IELTS General Reading Practice Tests

As you know that based on the purpose of migration, there are two types of IELTS tests, IELTS Academic and IELTS General. The IELTS General Training Test is for applicants who wish to travel for the purpose of working or joining a non-academic form of training in an English-speaking country. To master this exam, it is recommended to get acquainted with the format through IELTS General Reading Practice Tests.

Between IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training, the Reading and Writing sections differ. While the former is based on scholarly topics and is comparatively harder, the subjects for the latter are more straightforward and based on general topics. 

In this post, we’ll be looking at the IELTS General Reading Practice Tests.

IELTS General Reading Practice Test

For the IELTS General Reading Test, you’ll be allowed 1 hour to complete 3 sections.

Section 1 will contain 2-3 short texts, with the topic being related to everyday life in an English-speaking country.

Section 2 will contain short texts, mainly focusing on work-related issues (job hunting, job applying, company policies)

Section 3 will include a long, more complex text on a general topic that will be taken from guidebooks, advertisements, company handbooks, newspapers or notices.

While doing the IELTS general reading practice test, time yourself so that you complete it in an hour. There will be 40 questions in the test with each question carrying 1 mark.

Exam Time Duration

IELTS Reading Test time: You’ll have to complete the exam of 40 questions in one hour, where you have to write your answers directly on the answer sheet and no extra time will be given.

Types of Questions

For the IELTS General Reading test, a variety of questions are used, so it is good to get prepared for them

Types of questions that can be asked:

• Multiple-choice
• Short-answer questions
• Matching Information
• Identifying information
• Matching headings
• Sentence Completion
• Table Completion
• Flow-chart
• Diagram Labelling

Things to remember while taking the test

Some tips to remember while writing the test

Read the instructions carefully

Before attempting the question it is important to understand the instruction given. For example, if only a one-word answer is asked, then the answer should be only in one word.

Forget what you already know about the topic

Remember, you’re being tested based on your understanding of the text and not based on your knowledge of the topic. So write your answer only based on the information given in the text.

Don’t leave blank spaces

Try to attempt every question and don’t leave out any questions even if you’re unsure.

Watch the time

Make sure to keep an eye on the time while writing as you have to complete all 40 questions in under an hour. So use the time wisely.

Don’t expect to understand every word

It’s okay if you don’t understand all the words in the question, don’t panic! Try to read the line again and understand what the situation is to have an idea of what that particular word might translate to.

Instructions were given to candidates

The instructions that will be given to the candidates during the actual test are:

• Don’t open the question paper until told.
• Write your full name and candidate number at the top of the page
• Attempt all the questions.
• Write the answers on the answer sheet; use a pencil
• No extra time will be awarded.

IELTS General Reading Test papers with answers

Here is the list of 20 latest [ 2023] IELTS General Reading Practice Tests with answers. Make use of these online general reading IELTS materials and ace your exams.

Our eBook

You can also purchase the e-book on Reading for General training from our online store which is available as a PDF. It contains questions and answers from exams conducted recently.

IELTS Reading (General Training) Actual Tests with Answers (May – August 2021) – Ebook [PDF]