IELTS General Training Reading Test
Passage 1: The History of the Olympic Games
The Olympic Games have a long and storied history that dates back more than 2,700 years. Originally, the Games were a religious festival held in honor of Zeus, the king of the Greek gods. They took place every four years in Olympia, a valley near the town of Elis. The earliest recorded Olympic Games occurred in 776 BC, although evidence suggests that the Games had been held for many years before that date.
The ancient Olympics were quite different from the modern version. The Games lasted five days and featured events such as running, wrestling, boxing, and a pentathlon, which included running, long jump, discus throw, javelin throw, and wrestling. Participation was restricted to freeborn Greek men, and women were not allowed to compete or even attend the events, with the exception of the priestess of Demeter.
The modern Olympic Games were revived in 1896, largely thanks to the efforts of Frenchman Baron Pierre de Coubertin. He believed that the Games could foster international peace and cooperation. The first modern Olympics were held in Athens, Greece, and have since grown into a global event, attracting athletes from almost every country around the world.
Questions 1-14
Questions 1-7 Complete the sentences below.
Choose NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS from the passage for each answer.
1. The ancient Olympic Games were held to honor _________.2. The Games took place every four years in _________.
3. The first recorded Olympic Games occurred in _________ BC.
4. Participation in the ancient Olympics was limited to _________ Greek men.
5. The modern Olympics were revived by _________.
6. The first modern Olympic Games were hosted in _________.
7. The modern Games are aimed at promoting international _________.
Questions 8-11 True/False/Not Given
Do the following statements agree with the information given in the passage? 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
9. Women were allowed to watch the ancient Olympic Games.
10. The pentathlon was the only event in the ancient Olympics.
11. The revival of the Olympic Games aimed to encourage global cooperation.
Questions 12-14 Matching Information
Match each characteristic with the correct period of the Olympic Games.
13. Featured a pentathlon event
14. Restricted to male participants
Passage 2: The Rise of Artificial Intelligence
Artificial Intelligence (AI) refers to the creation of machines that can perform tasks requiring human-like intelligence, such as learning, reasoning, and problem-solving. AI is becoming increasingly integrated into our daily lives, from digital assistants like Siri and Alexa to complex systems in healthcare and finance.
The development of AI began in the mid-20th century, with pioneers such as Alan Turing, a British mathematician. Turing proposed the concept of a machine that could simulate any human action through programming, which laid the groundwork for AI. His "Turing Test" was designed to assess whether a machine could exhibit behavior indistinguishable from that of a human.
Today, AI is classified into two main types: Narrow AI and General AI. Narrow AI is designed to handle specific tasks, such as image recognition or language translation. In contrast, General AI, which remains a theoretical concept, would be capable of performing any intellectual task a human can do. While Narrow AI is widely used, the development of General AI raises ethical concerns and potential risks.
As AI technology advances, it poses ethical dilemmas related to privacy, security, and the potential for job displacement due to automation. However, AI also holds the promise of significant benefits, including advances in healthcare, transportation, and education.
Questions 15-27
Questions 15-20 Multiple Choice Questions
Choose the correct letter, A, B, C, or D.
15. AI primarily aims to replicate which aspect of human abilities?- A) Emotions
- B) Intelligence
- C) Physical strength
- D) Creativity
- A) Isaac Newton
- B) Albert Einstein
- C) Alan Turing
- D) Nikola Tesla
- A) Machine speed
- B) Machine intelligence
- C) Human intelligence
- D) Machine creativity
- A) Narrow AI
- B) General AI
- C) Advanced AI
- D) Machine Learning
- A) Improvements in healthcare
- B) Environmental conservation
- C) Advances in transportation
- D) Enhancements in education
- A) Privacy and security issues
- B) Emotional responses in machines
- C) Machine speed and efficiency
- D) Creativity in artificial systems
Questions 21-24 Matching Features
Match each feature with the correct category of AI.
22. Used in digital assistants
23. Handles specific tasks
24. Could potentially perform any human intellectual task
Questions 25-27 Yes/No/Not Given
Do the following statements agree with the information given in the passage? Write:
- Yes if the statement agrees with the information
- No if the statement contradicts the information
- Not Given if there is no information on this
26. Ethical issues are a major concern in the development of AI.
27. The Turing Test is still the primary method used to evaluate AI.
Passage 3: The Benefits of Physical Exercise
Regular physical exercise is crucial for maintaining overall health and well-being. It helps improve cardiovascular health, strengthens muscles, and enhances flexibility. Exercise also has positive effects on mental health, such as reducing stress, anxiety, and depression.
Engaging in regular exercise lowers the risk of developing chronic diseases like heart disease, diabetes, and certain types of cancer. Additionally, it helps manage body weight and improves sleep quality. For many, exercise also serves as a social activity, providing opportunities to connect with others and fostering a sense of community.
There are various forms of physical exercise, including aerobic activities like running and swimming, as well as strength training exercises such as weightlifting. The key is to find activities that are enjoyable and sustainable. Even moderate-intensity exercises, such as walking or cycling, can offer significant health benefits if done regularly.
Despite the well-known benefits, many people find it challenging to maintain a regular exercise routine. Common obstacles include a lack of time, motivation, and access to appropriate facilities. However, incorporating even small amounts of physical activity into daily life can lead to substantial health improvements.
Questions 28-40
Questions 28-31 Matching Sentence Endings
Complete each sentence with the correct ending from the box below.
29. Exercise reduces the _________.
30. Physical activity improves _________ by lowering stress and anxiety.
31. Strength training exercises benefit _________.
Questions 32-36 Short Answer Questions
Answer the questions below using NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS from the passage.
32. Which type of exercise includes running and swimming?33. What are two chronic diseases that exercise can help prevent?
34. What additional benefit does exercise offer besides physical health?
35. What is a common obstacle to maintaining an exercise routine?
36. What kind of activities can provide health benefits if done consistently?
Questions 37-40 True/False/Not Given
Do the following statements agree with the information given in the passage? 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
38. Strength training is beneficial only for athletes.
39. Many people find it difficult to maintain a regular exercise routine.
40. Walking and cycling are considered moderate-intensity activities.
Answers
Passage 1: The History of the Olympic Games
1. Zeus2. Olympia
3. 776
4. freeborn
5. Baron Pierre de Coubertin
6. Athens
7. peace
8. True
9. False
10. False
11. True
12. B
13. A
14. A
Passage 2: The Rise of Artificial Intelligence
15. B16. C
17. B
18. B
19. B
20. A
21. B
22. A
23. A
24. B
25. No
26. Yes
27. Not Given
Passage 3: The Benefits of Physical Exercise
28. D29. C
30. A
31. B
32. aerobic activities
33. heart disease, diabetes
34. mental health
35. lack of time
36. moderate-intensity
37. False
38. False
39. True
40. True