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 1 General Training Reading Answers with Clear Explanations
Review all 40 Cambridge IELTS 17 General Training Reading Test 1 answers. Find the supporting passage evidence, understand misleading options and check the word limits before your next timed attempt.
Cambridge IELTS 17 Test 1 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: Arriving at Singapore Airport
Questions 1 to 14Section 2: Writing a CV and being organised at work
Questions 15 to 27Section 3: A significant development in mining safety
Questions 28 to 40Section 1: Arriving at Singapore Airport
Questions 1-14. Use the evidence locations below to return to the relevant text and review each answer.
1You find after your flight that your suitcase has split.C - Lost and Found Counter
Where to Look: Section 1, Baggage Claim
Why: A split suitcase is damaged baggage. The passage directs passengers reporting damage to the Lost and Found Counter, not merely to the belt where bags arrive.
2You want to reserve a room at a transit hotel.G - Reception Desk
Where to Look: Section 1, Hotel Reservations
Why: The Hotel Reservation Counter explicitly excludes transit hotels. For those, the instructions direct travellers to the Reception Desk on Level Three, making G the match.
3You are not sure if you have bought too much in the duty-free shop.D - Red Channel
Where to Look: Section 1, Customs Clearance
Why: Travellers who are unsure whether they need to declare items should use the Red Channel. Uncertainty about the duty-free allowance therefore leads to D, not the Green Channel.
4You are not sure where to collect your luggage after your flight.F - Level Two
Where to Look: Section 1, Baggage Claim
Why: Screens on Level Two show the allocated baggage belt for each flight. The question asks where to find out which belt to use, so Level Two is the correct location.
5You need someone to help you with your suitcases.A - Information Desk
Where to Look: Section 1, porter assistance
Why: Passengers should request help carrying luggage at the Information Desk. Free trolleys are available, but the question asks for a person to help with the suitcases.
6Everyone is obliged to pay 3% tax on goods they bring into Singapore.FALSE
Where to Look: Section 1, GST Relief
Why: The passage allows some travellers tax relief under specified conditions. That exception contradicts everyone being obliged to pay. Answer from this practice text, not present-day tax rules.
7You can only reclaim tax on purchases made in certain shops.TRUE
Where to Look: Section 1, Tax-Free Shopping
Why: The passage limits refunds to purchases from stores carrying the Tax Free Shopping logo. This supports the statement that only certain shops qualify.
8If you have spent a total of S$150 on your purchases, you can get a tax refund.FALSE
Where to Look: Section 1, refund spending conditions
Why: The text requires at least S$300 in total as well as a shop-level minimum. A total of S$150 does not meet that stated threshold.
9You have to reclaim your tax within a certain amount of time.NOT GIVEN
Where to Look: Section 1, refund conditions
Why: Purchase amounts, participating shops and paperwork are specified, but no deadline for claiming is given. Do not infer a time limit from outside knowledge.
10You will be charged a certain amount for administration when you get the tax back.TRUE
Where to Look: Section 1, handling fee
Why: The passage states that a handling fee is deducted from the refund. This is an administrative charge, agreeing with the statement.
11The Singapore Marriott Hotel is described as an ____.eye-catching landmark
Where to Look: Section 1, start of the Orchard Road walk
Why: The hotel is called an eye-catching landmark, followed by details of its roof and pillars. Use that description rather than its architectural features alone.
12The land that Tang bought was located opposite a ____.cemetery
Where to Look: Section 1, Tang's original plot
Why: Tang's plot faced a cemetery, which explains the reference to a bad omen. Opposite paraphrases faced, leaving cemetery as the place requested.
13The ____ of the new Tang building is very similar to that of the original building.Chinese architecture / unique Chinese architecture / architecture
Where to Look: Section 1, replacement Tang building
Why: The replacement retained the original building's Chinese architecture. Chinese architecture is the clearest phrase, while the longer and shorter forms shown in the key are accepted alternatives.
14Access to several ____ at the Singapore Airlines Service Centre means that you don’t need to wait for assistance.computer terminals / self-booking computer terminals / terminals for self-booking
Where to Look: Section 1, airline service centre
Why: Computer terminals allow visitors to book for themselves. This explains how they can avoid waiting for assistance. Computer terminals fits the three-word limit.
Section 2: Writing a CV and being organised at work
Questions 15-27. Use the evidence locations below to return to the relevant text and review each answer.
15Many job applicants do not dare to reveal in a CV what their real ____ is.personality
Where to Look: Section 2, opening CV discussion
Why: The writer says many applicants seem afraid to let their personality show. Real personality refers to the individual behind standard descriptions of past jobs.
16If applicants do not include what makes them distinctive, their CVs are likely to appear ____ to the reader.dull
Where to Look: Section 2, standing out
Why: A CV that avoids anything distinctive is described as dull and likely to be overlooked. Dull is the adjective describing its effect on the reader.
17Applicants need to find ways to define the ____ that make them do well in their work.qualities
Where to Look: Section 2, personal brand
Why: Applicants should choose words for the qualities that make them successful at work. The passage distinguishes supported personal strengths from unsupported claims.
18It can be helpful for applicants to try to base a consideration of themselves on the ____ of others.viewpoints
Where to Look: Section 2, assessing yourself
Why: The writer recommends seeing yourself from other people's viewpoints. The plural viewpoints supplies the perspectives on which that assessment can be based.
19Requesting the input of a dependable ____ can help an applicant work out their own good points.colleague
Where to Look: Section 2, trusted feedback
Why: A trusted colleague can help identify how others see your strengths. Dependable paraphrases trusted, and colleague identifies the person asked for feedback.
20It is best to avoid the ____ used by many applicants when describing themselves in a CV.clichés / cliches
Where to Look: Section 2, avoiding stock phrases
Why: The text advises avoiding recruitment clichés such as generic claims about communication skills. Clichés means overused expressions. The unaccented form cliches is also accepted.
21Maintaining order involves keeping the minimum amount of necessary ____ and paperwork.stationery
Where to Look: Section 2, workspace essentials
Why: Documents and stationery should be reduced to essentials. Paperwork in the question stands for documents, leaving stationery as the other category. Do not confuse it with stationary.
22Maintaining order involves restricting the number of personal ____ on the work surface.photos
Where to Look: Section 2, personal desk items
Why: One or two selected photos are acceptable, but too many should be avoided. The note asks which personal items should be limited.
23Maintaining order involves deciding on sensible ____ for things that are needed regularly or hardly ever.locations
Where to Look: Section 2, storing work materials
Why: The writer advises assigning logical locations based on where items are used. Frequently needed items stay nearby, while infrequently used ones can be moved away.
24Maintaining order involves placing containers on the desk identified by ____ to organise on-going paperwork.labels
Where to Look: Section 2, organising paperwork
Why: Trays and files should have clear labels such as Current Projects or For Action. The labels identify the containers' purposes and make paperwork easier to retrieve.
25Maintaining order involves storing documents if there is an official ____ to do so.requirement
Where to Look: Section 2, deciding what to retain
Why: The writer asks whether there is a tax or legal requirement to retain a document. Official requirement paraphrases those reasons for keeping it.
26Planning ahead is important because, in general, it will improve the employee’s ____ on work.focus
Where to Look: Section 2, effective planning
Why: Regular planning is said to sharpen focus and keep work on track. Improve focus paraphrases sharpen focus, so the missing noun is focus.
27Planning ahead is important because thinking about the next day’s work ensures important ____ are given due attention.tasks
Where to Look: Section 2, preparing for tomorrow
Why: The end-of-day routine prioritises key tasks. Important tasks being given attention expresses that same planning step, rather than the separate weekly research appointment.
Section 3: A significant development in mining safety
Questions 28-40. Use the evidence locations below to return to the relevant text and review each answer.
28Section Aiv - A new danger caused by developments in mining
Where to Look: Section 3, Section A
Why: Deeper mining created a dangerous encounter between flame lighting and firedamp. Heading iv captures the new danger caused by mining developments, rather than explaining a search for higher-quality coal.
29Section Bvi - Early attempts to provide lighting without flames
Where to Look: Section 3, Section B
Why: The section describes attempts at flameless lighting using fish material and sparks. Their limitations support heading vi, early attempts to provide lighting without flames.
30Section Ciii - Growing awareness of the need to improve conditions for miners
Where to Look: Section 3, Section C
Why: Professional groups began responding to deaths and organised funding for safer methods. Heading iii captures growing concern and action, rather than a demand led by miners themselves.
31Section Di - A controversy over two versions of an invention
Where to Look: Section 3, Section D
Why: Davy and Stephenson produced lamps based on similar principles, leading to argument about credit. Heading i covers the controversy between versions of the invention.
32Section Eviii - A person whose work never received full recognition
Where to Look: Section 3, Section E
Why: Clanny developed an earlier lamp, improved it and shared knowledge, but remained largely forgotten. Heading viii captures the lack of full recognition for his contribution.
33As coal mines became deeper, lighting methods created a serious risk of ____ due to the presence of firedamp.explosion
Where to Look: Section 3, Section A, firedamp
Why: Firedamp could explode when exposed to a naked flame. Explosion is the risk created when ordinary lighting met the gas in deeper workings.
34One solution was to improve ventilation by separating the ____ into two parts.shaft
Where to Look: Section 3, Section B, ventilation
Why: A single shaft could be divided into downcast and upcast routes for fresh and foul air. Shaft is the structure separated into two parts.
35Another possibility was a device which created ____, as it was believed these would not ignite the gas.sparks
Where to Look: Section 3, Section B, flint device
Why: Turning the device made flint strike iron and produce sparks. They were thought too cool to ignite firedamp, although that assumption later proved unsafe.
36However, this required additional ____ as well as maintenance and replacement.manpower
Where to Look: Section 3, Section B, operating the device
Why: Someone had to keep turning the device, requiring extra manpower. Maintenance and replacement are additional drawbacks already supplied in the question.
37What does the writer say about mine owners in 1810?A - Most of them disregarded safety issues.
Where to Look: Section 3, Section C, response around 1810
Why: The general response was to continue mining while accepting deaths as an unfortunate consequence. This supports disregarding safety, not being unaware that danger existed.
38According to the writer, what was the significance of the explosion at Felling Colliery in 1812?B - It led to a change in public attitudes to mining safety.
Where to Look: Section 3, Section C, Felling explosion
Why: The deaths prompted professional people to organise and fund safer lighting and ventilation. The significance is a change towards active concern about safety, not a stated new training law.
39The lamp presented by Davy was safer than previous methods of lighting because its flameD - could not pass beyond the mesh screen.
Where to Look: Section 3, Section D, mesh screen
Why: The holes let air enter but were too small for the flame to pass through and ignite gas outside. The barrier contained the flame rather than excluding all air.
40What does the writer say about Davy and Stephenson?D - Stephenson produced a working example of a safety lamp before Davy.
Where to Look: Section 3, Section D, order of demonstrations
Why: Stephenson demonstrated his independently designed lamp weeks before Davy presented his paper. The later dispute concerned recognition, not evidence that Davy personally demanded the lamp's name.
Using This Reading Answer Key
Is This the Academic or General Training Test?
This page covers Cambridge IELTS 17 General Training Reading Test 1. 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.