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 2 General Training Reading Answers with Clear Explanations
Review all 40 Cambridge IELTS 16 General Training Reading Test 2 answers. Find the supporting passage evidence, understand misleading options and check the word limits before your next timed attempt.
Cambridge IELTS 16 Test 2 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: How to choose your builder and Island adventure activities
Questions 1 to 14Section 2: Barrington Music Service and Health and safety in small businesses
Questions 15 to 27Section 3: Jobs in ancient Egypt
Questions 28 to 40Section 1: How to choose your builder and Island adventure activities
Questions 1-14. Use the evidence locations below to return to the relevant text and review each answer.
1After selecting a builder, you should decide on the design of your new house.FALSE
Where to Look: Section 1, paragraph 3
Why: The passage explains that once you have a design in mind, it is time to start narrowing down your builder shortlist, and this starts with assessing how qualified each builder is. That conflicts with the statement rather than merely omitting information, so the answer is FALSE.
2In Australia, you can make sure that a builder has the appropriate licence.TRUE
Where to Look: Section 1, paragraph 3
Why: The passage explains that in Australia, this means checking that the builder holds a residential building licence. This directly agrees with the statement, so the answer is TRUE.
3The best builders usually belong to the Housing Industry Association.NOT GIVEN
Where to Look: Section 1, paragraph 4
Why: The passage discusses the related point - you can also check if the builder is a member of an industry association such as the Housing Industry Association (HIA), and whether they have won any industry awards - but it does not provide the specific comparison or fact in the statement. The answer is therefore NOT GIVEN.
4The HIA gives an award to builders whose standards of customer service are very high.TRUE
Where to Look: Section 1, paragraph 4
Why: The passage explains that 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. This directly agrees with the statement, so the answer is TRUE.
5Builders who work on smaller projects are more likely to have display homes.FALSE
Where to Look: Section 1, paragraph 5
Why: The passage explains that display homes are usually offered by major project builders who work on a large scale and can deliver good quality and value. That conflicts with the statement rather than merely omitting information, so the answer is FALSE.
6It is advisable to have a contract which is in accordance with the Domestic Building Contracts Act.TRUE
Where to Look: Section 1, paragraph 6
Why: The passage explains that 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. This directly agrees with the statement, so the answer is TRUE.
7A contract is legally binding from the time it has been signed.FALSE
Where to Look: Section 1, paragraph 6
Why: The passage explains that finally, avoid signing any business contract before you have read and understood it thoroughly. That conflicts with the statement rather than merely omitting information, so the answer is FALSE.
8You will be provided with safety equipment.F - Tree climbing
Where to Look: Section 1, paragraph 20
Why: The key idea in the passage is f Tree climbing A climb into the canopy of a 25-metre oak tree is an amazing experience. This matches Tree climbing, while the other choices do not express the same point.
9You may get some minor injuries doing this activity.H - Mountain boarding
Where to Look: Section 1, paragraph 24
Why: The key idea in the passage is h Mountain boarding First developed as an off-season alternative to winter sports and now a sport in its own right, mountain boarding has the speed of snowboarding but with a.... This matches Mountain boarding, while the other choices do not express the same point.
10You can see a disused, isolated building.C - Kayaking
Where to Look: Section 1, paragraph 14
Why: The key idea in the passage is c Kayaking Test your kayak nerves paddling around a deserted military fort built on a rocky outcrop out at sea, then explore the island’s busy harbours before gliding back to.... This matches Kayaking, while the other choices do not express the same point.
11You can relax and look down from above in an unusual location.F - Tree climbing
Where to Look: Section 1, paragraph 20
Why: The key idea in the passage is f Tree climbing A climb into the canopy of a 25-metre oak tree is an amazing experience. This matches Tree climbing, while the other choices do not express the same point.
12You will take an exciting trip in rough water close to big ships.A - Rib riding
Where to Look: Section 1, paragraph 10
Why: The key idea in the passage is island adventure activities A Rib riding Conquer stormy seas on a high-speed ride in an RIB (Rigid Inflatable Boat). This matches Rib riding, while the other choices do not express the same point.
13You can choose easy options or more difficult ones.D - Cycling
Where to Look: Section 1, paragraph 16
Why: The key idea in the passage is d Cycling Test your endurance on the famous Round the Island Cycle Route. This matches Cycling, while the other choices do not express the same point.
14You may find this more difficult than you expect.E - Segway riding
Where to Look: Section 1, paragraph 18
Why: The key idea in the passage is e Segway riding Have you got what it takes to master a Segway?. This matches Segway riding, while the other choices do not express the same point.
Section 2: Barrington Music Service and Health and safety in small businesses
Questions 15-27. Use the evidence locations below to return to the relevant text and review each answer.
15events such as ____ for local and visiting schoolsfestivals
Where to Look: Section 2, paragraph 3
Why: The passage states that the Service also arranges a number of music-related events, including festivals bringing together choirs and soloists from schools in both Barrington and other areas. The wording and grammar of the gap require festivals; it also fits the printed word limit.
16be responsible for keeping to the ____budget
Where to Look: Section 2, paragraph 5
Why: The passage states that as the Business and Development Manager, you will be responsible for managing the administrative and financial systems of the Music Service, ensuring it does not exceed its budget, which is.... The wording and grammar of the gap require budget; it also fits the printed word limit.
17build ____ with other organisationspartnerships
Where to Look: Section 2, paragraph 5
Why: The passage states that the Music Service is involved in several partnerships with schools and with music and community organisations in the district, and you will be expected to increase the number and scope.... The wording and grammar of the gap require partnerships; it also fits the printed word limit.
18increase the focus on ____ in school music lessons (e.g., international styles)diversity
Where to Look: Section 2, paragraph 5
Why: The passage states that the Service recently embarked on a programme to broaden what is taught in school music lessons, to include instruments and musical styles from around the world, and you will be.... The wording and grammar of the gap require diversity; it also fits the printed word limit.
19make sure records and a ____ is kept up-to-datedatabase
Where to Look: Section 2, paragraph 6
Why: The passage states that you will need to improve systems for ensuring that the records of the Service’s activities are accurate, and maintain a database of all music teachers, students, and instruments belonging to.... The wording and grammar of the gap require database; it also fits the printed word limit.
20basic knowledge of ____accounting
Where to Look: Section 2, paragraph 7
Why: The passage states that you will have an understanding of accounting, at a non-specialist level, and of standard financial procedures. The wording and grammar of the gap require accounting; it also fits the printed word limit.
21One cause of health and safety problems in small businesses is that managers do not have enough relevant ____.knowledge
Where to Look: Section 2, paragraph 10
Why: The passage states that one possible reason is that many managers of small businesses have an inadequate knowledge of health and safety issues. The wording and grammar of the gap require knowledge; it also fits the printed word limit.
22Managers complain they have too many ____ to deal with.regulations
Where to Look: Section 2, paragraph 11
Why: The passage states that many managers of small businesses claim their situation is made worse by bureaucracy, arguing that the huge number of regulations - not just on health and safety but also on.... The wording and grammar of the gap require regulations; it also fits the printed word limit.
23Managers may not fully understand their ____.responsibilities
Where to Look: Section 2, paragraph 12
Why: The passage states that many managers are simply not aware of their responsibilities. The wording and grammar of the gap require responsibilities; it also fits the printed word limit.
24Businesses sometimes feel that inspectors give them far too many ____.leaflets
Where to Look: Section 2, paragraph 13
Why: The passage states that for instance, inspectors could make employers aware of what they really need to know, rather than swamping them with mountains of leaflets which may not be relevant. The wording and grammar of the gap require leaflets; it also fits the printed word limit.
25Businesses above a certain size must produce a written ____ of their health and safety policy.statement
Where to Look: Section 2, paragraph 14
Why: The passage states that all employers must have their own health and safety policy statement and, for businesses with more than five employees, this must be in writing. The wording and grammar of the gap require statement; it also fits the printed word limit.
26A company’s health and safety policy is relevant to both its employees and its ____.contractors
Where to Look: Section 2, paragraph 16
Why: The passage states that but to comply with the law, businesses must train their employees about health and safety, and provide information to others who need to know, such as the contractors working for.... The wording and grammar of the gap require contractors; it also fits the printed word limit.
27The Health and Safety Executive can advise small businesses on problems of ____ among their employees.stress
Where to Look: Section 2, paragraph 17
Why: The passage states that other advice from the Health and Safety Executive for small businesses tackles specific issues, such as helping small companies to deal with work-related stress. The wording and grammar of the gap require stress; it also fits the printed word limit.
Section 3: Jobs in ancient Egypt
Questions 28-40. Use the evidence locations below to return to the relevant text and review each answer.
28What does the writer say about scribes in ancient Egypt?B - The topics they wrote about were very varied.
Where to Look: Section 3, paragraph 3
Why: The key idea in the passage is scribes noted the everyday activities in ancient Egypt and wrote about everything from grain stocks to tax records. This matches The topics they wrote about were very varied., while the other choices do not express the same point.
29What is the writer doing in the second paragraph?A - explaining why jobs were plentiful in ancient Egypt
Where to Look: Section 3, paragraph 3
Why: The key idea in the passage is jobs in ancient Egypt In order to be engaged in the higher professions in ancient Egypt, a person had to be literate and so first had to become a scribe. This matches explaining why jobs were plentiful in ancient Egypt, while the other choices do not express the same point.
30What is the writer doing in the fifth paragraph?C - rejecting a popular view
Where to Look: Section 3, paragraph 6
Why: The key idea in the passage is this evidence presents a comprehensive view of daily work in ancient Egypt - how the jobs were done, and sometimes how people felt about the work. This matches rejecting a popular view, while the other choices do not express the same point.
31The writer refers to the value of ma’at in order to explainB - how ancient Egyptians viewed their role in society.
Where to Look: Section 3, paragraph 6
Why: The key idea in the passage is this evidence presents a comprehensive view of daily work in ancient Egypt - how the jobs were done, and sometimes how people felt about the work. This matches how ancient Egyptians viewed their role in society., while the other choices do not express the same point.
32Which word best describes the attitude of the Egyptian government toward its workers?D - appreciative
Where to Look: Section 3, paragraph 10
Why: The key idea in the passage is there is no doubt there were many people who did not love their job every day, but the Egyptian government was aware of how hard the people worked and so.... This matches appreciative, while the other choices do not express the same point.
33was unable to work at certain timesC - farmer
Where to Look: Section 3, paragraph 9
Why: The key idea in the passage is interior work on tombs and temples also required sculptors who could expertly cut away the stone around certain figures or scenes that had been painted. This matches farmer, while the other choices do not express the same point.
34divided workers into groupsF - overseer
Where to Look: Section 3, paragraph 8
Why: The key idea in the passage is stone had to first be quarried and this required workers to split the blocks from the rock cliffs. This matches overseer, while the other choices do not express the same point.
35faced daily hazardsB - reed cutter
Where to Look: Section 3, paragraph 4
Why: The key idea in the passage is the reed cutter, for example, who harvested papyrus plants along the Nile, had to bear in mind that he worked in an area that was also home to wildlife that.... This matches reed cutter, while the other choices do not express the same point.
36underwent a long period of trainingA - scribe
Where to Look: Section 3, paragraph 3
Why: The key idea in the passage is jobs in ancient Egypt In order to be engaged in the higher professions in ancient Egypt, a person had to be literate and so first had to become a scribe. This matches scribe, while the other choices do not express the same point.
37Labourers who worked on the king’s buildings were local people who chose to participate in ____ or who received payment.community service
Where to Look: Section 3, paragraph 7
Why: The passage states that the pyramids and other monuments were built by Egyptian laborers who either donated their time as community service or were paid for their labor, and Egyptians from every occupation could.... The wording and grammar of the gap require community service; it also fits the printed word limit.
38The work involved breaking up stone cliffs using wooden wedges. The large pieces of stone were then transported to another site on sleds, which moved easily over the ____.shifting sand
Where to Look: Section 3, paragraph 8
Why: The passage states that the often huge blocks were then pushed onto sleds, devices better suited than wheeled vehicles to moving weighty objects over shifting sand. The wording and grammar of the gap require shifting sand; it also fits the printed word limit.
39Here, the blocks could be cut and shaped using tools made of ____ and wood. Some of these had to be sharpened regularly.copper
Where to Look: Section 3, paragraph 8
Why: The passage states that this job was done by skilled stonemasons working with copper chisels and wooden mallets. The wording and grammar of the gap require copper; it also fits the printed word limit.
40Eventually, the stone was moved into place to create a building. The job of moving the stone was often done by ____ or other unskilled workers.farmers
Where to Look: Section 3, paragraph 5
Why: The passage states that at the bottom rung of all these jobs were the people who served as the basis for the entire economy: the farmers. The wording and grammar of the gap require farmers; it also fits the printed word limit.
Using This Reading Answer Key
Is This the Academic or General Training Test?
This page covers Cambridge IELTS 16 General Training Reading Test 2. 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.