Cambridge IELTS 13 · General Training · Test 3 · Section 1
New York Late-Starters String Orchestra & The 7 Best Running Watches — IELTS Reading Answers
All 14 answers for New York Late-Starters String Orchestra & The 7 Best Running Watches, Cambridge IELTS 13 General Training Reading Test 3 Section 1, with the passage evidence and an explanation for each.
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New York Late-Starters String Orchestra & The 7 Best Running Watches answer key at a glance
Questions 1–14. Tap an answer to see the evidence.
What this section tests
This section is tested with True / False / Not Given (Q1–7), Matching Information (Q8–14). Each section below gives the strategy for that question type, the answers, and the sentence that proves them.
Questions 1–7: True / False / Not Given
Strategy: Judge the whole statement against the text. FALSE contradicts the passage; NOT GIVEN means the passage never addresses that specific claim.
The idea behind NYLSO was based on another orchestra.
“grew out of a concept developed by The East London Late Starters Orchestra (ELLSO)”
TRUE: NYLSO 'grew out of a concept developed by The East London Late Starters Orchestra', another orchestra.
An ability to read music is essential.
“Participants should have basic music reading skills and a willingness to commit to the group”
TRUE: 'Participants should have basic music reading skills', so reading music is essential.
The NYLSO might be unsuitable for very advanced level musicians.
“If you have ever been paid to play your instrument, recently graduated with a degree in performance, or have been playing continuously since elementary school, you may decide we are not the appropriate group for you”
TRUE: anyone 'paid to play' or 'recently graduated with a degree in performance' may find NYLSO unsuitable.
NYLSO concerts are free to members’ families and friends.
“We work with the goal of producing one to three very informal 'friends-and-family' concerts per year”
NOT GIVEN: concerts are called 'friends-and-family' events, but ticket prices or free entry are never mentioned.
Rehearsals always involve the full orchestra playing together.
“Substitute conductors also join in to teach different sections, providing groups of players with valuable experience in working with different approaches and styles”
FALSE: substitute conductors teach 'different sections', so rehearsals do not always involve the whole orchestra together.
The conductor provides her services free to NYLSO.
“NYLSO is a self-supporting collective; we do not receive any other funding. The cost is $80 for each six-week cycle. Payments are applied to the costs of rehearsal space, conductor's fees, and photocopying music”
FALSE: members' payments cover 'conductor's fees', so the conductor is paid rather than giving her services free.
The NYLSO gives advice on what instrument to purchase.
“You will need an instrument, a portable music stand, and any other relevant accessories”
NOT GIVEN: members need 'an instrument, a portable music stand' and accessories, but buying advice is never offered.
Questions 8–14: Matching Information
Strategy: Scan for the idea, not the exact words. The answer is a paragraph letter, and one paragraph may be used more than once unless the instructions say otherwise.
This would be a suitable and not too expensive first watch for a runner.
“This is a well-priced, entry-level watch that's light as well as waterproof and available in a range of colours”
E: it is 'a well-priced, entry-level watch', suitable as a first watch without costing much.
Care has been taken to make this watch very attractive to look at.
“Described by the Huffington Post as 'the sports watch you never knew you needed,' this soft-touch and lightweight watch has been lovingly designed to appear more like a piece of futuristic jewellery than a running watch”
F: it was 'lovingly designed to appear more like a piece of futuristic jewellery', so appearance was carefully considered.
This watch can be programmed to let the runner know when it is time to get some refreshment.
“Alerts remind you when it's time to hydrate or top up the nutrition”
D: 'Alerts remind you when it's time to hydrate or top up the nutrition', so it can prompt refreshment.
This watch will need recharging at frequent intervals.
“this watch, which is small enough to wear at the office, is touchscreen and is packed with impressive features, although the battery life is limited”
C: despite impressive features, 'the battery life is limited', so frequent recharging is needed.
Both experienced and inexperienced runners will find this watch useful.
“The hi-res screen makes this a great watch for athletes at any level”
D: 'The hi-res screen makes this a great watch for athletes at any level', beginners and experts alike.
Runners will find all the features on this watch are useful.
“Soleus claims this has everything you need and nothing you don't”
A: Soleus claims it 'has everything you need and nothing you don't', so every feature is useful.
People who do most of their running in cities may find this watch is not appropriate for them.
“This is better suited to off-roaders rather than urban runners”
G: it is 'better suited to off-roaders rather than urban runners', so city runners may find it unsuitable.
Learn the question types in this section
Frequently asked questions
Where does the New York Late-Starters String Orchestra & The 7 Best Running Watches passage come from?
It is Section 1 of Cambridge IELTS 13 General Training Reading Test 3, and it covers Questions 1–14.
What question types appear in New York Late-Starters String Orchestra & The 7 Best Running Watches?
The section is tested with True / False / Not Given, Matching Information. Each type is explained on this page, alongside the answers.
Are these reading answers reliable?
Every answer is paired with the sentence that proves it, so you can check each one against the passage yourself. Use the page after a timed attempt, not instead of one.
Cambridge IELTS is published by Cambridge University Press & Assessment. Band9Prep is not affiliated with Cambridge. This page is an independent study aid: it gives the answer key, the passage evidence and an explanation so you can review an attempt you have already made.