IELTS General Training Reading Mock Test 7

Full Exam-Style Practice Test — 40 Questions

Time allowed: 60 minutes
Total questions: 40
Difficulty: Moderate to Advanced
Format: 3 sections, 40 questions

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PART 1

Questions 1–14

City Museum Visitor Information

The City Museum occupies a renovated nineteenth-century building in the centre of town. Its collection includes local historical objects, photographs, works of art and temporary exhibitions. The museum welcomes individual visitors, families, schools and organised groups.

Opening Times

The museum is open from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday to Sunday. It is closed on Mondays except when a public holiday falls on that day.

The final admission is at 5:00 p.m. Visitors are advised to allow at least two hours to see the main collection.

Admission

General admission to the permanent collection is free. Charges apply to some temporary exhibitions and special events.

Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Students and senior citizens may be eligible for reduced prices for paid exhibitions, provided they can show appropriate identification.

Guided Tours

Free guided tours of the permanent collection take place every Saturday at 11:00 a.m. No advance booking is required for individual visitors.

Groups of more than ten people should contact the museum at least one week before their visit. Private tours may be arranged for schools, businesses and other organisations, subject to availability.

Photography

Photography is permitted in most parts of the permanent collection. Flash photography and tripods are not permitted because they may disturb other visitors or potentially damage sensitive objects.

Photography may be restricted in temporary exhibitions. Visitors should look for signs at the entrance to each exhibition.

Café

The museum café is located on the ground floor and serves hot drinks, sandwiches, cakes and light meals. Visitors do not need to purchase a museum ticket to use the café.

The café is open from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on museum opening days.

Lockers

Small lockers are available near the main entrance. They are free to use, although a refundable coin deposit is required.

Large suitcases cannot be stored in the lockers. Visitors arriving with large luggage should use the luggage facility at the nearby railway station.

Accessibility

The main entrance has step-free access. Lifts provide access to all public floors of the museum.

Wheelchairs are available without charge, but the number available is limited. Visitors who need to reserve one are advised to contact the museum before arrival.

Assistance dogs are welcome throughout the museum.

Lost Property

Visitors who lose an item should report it to the reception desk. Unclaimed property is normally kept for three months before disposal or transfer to another appropriate service.

Questions 1–6

Do the following statements agree with the information given in the passage?

Write:

TRUE
FALSE
NOT GIVEN

1. The museum is open every day of the week.

2. Visitors can enter the museum after 5:00 p.m.

3. General admission to the permanent collection is free.

4. Children aged 15 may visit the museum without an adult.

5. Individual visitors need to book the Saturday guided tour.

6. Flash photography is prohibited in the permanent collection.

Questions 7–10

Complete the sentences below.

Choose NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER from the passage.

7. The museum opens at ______ a.m. on its normal opening days.

8. Groups containing more than ______ people should contact the museum in advance.

9. A refundable ______ is required to use a locker.

10. Lost property is normally kept for ______ months.

Questions 11–14

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

11. What may students and senior citizens receive?

A. Free meals
B. Reduced prices for paid exhibitions
C. Free private tours
D. Free lockers

12. Where should visitors with large suitcases go?

A. The museum café
B. The reception desk
C. The nearby railway station
D. The temporary exhibition area

13. What is true about wheelchairs at the museum?

A. They must be hired in advance.
B. They are available free of charge.
C. They can only be used outside the museum.
D. Every visitor is guaranteed one.

14. Which animals are specifically allowed throughout the museum?

A. Guide dogs
B. All pets
C. Therapy animals only
D. Dogs in carriers

PART 2

Questions 15–27

Managing Time at Work

Time management is often presented as a personal skill, but the organisation of a workplace can strongly influence how effectively employees use their time. A worker may be highly organised but still struggle if priorities are constantly changing or unnecessary interruptions are common.

A

One of the simplest approaches to time management is to establish clear priorities. Employees should distinguish between tasks that are urgent and those that are important but can be completed later.

Not every urgent request deserves immediate attention. Some urgent tasks have little long-term importance, while an important project may require several hours of uninterrupted concentration.

B

To-do lists can help employees organise their responsibilities. However, extremely long lists may become discouraging. A shorter list containing the most important tasks can sometimes be more useful.

Some workers prefer digital task-management applications, while others find that writing tasks on paper helps them remember them. The method itself is less important than whether it supports consistent action.

C

Interruptions can have a significant effect on productivity. A short conversation may appear harmless, but returning to a complex task can take several minutes.

Employees who need extended periods of concentration can sometimes schedule specific periods during which they do not respond to routine messages. Colleagues should understand that this does not necessarily mean the employee is unavailable for emergencies.

D

Meetings are another potential source of lost time. A meeting without a clear purpose may consume an hour without producing a useful result.

Before organising a meeting, managers should consider whether the issue can be resolved through written communication. When a meeting is necessary, a clear agenda can help participants remain focused.

E

Multitasking is often regarded as a useful way to complete several activities at once. In reality, switching repeatedly between demanding tasks can reduce concentration and increase errors.

For routine activities, moving between tasks may have little effect. Complex work, however, often benefits from sustained attention.

F

Breaks should not be regarded as wasted time. Short breaks can help employees maintain concentration, particularly during long periods of mentally demanding work.

The ideal length and frequency of breaks may vary according to the individual and the nature of the job. A physically demanding task may require a different pattern from computer-based work.

G

Finally, effective time management requires realistic planning. Employees who consistently schedule more work than can reasonably be completed may experience stress and disappointment.

Good planning includes allowing time for unexpected problems. A schedule that is slightly flexible may be more effective than one that assumes everything will happen exactly as planned.

Questions 15–20

Reading Passage 2 has seven sections, A–G.

Choose the correct heading for sections A–F from the list below.

List of Headings

i. Why multitasking can be ineffective
ii. The value of taking breaks
iii. Prioritising responsibilities
iv. The dangers of unrealistic schedules
v. Reducing unnecessary interruptions
vi. The advantages of electronic planning tools
vii. Making meetings more productive
viii. Choosing an appropriate planning method

15. Section A

16. Section B

17. Section C

18. Section D

19. Section E

20. Section F

Questions 21–24

Complete the summary below.

Choose NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS from the passage.

Effective time management begins with deciding which tasks should receive priority. Workers should distinguish between tasks that are 21. ______ and those that are important but can wait.

A very long to-do list may become discouraging, so some employees prefer a shorter list containing their most important 22. ______.

Frequent interruptions can reduce productivity because employees may need time to return to a complex 23. ______.

Although multitasking can appear efficient, repeatedly switching between demanding activities may increase the number of 24. ______.

Questions 25–27

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

25. What does the passage say about to-do lists?

A. Digital lists are always better than paper lists.
B. Long lists are the most effective.
C. The method used matters less than consistent use.
D. Employees should never use them.

26. Why can meetings waste time?

A. Employees are usually absent.
B. They may lack a clear purpose.
C. Managers cannot use written communication.
D. Meetings always last several hours.

27. What is the main purpose of allowing flexibility in a schedule?

A. To avoid completing important work
B. To make room for unexpected problems
C. To eliminate breaks
D. To increase the number of meetings

PART 3

Questions 28–40

Why Some Cities Become More Walkable

Walking is one of the simplest forms of transport, yet the ease with which people can walk varies dramatically from one city to another. In some urban areas, shops, schools and public services are within a short distance of homes, while in others residents may need to travel several kilometres even for basic necessities.

Urban planners have increasingly examined walkability because it can influence transportation, public health, local businesses and the social character of neighbourhoods.

Designing for pedestrians

A walkable neighbourhood requires more than simply having pavements. Pedestrians need safe crossings, suitable lighting, reasonable distances between destinations and protection from fast-moving traffic.

The quality of the walking environment also matters. A narrow pavement beside a busy road may technically allow walking but provide an unpleasant or intimidating experience.

Trees, seating areas and shade can make walking more attractive, particularly in hot climates. These features may appear relatively minor, but together they can influence whether people choose to walk or use a vehicle.

Distance and land use

The location of buildings is another important factor. If residential areas are separated from shops, workplaces and schools, walking becomes less practical.

Mixed-use neighbourhoods contain different types of activities within the same general area. A person might live above a shop, walk to a nearby school and reach a café or public service without using a car.

However, mixed-use development alone does not guarantee walkability. Roads, traffic levels and the design of individual streets still influence pedestrian behaviour.

Public transport and walking

Walking and public transport are closely connected. People often walk at least part of their journey when using buses, trains or other public transportation.

A bus stop that is technically nearby may nevertheless be difficult to reach if pedestrians must cross a major road without a safe crossing. Good connections therefore require attention to the entire journey rather than simply the location of the transport stop.

Safety

Perceptions of safety can strongly influence walking decisions. People may avoid routes where traffic moves quickly, crossings are difficult or streets appear poorly maintained.

Lighting can improve the feeling of security after dark, but it is only one factor. Active streets containing shops, residents and other pedestrians may also feel safer than isolated areas.

Children and older adults can be particularly sensitive to street design because they may move more slowly or have difficulty crossing busy roads.

Economic effects

Walkability can influence local businesses. Pedestrians who pass shops and cafés have more opportunities to notice them than people travelling quickly through an area by car.

Some business owners worry that reducing car access will reduce customers. Research from different cities suggests that the economic effects can vary depending on the location, type of business and transport alternatives available.

Improving walkability should therefore be based on local evidence rather than assuming that every street will respond in exactly the same way.

Technology and the future

Technology is also changing how cities think about walking. Mobile navigation applications can help pedestrians identify routes, while sensors may provide information about traffic and pedestrian movement.

However, technology cannot solve every problem. A navigation application may recommend the shortest route, but it cannot by itself make a dangerous road crossing safe.

Future urban planning is likely to combine physical improvements with better information. The objective is not necessarily to eliminate cars, but to give residents more realistic choices about how they travel.

A broader definition of walkability

Ultimately, walkability is about more than transportation. Streets are public spaces where people meet, exercise, shop and participate in community life.

A walkable city does not require every destination to be within a few minutes’ walk. Rather, it provides a reasonable range of destinations, safe and attractive routes, and alternatives for people who cannot or do not wish to walk long distances.

The most successful cities are therefore likely to be those that treat walking as one important part of a broader transportation and urban-design system.

Questions 28–32

Complete the sentences below.

Choose NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS from the passage.

28. Pedestrians need safe crossings and suitable ______ to feel comfortable walking.

29. Trees and seating can make walking more attractive by providing ______.

30. ______ neighbourhoods contain different types of activities within the same general area.

31. People often walk part of their journey when using ______ transport.

32. Mobile navigation applications can help pedestrians identify suitable ______.

Questions 33–36

Do the following statements agree with the information given in the passage?

Write:

TRUE
FALSE
NOT GIVEN

33. A pavement beside a busy road always provides a pleasant walking experience.

34. Mixed-use development automatically makes an area highly walkable.

35. Older adults may be affected by street design.

36. All local businesses benefit financially when car access is reduced.

Questions 37–40

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

37. What is one reason people may avoid certain walking routes?

A. They contain too many shops.
B. They may appear unsafe or difficult to cross.
C. They are always longer than driving routes.
D. They have too many public transport stations.

38. What does the passage suggest about the economic effects of improving walkability?

A. They are identical in every city.
B. They are always negative for businesses.
C. They depend partly on local circumstances.
D. They only affect large companies.

39. What limitation of technology does the writer identify?

A. It cannot physically make dangerous roads safer.
B. Navigation applications cannot calculate distances.
C. Sensors cannot measure pedestrian movement.
D. Technology prevents people from walking.

40. What is the main idea of the final paragraph?

A. Walking should replace all other forms of transport.
B. Every destination should be within five minutes of a home.
C. Walkability should be viewed as part of a wider urban system.
D. Cars should be completely removed from cities.

ANSWER KEY

Part 1

Q	Answer	Q	Answer
1	FALSE	8	ten
2	FALSE	9	coin
3	TRUE	10	three
4	FALSE	11	B
5	FALSE	12	C
6	TRUE	13	B
7	10:00	14	A

Part 2

Q	Answer	Q	Answer
15	iii	22	tasks
16	viii	23	task
17	v	24	errors
18	vii	25	C
19	i	26	B
20	ii	27	B
21	urgent

Part 3

Q	Answer	Q	Answer
28	lighting	35	TRUE
29	shade	36	FALSE
30	Mixed-use	37	B
31	public	38	C
32	routes	39	A
33	FALSE	40	C
34	FALSE