Cambridge IELTS 21 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 21 | General Training Reading

GT Test 3 answers with clear explanations

These Cambridge IELTS 21 General Training Test 3 Reading answers explain all 40 questions. Review supermarket choices, credit cards, workplace guidance and Algonquin Provincial Park.

40answers explained
3reading sections
60 minofficial practice time
GTGeneral Training
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Cambridge IELTS 21 GT Test 3 Reading answer key

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

1. Supermarket reviews and getting a credit card

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

2. University staff orientation and theatre staff guidance

Questions 15 to 27
15discounted tickets
16Environment Team
17permit
18employee number
19smart printers
20Security Lodge
21payslips
22left
23counter
24productions
25latecomers
26food
27spills

3. Algonquin Provincial Park

Questions 28 to 40
28ii
29ix
30iii
31vii
32v
33i
34D
35D
36C
37consultation
38regions
39recyclables
40campsite

Section 1: Supermarket reviews and getting a credit card

Section 1 compares 6 supermarkets and explains how credit cards work. It covers product quality, online ordering, repayments, insurance and store cards.

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

Review strategyFor matching, connect each detail to one supermarket. For True, False, Not Given, separate missing information from a contradiction.
1The items on sale are of a high standard.F

Why: Greenbaums offers a wide product range and describes the quality as excellent.

2Customers have to wait a long time before they can pay.D

Why: Fressons has a problem with long checkout queues.

3Some of the food is not always very fresh.C

Why: TruCost sometimes sells fruit and vegetables that are past their best.

4The products bought are well worth the price.B

Why: Carltons is described as the best supermarket for value for money.

5There is now a greater variety of products available.A

Why: Sharpsavers recently introduced a wider range of goods.

6The limited choice available can be an advantage.B

Why: Carltons customers like avoiding too many decisions about which brand to buy.

7It is easy to order goods online.E

Why: ValuMart customers find its website straightforward and can access delivery slots.

8Customers praise the service provided by employees.F

Why: Greenbaums customers describe the staff as extremely helpful.

9It may be a good idea to repay only the minimum amount required each month.FALSE

Why: The text advises you to avoid paying only the minimum amount each month.

10You should take out insurance in case you lose your card.NOT GIVEN

Why: The text discusses purchase and travel cover. It does not mention losing the card.

11You should make yourself aware of any restrictions on insurance claims you make using your card.TRUE

Why: The text tells you to read the conditions before relying on the insurance.

12You can only claim insurance for the full cost of a product or service if you paid for it all on your credit card.FALSE

Why: The card can protect the full purchase after only part is paid by card.

13A card provided by your bank may offer more security than one from another provider.NOT GIVEN

Why: The text calls your bank the easiest option. It does not compare security.

14You can generally get a store card quite quickly while you are in the store.TRUE

Why: A store card application and credit check can take only 10 minutes.

Section 2: University staff orientation and theatre staff guidance

Section 2 explains a university employee's first-day tasks and a theatre manager's duties. It covers transport, IT accounts, identity cards, venue preparation and audience safety.

Question types: Sentence completion, Summary completion.

Review strategyRead the words around each gap before scanning. Copy the exact words allowed by the question instructions.
15You qualify for ____ for public transport if you work for the university.discounted tickets

Why: University staff can receive discounted tickets for bus and train travel.

16For more details about the different ways to get to the university, you should contact the ____.Environment Team

Why: The Environment Team provides more information about transport options.

17If you are using your own vehicle, you may need to obtain a ____.permit

Why: Drivers should apply for a permit where university parking requires one.

18You need to be given your ____ before you can create your university IT account.employee number

Why: IT Services needs your employee number before creating your university account.

19A University Card is necessary for the use of equipment such as ____.smart printers

Why: Your University Card gives you access to smart printers and other resources.

20You can collect your University Card from the ____.Security Lodge

Why: The Security Lodge takes your photo and produces the card immediately.

21The Employee Self Service feature is recommended for viewing ____.payslips

Why: Employee Self Service is particularly useful for checking your payslips.

22Box office: turn on the lights using the switch to the ____ of the office.left

Why: The box office light switch is directly outside, on the left.

23Turn on the computer using the switch found below the ____.counter

Why: The computer power button is underneath the counter.

24Noticeboards display posters about future ____.productions

Why: The large noticeboards advertise forthcoming productions.

25Remember to keep some places available for ____.latecomers

Why: Three seats near the main foyer door must remain free for latecomers.

26Decide if ____ is permitted inside.food

Why: The manager decides whether food may enter the auditorium.

27Make sure ____ are cleaned up.spills

Why: Staff should deal with spills as soon as they notice them.

Section 3: Algonquin Provincial Park

Section 3 traces the history and management of Algonquin Provincial Park in Ontario. It covers access, tourism, artists, outdoor activities and the park's master plan.

Question types: Matching headings, Multiple choice, Summary completion.

Review strategyMatch headings to each paragraph's main purpose. For multiple choice, check every option against the passage evidence.
28Paragraph Aii

Why: Paragraph A explains the park's location, size, nearby cities and access routes.

29Paragraph Bix

Why: Paragraph B describes the park's official status and later change of authority.

30Paragraph Ciii

Why: Paragraph C explains how hotels and lodges attracted different holiday visitors.

31Paragraph Dvii

Why: Paragraph D focuses on artists who found the park inspiring.

32Paragraph Ev

Why: Paragraph E describes outdoor activities, wildlife, trails and visitor facilities.

33Paragraph Fi

Why: Paragraph F explains the master plan and its new management rules.

34Which of the following factors makes the park so popular?D

Why: The park's closeness to Toronto and Ottawa helps make it popular.

35The writer suggests the holiday facilities wereD

Why: The facilities supported fishing, winter activities, canoeing and wilderness stays.

36What does the writer suggest about Algonquin Park in paragraph D?C

Why: Several painters found the park's natural environment creatively inspiring.

37A master plan was developed after ____ with Algonquin visitors in order to benefit all concerned.consultation

Why: The master plan followed 6 years of consultation with park guests.

38One consequence of the master plan was the separation into distinct ____.regions

Why: The plan divided the park into regions with different purposes and uses.

39Regulations were made prohibiting guests from bringing ____ into the park.recyclables

Why: The new rules banned recyclables from the park's interior.

40Limits were placed on the number of individuals who could stay at each ____.campsite

Why: The plan limits how many people may occupy each campsite.

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.

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