IELTS sample questions: Reading task types with answers

5 original Reading questions on a short passage, each with its answer and explanation below. Writing Task 1–2 samples and Speaking questions have their own pages.

Short answer

IELTS has no grammar test; Reading (60 minutes, 40 questions) uses True/False/Not Given, heading matching, gap-fill and multiple choice. Listening takes 30 minutes; Writing has two tasks and Speaking is an 11–14-minute interview with an examiner. The samples below show the Reading types.

Sample questions and answers

Question 1 · Reading

Passage

A. In many cities, residents can now borrow drills, ladders and garden equipment in the same way they borrow books. The first tool libraries opened in the 1970s, but the idea has spread quickly over the past decade, largely because of rising housing costs and smaller homes with little storage space. B. Most tool libraries charge a modest yearly membership fee rather than a fee for each item. Volunteers usually run the service, and many libraries offer free workshops on basic repairs. Organisers say the workshops are often more popular than the tools themselves. C. Supporters argue that sharing reduces waste, since a typical household drill is used for only a few minutes in its entire lifetime. Critics point out, however, that popular items are frequently unavailable at weekends, when demand is highest.

True, False or Not Given: The first tool libraries opened less than ten years ago.

  1. NOT GIVEN
  2. TRUE
  3. FALSE — correct answer

Explanation: Paragraph A says the first libraries opened in the 1970s; only the spread happened in the last decade, so FALSE.

Question 2 · Reading

Passage

A. In many cities, residents can now borrow drills, ladders and garden equipment in the same way they borrow books. The first tool libraries opened in the 1970s, but the idea has spread quickly over the past decade, largely because of rising housing costs and smaller homes with little storage space. B. Most tool libraries charge a modest yearly membership fee rather than a fee for each item. Volunteers usually run the service, and many libraries offer free workshops on basic repairs. Organisers say the workshops are often more popular than the tools themselves. C. Supporters argue that sharing reduces waste, since a typical household drill is used for only a few minutes in its entire lifetime. Critics point out, however, that popular items are frequently unavailable at weekends, when demand is highest.

True, False or Not Given: Workshops at tool libraries are sometimes more popular than the tools.

  1. TRUE — correct answer
  2. NOT GIVEN
  3. FALSE

Explanation: Paragraph B: "the workshops are often more popular than the tools themselves". The statement matches: TRUE.

Question 3 · Reading

Passage

A. In many cities, residents can now borrow drills, ladders and garden equipment in the same way they borrow books. The first tool libraries opened in the 1970s, but the idea has spread quickly over the past decade, largely because of rising housing costs and smaller homes with little storage space. B. Most tool libraries charge a modest yearly membership fee rather than a fee for each item. Volunteers usually run the service, and many libraries offer free workshops on basic repairs. Organisers say the workshops are often more popular than the tools themselves. C. Supporters argue that sharing reduces waste, since a typical household drill is used for only a few minutes in its entire lifetime. Critics point out, however, that popular items are frequently unavailable at weekends, when demand is highest.

True, False or Not Given: Tool libraries receive funding from local governments.

  1. FALSE
  2. NOT GIVEN — correct answer
  3. TRUE

Explanation: The passage mentions membership fees and volunteers but says nothing about government funding: NOT GIVEN.

Question 4 · Reading

Passage

A. In many cities, residents can now borrow drills, ladders and garden equipment in the same way they borrow books. The first tool libraries opened in the 1970s, but the idea has spread quickly over the past decade, largely because of rising housing costs and smaller homes with little storage space. B. Most tool libraries charge a modest yearly membership fee rather than a fee for each item. Volunteers usually run the service, and many libraries offer free workshops on basic repairs. Organisers say the workshops are often more popular than the tools themselves. C. Supporters argue that sharing reduces waste, since a typical household drill is used for only a few minutes in its entire lifetime. Critics point out, however, that popular items are frequently unavailable at weekends, when demand is highest.

According to paragraph A, why has the idea spread in recent years?

  1. Tools have become cheaper to buy.
  2. Homes are more expensive and have less storage space. — correct answer
  3. More volunteers are available to run libraries.
  4. Governments have promoted sharing schemes.

Explanation: Paragraph A gives the reason as "rising housing costs and smaller homes with little storage space".

Question 5 · Reading

Passage

A. In many cities, residents can now borrow drills, ladders and garden equipment in the same way they borrow books. The first tool libraries opened in the 1970s, but the idea has spread quickly over the past decade, largely because of rising housing costs and smaller homes with little storage space. B. Most tool libraries charge a modest yearly membership fee rather than a fee for each item. Volunteers usually run the service, and many libraries offer free workshops on basic repairs. Organisers say the workshops are often more popular than the tools themselves. C. Supporters argue that sharing reduces waste, since a typical household drill is used for only a few minutes in its entire lifetime. Critics point out, however, that popular items are frequently unavailable at weekends, when demand is highest.

What problem do critics mention?

  1. Membership fees keep rising.
  2. Borrowed tools are often returned damaged.
  3. Popular items are often unavailable at weekends. — correct answer
  4. The workshops are too expensive.

Explanation: In paragraph C critics say popular items are frequently unavailable at weekends, when demand is highest.

How to approach IELTS questions

  • In True/False/Not Given, choose NOT GIVEN when the text has no information and FALSE when it contradicts the statement; never use your own knowledge.
  • Questions usually follow the order of the text; carry on from where you found the last answer.
  • Search for meaning, not words: the question paraphrases the sentence in the text.
  • 1.5 minutes per question; there is no extra time to transfer answers, so write them directly.

Frequently asked questions

Are past IELTS papers published?

No; IELTS does not release real tests. ielts.org has official sample questions, and the Cambridge IELTS books contain full practice tests with answer keys.

Is Reading the same in Academic and General Training?

The task types are the same; Academic uses academic texts, General Training everyday and workplace texts, and the band table differs.

Where are Writing and Speaking samples?

The guide has a Writing Task 2 sample essay (with the band 6/7/8 difference), Task 1 chart and letter samples and a Part 1–3 Speaking question bank.

How do I take a try-out?

Start with the free 5-question test on the exam page; after sign-up, Reading and Listening mock sets and AI feedback for Writing and Speaking open up.

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