All answers on this page include the question number, correct answer and a brief explanation of where to find it in the passage or audio. Use these alongside the original Cambridge IELTS books for the best practice experience.
Test 3 General Training Reading Answers with Clear Explanations
Review all 40 Cambridge IELTS 17 General Training Reading Test 3 answers. Find the supporting passage evidence, understand misleading options and check the word limits before your next timed attempt.
Cambridge IELTS 17 Test 3 General Training Reading Answer Key
Use the key for quick marking, then read the explanations below. A slash separates accepted alternative forms. Where two letters are required, enter both letters across the two question numbers, in either order.
Section 1: Local countryside walks and Poppi Properties
Questions 1 to 14Section 2: Complaints at work and taxi or private hire driving
Questions 15 to 27Section 3: Forced rhubarb
Questions 28 to 40Section 1: Local countryside walks and Poppi Properties
Questions 1-14. Use the evidence locations below to return to the relevant text and review each answer.
1There is very little shade.E - Walk E
Where to Look: Section 1, Brownwater Trail
Why: The path is open and unprotected, and walkers are warned about sunburn. These details show there is little shade, even though the route passes many plant species.
2There are some steep sections.D - Walk D
Where to Look: Section 1, Bay Red Valley
Why: The route repeatedly rises and falls, starting uphill and requiring fitness. This is the walk whose description indicates demanding sloping sections.
3There is a choice of route on this walk.A - Walk A
Where to Look: Section 1, Grove Mill
Why: Walkers can choose either a yellow or blue path, both ending at the Old Water Mill. Two alternatives establish the choice of route.
4There is a special site for watching wildlife.D - Walk D
Where to Look: Section 1, Bay Red Valley
Why: A viewing platform offers a chance to see deer. The platform is the special wildlife-watching site rather than a general scenic viewpoint alone.
5Dogs must not be allowed to run freely.E - Walk E
Where to Look: Section 1, Brownwater Trail
Why: Dogs must be kept on a lead to protect smaller shrubs. This directly rules out allowing them to run freely on that walk.
6You can sit down in several places.C - Walk C
Where to Look: Section 1, Fern Way
Why: Benches are provided along the route for resting and enjoying the surroundings. These offer several places to sit down.
7Sally Hanugoldi is still renting a property with Poppi Properties.FALSE
Where to Look: Section 1, opening of Sally's review
Why: Sally calls herself an ex-tenant and says she has gone elsewhere. That contradicts the claim that she is still renting through Poppi Properties.
8Sally Hanugoldi was the first person to view the flat.NOT GIVEN
Where to Look: Section 1, viewing the flat
Why: The review describes Sally's own viewing, but says nothing about earlier viewers. Her first viewing is not evidence that she was the first person to see the property.
9Sally made a quick decision to rent the property.TRUE
Where to Look: Section 1, rental decision
Why: Sally immediately thought the location made the flat right for her and paid shortly afterwards. This supports a quick decision rather than a lengthy period of deliberation.
10The flat was on a lower level than Sally had expected.FALSE
Where to Look: Section 1, floor level
Why: The flat was on the twelfth floor, and Sally had expected a lower floor. It was therefore higher than expected, the reverse of the statement.
11Lillee’s behaviour towards Sally changed over time.TRUE
Where to Look: Section 1, Lillee's conduct
Why: Lillee was helpful during viewings but became less approachable after Sally moved in. The contrast clearly establishes a change over time.
12The flat that Sally rented from Poppi Properties was unfurnished.NOT GIVEN
Where to Look: Section 1, contents of the flat
Why: Carpets and an oven are mentioned, but the review does not state whether the flat was let furnished or unfurnished. Individual fixtures do not settle that classification.
13Sally employed someone to clean her carpets.FALSE
Where to Look: Section 1, carpet cleaning
Why: After the company failed to act, Sally cleaned the carpets herself. She did not employ another person, so the statement is contradicted.
14The landlord raised Sally’s rent while she was living in the flat.NOT GIVEN
Where to Look: Section 1, rental charges
Why: Sally criticises high rents but reports no increase during her tenancy. A high rent and a rent rise are different claims.
Section 2: Complaints at work and taxi or private hire driving
Questions 15-27. Use the evidence locations below to return to the relevant text and review each answer.
15Ask to see your immediate manager on an ____ basis.informal
Where to Look: Section 2, first complaint step
Why: The suggested first step is an informal meeting with the immediate manager. This may resolve the issue before the formal procedure becomes necessary.
16The company’s grievance procedure may be in a handbook, a ____ or on an intranet site.manual
Where to Look: Section 2, finding the procedure
Why: The procedure may appear in a company handbook, an HR or Personnel manual, or an intranet site. Manual is the missing document type.
17When writing to your employer, you may also suggest a ____.solution
Where to Look: Section 2, writing the grievance
Why: The letter should explain the problem and, if possible, propose a solution. The gap asks what might resolve the complaint, not the complaint itself.
18You have the right to be accompanied by a ____ or a trade union representative.colleague
Where to Look: Section 2, accompanying person
Why: The passage permits a work colleague or trade union representative to accompany the employee. Since the latter is already printed, colleague completes the alternative.
19The further meeting should, where possible, be led by a manager who is ____ to the previous one.senior
Where to Look: Section 2, appeal meeting
Why: Where possible, a more senior manager should lead the further meeting. Senior expresses rank relative to the manager involved previously.
20If still dissatisfied, think about the possibility of ____.mediation
Where to Look: Section 2, after an unsuccessful appeal
Why: The passage suggests considering mediation, either internally or through an external agent. This is separate from the alternative tribunal route mentioned next.
21An employment tribunal claim must be made within ____ of the date of the event.3 months
Where to Look: Section 2, tribunal time limit
Why: The practice text gives a three-month limit measured from the event complained about. Use 3 months to meet the one-word-and/or-number instruction. This is a reading answer, not current legal advice.
22Private hire drivers only take passengers by arrangement with an ____.operator
Where to Look: Section 2, private hire bookings
Why: Private hire passengers must pre-book through an operator. They cannot simply flag down the vehicle in the street, distinguishing this arrangement from ordinary taxi pick-ups.
23A driver’s job may involve helping those with ____ problems.physical
Where to Look: Section 2, assisting passengers
Why: Drivers may help passengers whose physical conditions make entering or leaving the vehicle difficult. Physical is the adjective needed before problems.
24Working hours for drivers may vary, but the greatest demand is in the ____.evenings
Where to Look: Section 2, demand for work
Why: Drivers can choose hours, but the passage says more work is available in the evenings. The question asks for the busiest period, not total weekly hours.
25The majority of drivers are ____.self-employed
Where to Look: Section 2, employment figures
Why: The passage gives 66% as self-employed, exceeding the two employed categories. Self-employed is therefore the majority group and is a hyphenated answer.
26A driver needs to be familiar with the ____ of the area.geography
Where to Look: Section 2, licensing knowledge
Why: A test of local geography may be required. Geography names the knowledge of the area, rather than driving experience or general customer-service skills.
27It may be useful if a driver has evidence of some ____ ability.mechanical
Where to Look: Section 2, additional skills
Why: Employers may welcome evidence of basic mechanical skills. Mechanical completes the description of ability, while the qualification level is only an example.
Section 3: Forced rhubarb
Questions 28-40. Use the evidence locations below to return to the relevant text and review each answer.
28Paragraph Avi - A long-standing family business
Where to Look: Section 3, Paragraph A
Why: David's decades of work and his son's place in the sixth generation establish a long family connection with rhubarb. Heading vi covers this main theme.
29Paragraph Bvii - The best region for forced rhubarb
Where to Look: Section 3, Paragraph B
Why: The Rhubarb Triangle is explained through soil, fuel and historical industrial conditions. Heading vii captures why this region is especially suitable, rather than focusing only on air pollution.
30Paragraph Cii - The preferred rhubarb for consumers
Where to Look: Section 3, Paragraph C
Why: The paragraph contrasts the desirable flavour, colour and texture of forced rhubarb with coarse outdoor stems. Heading ii summarises its appeal to consumers and renewed popularity.
31Paragraph Di - The extra time is worth it
Where to Look: Section 3, Paragraph D
Why: Yorkshire crowns receive natural winter cold, while Dutch growers accelerate the process. Westwood judges the slower local crop better in flavour, supporting the heading about extra time being worthwhile.
32Paragraph Eiv - Observing the selection process
Where to Look: Section 3, Paragraph E
Why: The writer watches experienced pullers inspect and select sufficiently long stems by candlelight. Heading iv captures this observed selection process.
33Paragraph Fv - Suggesting a possible beginning
Where to Look: Section 3, Paragraph F
Why: Westwood offers a story about a discarded crown growing in warm manure. This proposes how forcing began, matching heading v rather than describing the modern business.
34What aspect of forced rhubarb does the writer praise in Paragraph C?C - its superiority over other types of rhubarb
Where to Look: Section 3, Paragraph C
Why: The writer calls forced rhubarb the superior crop and contrasts it with harsh, overgrown outdoor stems. The praise is comparative, covering flavour and texture rather than smoothness alone.
35Why does the writer think forced rhubarb has become more popular among cooking experts?B - It is attractive and pleasant to eat.
Where to Look: Section 3, Paragraph C
Why: Bright colour, delicate texture and appealing flavour explain renewed enthusiasm among chefs and food writers. The passage does not call it cheap or easy to grow.
36In the final paragraph, the writer suggests that forced rhubarb was first producedA - by accident.
Where to Look: Section 3, Paragraph F
Why: An old crown was discarded on warm stable manure and unexpectedly produced pink shoots. This describes an accidental discovery, so A is supported by the passage. No other crop is said to be growing there.
37The buds make a ____ sound as the pink stalks appear.popping
Where to Look: Section 3, Paragraph D
Why: In the warm darkness, emerging buds can be heard gently popping. Popping names the sound, while the rapid growth explains when it occurs.
38After around three weeks, the rhubarb can be picked by people known as ____.pullers
Where to Look: Section 3, Paragraphs D and E
Why: Picking is called pulling, and the workers who perform it are called pullers. The question asks for the people, not the activity.
39They use a ____ to inspect the stems.candle
Where to Look: Section 3, Paragraph E
Why: Each worker carries a candle to see and select the stems. Electric light is avoided because Westwood says it spoils the colour.
40They ensure each stem is as long as a human ____ before handling it with expert skill.arm
Where to Look: Section 3, Paragraph E
Why: Workers choose stems that have reached the length of an arm. Arm is the comparison used to judge readiness for picking.
Using This Reading Answer Key
Is This the Academic or General Training Test?
This page covers Cambridge IELTS 17 General Training Reading Test 3. Academic and GT Reading use different texts and answer keys, so check the track before marking.
How Should I Review a Wrong Answer?
Return to the evidence location and compare the exact meaning, not just matching words. Check spelling and word limits. For NOT GIVEN, identify the information the text does not supply.
How Do I Estimate My Band?
Count one mark for each correct answer, then consult the Reading Band Score Guide. Academic and GT use different raw-score conversions, and an estimate is not an official IELTS result.
What to Do After Marking
Group your errors by misunderstanding, distractors, spelling and instructions. Review the difficult section, then try another complete test to check whether your accuracy improves.