Cambridge IELTS 18 General Training Test 3 Reading Answers and Explanations

12 min read Academic & General Training

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.

Cambridge IELTS 18 | General Training Reading

General Training Test 3 answers with clear explanations

These Cambridge IELTS 18 General Training Test 3 Reading answers explain all 40 questions. Review Manly Beaches and Sydney Water billing advice, Company car parking policy and office safety, and Roman Roads.

40answers explained
3reading sections
60 minofficial practice time
General TrainingGeneral Training Reading
Complete the test before checking. You will learn more from a timed attempt. Record why each wrong answer looked attractive.
Answer key verified. IELTSBeacon checked every answer and accepted alternative against the Cambridge IELTS 18 General Training Reading Test 3 JSON and the live test.

Cambridge IELTS 18 General Training Test 3 Reading answer key

Use these cards for quick marking. Read the detailed explanations when an answer needs more review.

1. Manly Beaches and Sydney Water billing advice

Questions 1 to 14
1F
2B
3F
4D
5E
6B
7A
8TRUE
9NOT GIVEN
10TRUE
11FALSE
12FALSE
13TRUE
14TRUE

2. Company car parking policy and office safety

Questions 15 to 27
15sharing
16mileage
17night
18replacement
19cover
20complaints
21wires
22chairs
23mirrors
24carpets
25drawers
26adjustable
27holders

3. Roman Roads

Questions 28 to 40
28C
29F
30D
31B
32F
33C
34B
35D
36A
37C
38fine gravelAlso: gravel
39animals
40crushed brickAlso: brick

Section 1: Manly Beaches and Sydney Water billing advice

This section introduces beaches near Manly and explains Sydney Water billing. It tests practical reading about facilities, access, charges, meter readings and payment support.

Review strategySeparate a contradiction from missing information. Use only what the passage or writer states.
1You can buy food at this beach.F

Why: The detail matches F, "Shelly Beach." The wording in the passage expresses the same idea.

2You can learn to do a sport at this beach.B

Why: The detail matches B, "North Steyne." The wording in the passage expresses the same idea.

3This beach can be uncomfortably busy.F

Why: The detail matches F, "Shelly Beach." The wording in the passage expresses the same idea.

4Adults can supervise their children without much difficulty at this beach.D

Why: The detail matches D, "Little Manly." The wording in the passage expresses the same idea.

5This beach is nearest to public transport.E

Why: The detail matches E, "East Esplanade." The wording in the passage expresses the same idea.

6People are employed to supervise swimmers at this beach.B

Why: The detail matches B, "North Steyne." The wording in the passage expresses the same idea.

7You can hire sports equipment at this beach.A

Why: The detail matches A, "Fairy Bower." The wording in the passage expresses the same idea.

8All property owners receive Sydney Water bills.TRUE

Why: The passage gives information that agrees with this statement. The answer is TRUE.

9Customers who don’t have a water meter must pay an extra charge.NOT GIVEN

Why: The passage does not give enough information to confirm or contradict this statement. The answer is NOT GIVEN.

10Customers who choose to receive a bill every month pay extra.TRUE

Why: The passage gives information that agrees with this statement. The answer is TRUE.

11Pensioners who live in rented accommodation might get a discount.FALSE

Why: The passage gives information that contradicts this statement. The answer is FALSE.

12Customers registered for eBill receive both paper and electronic bills.FALSE

Why: The passage gives information that contradicts this statement. The answer is FALSE.

13Customers who request information from the period before their last five bills must pay a fee.TRUE

Why: The passage gives information that agrees with this statement. The answer is TRUE.

14A fixed charge can be avoided when the water supply is disconnected by a licensed plumber.TRUE

Why: The passage gives information that agrees with this statement. The answer is TRUE.

Section 2: Company car parking policy and office safety

This section explains company parking rules and office safety procedures. It covers permit priorities, lower-carbon travel, fire precautions and employee responsibilities.

Review strategyCheck the word limit before answering. Copy the exact word form that fits the sentence.
15Parking is limited, so the use of alternative methods of transport and the ____ of cars is encouraged.sharing

Why: The passage uses "sharing." This completes the gap and follows the stated word limit.

16Staff with the highest ____ are given parking spaces first.mileage

Why: The passage uses "mileage." This completes the gap and follows the stated word limit.

17Some parking spaces are reserved for company vehicles during the ____ but may be used by staff at other times.night

Why: The passage uses "night." This completes the gap and follows the stated word limit.

18If an employee leaves the company permanently, their parking space will normally be given to their ____.replacement

Why: The passage uses "replacement." This completes the gap and follows the stated word limit.

19If an employee takes extended leave, their parking space will be given to the person who provides ____ for the absent employee.cover

Why: The passage uses "cover." This completes the gap and follows the stated word limit.

20All ____ about car parking should be sent to the HR Manager.complaints

Why: The passage uses "complaints." This completes the gap and follows the stated word limit.

21Items such as ____ do not create a tripping hazard.wires

Why: The passage uses "wires." This completes the gap and follows the stated word limit.

22Workers do not use ____ to reach high objects.chairs

Why: The passage uses "chairs." This completes the gap and follows the stated word limit.

23____ are fixed at corners.mirrors

Why: The passage uses "mirrors." This completes the gap and follows the stated word limit.

24Floors are covered by ____, especially at entrances.carpets

Why: The passage uses "carpets." This completes the gap and follows the stated word limit.

25____ in office furniture are kept closed.drawers

Why: The passage uses "drawers." This completes the gap and follows the stated word limit.

26Office furniture is ____.adjustable

Why: The passage uses "adjustable." This completes the gap and follows the stated word limit.

27____ are provided for documents.holders

Why: The passage uses "holders." This completes the gap and follows the stated word limit.

Section 3: Roman Roads

This section explores how Roman roads were planned and built. It covers routes, surveying, construction layers and the long-term influence of Roman engineering.

Review strategyMatch ideas, not repeated words. Identify each paragraph's purpose before choosing a letter.
28the various functions of Roman roadsC

Why: The detail matches C, "Section C." The wording in the passage expresses the same idea.

29reference to some current remains of Roman road buildingF

Why: The detail matches F, "Section F." The wording in the passage expresses the same idea.

30a description of preparations for building a roadD

Why: The detail matches D, "Section D." The wording in the passage expresses the same idea.

31the period in history when road building beganB

Why: The detail matches B, "Section B." The wording in the passage expresses the same idea.

32the consequence of damage caused by a natural disasterF

Why: The detail matches F, "Section F." The wording in the passage expresses the same idea.

33the total distance once crossed by Roman roadsC

Why: The detail matches C, "Section C." The wording in the passage expresses the same idea.

34Which aspect of Roman road building does the writer mention in Section A?B

Why: Option B says "the magnificence and practicality of the roads." This matches the writer's point. The other options do not answer the question correctly.

35The writer compares the Appian Way to a modern highway becauseD

Why: Option D says "it was designed to avoid certain areas.." This matches the writer's point. The other options do not answer the question correctly.

36According to the writer, the purpose of the triumphal arches was toA

Why: Option A says "display the power of Rome.." This matches the writer's point. The other options do not answer the question correctly.

37What common use of a milestone is mentioned in Section E?C

Why: Option C says "noting details regarding the maintenance of the road." This matches the writer's point. The other options do not answer the question correctly.

38Nucleus made of ____.fine gravel

Why: The passage uses "fine gravel." This completes the gap and follows the stated word limit. Accepted alternative: gravel.

39Stone slabs may be ridged to help ____ using the road.animals

Why: The passage uses "animals." This completes the gap and follows the stated word limit.

40Layer of materials such as ____.crushed brick

Why: The passage uses "crushed brick." This completes the gap and follows the stated word limit. Accepted alternative: brick.

How to review your answers

  1. Mark all 40 answers before reading the explanations.
  2. Group mistakes by question type and reading section.
  3. Find the exact sentence that proves each correct answer.
  4. Retake the test after reviewing your weakest question type.

Continue your Cambridge IELTS 18 practice

Take the timed Reading test first. Then use this page to review every answer.

This study guide uses IELTSBeacon verified test data. Complete the Reading test before checking the answers and explanations.

Continue your IELTS preparation

Explore more free guides, practice tests and model answers across the four IELTS modules.