Mistakes when applying for a job reading with answers: IELTS general reading practice test pdf 2026 is designed to assist candidates preparing for the General Training module in developing the competencies required to interpret everyday texts, including advertisements, official notices, employment-related materials, and instructional documents, in addition to extended passages addressing topics of general interest. The examination comprises three sections to be completed within 60 minutes, encompassing a total of 40 questions across formats such as matching headings, true/false/not given, sentence completion, and multiple choice. Engaging with updated practice materials for 2026 enables candidates to familiarise themselves with current question structures, refine time-management strategies, and strengthen the reading proficiency necessary to attain a higher band score.
This IELTS general training reading section contains sentence completion type questions. You have to complete the sentences from given information with passages.
Table of Contents
IELTS reading practice test topic: Mistakes when applying for a job reading
There are many mistakes that people make when writing their résumé (CV) or completing a job application. Here are some of the most common and most serious.
The biggest problem is perhaps listing the duties for which you were responsible in a past position: all this tells your potential employers is what you were supposed to do. They do not necessarily know the specific skills you used in executing them, nor do they know what results you achieved – both of which are essential. In short, they won’t know if you were the best, the worst, or just average in your position.
The more concrete information you can include, the better. As far as possible, provide measurements of what you accomplished. If any innovations you introduced saved the organization money, how much did they save? If you found a way of increasing productivity, by what percentage did you increase it?
Writing what you are trying to achieve in life – your objective – is a waste of space. It tells the employer what you are interested in. Do you really think that employers care what you want? No, they are interested in what they want! Instead, use that space for a career summary. A good one is brief – three to four sentences long. A good one will make the person reviewing your application want to read further.
Many résumés list ‘hard’ job-specific skills, almost to the exclusion of transferable, or ‘soft’, skills. However, your ability to negotiate effectively, for example, can be just as important as your technical skills.
All information you give should be relevant, so carefully consider the job for which you are applying. If you are applying for a job that is somewhat different than your current job, it is up to you to draw a connection for the résumé reviewer, so that they will understand how your skills will fit in their organization. The person who reviews your paperwork will not be a mind reader.
If you are modest about the skills you can offer, or the results you have achieved, a résumé reader may take what you write literally, and be left with a low opinion of your ability: you need to say exactly how good you are. On the other hand, of course, never stretch the truth or lie.
Mistakes when applying for a job reading Questions
CHECK COMPLETE 1 HOUR FULL IELTS READING TEST
CHECK LATEST IELTS PRACTICE SAMPLES
Questions 15-20
Complete the sentences below. Choose ONE WORD ONLY from the text for each answer.
- It is a mistake to specify your 15………. in past positions.
- Do not include a description of your 16………… in life.
- Include soft skills such as an ability to 17……….. successfully.
- Think hard about the position so you can ensure that the information in your application is 18………… .
- Make the 19………. between your abilities and the job you are applying for clear.
- Do not be too 20……… about what you can do.
Mistakes when applying for a job reading answers
ANSWERS
15. duties
16. objective
17. negotiate
18. relevant
19. connection
20. modest
