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General Training Reading  Mock Practice Test 5

Sure — here is IELTS GT Reading Practice Test 5 with 3 passages and 40 questions, written in an original, copyright-free IELTS General Training style.

IELTS General Training Reading  Mock Practice Test 5

Time allowed: 60 minutes
Questions: 40

Passage 1: Local Notices and Services

Read the notices below and answer Questions 1–14.

A. Greenhill Community Pool

Greenhill Community Pool is open Monday to Saturday from 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Family swim sessions take place on Saturday mornings from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Children under ten must be accompanied by an adult. Swim caps are required for all swimmers. Lockers are available, but users must bring a coin to operate them. The pool is closed on public holidays.

B. City Museum Family Day

City Museum will hold a Family Day on Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Entry is free for children under 14. Activities include treasure hunts, model-making, storytelling and short history talks. No booking is required for entry, but places for model-making must be reserved at the information desk on arrival. Food and drinks are not allowed inside exhibition rooms.

C. QuickFix Shoe Repair

QuickFix Shoe Repair repairs broken heels, worn soles, zips and leather straps. Most simple repairs are completed within 24 hours. Customers must pay when leaving items for repair. Shoes not collected within 60 days may be donated to charity. QuickFix does not repair sports equipment or handbags. The shop is open from Tuesday to Saturday.

D. Elm Street Recycling Pick-Up

Elm Street residents can request a free recycling pick-up for large cardboard boxes, old newspapers and small electrical items. Pick-ups take place every Thursday morning. Items must be placed outside the front door before 7:00 a.m. The service does not collect furniture, paint or garden waste. Residents must book by Tuesday evening.

E. Lakeside Boat Hire

Lakeside Boat Hire rents rowing boats and pedal boats from April to September. Customers must wear life jackets, which are provided free of charge. Boats may be hired for one or two hours. A refundable deposit is required. Boats will not be hired out during strong winds or storms. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

F. Adult Beginner Dance Class

A beginner dance class for adults takes place every Friday from 7:00 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. at the community hall. The class includes basic steps, simple routines and light stretching. No previous dance experience is needed. Participants should wear comfortable clothes and soft indoor shoes. Payment is made at the start of each class.

Questions 1–7

Which notice, A–F, contains the following information?

Write the correct letter, A–F.

  1. You must reserve a service before a specific evening.
  2. You need special headwear to use the facility.
  3. You may lose your item if you do not collect it within a certain time.
  4. Safety equipment is included without extra cost.
  5. You do not need experience to join the activity.
  6. Some activities require booking after you arrive.
  7. The service may stop because of bad weather.

Questions 8–14

Do the following statements agree with the information in Passage 1?

Write:

TRUE if the statement agrees with the information
FALSE if the statement contradicts the information
NOT GIVEN if there is no information on this

  1. Greenhill Community Pool is open on public holidays.
  2. Children under ten must swim with an adult at Greenhill Community Pool.
  3. Food can be eaten inside the museum exhibition rooms.
  4. QuickFix Shoe Repair accepts handbags for repair.
  5. Recycling pick-up items must be outside before 7:00 a.m.
  6. Lakeside Boat Hire operates all year round.
  7. The dance class is suitable for complete beginners.

Passage 2: Workplace Information

Read the text below and answer Questions 15–27.

Remote Work Policy at Silverline Insurance

Silverline Insurance allows some employees to work from home for part of the week. The remote work policy is designed to support flexibility while maintaining customer service standards. Employees may apply for remote work after completing three months of employment. Approval depends on job role, performance record and manager recommendation.

Employees approved for remote work may work from home up to two days per week. These days must be agreed with the department manager in advance. Staff cannot change their remote work days without permission, especially during busy periods. Employees must be available online and by phone during normal working hours.

Silverline provides remote workers with access to company software, secure email and video meeting tools. Employees are responsible for having a reliable internet connection at home. Company information must not be stored on personal devices unless approved by the IT department. Printed customer documents should not be taken home unless there is a clear business reason and written permission.

Data protection is especially important when working outside the office. Employees must lock their computer screens when stepping away, even at home. Work calls should be made in a quiet place where private customer information cannot be overheard. If a laptop or company document is lost, the employee must report it immediately to both their manager and the IT department.

Managers will review remote work arrangements every six months. If an employee’s performance falls or communication becomes poor, remote work permission may be reduced or removed. Employees may also request changes to their arrangement if their personal circumstances change.

Online Meeting Guidelines

Online meetings should start on time and have a clear purpose. The meeting organiser should send an agenda at least one day in advance. Participants should test their camera, microphone and internet connection before the meeting begins. Cameras are encouraged but not compulsory unless the manager requests them.

Employees should join meetings from a quiet location and use headphones when possible. Background noise can make discussion difficult. Participants should keep their microphones muted when they are not speaking. Meeting recordings are allowed only with the agreement of all participants.

Questions 15–20

Complete the notes below.

Choose NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS from the passage for each answer.

Silverline Remote Work Notes

  1. Employees can apply for remote work after three months of __________.
  2. Remote work approval depends partly on the employee’s __________ record.
  3. Remote work days must be agreed with the department __________.
  4. Employees must have a reliable __________ connection at home.
  5. Personal devices cannot store company information without IT __________.
  6. Remote work arrangements are reviewed every __________.

Questions 21–24

Choose the correct letter, A, B, C or D.

  1. How many days per week may approved employees work from home?

A. One day only
B. Up to two days
C. Three full days
D. Every working day

  1. What must employees do if a company laptop is lost?

A. Wait until the next review meeting
B. Report it immediately to their manager and IT
C. Buy a replacement without telling anyone
D. Send an email at the end of the month

  1. What may happen if communication becomes poor?

A. Remote work permission may be reduced or removed
B. The employee will automatically get more remote days
C. The manager must leave the company
D. All online meetings will be cancelled

  1. What should the meeting organiser send before an online meeting?

A. A customer document
B. A staff salary list
C. An agenda
D. A recording link only

Questions 25–27

Do the following statements agree with the information in Passage 2?

Write:

TRUE if the statement agrees with the information
FALSE if the statement contradicts the information
NOT GIVEN if there is no information on this

  1. Employees can change remote work days whenever they want.
  2. Cameras are always compulsory in online meetings.
  3. Meeting recordings require agreement from all participants.

Passage 3: The Rise of Urban Cycling

Read the passage below and answer Questions 28–40.

Urban cycling has become more common in many cities as people search for cheaper, healthier and cleaner ways to travel. For some, cycling is simply a practical method of getting to work or school. For others, it is part of a wider lifestyle choice connected with fitness and environmental awareness. Although not every city is equally suitable for bicycles, the growth of cycling has encouraged planners to think differently about transport.

One clear advantage of cycling is affordability. Compared with owning a car, a bicycle is usually much cheaper to buy and maintain. Cyclists do not need to pay for fuel, parking or many of the regular costs linked with car ownership. In cities where public transport fares are high, cycling can also reduce daily travel expenses. This makes it especially attractive to students, low-income workers and people who travel short distances.

Cycling can also improve physical health. Regular cycling strengthens muscles, supports heart health and helps people include exercise in their daily routine. Many people find it difficult to make time for a gym, but cycling to work allows them to combine transport and fitness. Even a moderate daily ride can be useful, especially for people who otherwise spend long hours sitting.

Environmental benefits are another reason cities promote cycling. Bicycles produce no exhaust pollution and take up much less space than cars. More cyclists can mean fewer traffic jams, cleaner air and quieter streets. However, these benefits depend on enough people feeling safe enough to cycle regularly. If roads feel dangerous, many residents will continue to use cars or other transport.

Safety remains one of the biggest barriers to urban cycling. Cyclists often share roads with buses, cars and delivery vehicles. Without protected lanes, they may feel exposed and vulnerable. Poor road surfaces, badly designed junctions and parked vehicles can also create risks. For this reason, cycling campaigns often demand separate bike lanes, clearer road signs and lower speed limits in busy areas.

Good cycling infrastructure can change behaviour. When cities build connected bike lanes, secure parking and easy links to train or bus stations, cycling becomes more convenient. People are more likely to ride when they can complete a journey without facing sudden gaps in the route. Secure parking is also important because fear of bicycle theft can discourage regular use.

Cycling is not only about transport; it can also affect the character of a city. Streets with more cyclists and pedestrians often feel more active and friendly. Local shops may benefit when people travel slowly enough to notice them. In contrast, roads designed mainly for fast car traffic can make neighbourhoods feel divided and unpleasant. A cycling-friendly city may therefore become more human in scale.

There are, however, practical limits. Not everyone can cycle. Older people, people with certain disabilities, parents carrying young children and workers who need heavy tools may find cycling difficult or unsuitable. Weather can also be a problem, especially in places with extreme heat, heavy rain or snow. For this reason, cycling should not be seen as the only solution to urban transport problems.

Some cities have introduced bike-sharing schemes to make cycling easier. These schemes allow users to borrow a bicycle for a short period and return it at another station. They are useful for short trips and for people who do not own a bicycle. However, they need regular maintenance and careful management. If bikes are damaged, unavailable or left in unsuitable places, public support may fall.

The future of urban cycling will likely depend on balance. Cities need safe routes, fair road rules and respect between cyclists, drivers and pedestrians. Cycling cannot replace every journey, but it can form an important part of a wider transport system. When planned well, it offers a low-cost, healthy and environmentally friendly option that can make city life more pleasant for many people.

Questions 28–33

Choose the correct heading for each paragraph from the list of headings below.

Write the correct number, i–ix.

List of Headings

i. Cycling as a low-cost travel choice
ii. The problem of bicycle safety
iii. Why cycling should replace all transport
iv. Health advantages of regular cycling
v. Bike-sharing schemes
vi. How cycling can change city life
vii. The importance of cycling infrastructure
viii. Why bicycles are difficult to manufacture
ix. Environmental reasons for cycling

  1. Paragraph 2
  2. Paragraph 3
  3. Paragraph 4
  4. Paragraph 5
  5. Paragraph 6
  6. Paragraph 8

Questions 34–37

Complete the sentences below.

Choose NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS from the passage for each answer.

  1. Cycling can reduce daily travel expenses where public transport __________ are high.
  2. Cycling to work combines transport and __________.
  3. Without protected lanes, cyclists may feel exposed and __________.
  4. Secure parking matters because bicycle __________ can discourage regular use.

Questions 38–40

Choose the correct letter, A, B, C or D.

  1. According to the passage, why might local shops benefit from cycling-friendly streets?

A. Cyclists move slowly enough to notice them.
B. Cars become completely illegal.
C. Shops no longer need customers.
D. Cyclists are required to buy something every day.

  1. Why should cycling not be seen as the only answer to transport problems?

A. Bicycles are always more expensive than cars.
B. Cycling is unsuitable for some people and conditions.
C. Cycling creates more exhaust pollution.
D. Bike lanes cannot be built anywhere.

  1. What is the writer’s main view in the final paragraph?

A. Cycling is useless in modern cities.
B. Cycling can be valuable if it is part of a balanced transport system.
C. All roads should be closed to pedestrians.
D. Bike-sharing should replace private bicycles completely.

Answer Key

  1. D
  2. A
  3. C
  4. E
  5. F
  6. B
  7. E
  8. FALSE
  9. TRUE
  10. FALSE
  11. FALSE
  12. TRUE
  13. FALSE
  14. TRUE
  15. employment
  16. performance
  17. manager
  18. internet
  19. approval
  20. six months
  21. B
  22. B
  23. A
  24. C
  25. FALSE
  26. FALSE
  27. TRUE
  28. i
  29. iv
  30. ix
  31. ii
  32. vii
  33. v
  34. fares
  35. fitness
  36. vulnerable
  37. theft
  38. A
  39. B
  40. B

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