< List of IELTS Reading Practice Tests :: Answer Keys

Answer Keys

IELTS Reading Part 1 — The History of Bicycle

1. hundred/100. ‘Nearly’ shouldn’t be used here, as there is already a definite article that means certainty.
2. pedals. Make sure you use the word in the plural. When used in the singular, the word would give you no points even though you got the general idea right.
3. toys. Last sentence of the last paragraph. Again, if you don’t pluralize the word, it won’t be scored as correct.
4. overseas. ‘Overseas’ is one word, not two.
5. hollow steel tubes. You can use up to three words for your answer.
6. axle. Word ‘rear’ helps find the answer in the seventh paragraph.

7. False. Inventors from Scotland and France are clearly mentioned. Moreover, the very first sentence openly states that it was a collective effort of many people from different countries.
8. True. Third paragraph, third sentence states that it was hard to move the bicycle forward due to its heavy weight.
9. True. It is said that it was easier to maintain balance, and the whole experience was much less likely to end in an injury.
10. True. First sentence of Paragraph Six confirms this. The sentences that follow explain in detail how the new modification helped to make pedalling more efficient.

11. size. The word ‘diameter’ would be the wrong answer, as you have to use words from the text, not your own. The word ‘size’ is mentioned in last but one paragraph.
12. foot levers. Paragraph Seven, fourth sentence. ‘Levers’ has to be plural.
13. chain. Last but one paragraph mentions this alteration.

IELTS Reading Part 2 — Segway into the Future

14. True. Second paragraph lists the main components of Segway’s frame. Although wheels are mentioned too, they are not part of the framework.
15. Not given. There is no information about how Segway turns. Only acceleration and stopping are mentioned.
16. Not given. No particular occupation is mentioned as a focus customer for Segway. There are only examples of how Segway could make life easier for people of different professions. Moreover, students are not mentioned at all.

17. D. Answers A, B and C refer to shoppers, mailmen and farmers respectively. Second sentence of paragraph 6 has the answer.
18. B. Second paragraph from the bottom lists all the fears that stop people from choosing Segway over the more conventional modes of transportation such as cars.
19. D. The way a person thinks nowadays doesn’t progress as rapidly as technology.

20. ordinary. Second paragraph, first sentence: “it looks very ordinary”.
21. steering wheel. Paragraph 2 gives a list of what Segway doesn’t have in comparison to conventional vehicles. The steering wheel is the only one omitted.
22. platform. Paragraph 2 mentions two wheels attached to the platform.
23. batteries. Paragraph 4 states that Segway is powered by batteries.
24. police officers. Paragraph 5 enumerates people who stand to benefit from the use of Segway. Police officers (make sure to use the plural form) are the only ones omitted from the task text.
25. age, injury (in any order). Paragraph Five lists age and injury as reasons for some people to prefer Segway over more conventional walking.
26. fear. Second paragraph from the bottom, first sentence mentions “inherent fear of doing something new”.
27. mindset. Last paragraph mentions a mindset that evolves slower in comparison to today’s rate of science.

IELTS Reading Part 3 — The Meaning of Volunteering

28. I. This paragraph gives examples of ‘volunteering’ as means of punishing people. This contradicts the idea of volunteering, as the help has to be provided willingly.
29. D. The paragraph lists the ways in which an individual can gain personal benefits from doing volunteer work.
30. G. Selflessness is mentioned at the beginning. Self-interest is the last word mentioned in this paragraph. Scan-reading helps greatly reduce the amount of time needed to find the answer here.
31. C. A number of different fields of volunteering are mentioned.
32. E. The paragraph starts with ‘young adults’ and continues to expand on the ways young people can benefit from volunteer work.
33. A. The first paragraph starts with a statement that many people believe to be true but that is false. Then it goes on explaining why exactly it is not correct.

34. D. The survey took place to find out what kind of people take part in volunteering projects. ONS easily stands out from the text, being the most obvious keyword to use here.
35. B. The data from paragraph B makes it easier to answer this question.
36. C. Paragraph B suggests that the rich tend to volunteer more than the poor because they have more free time on their hands. They don’t have to earn their living all the time; therefore, they are more likely to volunteer.
37. A. Paragraph D mentions that skills and knowledge acquired during volunteering can help you understand how to function effectively in the system of society.

38. E. Paragraph G, second sentence mentions the ability to understand how people think (end of the sentence).
39. C. Last sentence of Paragraph F says that volunteering can eventually help you get a job in the field you are interested in.
40. A. Paragraph F mentions how employers favour employees who have shown the ability to work in a team.

Vocabulary

The vocabulary below is meant to help you with the more difficult words. If the word isn’t on the list then you are either supposed to know it or it is too specific to be worth learning and you don’t have to know it to answer the question. Symbols in brackets mean part of speech (see bottom of the list). Sentences in italics give examples of usage for some more complex words and phrases.

And remember — you are not given a vocabulary list (or a dictionary) at your real exam.

Section 1

Tube (n) – a piece of metal with a round profile that can be either hollow (empty inside) or solid.
Bumpy (adj) – with an uneven surface. Country roads are usually much bumpier than city ones.
Subsequent (adj) – something that follows; something that comes later. The new government and its subsequent reforms helped to improve the economy of the country.
Alter (v) – to change something.
Reason (v) – to figure something out based on the information you have; to believe. The management figured that if they increased performance bonuses, then the employees would be more involved in their duties.
Inherent (adj) – if something is inherent, then it is a natural part of something. The inherent danger of working as a police officer can be attractive to some people looking for a challenge.
Concern (n) – something you are worried about; something you want to focus on.
Propel (v) – to move something forward.

Section 2

Oust (v) – to replace something because it is better than the thing it replaces. Manual labour will eventually be completely ousted by automated machines.
Up-to-the-minute (adj) – the newest and most advanced.
Sidewalk (n) – American English for word pavement – the part of the street dedicated to pedestrians (people who walk rather than drive or cycle).
Lean (v) – to move your body to one side, as if trying to reach for something. I leaned out of the window to see who was making all the noise outside.
Subsequently (adv) – (here) as a result, because of.

Section 3

Plethora (n) – a large amount of something, especially if there is more than enough of it. A plethora of YouTube vloggers, covering the same topic over and over again.
Gross (adj) – (about money and finance) income figure that does not include the expenses. The opposite is ‘net’. His gross salary is $450 a week, but when he has paid all the bills, he ends up with only $120 left.
Prior to (adj) – before. Prior to this day, I had never met our teacher.
Breakdown (n) – (here) a detailed analysis or explanation. We need a breakdown of the company’s expenses in the last five years to find areas where we could reduce spending.
Cohort (n) – (here) a group of people who have certain similarities.
Knock-on effect – an indirect effect of something. A knock-on effect of having many parks around this part of the city is that it now attracts many artists that like to perform there.
Profound (adj) – considerable, very intense. Your profound knowledge in the area proved to be invaluable in our research.
Foster (v) – to encourage and welcome the development of something. One of the biggest responsibilities a teacher has is to foster natural curiosity in his students.
Simultaneously (adv) – at the same time.
Hence (adv) – because of that, that is why, so; Today is my birthday, hence the many calls from my relatives.
Equip (v) – (here) prepare you for something.
Impart (v) – to share with somebody, especially something like wisdom or knowledge. Jay’s grandmother would often impart her knowledge to us whenever we were around.
Harness (v) – make use of something, bring it under your control. Harnessing the forces of nature is one of humanity’s bigger aims.
Elude (v) – when something eludes you, you fail to get or understand it. The purpose of this meeting eludes me; I believe we could have done without it.
Prerequisite (n) – a requirement for something. One of the prerequisites for job candidates at our company is to be fluent in at least one foreign language.
Selflessness (n) – the quality of being selfless – putting other people’s interests before yours.
Detract from (v) – to make something seem less valuable or interesting. The fact that the boss didn’t show up today detracts from the significance of the whole opening ceremony.
Stepping stone – one of the stages on the way to something bigger. College is a fundamental stepping stone to a good career.
Tempting (adj) – something that you want to do or have. It is tempting to spend your weekend just watching silly TV shows and eating ready-made meals.
Petty criminals – people who commit less serious crimes like littering or being drunk in public.
Coercion (n) – if you coerce somebody to do something, you ask or persuade them to do it, especially if they don’t want to.

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