This General Training IELTS Reading post focuses on solutions to IELTS Cambridge 16 Reading Test 2 Section 1 which has two texts titled ‘How to choose your builder’ & ‘Island adventure activities’. 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.

Test 2 Section 1: Questions 1-14

The headline of the text: How to choose your builder    

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 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 no. 1: After selecting a builder, you should decide on the design of your new house.   

Keywords for this question: after, selecting a builder, should decide, design, new house,       

In paragraph no. 1, take a look at lines 2-4, “.. . .. Before you look for a builder, it’s important to develop a comprehensive budget and have clear plans. Once you have a design in mind, it is time to start narrowing down your builder shortlist. . . .” 

Here, Before you look for a builder =  NOT after selecting a builder, 

develop a comprehensive budget and have clear plans = should decide on the design, 

So, the answers are: FALSE

Question no. 2: In Australia, you can make sure that a builder has the appropriate licence. 

Keywords for this question: Australia, can make sure, builder has, appropriate licence, 

In paragraph no. 1, take a close look at lines 5-7, “  .. . . . In Australia, this means checking that the builder holds a residential building licence. Most states have their own building authority who you can contact to check a builder’s licence.”

Here, you can contact to check a builder’s licence = make sure that a builder has the appropriate licence, 

So, the answer is: TRUE

Question no. 3: The best builders usually belong to the Housing Industry Association.  

Keywords for this question: best builders, usually belong to, Housing Industry Association,   

We find a discussion about the Housing Industry Association in paragraph no. 2. However, there is no information on whether the best builders usually belong to the Housing Industry Association or not. 

So, the answer is: NOT GIVEN

Question no. 4: The HIA gives an award to builders whose standards of customer service are very high. 

Keywords for this question: HIA, gives, award, builders, standards of customer service, very high,   

Lines 3-4 of paragraph no. 2 have answer to the given question. Here, the writer of the text says, “ . .. . For instance, the HIA runs a state and national awards programme, with a category that recognises the level of customer service that a builder delivers.” 

Here, HIA runs a state and national awards programme = HIA gives an award, 

recognises the level of customer service that a builder delivers = award to builders whose standards of customer service are very high, 

So, the answer is: TRUE

Question no. 5: Builders who work on smaller projects are more likely to have display homes. 

Keywords for this question: Builders, work on, smaller projects, more likely, have, display homes,      

In paragraph no. 3, look at lines 2-4, “ . .. . .. . Display homes are usually offered by major project builders who work on a large scale and can deliver good quality and value ..  . . .”

The lines in the text are a direct contradiction to the question. 

So, the answer is: FALSE 

Question no. 6: It is advisable to have a contract which is in accordance with the Domestic Building Contracts Act. 

Keywords for this question: advisable, have a contract, in accordance with, Domestic Building Contracts Act,   

Lines 2-4 of paragraph no. 4 say, “. . . . Ask your builder to use a standard building contract that has been designed to comply with the Domestic Building Contracts Act, and to be fair to both client and builder. . .. . . .. ..” 

Here, Ask your builder to use a standard building contract = It is advisable to have a contract, 

comply with = in accordance with, 

So, the answer is: TRUE  

Question no. 7: A contract is legally binding from the time it has been signed.  

Keywords for this question: contract, legally binding, from the time, has been signed,    

Take a close look at the final lines of the final paragraph. Here, the writer says, “. . .. You have five business days within which you may withdraw from the contract after signing it.” 

Here, the lines suggest that a contract is NOT legally binding from the time it has been signed. You have five business days to decide on signing. 

So, the answer is: FALSE

The headline of the text: Island adventure activities   

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 it. 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 the List of Headings, only read the first two lines or the 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 no. 8: You will be provided with safety equipment.  

Keywords for this question: will be provided, safety equipment,     

In section F, lines 2-3 say, “ . .. .. . . Supported by a rope and harness, you can stand on branches no bigger than your wrist, and swing out between the boughs, . . ..”  

Here, a rope and harness= safety equipment, 

So, the answer is: F 

Question no. 9: You may get some minor injuries doing this activity.  

Keywords for this question: may get, some minor injuries, doing this activity,    

In section H, line no. 3 says, “ . .. .. . . After a bit of practice and a few bruises, .. . . ..” 

Here, a few bruises = some minor injuries, 

So, the answer is: H

Question no. 10: You can see a disused, isolated building.  

Keywords for this question: can see, disused, inside, isolated building, 

In section C, lines no. 1-2 says, “ Test your kayak nerves paddling around a deserted military fort built on a rocky outcrop out at sea, .. . . ..” 

Here, a deserted military fort = a disused, isolated building, 

So, the answer is: C

Question no. 11: You can relax and look down from above in an unusual location. 

Keywords for this question: can relax, look down, from above, an unusual location,     

In section F, read the first line and the final line, “A climb into the canopy of a 25-metre oak tree is an amazing experience. .. . . .. ,. . . .. . . . ..  .. . . . . and absorb the stunning bird’s eye views.”  

Here, the canopy of a 25-metre oak tree = above in an unusual location, 

absorb the stunning bird’s eye views = look down from above, 

So, the answer is: F

Question no. 12: You will take an exciting trip in rough water close to big ships.  

Keywords for this question: will take, an exciting trip, rough water, close to big ships,      

In section A, read the first line and the final line, “Conquer stormy seas on a high-speed ride in an RIB (Rigid Inflatable Boat). . . . .. . . … . .. . . .. . . ..  … . across the wake of awesome cruise liners in one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes.”  

Here, stormy seas = rough water,

across the wake of awesome cruise liners = close to big ships, 

So the answer is: A

Question no. 13: You can choose easy options or more difficult ones.     

Keywords for this question: can choose, easy options, or, more difficult ones,    

Section D has the answer to this question, as the section says, “ .. . . .. .. . . Grit your teeth and tackle the brutal hills in the south of the island, or for something less challenging, discover our car-free cycle tracks on former railway lines. . . .. .  .”

Here, tackle the brutal hills = more difficult ones, 

for something less challenging = easy options, 

So the answer is: D

Question no. 14: You may find this more difficult than you expect. 

Keywords for this question: may find, more difficult, than you expect,   

Right above the ‘GIFT VOUCHERS’ section, there’s a small note that says, 

In section E, the writer says, “ . . .. . .. . . In theory, these quirky electric machines are simple to control, with users leaning forwards to go faster and back to slow down. In reality, you’ll need some practice before you can master the skill and glide around the island.” 

Here, In theory = you expect, In reality, you’ll need some practice = more difficult, 

So the answer is: E