Cambridge IELTS 20 General Training Test 3 Reading Answers and Explanations

11 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 20 | General Training Reading

General Training Test 3 answers with clear explanations

These Cambridge IELTS 20 General Training Test 3 Reading answers explain all 40 questions. Review Welsh festivals, advanced driving, Cambridge cycling, job applications and wind power.

40answers explained
3reading sections
60 minofficial practice time
GTGeneral Training
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 20 General Training Reading Test 3 JSON and the live test.

Cambridge IELTS 20 General Training Test 3 Reading answer key

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

1. Welsh festivals and advanced driving courses

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

2. Cycling in Cambridge and an online job application

Questions 15 to 27
15NOT GIVEN
16TRUE
17FALSE
18TRUE
19FALSE
20FALSE
21TRUE
22Current Vacancies
23First Time Applicant
24small sectionsAlso: (small) sections
25name
26one sittingAlso: 1 sitting
27recruitment office

3. Wind Power: A Turn for the Better

Questions 28 to 40
28C
29F
30B
31H
32I
33E
34D
35E
36A
37C
38D
39D
40A

Section 1: Welsh festivals and advanced driving courses

Section 1 compares festivals in Wales and explains advanced driving courses. It covers event features, driving organisations, eligibility, assessment and course benefits.

Question types: Matching features, True, False, Not Given.

Review strategyMatch each festival detail to the correct event. For the driving text, separate contradictions from details that are not stated.
1This event used to be known by a different name.D

Why: The passage links this detail to Craft Festival Cardiff.

2At the end of this event any profits are handed over to charities.E

Why: The passage links this detail to Sparks in the Park.

3People can buy refreshments here that have all been made locally.C

Why: The passage links this detail to Festival of Senses.

4This event has increased in size since it was last held.A

Why: The passage links this detail to Winter Food and Craft Festival.

5It is advisable to reserve places for certain activities at this event.D

Why: The passage links this detail to Craft Festival Cardiff.

6This event also takes place in another country.B

Why: The passage links this detail to Other Voices.

7People can listen to a range of singers here without paying.B

Why: The passage links this detail to Other Voices.

8An advanced driving course aims to teach drivers to predict problems on the road ahead.TRUE

Why: The passage directly confirms the information in this statement.

9Every advanced driving course follows a standard format.FALSE

Why: The passage gives information that contradicts this statement.

10An advanced driving course can show participants how to use less petrol.TRUE

Why: The passage directly confirms the information in this statement.

11IAM Roadsmart courses are becoming available in more places.NOT GIVEN

Why: The passage does not provide this specific information.

12IAM Roadsmart courses operate on a one-to-one basis.TRUE

Why: The passage directly confirms the information in this statement.

13IAM Roadsmart runs courses for professional drivers.NOT GIVEN

Why: The passage does not provide this specific information.

14The BAC only provides lessons to people who have particular driving requirements.FALSE

Why: The passage gives information that contradicts this statement.

Section 2: Cycling in Cambridge and an online job application

Section 2 gives bicycle hire information for Cambridge and explains an online job application. It covers bookings, family cycling, prices, form sections and submission rules.

Question types: True, False, Not Given, Sentence completion.

Review strategyCheck every cycling statement against the hire rules. Complete the application sentences with exact wording from the instructions.
15Darren's Bike Hire is open 7 days a week.NOT GIVEN

Why: The passage does not provide this specific information.

16All bicycles cost the same to hire.TRUE

Why: The passage directly confirms the information in this statement.

17You have to pay extra for a basket and lock.FALSE

Why: The passage gives information that contradicts this statement.

18Reservations are advised at some times of year.TRUE

Why: The passage directly confirms the information in this statement.

19All bikes come with child seats.FALSE

Why: The passage gives information that contradicts this statement.

20The deposit is non-refundable.FALSE

Why: The passage gives information that contradicts this statement.

21It can be cheaper to hire a bike during the winter months.TRUE

Why: The passage directly confirms the information in this statement.

22Select a job you like in the ____ section.Current Vacancies

Why: The passage uses "Current Vacancies" to complete this answer accurately.

23Sign up for a new account in the section named ____.First Time Applicant

Why: The passage uses "First Time Applicant" to complete this answer accurately.

24Work on your application form. You can move between tabs and this allows you to fill in ____ of the application form, completing one at a time.small sections

Why: The passage uses "small sections" to complete this answer accurately.

Also accepted: (small) sections.

25When you're satisfied with your application, click the Complete tab, and then click Submit after putting in your ____.name

Why: The passage uses "name" to complete this answer accurately.

26You do not have to finish your application in ____.one sitting

Why: The passage uses "one sitting" to complete this answer accurately.

Also accepted: 1 sitting.

27If you are applying for multiple posts, the ____ will need a separate application for each post.recruitment office

Why: The passage uses "recruitment office" to complete this answer accurately.

Section 3: Wind Power: A Turn for the Better

Section 3 examines wind power and changing attitudes towards the technology. It covers development, public opinion, environmental concerns and evidence from different groups.

Question types: Matching features.

Review strategyTrack every named group and viewpoint before matching. Compare similar claims carefully because several options discuss related concerns.
28a comparison between new and traditional turbine designsC

Why: The passage links this detail to Paragraph C.

29two unsatisfactory attempts to include wind turbines in buildingsF

Why: The passage links this detail to Paragraph F.

30an official policy relating to energy productionB

Why: The passage links this detail to Paragraph B.

31disappointing modifications to plans for an innovative corporate buildingH

Why: The passage links this detail to Paragraph H.

32a claim that changes in building design will impact the way urban areas lookI

Why: The passage links this detail to Paragraph I.

33wind farms in urban areas as one solution to the problem of appearanceE

Why: The passage links this detail to Paragraph E.

34a source of finance for the development of a new turbine for an offshore projectD

Why: The passage links this detail to Paragraph D.

35an ambitious design that resulted in a boring buildingE

Why: The passage links this detail to Guy Battle.

36a venture partially financed by personal wealthA

Why: The passage links this detail to Theo Bird.

37a building designed for leisure activitiesC

Why: The passage links this detail to William Pedersen.

38a design for a building capable of producing virtually all its own energyD

Why: The passage links this detail to Sinisa Stankovic.

39a project supported by a group of countriesD

Why: The passage links this detail to Sinisa Stankovic.

40a structure that may make use of more than one natural energy sourceA

Why: The passage links this detail to Theo Bird.

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 20 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.