IELTS General Training Reading sample task – Identifying information
Free Sample From the British Council
​
Read the text below and answer Questions 1-8.
London to Brighton Bike Ride
​
The start
The bike ride starts at Clapham Common tube station.
• Your Start Time is indicated by the colour of your body number in this
pack. It is also printed on the address label of the envelope. Please arrive
no earlier than 30 minutes before that time.
• We allocate an equal number of cyclists for each Start Time to ensure a
steady flow. Please keep to the time you've been given so we can keep to
our schedule and avoid delaying other riders and prevent 'bunching'
further down the route.
• An Information Point, toilets and refreshment stands will be open from
very early in the day.
​
Ride carefully
We put together as many facilities as possible to help ensure you have a
troublefree day. But we also rely on you to ride safely and with due
consideration for other cyclists and road users. Although many roads are
closed to oncoming traffic, this is not always the case and you should be aware
of the possibility that there could be vehicles coming in the opposite direction.
Please do not attempt reckless overtaking whilst riding – remember it is NOT a
race.
​
Follow all instructions
Every effort is made to ensure that the route is well signed and marshalled.
Please obey all directions from police and marshals on the route. If you hear a
motorcycle marshal blow his/her whistle three times, move left.
​
Wear a helmet
Every year we are delighted to see more riders wearing protective helmets, but
we would like to see every cyclist on the ride wearing one. More than half of
reported injuries in cycling accidents are to the head, and a helmet gives the
best protection when the head hits the ground.
​
Attracting assistance
If you have an accident, ask a marshal for help; they are in contact with the
support/emergency services. To call for help from our motorcycle marshals,
give a 'thumbs down' signal. The marshal will do all he/she can to help,
providing he/she is not already going to a more serious accident. If a
motorcycle marshal slows down to help you, but you have just stopped for a
rest and don't need help, please give a 'thumbs up' signal and he/she will carry
on. Remember – thumbs down means 'I need help'.
​
In case of breakdown
Refer to your route map and make your way to a Mechanics Point. Mechanical
assistance is free when you show your Rider Identity Card; you just pay for the
parts.
​
Refreshment stops
Look out for these along the route. Most are organised by voluntary clubs and
their prices give you real value for money. They are also raising money for their
local communities and the British Heart Foundation, so please give them your
support.
​
Rain or shine – be prepared
In the event of very bad weather, watch out for signs to wet weather stations en
route. Good waterproofs, like a cycle cape, are essential. Our first aid staff can
only supply bin liners and by the time you get one you may be very wet.
However, the English summer is unpredictable – it may also be hot, so don't
forget the sun protection cream as well!
If you have to drop out
​
We will try to pick up your bike for you on the day. Call Bike Events (01225
310859) no more than two weeks after the ride to arrange collection. Sorry, we
cannot guarantee this service nor can we accept liability for any loss or damage
to your bike. Bike Events will hold your bike for three months, after which it
may be disposed of. You will be charged for all costs incurred in returning your
cycle.
NOW PLEASE ATTEMPT THESE QUESTIONS -
Questions 1 – 8
Do the following statements agree with the information given in the text?
In boxes 1-8 on your answer sheet, 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
1 You should not arrive more than half an hour before your allocated starting time.
2 Your Rider Identity Card will be sent to you before the event.
3 Some roads may have normal traffic flow on them.
4 Helmets are compulsory for all participants.
5 Refreshments are free to all participants during the ride.
6 If you need a rest you must get off the road.
7 First aid staff can provide cycle capes.
8 Bike Events will charge you for the return of your bike.
​
Please email your answers to ellaswriting@mail.com
Query From Student:
"I don't understand how to interpret IELTS graphs, bar charts, pie charts or diagram-labelling questions."
ANSWERED
In part one of the Academic Writing Task you may either have to describe visual information in the form of a line graph, a bar chart, a diagram or a table. You'll have to write a-hundred-and-fifty-word answer.
Below is what a line graph looks like. Line graphs display the changes to information over a stipulated period of time. In my made-up graph, I've shown fictitious information about how much I spent on Social Media commercials in 2022.
Each coloured line represents visual data. Please start reading from the bottom of the page. The baseline here is zero. Often, it is not given, but it is assumed you know that already.
You have two imaginary points called an axis- a-Y-axis or an X-axis. By rule of thumb, the Y-axis is vertical (pointing up, top to bottom), whereas the X-axis is the horizontal line - the straight line, from left to right on the graph. You may have lines going from top to bottom in your IELTS test or may see lines that are slightly curved.
Please look for infomation on the graph from left to right on your question sheet, following the sequential flow of English language.
The graph shows graphical trends, meaning changes or patterns demonstrated through a graph.
On my Y-axis, I have labels which are numerical representations in digits of ten. Each figure is reached by adding ten to the one below it.
At the top of my graph is the title of the line graph- Ella's Writing School Line Chart Sample. By contrast in the paragraph below, I have additional information and this is where you'll find your question in the IELTS Academic Test.
Please spend up to 3 minutes reading and scanning the graph.
The lables on my X-axis are the months of the year during which my adverts ran on Facebook. They add more detail to the variables on the Y-axis.
Everything on my line graph is called a component.
My X-axis is a time interval of months. In your IELTS test your time intervals may well be years.
On my Y-axis, I have denoted the quantity which goes up to the number 50.
Often contrasting or camparing the data on the X and Y axes (plural of axis) tells us how much the variable or how many times variables change. Or, how they affect each other. Questions are based on these kinds of interaction in the IELTS test.
Most times you will be presented will muliple lines in a graph but don't worry too much as this should've helped you decode them.
*Tip- Read from left to right
**Study the graph for 3 minutes before starting
**Read the information in the ccode box to see which colour line represents what.