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The IELTS General Reading test is an essential component for those aspiring to build an exciting career abroad. It evaluates your ability to read, understand, analyze, and draw accurate conclusions from a variety of texts. From magazines to advertisements, the test mirrors real-world reading scenarios. If you’re ready to unlock lifetime opportunities, mastering the IELTS General Reading test is your first step to success!
In this guide, we’ll explore the structure of the test, effective preparation strategies, and the latest practice resources to help you excel. Let’s dive in and start your journey to IELTS success!
Components of the IELTS General Reading Test
The IELTS General Reading Test assesses candidates’ reading skills across real-life scenarios. Below is an overview of its structure:
| Section | Content | Focus | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Two to three short texts or several smaller texts | Everyday topics such as signs, advertisements, and timetables | Notices, advertisements, schedules, announcements, labels |
| 2 | Two texts | Work-related topics such as job descriptions, contracts, staff development | Employment contracts, training materials, workplace policies |
| 3 | One long text | Topic of general interest, typically descriptive and instructive | Newspapers, magazines, books, online articles, manuals |
The test lasts for 1 hour and contains a total of 40 questions.
Types of IELTS General Reading Questions
The IELTS General Reading test includes various question types designed to evaluate a range of skills. Familiarizing yourself with these question types is key to effective preparation. Below are the question types you can expect:
Given below are the details about the task expected out of you and the skills assessed based on the IELTS General Reading question types.
IELTS General Reading Task Details and Skills Assessed
Multiple-Choice Questions
Work Item: Choosing the correct answer from the options given.
Skills Assessed:
- Basic understanding of the passage given
- Paraphrasing skills
Short Answer Questions
Work Item: Ability to answer the questions using the information provided.
Skills Assessed:
- Ability to skim the passage for information
- Ability to answer questions with the correct number of words
Matching Information
Work Item: Identifying which section of the passage contains the information given in the question statement.
Skills Assessed:
- Paraphrasing abilities
- Ability to find information from the passage
Matching Heading
Work Item: You will be given a list of headings and asked to choose the right heading for paragraphs in a given passage.
Skills Assessed:
- Basic understanding of the content of each paragraph
- Understanding of the central idea of the passage as well as the paragraphs
True/False/Not Given
Work Item: Identify if the question statements are TRUE, FALSE, or NOT GIVEN from the information in the passage.
Skills Assessed:
- Ability to pick out specific information from the passage
- Understanding whether the question statement matches or contradicts the information given in the passage
Summary/Sentence Completion
Work Item: Completing the summary by filling in the correct words from the passage.
Skills Assessed:
- Ability to scan the passage for the right words
- Ability to understand ideas
Matching Sentence Endings
Work Item: Ability to complete the given sentences by choosing the correct endings from a given list.
Skills Assessed:
- Ability to predict endings by reading the sentences
- Grammar
Table Completion
Work Item: Completing the table by choosing appropriate words from a given passage.
Skills Assessed:
- Ability to comprehend details from the passage
- Ability to locate the right words
Flowchart Completion
Work Item: Completing the flowchart by choosing appropriate words from a given passage.
Skills Assessed:
- Ability to complete the flowchart from the information in the passage
- Ability to scan the passage for information
Diagram Completion
Work Item: Completing the diagram by choosing appropriate words from a given passage.
Skills Assessed:
- Ability to locate information in the passage
- Ability to choose the right words
Scoring in the IELTS General Reading Test
As there are 40 questions in the IELTS General Reading test, each question is worth 1 mark. So, the total score for this section is 40 marks. Your score out of 40 will be converted into a band score ranging from 0 to 9, with increments of 0.5. Below is the table showing IELTS General Reading scores and the corresponding criteria:
| Band Score | Correct Answers |
|---|---|
| 9 | 40 |
| 8.5 | 39 |
| 8 | 37-38 |
| 7.5 | 36 |
| 7 | 34-35 |
| 6.5 | 32-33 |
| 6 | 30-31 |
| 5.5 | 27-29 |
| 5 | 23-26 |
| 4.5 | 19-22 |
| 4 | 15-18 |
| 3.5 | 12-14 |
| 3 | 9-11 |
| 2.5 | 6-8 |
| 2 | 3-5 |
| 1 | 1-2 |
Advanced Techniques for a Higher IELTS General Reading Score
To grab your desired IELTS General Reading score, make sure to take the following advanced techniques seriously:
- Skimming and Scanning Techniques: Skimming helps you quickly read through a passage to get the main idea without focusing on every detail, while scanning involves looking for specific information by quickly scanning the text for keywords or phrases. These techniques help you find answers faster during the test.
- Time Management Strategies: Allocate a specific amount of time for each passage and question. If you get stuck on a question, move on and come back to it later. Don’t spend too much time on one question; it’s better to answer as many questions as you can.
- Developing Vocabulary Skills: Read regularly to learn new words and understand their meanings. Use vocabulary books and apps to practice and memorize new words. Pay attention to synonyms to improve your vocabulary.
- Misunderstanding Questions: Read each question carefully and make sure you understand what it’s asking. Look out for keywords or instructions that indicate what the question is about. If you’re not sure about a question, read it again and try to understand it before answering.
- Skipping Instructions: Always read the instructions carefully before starting the test. Skipping instructions can lead to reduced band scores, so it’s important to pay attention to them.
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