📘 IELTS General Training Reading Practice Test-21

SECTION 1 (Questions 1–14)

Passage A – Notice for Employees

Read the text below and answer Questions 1–7.

OFFICE HOLIDAY CLOSURE NOTICE

Please note that the Greenwood Finance Office will be closed from 24 December to 2 January for annual maintenance and holiday break.
Essential staff (IT and Security) will continue working on a rotational basis.

During the closure:

• All salary payments will be processed on 23 December.

• Parking areas A and B will remain open.

• Employees requiring urgent HR assistance may email hrsupport@greenwood.com.

• Normal operations will resume on 3 January at 9:00 am.

We wish you a pleasant holiday period.

Questions 1–7

Do the following statements agree with the information in the text?
Write:
TRUE / FALSE / NOT GIVEN

1. All employees must come to work on 24 December.

2. The office is closed for more than one week.

3. Salary payments will be made a day before closure.

4. Parking areas will be closed during the break.

5. IT staff will not work during the holiday.

6. HR support can be contacted by email.

7. Normal work will begin at 9 a.m. on 3 January.

Passage B – Product Information

Read the text and answer Questions 8–14.

ECOCLEAN DISHWASHER TABLETS

ECOCLEAN tablets are designed for low-temperature washing and are suitable for all dishwasher models. Each tablet includes bio-enzymes that remove stubborn food stains while using 30% less water than traditional detergents.

Instructions:

• Use one tablet per wash.

• Place the tablet in the detergent compartment.

• For heavily soiled dishes, select the Eco+ cycle.

Safety:

• Keep away from children.

• Avoid contact with eyes.

• Store in a cool, dry place.

Guarantee:
If you are not satisfied, return unused tablets within 30 days for a full refund.

Questions 8–14

Choose ONE answer A, B, or C.

8. ECOCLEAN tablets work best in:
   A. high-temperature cycles
   B. low-temperature cycles
   C. handwashing only

9. Each wash requires:
   A. half a tablet
   B. two tablets
   C. one tablet

10. The Eco+ cycle should be used for:
    A. lightly soiled dishes
    B. heavily soiled dishes
    C. glassware only

11. Users should store tablets in a place that is:
    A. warm and humid
    B. cool and dry
    C. exposed to sunlight

12. The product saves:
    A. 30% water
    B. 50% water
    C. 70% water

13. Buyers may return unused tablets within:
    A. 15 days
    B. 30 days
    C. 60 days

14. The tablets contain:
    A. artificial bleach
    B. bio-enzymes
    C. perfume oil

SECTION 2 (Questions 15–27)

Passage – Workplace Training Brief

New Customer Service Training Programme

All employees working in customer-facing roles must complete the new Customer Service Training Programme by 15 March. The course takes six hours and can be completed either in one full session or in two shorter sessions of three hours each.

The programme includes:

• Understanding customer needs

• Handling complaints effectively

• Communicating with clarity

• Company policy updates

Employees must register through the Staff Learning Portal. After completing the programme, they will receive a digital certificate, which must be uploaded to their HR profile.

Supervisors will monitor completion progress. Employees who cannot attend due to health or personal emergencies must inform their supervisor and reschedule within 10 days.

Questions 15–21

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

15. Who is required to complete the programme?

16. What is the deadline for finishing the training?

17. How long is the entire programme?

18. Where must employees register?

19. What will employees receive after completing the programme?

20. Who monitors the progress?

21. Within how many days must the course be rescheduled after an emergency?

Questions 22–27

Choose ONE answer A, B, or C.

22. The course can be completed:
    A. only in two sessions
    B. in one or two sessions
    C. only online

23. The programme includes training on:
    A. financial management
    B. customer needs
    C. product manufacturing

24. Certificates must be:
    A. printed and mailed
    B. ignored
    C. uploaded to HR profiles

25. Employees unable to attend must:
    A. ignore the training
    B. notify their supervisor
    C. contact other employees

26. Supervisors are responsible for:
    A. monitoring course completion
    B. teaching the course
    C. writing the certificates

27. The training is mandatory for:
    A. customer-facing staff
    B. senior managers only
    C. new employees only

SECTION 3 (Questions 28–40)

Long Reading Passage

Urban Gardens: Growing Green in City Spaces

Urban gardens have rapidly increased in popularity worldwide, offering city residents opportunities to grow food, build community, and improve local environments. With limited land available, many cities have transformed unused rooftops, balconies, and abandoned lots into productive green spaces.

One key reason for this growth is the rising awareness of sustainable living. Urban gardens reduce the distance food travels, often referred to as “food miles,” helping to lower carbon emissions. Moreover, they allow residents to consume fresher, chemical-free produce, which is often too expensive in supermarkets.

Another significant benefit is social interaction. In densely populated cities where people often feel isolated, gardening provides a shared activity that builds cooperation and friendships. Community gardens frequently host workshops, seasonal festivals, and volunteer events that bring together people of different ages and backgrounds.

However, urban gardening also faces challenges. Limited access to clean soil is one concern. In older industrial areas, soil may contain heavy metals, making it unsafe for growing vegetables. To solve this, many gardeners use raised beds or soil testing kits to ensure safety.

Water availability is another issue. While some cities receive abundant rainfall, others experience long dry seasons. To address this, many urban gardens now install rainwater collection systems or use drip-irrigation methods that conserve water efficiently.

Despite these challenges, the future of urban gardening looks promising. More governments are offering grants and public spaces for community gardening projects. As cities continue to expand, integrating green spaces will play a crucial role in improving urban health and sustainability.

Questions 28–33

Complete the sentences using NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS.

28. Urban gardens are becoming more common in areas where land is ________.

29. They help reduce carbon emissions by lowering ________.

30. Fresh produce from gardens is often free of ________.

31. Gardening activities help reduce feelings of ________.

32. Some soil is unsafe because it may contain ________.

33. Rainwater systems help during long ________.

Questions 34–40

Choose the correct heading for each paragraph.
Write A–G.

Headings:
A. Government support
B. Environmental benefits
C. Water management solutions
D. Lack of gardening knowledge
E. Community and social benefits
F. Soil contamination problems
G. Expansion of city gardens

Paragraphs:
34. Paragraph 1
35. Paragraph 2
36. Paragraph 3
37. Paragraph 4
38. Paragraph 5
39. Paragraph 6
40. What is the best title for the passage?
A. “The Future of Rural Farming”
B. “Urban Gardens: Benefits and Challenges”
C. “How to Grow Vegetables Indoors”

✅ ANSWER KEY

SECTION 1

1. FALSE

2. TRUE

3. TRUE

4. FALSE

5. FALSE

6. TRUE

7. TRUE

8. B

9. C

10. B

11. B

12. A

13. B

14. B

SECTION 2

15. customer-facing employees

16. 15 March

17. six hours

18. Staff Learning Portal

19. digital certificate

20. supervisors

21. 10 days

22. B

23. B

24. C

25. B

26. A

27. A

SECTION 3

28. limited

29. food miles

30. chemicals

31. isolation

32. heavy metals

33. dry seasons

34. G

35. B

36. E

37. F

38. C

39. A

40. B