

Keywords for this question: hoping, a career, refund, makes use of the subject,       

In paragraph B, Lucy says in the final lines, “ . . . My plan is to study history at university, and maybe go into the diplomatic service, so l can apply a knowledge of history.”

Here, My plan is to study history at university, and maybe go into the diplomatic service = hoping to have a career that makes use of the subject,

So, the answer is: B                

Question 3: This pupil finds the subject harder than they expected.

Keywords for this question: finds the subject harder, than, expected,  

In paragraph C, Mark says in lines 3-4, “ . . . . I didn’t think I’d have any problem with it, but I was quite wrong! . .. .”

Here, I didn’t think I’d have any problem with it, but I was quite wrong = harder than they expected,

So, the answer is: C   

Question 4: This pupil finds the lessons very entertaining.

Keywords for this question: finds the lessons, very entertaining,

In paragraph E, Walid says in lines 2-3, “ . . . I was afraid the lessons might be a bit dull. I needn’t have worried, though – our teacher gets us to do lots of fun things, so there’s no risk of getting bored. . .. . .”

Here, our teacher gets us to do lots of fun things, so there’s no risk of getting bored = finds the lessons very entertaining,

So, the answer is: E   

Question 5: This pupil appreciates the benefit of doing challenging work.

Keywords for this question: appreciates, benefit, doing challenging work,

In paragraph A, Krishnan says in lines 2-4, “ . . . Mr Peckham really pushes us, and offers us extra assignments, to help us improve. That’s good for me, because otherwise I’d be quite lazy.”

Here, offers us extra assignments, to help us improve. That’s good for me, because otherwise I’d be quite lazy = appreciates the benefit of doing challenging work,

So, the answer is: A

Question 6: This pupil has realised the connection between two things.

Keywords for this question: realised, connection between two things,   

In paragraph B, Lucy says in lines 1-2, “ . . . History is my favourite subject, and it’s fascinating to see how what we learn about the past is relevant to what’s going on in the world now. .. . .. .”

Here, it’s fascinating to see how what we learn about the past is relevant to what’s going on in the world now = has realised the connection between two things,

So, the answer is: B

Title of the text: It’s almost time for the next Ripton Festival  

Questions 8-14:  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 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. This question type generally follows a sequence. So, scanning skill is effective here.]

Question 7: The festival is held every year.  

Keywords for this question: held, every year,

The answer is in the very first lines where the writer says, “As usual, the festival will be held in the last weekend of June, this year on Saturday to Monday, 27-29 June. . . .. . .. .”   

Here, As usual = like every year,

This means the festival is a yearly event.

So, the answer is: TRUE

Question 8: This year’s festival focuses on the town’s history.

Keywords for this question: This year’s festival, focuses, town’s history,  

In lines 2-3 of the passage, the writer says, “ . . .. . .. . The theme is Ripton through the ages. Scenes will be acted out showing how the town has developed since it was first established. . .. .”

Here, The theme = This year’s festival focuses, Ripton through the ages = the town’s history,

So, the answer is: TRUE

Question 9: Goods displayed in the craft fair are unlike ones found in shops.   

Keywords for this question: goods, displayed in the craft fair, unlike ones, found in shops,

The second paragraph talks about the craft fair. However, there is no comparison of goods with other shops.

So, the answer is: NOT GIVEN

Question 10: The barbecue will be cancelled if it rains.

Keywords for this question: barbecue, will be cancelled, if it rains,

We find a discussion about ‘barbecue’ in paragraph no. 3, and the writer says in line no. 2, “ .. . he barbecue will be held in Palmer’s Field, or in the town hall if there’s rain. . . .. .. .”

Here, in the town hall if there’s rain = The barbecue will NOT be cancelled if it rains, it will take place in the town hall instead.

So, the answer is: FALSE

Question 11: Adults can attend the barbecue at any time without charge.

Keywords for this question: Adults can attend, barbecue, any time without charge,

In paragraph no. 3, lines 3-4 say, “ . . . Entry for under 16s is free all day; adults can come for free until 6 pm and pay £5 after that.. . . .”

Here, adults can come for free until 6 pm and pay £5 after that = Adults can attend the barbecue without charge until 6 pm, but after that they have to pay.

So, the answer is: FALSE

Question 12: Amateur musicians will perform during the whole of the barbecue.

Keywords for this question: Amateur musicians, will perform, during, whole of the barbecue,    

The final lines of paragraph no. 3 say, “. .. . with local amateur bands in the afternoon and professional musicians in the evening.”

Here, local amateur bands in the afternoon = Amateur musicians will perform in the afternoon only,

So the answer is: FALSE

Question 13: Seating is available for watching the boat races.

Keywords for this question: seating, available, for watching the boat races,  

In the fourth paragraph, lines 2-3 say, “ . .. . The spectator area by the bridge has plenty of room to stand and cheer the boats home, in addition to a number of benches. .. . .. . .”

Here, in addition to a number of benches = There will be some seats for watching the boat race,

So the answer is: TRUE

Question 14: People attending the festival will be asked to donate some money.  

Keywords for this question: People attending the festival, will be asked, donate some money,

In the final line of the passage, it says, “All money raised by the festival will go to support the sports clubs in Ripton.”

However, there is NO MENTION of any donation by people.

So the answer is: NOT GIVEN

Click here for solutions to GT Test 1 Section 2: Reducing injuries & Good customer service

Click here for solutions to GT Test 1 Section 3: Plastic is no longer fantastic