IELTS General Training Practice Tests

Listening Part 1 — Questions 1-10

You will hear a telephone conversation between a woman and an assistant at Hadley Home Furnishings about a furniture delivery. Complete the form. Write ONE WORD AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer. You will hear the recording once only.

1. Listen and write: 1. Customer name: Joanna ___
2. Listen and write: 2. Address: Flat 4, 22 ___ Road, Brackley
3. Listen and write: 3. Items: a sofa (grey) and a ___
4. Listen and write: 4. Delivery date: Thursday ___ March
5. Listen and write: 5. Delivery charge: £___
6. Listen and write: 6. The flat is on the ___ floor (no lift)
7. Listen and write: 7. The van should park behind the ___
8. Listen and write: 8. Old sofa: will be taken to a ___ shop
9. Listen and write: 9. Time slot: ___
10. Listen and write: 10. Confirmation of exact time: by ___ the evening before

Listening Part 2 — Questions 11-20

You will hear the manager of the Ashgrove Community Centre talking to a group of new volunteers. Questions 11-15: choose the correct answer, A, B or C. Questions 16-20: label the plan of the community centre — choose the correct letter, A-H. You will hear the recording once only.

1. What was the community centre building originally used as? (A) a school (B) a fire station (C) council offices
2. What must volunteers do every time they arrive for a shift? (A) collect a key from the office (B) sign in at reception (C) pick up a volunteer badge
3. What do volunteers get free of charge? (A) car parking (B) hot drinks (C) use of the gym equipment
4. When is the centre busiest? (A) on Monday mornings (B) on Wednesday afternoons (C) on Saturdays
5. If the fire alarm sounds, volunteers should first (A) phone the fire service. (B) check the toilets are empty. (C) open the car park gates.
6. First-aid room (A) A (B) B (C) C (D) D (E) E (F) F (G) G (H) H
7. Café (A) A (B) B (C) C (D) D (E) E (F) F (G) G (H) H
8. IT suite (A) A (B) B (C) C (D) D (E) E (F) F (G) G (H) H
9. Craft room (A) A (B) B (C) C (D) D (E) E (F) F (G) G (H) H
10. Staff room (A) A (B) B (C) C (D) D (E) E (F) F (G) G (H) H

Listening Part 3 — Questions 21-30

You will hear two hospitality students, Jake and Mei, discussing their work placements with their tutor, Dr Ellis. Questions 21-25: choose the correct answer, A, B or C. Questions 26-30: what is said about each placement? Choose the correct option for each placement (there are more options than you need). You will hear the recording once only.

1. What does Jake say about his previous work experience? (A) It was mostly in a kitchen. (B) It was in a relative's business. (C) It was unpaid.
2. According to the tutor, what is the main purpose of the placement? (A) to earn money during the course (B) to obtain a good reference (C) to discover which area of work suits them
3. What is Mei finding difficult? (A) preparing her CV (B) finding a referee (C) writing a covering letter
4. What does the tutor advise the students to do before an interview? (A) learn about the company's history (B) read what customers have said about the business (C) buy formal clothes
5. What is the deadline for the placement forms? (A) 21st March (B) 31st March (C) after the Easter break
6. The Regent Quay Hotel (A) offers accommodation to staff (B) involves a lot of weekend work (C) is too far away to travel to every day (D) gives experience of supervising a team (E) has taken students from the course before (F) pays more than the others (G) mainly involves office-based work
7. Fenmore Conference Centre (A) offers accommodation to staff (B) involves a lot of weekend work (C) is too far away to travel to every day (D) gives experience of supervising a team (E) has taken students from the course before (F) pays more than the others (G) mainly involves office-based work
8. The Olive Tree (A) offers accommodation to staff (B) involves a lot of weekend work (C) is too far away to travel to every day (D) gives experience of supervising a team (E) has taken students from the course before (F) pays more than the others (G) mainly involves office-based work
9. Seabrook Holiday Park (A) offers accommodation to staff (B) involves a lot of weekend work (C) is too far away to travel to every day (D) gives experience of supervising a team (E) has taken students from the course before (F) pays more than the others (G) mainly involves office-based work
10. Linden Lodge (A) offers accommodation to staff (B) involves a lot of weekend work (C) is too far away to travel to every day (D) gives experience of supervising a team (E) has taken students from the course before (F) pays more than the others (G) mainly involves office-based work

Listening Part 4 — Questions 31-40

You will hear part of a lecture about the history of the umbrella. Complete the notes. Write ONE WORD ONLY for each answer. You will hear the recording once only.

1. Listen and write: 31. The earliest umbrellas gave protection from the ___, not the rain.
2. Listen and write: 32. In China, some early umbrellas were made waterproof using oiled ___.
3. Listen and write: 33. In several ancient kingdoms, the number of tiers on an umbrella showed a person's ___.
4. Listen and write: 34. In 18th-century London, drivers of hired coaches feared losing ___.
5. Listen and write: 35. The ribs of early European umbrellas were made of ___, which made them heavy.
6. Listen and write: 36. In 1852 Samuel Fox made steel ribs using surplus stock intended for ___.
7. Listen and write: 37. In the 20th century, silk and cotton were largely replaced by ___.
8. Listen and write: 38. Early compact folding umbrellas were often advertised as fitting into a ___.
9. Listen and write: 39. Most modern umbrellas are difficult to ___ because they combine several materials.
10. Listen and write: 40. Some windproof designs use a double ___ that allows air to escape.

Section 1 — Questions 1-7 (Matching information)

Read the text 'Weekend short courses at Brackley Adult Education Centre' below and answer Questions 1–7. The text has five course descriptions, A–E. For which course are the following statements true? Write the correct letter, A–E. NB You may use any letter more than once.

1. There is a minimum age for people taking this course.
2. Participants may have to pay an extra amount for printed course material.
3. Part of this course is spent outdoors.
4. The number of people who can attend this course is limited.
5. Participants should let the centre know in advance about any dietary problems.
6. It is possible to borrow an item for this course, but this must be arranged beforehand.
7. A meal is included in the course fee.

Section 1 — Questions 8-14 (True / False / Not Given)

Read the text 'Self-service kiosks at Hallam Public Library' and answer Questions 8–14. Do the following statements agree with the information given in the text? Choose TRUE if the statement agrees with the information, FALSE if the statement contradicts the information, or NOT GIVEN if there is no information on this.

1. The new kiosks will replace the library's front desk. (A) True (B) False (C) Not Given
2. Members who have forgotten their PIN must provide proof of identity to have it reset. (A) True (B) False (C) Not Given
3. DVDs can be placed on the reading pad together with books. (A) True (B) False (C) Not Given
4. The returns box in the car park is emptied once a day. (A) True (B) False (C) Not Given
5. Late charges can be paid in cash at the kiosks. (A) True (B) False (C) Not Given
6. The library intends to install more kiosks later in the year. (A) True (B) False (C) Not Given
7. The volunteers helping at the kiosks have been trained by library staff. (A) True (B) False (C) Not Given

Section 2 — Questions 15-21 (Sentence completion)

Read the text 'Welcome to Larchmont Hotels: your first two weeks' and answer Questions 15–21. Complete the sentences below. Choose ONE WORD ONLY from the text for each answer.

Welcome to Larchmont Hotels: your first two weeksWelcome to the Larchmont Hotel Group. This guide explains what will happen during your induction period and what we expect from you as a new member of the team.Before your first day You should already have received a contract and a starter form by post. Please complete the starter form and bring it with you on your first morning, together with your passport or another document that proves you have the right to work in the UK. We are not able to let you start work until we have seen this. Your bank details should be entered directly into our online payroll system; you will receive a link to this by email.Day one Please report to the staff entrance at the rear of the building, not to the main reception, at 8.45 am. Your line manager will meet you there and take you to the HR office, where your photograph will be taken for your identity badge. The badge also opens the doors to staff-only areas, so it must be worn at all times while you are on duty. If you lose it, report this immediately to the security team.Uniform Front-of-house staff are provided with two sets of uniform free of charge. These are washed by the hotel laundry: simply leave them in the marked bin in the locker room at the end of your shift and they will be ready for you within 48 hours. Kitchen staff are given chef's jackets and trousers but must buy their own safety shoes, which should have non-slip soles.Training During your first fortnight you will begin a series of short online modules covering fire safety, food hygiene and data protection. All of these must be completed before the end of your probation period, which lasts three months. In addition, you will spend at least two shifts shadowing an experienced colleague, known as your 'buddy', who will show you our procedures and answer any day-to-day questions.Meals and breaks All staff are entitled to a free hot meal in the staff canteen during any shift of six hours or more. Break times are organised by your supervisor, and breaks should never be taken in guest areas such as the lobby or restaurant.Review At the end of your second week, you will have a short meeting with your line manager to discuss how you are settling in. This is an informal conversation rather than an assessment, and it is a good opportunity to raise any concerns you may have.

1. 15. New employees should enter their bank details into the hotel's online ___ system.
2. 16. On their first morning, new staff should go to the entrance at the ___ of the building.
3. 17. A lost identity badge must be reported to the ___ team without delay.
4. 18. Uniforms that need washing should be left in a bin in the ___ room.
5. 19. Kitchen staff must buy their own ___ shoes with non-slip soles.
6. 20. The online training modules must all be finished by the end of the ___ period.
7. 21. For at least two shifts, a new employee will work alongside an experienced colleague who is called their ___.

Section 2 — Questions 22-27 (Note completion)

Read the text 'Manual handling: lifting and carrying safely at work' and answer Questions 22–27. Complete the notes below. Choose ONE WORD ONLY from the text for each answer.

Manual handling: lifting and carrying safely at workManual handling means any activity that involves lifting, carrying, pushing or pulling a load by hand. Injuries caused by poor manual handling, particularly to the back, are among the most common reasons for staff taking time off work, yet most of them can be prevented by following a few simple rules.Think before you lift Before moving anything, ask yourself whether it really needs to be moved by hand. Trolleys, sack trucks and other lifting aids are available in every department, and you should use them wherever possible. If you do need to lift an item yourself, check its weight first by carefully tipping up one corner. Anything that feels heavier than about 20 kilograms should be treated as a two-person lift. You should also check your route: make sure that doors are propped open and that the floor is dry and clear of obstacles.The correct technique Stand close to the load with your feet apart, one slightly in front of the other, to give yourself a stable base. Bend your knees rather than your back, and get a firm grip, using the whole hand rather than just the fingertips. Lift smoothly, keeping the load close to your waist, as this reduces the strain on your lower back. Avoid twisting your body while you are carrying something; if you need to change direction, turn by moving your feet instead. When you reach your destination, put the load down first and then adjust its position, rather than trying to slide it into place while you are still holding it.Pushing and pulling Where there is a choice, it is generally safer to push a load than to pull it. Keep your back straight and use your body weight to get the load moving. Trolleys with wheels that stick or turn poorly should be reported to your supervisor and taken out of use.Training and reporting All staff whose jobs involve regular lifting must attend a manual handling course within their first month, and a refresher course every two years after that. If you suffer any pain or injury, however minor, you must record it in the accident book, which is kept at the main reception desk. This helps us to identify tasks that may need to be done differently.Remember: if in doubt, ask for help. Nobody will criticise you for asking a colleague to help you with a load.

1. 22. Before lifting: test how heavy an item is by tipping up one ___
2. 23. Before lifting: check that the floor on your route is dry and has no ___
3. 24. Technique: stand with your feet apart to create a stable ___
4. 25. Technique: keep the load close to your ___ while you lift it
5. 26. Technique: to change direction, move your ___ — do not twist your body
6. 27. Reporting: write down any pain or injury in the ___ book at reception

Section 3 — Questions 28-33 (Matching headings)

Read the text 'The return of the overnight sleeper train' and answer Questions 28–40. The text has six paragraphs, A–F. Choose the correct heading for each paragraph from the list of headings below (i–viii). There are more headings than paragraphs, so you will not use them all.

1. Paragraph A
2. Paragraph B
3. Paragraph C
4. Paragraph D
5. Paragraph E
6. Paragraph F

Section 3 — Questions 34-36 (Multiple choice)

Refer to the text 'The return of the overnight sleeper train'. Choose the correct letter, A, B, C or D.

1. According to the writer, what was the main cause of the decline of sleeper trains? (A) the building of new motorways (B) the introduction of faster daytime trains (C) the rise of low-cost air travel (D) the high price of sleeping compartments
2. What point does the former operations manager make in paragraph B? (A) Passengers expect the same standard of comfort as they would in a hotel. (B) Running a night train involves costs similar to those of running a hotel. (C) Night trains earn less money than hotels in the same cities. (D) Staff on night trains should receive the same training as hotel workers.
3. Why have some operators introduced 'mini-cabins'? (A) to fit more passengers into each carriage (B) to reduce the price of a night journey (C) to give families more space and privacy (D) to attract people who are travelling alone

Section 3 — Questions 37-40 (Summary completion)

Complete the summary of paragraphs D and F of 'The return of the overnight sleeper train' below. Choose ONE WORD ONLY from the text for each answer.

1. 37. Supporters say night trains save time, since passengers travel while they are asleep and do not have to pay for a ___ room.
2. 38. Unlike airports, railway stations are generally located in city ___, within walking distance of many destinations.
3. 39. However, the revival faces problems. The most serious is a ___ of suitable carriages, as very few were built in Europe for decades.
4. 40. In addition, trains that cross several borders can be delayed by ___ work in any of the countries they pass through.

Writing Task 1

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task. Write at least 150 words. You do NOT need to write any addresses. This task is not scored automatically; compare your answer with the Band 6, 7, 8 and 9 samples, or ask the AI examiner (Pro).

Writing Task 2

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task. Write at least 250 words. This task is not scored automatically; compare your answer with the Band 6, 7, 8 and 9 samples, or ask the AI examiner (Pro).

Speaking Part 1 — Introduction and interview

The examiner asks general questions about familiar topics (4-5 minutes). Answer naturally and extend each answer with a reason or example.

1. Let's talk about what you do. Do you work or are you a student? Example: I work full-time as a sales coordinator for a company that makes kitchen equipment. It's mostly office-based, but I do get out to visit customers every couple of weeks, which breaks things up nicely.
2. What do you find most interesting about your work or studies? Example: Probably the problem-solving side. No two customer orders are quite the same, so I'm constantly working out how to get something delivered on time when the obvious route isn't possible.
3. Would you like to change your job or subject in the future? Example: Not completely, but I'd like to move into a role with more responsibility — managing a small team, perhaps. I think I'd enjoy helping newer staff find their feet.
4. Now let's talk about mornings. Are you a morning person? Example: Not naturally, no. I've trained myself to get up early because of work, but left to my own devices I'd happily sleep until nine and work late into the evening instead.
5. What do you usually do in the first hour after you wake up? Example: It's fairly routine: a quick shower, a strong coffee and some toast, and then I check the news on my phone on the bus. I try not to look at work emails until I'm actually at my desk.
6. Is your morning routine different at the weekend? Example: Completely. At the weekend I don't set an alarm at all, and I usually make a proper cooked breakfast and take my time over it. It's one of the small things I look forward to all week.
7. Let's move on to parks. How often do you go to a park? Example: Probably two or three times a week in summer, much less in winter. There's a small park near my flat, so I often walk through it on my way home just to get some fresh air.
8. What do people usually do in the parks where you live? Example: All sorts of things — people jog, walk their dogs, and families bring young children to the playground. On sunny weekends it gets really crowded with people having picnics or playing football.
9. Do you think cities should have more parks? Example: Definitely. Parks are one of the few free places where anyone can go to relax, and they make a real difference to people's health, especially for those who live in flats without gardens.

Speaking Part 2 — Long turn (cue card)

You have 1 minute to prepare notes, then speak for up to 2 minutes. CUE CARD: Describe a time when you had to wait for something. You should say: what you were waiting for; why you had to wait; how long you waited; and explain how you felt while you were waiting.

1. Describe a time when you had to wait for something. You should say what you were waiting for, why you had to wait, how long you waited, and explain how you felt while you were waiting. You have one to two minutes. Example: (Compare the three band samples below to see what separates Band 7, 8 and 9.)

Speaking Part 3 — Discussion

The examiner asks broader questions connected to the Part 2 topic (4-5 minutes). Give extended, analytical answers with reasons and examples.

1. Why do you think some people find waiting more difficult than others? Example: (See the band samples below for this question.)
2. Do you think people today are less patient than they were in the past? Example: To some extent, yes. Because so much is available instantly — food deliveries, films, answers to almost any question — people have grown used to not waiting, so even short delays feel irritating. That said, people still show enormous patience in other areas, such as saving for years to buy a home, so I'd say our patience has become more selective rather than disappeared.
3. How do businesses try to make waiting less unpleasant for their customers? Example: The most obvious way is simply to keep people informed — a screen showing that you're fifth in the queue makes the wait feel shorter because it's predictable. Others try to distract customers, with music, magazines or free Wi-Fi, and some restaurants text you when your table is ready so you can wander off rather than standing around.
4. Should people be allowed to pay to avoid waiting for public services such as hospital treatment? Example: I have mixed feelings. On one hand, those who pay free up space in the public system, which could shorten everyone else's wait. On the other hand, it risks creating a two-tier system where treatment depends on wealth rather than need, and I think for something as essential as healthcare, fairness should come first.
5. Can patience be taught to children, or is it a natural quality? Example: I think temperament plays a part, but patience can definitely be learned. Children learn it by practising small delays — saving pocket money for a toy, or taking turns in a game — and by watching how the adults around them deal with frustration. If parents always give in immediately, children never get the chance to develop it.
6. Will technology reduce the amount of time people spend waiting in the future? Example: In many everyday situations, probably. Online booking and self-service systems have already cut queues at banks and airports, and better data should make public transport more predictable. But I suspect some waits — for a medical specialist, for instance — are about a shortage of people rather than technology, so they won't disappear so easily.