This page gives you 10 representative IELTS General Training questions—two per section—with full worked solutions. Each solution explains the reasoning, not just the correct answer, so you can apply the same logic on test day. Use these to gauge your current level and identify weak spots.
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Listening Section (Questions 1–2)
Question 1: Form Completion
Audio context: A woman calls a travel agency to book a package tour. Listen and fill in the missing information.
Form:
- Customer name: Sarah _________
- Destination: _________
- Departure date: 12th _________
- Number of travelers: _________
Solution:
- The name is spelled out: S-A-R-A-H M-I-L-L-E-R → Sarah Miller.
- Destination: “I’d like to go to Japan, specifically Tokyo.” → Tokyo.
- Departure date: “We’d like to leave on the 12th of October.” → October.
- Number of travelers: “Just two, myself and my husband.” → 2.
Why this works: In form completion, listen for keywords like “name,” “destination,” “date,” and numbers. The speaker often repeats or clarifies.
Question 2: Multiple Choice
Audio context: A radio program discusses community events. What is the main purpose of the upcoming festival?
A) To raise funds for a local charity B) To celebrate the town’s history C) To promote local businesses D) To attract tourists
Solution: The speaker says, “The festival is primarily about celebrating our town’s 150-year heritage.” So B is correct. Options A and C are mentioned but as secondary benefits, not the main purpose.
Why this works: Distractors often include true statements that are not the main point. Focus on words like “primarily,” “main,” “key.”
Reading Section (Questions 3–4)
Question 3: True/False/Not Given
Passage excerpt: “Many workplaces now offer flexible hours, but this is not yet a legal requirement in most countries. However, some nations have introduced legislation to mandate it.”
Statement: Flexible hours are legally required in all countries.
Solution: The passage says “not yet a legal requirement in most countries” and “some nations have introduced legislation.” This means it is not required in all countries. The statement is False.
Why this works: T/F/NG questions test precise reading. “All” is an absolute—if the passage doesn’t support it, it’s False, not Not Given.
Question 4: Matching Headings
Passage headings:
- 1The rise of remote work
- 2Challenges for employers
- 3Benefits for employees
- 4Future trends
Paragraph: “Employees report higher job satisfaction and fewer commuting costs. However, managers struggle with team cohesion and performance monitoring.”
Solution: The paragraph covers both benefits (job satisfaction, cost savings) and challenges (team cohesion, monitoring). The best heading is 2. Challenges for employers, because the second half introduces the main difficulty. Heading 3 is too narrow.
Why this works: Match the overall theme, not just the first sentence. The paragraph’s contrast signals the core issue.
Writing Section (Questions 5–6)
Question 5: Task 1 (Letter)
Prompt: You recently attended a job interview. Write a letter to the interviewer:
- Thank them for the opportunity
- Express your continued interest
- Ask about the next steps
Sample solution (high band):
Dear Mr. Patel,
I am writing to thank you for the opportunity to interview for the Marketing Coordinator position on 15 March. I enjoyed learning about your team’s upcoming campaigns.
I remain very interested in the role and believe my experience in digital strategy aligns well with your needs.
Could you please let me know the timeline for the next stage of the hiring process? I look forward to hearing from you.
Yours sincerely, Raj Singh
Why this works: The letter covers all three bullet points, uses a polite tone, and includes specific details (date, role). The closing “Yours sincerely” is correct because the recipient’s name is known.
Question 6: Task 2 (Essay)
Prompt: Some people believe that unpaid community service should be a compulsory part of high school education. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Sample solution (high band):
I strongly agree that compulsory community service in high school benefits both students and society. First, it teaches responsibility and empathy. For example, volunteering at a local shelter exposes students to real-world challenges, fostering maturity. Second, it builds practical skills like teamwork and time management, which are valuable for future careers. However, some argue it adds to academic pressure. Schools can mitigate this by offering flexible options, such as weekend projects. Overall, the advantages outweigh the drawbacks, making it a worthwhile requirement.
Why this works: The essay states a clear position, provides two supporting reasons with examples, acknowledges a counterargument, and concludes. Structure: agree/disagree → reasons → concession → conclusion.
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Speaking Section (Questions 7–8)
Question 7: Part 1 (Introduction)
Examiner question: “Do you enjoy cooking? Why or why not?”
Sample answer: “Yes, I enjoy cooking because it allows me to experiment with flavors. I find it relaxing after a long day, and I love sharing meals with friends. For example, I recently tried a Thai curry recipe that turned out well.”
Why this works: The answer is direct, gives a reason, and includes a personal example. Avoid one-word answers; expand naturally.
Question 8: Part 2 (Cue Card)
Cue card: Describe a time you helped someone. You should say:
- Who you helped
- How you helped them
- Why you helped them
- And explain how you felt about it
Sample answer: “I helped my neighbor, Mrs. Sharma, carry her groceries upstairs. She had recently injured her knee. I noticed her struggling and offered assistance. Afterward, she was very grateful, and I felt happy to make her day easier. It reminded me that small acts of kindness matter.”
Why this works: The answer covers all four prompts, uses past tense, and expresses emotion. Practice speaking for 1–2 minutes without pausing.
Additional Practice Questions (Questions 9–10)
Question 9: Listening – Map Labelling
Audio context: A guide describes a museum layout. Label the rooms on a map.
- The entrance leads to the main hall.
- The gift shop is to your left.
- The café is straight ahead, past the main hall.
- The temporary exhibition is on the right, next to the gift shop.
Solution: Map positions: Gift shop (left), Main hall (center), Café (beyond main hall), Temporary exhibition (right, adjacent to gift shop).
Why this works: Listen for directional words: left, right, straight ahead, next to, behind.
Question 10: Reading – Sentence Completion
Passage excerpt: “The company’s sustainability report highlights a 20% reduction in carbon emissions over the past year, largely due to switching to renewable energy sources.”
Complete the sentence: The company reduced its carbon emissions by ________.
Solution: “20%” (or “twenty percent”). The passage says “20% reduction.”
Why this works: Sentence completion often requires exact numbers or phrases from the text. Scan for percentages, dates, or key terms.
Where to next?
- Take a full IELTS General Training mock test to simulate real exam conditions.
- Compare our plans and choose the pack that fits your preparation timeline.
- Read our IELTS General Training study guide for strategies across all sections.