Cycling Safety on Shared Paths: Reading Answers & Explanations
IELTS Reading practice test · 13 questionsGeneral Trainingeasy
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About this passage
The passage opens: “Cycling is a healthy, enjoyable and environmentally friendly way to get around, and our town has an expanding network of paths for people to use. Many of these are shared paths, which means they are used by cyclists and pedestrians together, and sometimes by other users such as people with pushchairs, wheelchair users…”
- Passage length: about 720 words
- Questions: 13
- Question types: True / False / Not Given, Multiple Choice, Short Answer
“Cycling Safety on Shared Paths” is an original IELTS-style practice passage written by IELTS-Bank. It is not taken from an official IELTS or Cambridge test, so these answers only apply to our version.
Answer key at a glance
Cycling Safety on Shared Paths answers with explanations
Questions 1–6: True / False / Not Given
Do the following statements agree with the information given in the leaflet? Write TRUE, FALSE or NOT GIVEN.
- 1
On a shared path, pedestrians have priority over cyclists.
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Answer: TRUE
Why: This sentence confirms the statement, so the answer is TRUE.
Evidence · Paragraph 3 “The single most important thing to remember on a shared path is that pedestrians have priority.”
- 2
Shared paths are a suitable place for fast, sporting cycling.
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Answer: FALSE
Why: This sentence directly contradicts the statement, so the answer is FALSE.
Evidence · Paragraph 3 “A shared path is not the place for fast or sporting cycling; if you wish to ride quickly, please use the road instead.”
- 3
The leaflet recommends that every bicycle used on shared paths has a bell.
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Answer: TRUE
Why: This sentence confirms the statement, so the answer is TRUE.
Evidence · Paragraph 5 “A bell is the most effective way to do this, and we recommend that every bicycle used on shared paths is fitted with one.”
- 4
Wearing a helmet is compulsory on the town's shared paths.
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Answer: FALSE
Why: This sentence directly contradicts the statement, so the answer is FALSE.
Evidence · Paragraph 9 “Although wearing a helmet is not compulsory on our paths, we strongly recommend it.”
- 5
Most cycling accidents on the paths happen at junctions.
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Answer: NOT GIVEN
Why: The statement claims most cycling accidents happen at junctions, but the passage neither confirms nor denies this, only advising cyclists to slow down and be ready to give way at junctions.
Closest related text · Paragraph 1 “Cycling is a healthy, enjoyable and environmentally friendly way to get around, and our town has an expanding network of paths for people to use.”
- 6
Lights are required by law when cycling after dark.
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Answer: TRUE
Why: This sentence confirms the statement, so the answer is TRUE.
Evidence · Paragraph 9 “Lights are required by law when riding after dark, and wearing bright or reflective clothing helps others to notice you.”
Question 7: Multiple Choice
Choose the correct letter, A, B, C or D.
- A. in good time, well before you reach the person
- B. only at the very last moment
- C. after you have already passed them
- D. only if they turn around
- 7
When should you ring your bell to warn a pedestrian?
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Answer: A — in good time, well before you reach the person
Why: This is the part of the passage that supports A — in good time, well before you reach the person.
Evidence · Paragraph 5 “Ring your bell in good time, well before you reach the person, so that you do not startle them.”
Question 8: Multiple Choice
Choose the correct letter, A, B, C or D.
- A. force your way through quickly
- B. slow to walking pace for a short distance
- C. ride on the right-hand side
- D. get off and carry your bicycle
- 8
What does the leaflet advise when a path is crowded?
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Answer: B — slow to walking pace for a short distance
Why: This is the part of the passage that supports B — slow to walking pace for a short distance.
Evidence · Paragraph 7 “If the path is crowded, it is often quicker and safer simply to slow to walking pace for a short distance than to try to force your way through.”
Question 9: Multiple Choice
Choose the correct letter, A, B, C or D.
- A. speed up to cross quickly
- B. assume all vehicles will stop for you
- C. slow down and be ready to give way
- D. ring your bell continuously
- 9
What should you do as you approach a junction or crossing?
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Answer: C — slow down and be ready to give way
Why: This is the part of the passage that supports C — slow down and be ready to give way.
Evidence · Paragraph 11 “Slow down as you approach any such point, and be ready to give way.”
Questions 10–13: Short Answer
Answer the questions below. Choose NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS from the leaflet for each answer.
- 10
As a general rule, to which side of the path should you keep?(max 2 words)
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Answer: the left (also accepted: left)
Why: The answer “the left” is taken from this sentence — copy the word(s) exactly as they appear. It fits the 2-word limit.
Evidence · Paragraph 7 “As a general rule, keep to the left of the path, leaving room for others to pass in the opposite direction.”
- 11
When overtaking someone going the same way, on which side should you pass where possible?(max 2 words)
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Answer: the right (also accepted: right / on the right)
Why: The answer “the right” is taken from this sentence — copy the word(s) exactly as they appear. It fits the 2-word limit.
Evidence · Paragraph 7 “…give them plenty of room, and pass on the right where possible.”
- 12
Besides your brakes, what else should you check regularly?(max 2 words)
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Answer: your tyres (also accepted: tyres / tires)
Why: The answer “your tyres” is taken from this sentence — copy the word(s) exactly as they appear. It fits the 2-word limit.
Evidence · Paragraph 9 “Check your brakes and tyres regularly, and carry a basic repair kit.”
- 13
To whom should you report a problem such as a fallen tree or damaged surface?(max 2 words)
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Answer: the council (also accepted: council)
Why: The answer “the council” is taken from this sentence — copy the word(s) exactly as they appear. It fits the 2-word limit.
Evidence · Paragraph 13 “…please report it to the council so that it can be dealt with quickly.”
Estimated band score for this test
Your raw score out of 13 scaled to the 40-question IELTS Reading (General Training) conversion table. This is the same estimate the practice page shows after you submit. A single passage is a small sample, so treat it as a guide.
| Correct answers | Estimated band |
|---|---|
| 13 / 13 | 9.0 |
| 12 / 13 | 8.0 |
| 11 / 13 | 7.0 |
| 10 / 13 | 6.0 |
| 9 / 13 | 5.5 |
| 8 / 13 | 5.0 |
| 7 / 13 | 4.5 |
| 5–6 / 13 | 4.0 |
| 4 / 13 | 3.5 |
| 3 / 13 | 3.0 |
| 2 / 13 | 2.5 |
| 1 / 13 | 1.5 |
| 0 / 13 | 0.0 |
Full-test score? Use the IELTS band calculator.
Tips for the question types in this test
True / False / Not Given
- Read the statement first and underline the key idea, especially any qualifiers like "all", "only", "never", "always", "more than" or dates and numbers.
- Because the questions follow the order of the passage, scan for the paragraph that deals with the same topic rather than re-reading everything.
Common trap: Confusing "False" with "Not Given": choose False only when the passage actively contradicts the statement; if the passage is silent, it is Not Given.
Full True / False / Not Given strategyMultiple Choice
- Read the question stem carefully before the options so you know exactly what is being asked.
- Because multiple-choice questions follow passage order, locate the relevant section and read it in full — the answer usually depends on more than one sentence.
Common trap: Distractors that use exact words from the passage but distort the meaning.
Full Multiple Choice strategyShort Answer
- Read the instructions and note the exact word limit; going over it means zero marks even if the meaning is right.
- Turn each question into a set of keywords and predict what kind of answer it needs (a person, a date, a place, a noun).
Common trap: Exceeding the word limit (writing four words when only three are allowed).
Full Short Answer strategyPractise “Cycling Safety on Shared Paths” under exam conditions
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