this invention has as its object to prevent a flexible flat cable which connects a control board and an image reading unit from contacting a document table glass . an image reading apparatus has an image reading unit for reading a document placed on a document table glass , a drive unit for scanning the image reading unit relative to the document , and a flexible flat cable for electrically connecting an electric circuit fixed in the main body of the image reading apparatus , and the image reading unit which moves relative to the main body . that portion of the flexible flat cable , which includes a portion that is movable upon scanning of the image reading unit is folded into at least two , and stands nearly perpendicularly to the document table glass .