Tips and Practice Test for IELTS Reading Paper (General Training) Section 1

Tips and Exercise for IELTS Reading Paper (General Training) Section 1: Short-answer questions, matching information tasks

1. Tips for IELTS Reading Section 1
On the next page there is a practice test for IELTS Reading Section 1. Here are some tips to help you with this section. Tick (✓) the tips that you need to practise most.

Test Tips
• Time is enormously important in IELTS Reading. You have less than 90 seconds for each question, so you do NOT have the time to read all the texts carefully.
Only read carefully those parts of the text that contain the answers.
Relax.

• Read the task instructions very carefully. Do exactly what the instructions tell you to do. You will lose marks if you don’t follow the instructions.

• Divide your time equally between the sections. Candidates sometimes spend too much time on a question or a section, and the result is that they don’t have enough time for the last questions. Don’t do this!

• See Unit 7B, p. 22 for tips on doing short answer questions and matching information tasks.
• Follow these steps when you first see each section in the module:
1   Look at the text title and any pictures to get a very general idea of what the text is all about
2  Skim the questions (See Unit 3 for more information on ’skimming”).
3  Skim the text.
4  Read the questions carefully
5  Scan the text for the answers that require specific information.
6  For answers that require more detailed information, scan the text to find the information, then read the specific sentences
carefully to understand the details (readingfor detail).

• When the questions require specific information e.g. names, numbers, dotes, places, you need to scan the text to find the answers Remember, when you scan you just look for the specific information. Scanning is quick and direct.
Don’t waste time reading in the wrong way!

Preparation Tips
• The texts in Section 1 are often advertisements,
notices, brochures, leaflets, timetables or publicity
materials Outside class, find materials like these
as often as you can, and read them. Train yourself
to find specific information in them quickly.

2. IELTS READING PRACTICE TEST SECTION 1

Questions 1-14
Read the advertisements below and answer Questions 1-4.

A. 
I am a 25-year-old nanny with 6 years experience in childcare with babies, toddlers and older children. I also worked with newborn babies in a hospital. I have checkable references, a childcare certificate, police check and a First Aid Certificate. I am
a driver and non-smoker. I have lived in Ikrlin for more than 7 years; my English and Spanish are very good.

I am looking for a live-in nanny job in Madrid from November. If you need a loving, caring, responsible person to look after your children and teach them English, please contact me by email or by phone.

B. 
Australian woman 32yrs, experienced PA. seeks job in Malaysia. Available end May Bilingual in English and French. Partner: French. Work as a couple possible. Email …

C.
Indian web publisher seeks work: Website design, desktop publishing, book layout, graphic design. Part time or contract.
Experienced, skilled, reliable. Contact:…

D.
I hove experience within bonking, hotels, local government and manufacturing – all mostly working in administration type roles
with vast experience of Microsoft packages, Sage and a range of other bespoke systems.
I look forward to any replies or guidance …

E. 
Driving job needed
– Highly skilled driver, over 25
– Have held full clean Class Cl licence for 10 years
– Know London extremely well
– Willing to do physical work such as loading trucks
– Want full time work
– Contact…

F.
Science and Maths lessons given, experienced tutor, specialising in helping secondary school students with their state exams.
Degree in Physics.
Email….

Questions 1-4
Look at the six job advertisements A-F.
Write the correct letter, A-F, in boxes 1-4 on your answer sheet.
NB You may use any letter more than once.

1 Which person wants a teaching job?
2 Which two people mention their foreign language skills?
3 Who would be willing to do part-time work?
4 Which two people describe their personal qualities?

Read the text below and answer Questions 5 – 10

Telephone numbers of resident support services
	Number to Dial
Your work Problems with your work e.g. pay, tax, hours, contracts	156
Money worries Opening a bank occount, overdrafts, borrowing money, debts, overdue bills	143
Communication Access to email and other computer platforms, cheap phone cards and phone lines, using the post office	102
Health Accidents and emergencies, check-ups, dentist, depression and mental health	146
Everyday living Washing your clothes, where to eat, shopping, opening hours, keeping your room clean	133
Free time, hobbies and interests Clubs, social activities, volunteering, meeting spots	158
Sports Gym, football, cycling, mountaineering, racquet sports, swimming, keep-fit	144
Papers, papers, papers Problems with bureaucracy e.g. paying bills, booking accommodation, legal advice	103
Language support Translation services and focilities, extra English classes, on-line support	105
Adapting Dealing with new people, new places, culture shock, loneliness – o friendly voice to help you with your problems	104
Religion Information on services available, venues	157
Personal tutor All hostel residents are given a personal tutor who they can talk to about anything concerning them. To find out who yours is and how to contact them, ring …	116

Questions 5 – 10
Answer the questions below.

Write the correct telephone numbers in boxes 5-10 on your answer sheet.
NB You may use any number more than once.

What number should you dial if…

5  you don’t know where to buy something you need?
6  you suddenly feel very ill?
7  you are having problems getting used to being in another country?8 you don’t understand the procedure for finding a place to stay?
9 you want to do some exercise?
10 you don’t know if your salary is right?

Read the text below and answer Questions 11-14.

Giving personal information in job interviews

When you go to job interviews you often need to give personal information about yourself, especially your work experiences, so before you go to the interview:

• Prepare answers to questions which you think the interviewer may ask you.
• Think of examples of your achievements in previous jobs or while at school, and how you have managed any difficult situations.
• Think about your personal strengths and weaknesses, or how you would describe your own personality.
• Make sure that you know the correct English expressions to describe what you have done in the past.

Think about the kind of person the interviewer is looking for. Put yourself in the interviewer’s position. Ask yourself why they should choose to employ you, instead of the other people who are applying. The interviewer will also want to find out about your personal qualities. These are some examples of the kind of person the interviewer may want:
– Team player
– Friendly and fun
– Honest
– Long-tern
– Hard-worker
– Business-minded
– Good communication skills
– Flexible
Questions 11-14
Answer the questions below.
Choose NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS from the text for each answer.
Write your answers in boxes 11-14 on your answer sheet.

11 What personal information are employers particularly interested in?
12 What should you prepare before the interview?
13 Whose needs must you try to understand in the interview?
14 What other personal information will the interviewer want to know about?