IELTS General Training Reading Section 1 usually consists of 2 short texts with a set of questions for each text (Questions 1 – 14).
The topics are related to everyday life, for example (from the most recent Cambridge Books, 14-19):
- Which is the best….sleeping bag, ice-cream maker, pair of hiking boots, rice cooker, keyboard, cabin bag, wallet, bicycle lights
- Where to visit e.g. best beaches, local walks, outdoor activities, museums
- What to do if… you have problems at the dry cleaner, you need to return something or claim for a delayed train
- Guide to … Singapore airport
- How to... choose a builder, choose school subjects, pay a water bill
- Adverts for… courses, competitions, jobs, courses, social events, festivals
- How to…pay a water bill, apply for funding
Section 1 Question types
From my analysis of recent tests (Books 14 – 19), there are 2 types of questions in Section 1:
- True, False, Not Given (TFNG)
- Matching information (‘Which statements are true?’)
Exam strategy
In order to manage your time well, it is best to divide your 60-minute time limit into 20 minutes per section.
Section 1 has 2 short texts.
Spend 10 minutes on each text.
- Read the title of the text to get a quick idea about the topic.
- Go straight to the questions and underline key words.
- Remember that TFNG questions go in the same order as the text.
- Use the keywords to help find information quickly (for example, Question 5 below is about bicycles, so go straight to the section ‘Can I take my bike on the tram?’)
- Use numbers and Capital Letters to help you find information quickly (for example, Question 3 below is about the 207 bus service)
Text 1 below is a typical, everyday public information guide that you might find on a website or leaflet.
Text 1: True False Not Given
Tramlink – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some of the frequently asked questions about a tram service.
When do the trams run?
Tramlink operates a network of trams that run throughout the year and provide links to main services, stations and the airport. Timetables are reviewed in October and March, and may alter slightly so check before you travel. Our first tram from the city centre leaves from The Square at 6.30 am, half an hour after the first city bus service.
Can I get a tram from the airport?
Trams from the airport to the city centre start running at 6.15 am and leave every fifteen minutes until 7.30 pm when the evening schedule takes over. Trams then run to the main railway station at 35-minute intervals and end at 11.35 pm. If your flight arrives later than this, the number 207 airport bus runs every hour through the night.
What do I do if I don’t have a ticket?
Tickets are not sold by anyone on the tram. Ticket vending machines are located at all tram shelters. Check your route and make sure you buy the correct price ticket. If the vending machine does not work, you should push the red button on the machine and speak into the microphone. A member of staff will either fix the machine straight away or contact the tram inspector onboard your tram. He or she cannot sell you a ticket, but you will not be obliged to pay the £8 on-board fine for not having one.
Can I take my bike on the tram?
Each tram is licensed to carry a maximum of two bicycles, though drivers may refuse to allow cyclists to get on if the tram is crowded. Bicycles may only be taken on the trams during off-peak travel periods: up to 7.30 am, between 10 am and 2.30 pm and after 7 pm. Festivals and other large events may also mean that bicycles are prohibited as trams carry extra passengers at these times. Once on board, riders should remain with their bicycles throughout the journey and ensure they do not obstruct the entrance, exit or any other area of public access.
Questions 1-7
Do the following statements agree with the information given in the text? 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
- The city buses start operating later than the trams.
- You can get a tram from the airport to the city centre up to midnight.
- The 207 bus service stops at the main railway station.
- The cost of a tram ticket varies depending on your journey.
- Bicycles are allowed on the trams between 7.30 am and 10 am.
- Additional trams run during the festival period.
- Cyclists may be asked to leave the tram if they block the exit.
1 The city buses start operating later than the trams.
Our first tram from the city centre leaves from The Square at 6.30 am, half an hour AFTER the first city bus service.
2 You can get a tram from the airport to the city centre up to midnight.
Trams then run to the main railway station at 35-minute intervals and end at 11.35 pm.
3 The 207 bus service stops at the main railway station.
If your flight arrives later than this, the number 207 airport bus runs every hour through the night.
4 The cost of a tram ticket varies depending on your journey.
Check your route and make sure you buy the correct price ticket.
5 Bicycles are allowed on the trams between 7.30 am and 10 am.
Bicycles may only be taken on the trams during off-peak travel periods: up to 7.30 am, between 10 am and 2.30 pm and after 7 pm.
6 Additional trams run during the festival period.
Festivals and other large events may also mean that bicycles are prohibited as trams carry extra passengers at these times.
7 Cyclists may be asked to leave the tram if they block the exit.
Once on board, riders should remain with their bicycles throughout the journey and ensure they do not obstruct the entrance, exit or any other area of public access.
- The city buses start operating later than the trams. FALSE
- You can get a tram from the airport to the city centre up to midnight. FALSE
- The 207 bus service stops at the main railway station. NOT GIVEN
- The cost of a tram ticket varies depending on your journey. TRUE
- Bicycles are allowed on the trams between 7.30 am and 10 am. FALSE
- Additional trams run during the festival period. NOT GIVEN
- Cyclists may be asked to leave the tram if they block the exit. NOT GIVEN
1 The city buses start operating later than the trams. FALSE
Our first tram from the city centre leaves from The Square at 6.30 am, half an hour AFTER the first city bus service.
2 You can get a tram from the airport to the city centre up to midnight. FALSE
Trams then run to the main railway station at 35-minute intervals and end at 11.35 pm.
3 The 207 bus service stops at the main railway station. NOT GIVEN
If your flight arrives later than this, the number 207 airport bus runs every hour through the night.
4 The cost of a tram ticket varies depending on your journey. TRUE
Check your route and make sure you buy the correct price ticket.
5 Bicycles are allowed on the trams between 7.30 am and 10 am. FALSE
Bicycles may only be taken on the trams during off-peak travel periods: up to 7.30 am, between 10 am and 2.30 pm and after 7 pm.
6 Additional trams run during the festival period. NOT GIVEN
Festivals and other large events may also mean that bicycles are prohibited as trams carry extra passengers at these times.
7 Cyclists may be asked to leave the tram if they block the exit. NOT GIVEN
Once on board, riders should remain with their bicycles throughout the journey and ensure they do not obstruct the entrance, exit or any other area of public access.
How to do True, False, Not Given Questions
My Top Tip: Turn the statements into questions.
This will really help you decide between ‘False’ and ‘Not Given’.
For example, let’s turn Statement 3 into a question and try to answer it with information from the text.
3. The 207 bus service stops at the main railway station.
Questions:
- Where does 207 bus service stop?
- Does the 207 bus stop at the railway station?
TEXT: The number 207 airport bus runs every hour through the night.
We cannot find the answers to these questions in the text, so the answer is NOT GIVEN.
Open and closed questions
You don’t have to make 2 questions, but it’s useful to practice both types when you’re preparing for IELTS.
1. Open or ‘wh’ questions
Where does 207 bus service stop? is an open question because the answer could be anything.
Open questions are also called ‘wh’ questions because they include ‘Who’ What’ ‘Why’ ‘When’ and ‘Where’ (and ‘How).
2. Closed or ‘Yes/No’ questions
Does the 207 bus stop at the railway station? is a closed question because the answer is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’.
Extra Tips and FAQs
Most answers come from synonyms (similar words) or antonyms (opposite words).
For example:
- ‘Bicycles may be taken on’ = Bicycles are allowed
However, sometimes the answer involves some ‘common sense’ or ‘reading between the lines’.
For example in Question 4, there are no synonyms and you have to work out the answer from context.
Thankfully, there are not many questions like this.
4. The cost of a tram ticket varies depending on your journey. TRUE
TEXT: Check your route and make sure you buy the correct price ticket.
FAQ: Is there a balanced number of True, False, Not Given questions?
Not always.
I would not rely on this strategy.
For example, in this text there is only ONE TRUE answer.
So don’t try to guess answers based on numbers.
FAQ: Can I write T, F, NG instead of True False Not Given?
Yes, I would recommend this to save time.
You can also write Y (Yes) and N (No) instead of True or False.
TEXT 2: Matching Information
This text is another typical website section you might read when you’re shopping online.
Here, there are 5 reviews of a store called ‘Adorable Knitwear’.
Go straight to the statements, which are normally AFTER the text, and underline key words.
***Remember that the statements do NOT go in the same order as the text.***
Notice that you ‘may use any letter more than once.’ (there are 7 statements and only 5 reviews).
Questions 8-14
For which review are the following statements true?
NB You may use any letter more than once.
8 The colour of the sweater did not match the website image.
9 The customer took some time to decide on the purchase.
10 The customer initially bought the wrong size.
11 The customer changed her mind about returning a sweater.
12 The customer bought a bigger size than she usually does.
13 The sweater can be worn for smart or casual occasions.
14 The customer was worried that the sweater wouldn’t suit her.
A Mary-Anne
I spent a while thinking about buying this sweater because of the price, but I’m glad I finally did. It’s a long sweater but that’s good as I’m quite tall. I normally find that the sleeves are too short when I try on a top, but not with this one. I tend to take medium but went for large, which was a wise decision as there is plenty of room for a T–shirt underneath when I wear it with jeans.
B Davina
These sweaters are an ideal weight for office wear. The purple one is pretty, though I expected a lighter shade from the picture. I wear a US size 12 I UK 16, and the medium is big enough to fit over a shirt with room to spare. It has long sleeves that I love to roll up at the wrist. I’m now trying to resist the temptation to buy it in grey too.
C Naga
This knitted sweater looks great in the pictures. I ordered the olive green with stripes and, although I wasn’t sure it was going to look right on me, I was pleasantly surprised when I put it on. It’s very soft and I love the long past–the–wrist sleeves too. I opted for the medium, but it was too tight so I exchanged it.
D Libby
This is the third of your sweaters that I’ve bought over the past two years. It’s true to size and perfect for the winter months, though I should add that its loose knit means it’s best to avoid playing with cats or young dogs when you’re wearing it as they could pull threads in the body or sleeves.
E Laura
I couldn’t decide which colour to get so I bought the deep blue and the charcoal grey, with every intention of sending one of them back. That didn’t happen, of course! I would say both colours match the online pictures. I bought size small, and the length is perfect for me, despite the unnecessarily long sleeves! These sweaters are lovely to wear with jeans but also stylish enough to wear to work.
8 The colour of the sweater did not match the website image.
The purple one is pretty, though I expected a lighter shade from the picture.
9 The customer took some time to decide on the purchase.
I spent a while thinking about buying this sweater because of the price,
10 The customer initially bought the wrong size.
I opted for the medium, but it was too tight so I exchanged it.
11 The customer changed her mind about returning a sweater.
I bought the deep blue and the charcoal grey, with every intention of sending one of them back. That didn’t happen, of course!
12 The customer bought a bigger size than she usually does.
I tend to take medium but went for large,
13 The sweater can be worn for smart or casual occasions.
These sweaters are lovely to wear with jeans but also stylish enough to wear to work.
14 The customer was worried that the sweater wouldn’t suit her.
I wasn’t sure it was going to look right on me
1 The city buses start operating later than the trams. FALSE
2 You can get a tram from the airport to the city centre up to midnight. FALSE
3 The 207 bus service stops at the main railway station. NOT GIVEN
4 The cost of a tram ticket varies depending on your journey. TRUE
5 Bicycles are allowed on the trams between 7.30 am and 10 am. FALSE
6 Additional trams run during the festival period. NOT GIVEN
7 Cyclists may be asked to leave the tram if they block the exit. NOT GIVEN
8 B 9 A 10 C 11 E 12 A 13 E 14 C
8 The colour of the sweater did not match the website image. B
The purple one is pretty, though I expected a lighter shade from the picture.
9 The customer took some time to decide on the purchase. A
I spent a while thinking about buying this sweater because of the price,
10 The customer initially bought the wrong size. C
I opted for the medium, but it was too tight so I exchanged it.
11 The customer changed her mind about returning a sweater. E
I bought the deep blue and the charcoal grey, with every intention of sending one of them back. That didn’t happen, of course!
12 The customer bought a bigger size than she usually does. A
I tend to take medium but went for large,
13 The sweater can be worn for smart or casual occasions. E
These sweaters are lovely to wear with jeans but also stylish enough to wear to work.
14 The customer was worried that the sweater wouldn’t suit her. C
I wasn’t sure it was going to look right on me
How to prepare for Section 1
- Read as many past papers as you can.
- Prioritise the Cambridge Past Papers and work backwards from the most recent.
- Read ACTIVELY – check your answers, check vocabulary, make notes and ask questions if you don’t understand.
- When you’re preparing, take time to understand the texts fully. Don’t focus on the time limit.
- When your test is approaching, start to practise with a timer so that you can complete the sections within the correct time limits.
Vocabulary notes
These are the kind of vocabulary notes that you should keep in your notebook:
- she took some time to (+inf) = she spent a while (+ ing)
- to return something = to send something back
- I usually = I tend to
- I bought ~ I went for (~ I decided to buy)
- smart occasions ~ wear to work
- casual ~ wear with jeans
- to suit someone = to look right on someone
Notice that half of the answers are not ‘obvious’ synonyms.
For example
- the customer changed her mind = she had ‘every intention of’ sending it back, but that ‘didn’t happen‘.
- the customer bought the wrong size = it was too tight
- the colour did not match the image = I expected a lighter shade from the picture
Get more help with GT Reading
FREE LESSONS
- General Training Reading (Overview)
- General Training Reading Section 1 (TFNG, Matching Information)
- General Training Reading Section 2 (Gapfill Summaries)
- General Training Reading Section 3 (Matching Headings)
- Young Person’s Railcard (Sentence Completion)
- Negotiating a pay rise (TFNG)
- The Iron Bridge (Short Answer Questions)
Resource Library
Section 1:
- Q1 – 7: Passports (True False Not Given)
- Q8 – 14: Airport Services (Matching Headings)
- Q1 – 8: Emergency Evacuation (Sentence Completion)
- Q8 – 14: Short Courses (True False Not Given)
Section 2:
- Q15 – 21: Formal Dress Code (Gapfill summaries)
- Q15 – 20: Professional Credentials (Sentence Completion)
Section 3
Leave a Reply