The IELTS Reading test is a crucial part of both the Academic and General Training modules. This 60-minute test assesses your ability to understand, analyze, and interpret written texts. To help you excel, we’ve created this detailed guide, filled with essential tips and updated insights.
Scoring well in the IELTS Reading section is vital for achieving your desired band score, whether you’re taking the IELTS Academic or IELTS General Training test. By understanding the test format and question types, you can set yourself up for success. Let’s dive into what the IELTS Reading test entails and how you can avoid common pitfalls to perform your best on exam day!
Understanding the IELTS Reading Test
The IELTS Reading test is considered one of the trickiest sections in the IELTS exam. Although the time limit, question types, and number of questions are consistent across both Academic and General Training versions, the passages and difficulty level differ. Here’s an overview to get you started:
| Aspect |
Details |
| Purpose |
To evaluate your reading skills, focusing on comprehension, analysis, and interpretation of text. |
| Structure |
Three sections with a total of 40 questions. |
| Time Limit |
60 minutes, with a recommendation to spend no more than 20 minutes per section. |
| Scoring |
Each question carries 1 point, with no penalty for incorrect answers. |
| IELTS Reading Question Types |
- Short Answer Questions
- True/False/Not Given
- Matching Headings
- Matching Features
- Sentence Completion
- Matching Information
- Multiple-choice Questions
- Matching Sentence Endings
- Summary Completion/Note Completion/Table Completion
- Flowchart Completion/Diagram Completion
- Yes, No, Not Given
|
Difference Between IELTS Academic & IELTS General
The IELTS Academic Reading and General Reading tests share similarities in structure but differ in the type of content and level of complexity. Knowing these distinctions can help tailor your preparation and strategy for each module.
IELTS Reading Question Types
The IELTS Reading exam includes 10-11 different question types. Understanding these formats will improve your accuracy and confidence. Here’s a breakdown of each type:
1. IELTS Reading Multiple Choice Questions
| Question Type | Description |
| IELTS Multiple-choice questions |
- Choose the correct answer from 3-4 options.
- Questions may ask you to complete a sentence or answer directly.
- Answers appear in chronological order according to the passage.
|
2. IELTS Reading True/False/Not Given Questions
| Question Type | Description |
| IELTS True/False/Not Given |
- Mark statements as True if they match the passage, False if they contradict, or Not Given if the information is absent.
- Avoid spending too much time looking for sentences not present in the text.
|
3. IELTS Reading Yes/No/Not Given Questions
| Question Type | Description |
| IELTS Yes, No, Not Given |
- Similar to True/False/Not Given, but based on the author’s opinion.
- Determine agreement or disagreement with the given statements.
|
4. IELTS Reading Matching Headings
| Question Type | Description |
| IELTS Matching Headings |
- Match headings to the appropriate paragraphs.
- Read the headings first and then scan the text for context.
- Some headings may not match any paragraph.
|
5. IELTS Reading Matching Information
| Question Type | Description |
| IELTS Matching Information |
- Find paragraphs containing specific information.
- Pay attention to paraphrased details rather than exact matches.
|
6. IELTS Reading Matching Features
| Question Type | Description |
| IELTS Matching Features |
- Match items (e.g., names, places) with relevant sentences in the passage.
- Not all items listed will appear in the text.
|
7. IELTS Reading Matching Sentence Endings
| Question Type | Description |
| IELTS Matching Sentence Endings |
- Complete sentences by choosing the correct endings from a list.
- Ensure grammatical accuracy and logical meaning when matching.
|
8. IELTS Reading Sentence Completion & Short-Answer Questions
| Question Type | Description |
| IELTS Sentence Completion and Short Answer |
- Fill in blanks or answer in short using words from the passage.
- Adhere to word limits mentioned in the instructions.
|
9. IELTS Reading Note, Table, Diagram & Summary Completion Questions
| Question Type | Description |
|
|
- All of these question types come under the Completion questions.
- In these, you will be asked to complete a set of notes, tables, diagrams or a summary based on the information given in the text.
- Sometimes the question will be to write a short answer and sometimes you’ll have to choose from the list of answers given.
- Usually, these kinds of questions will only be based on one part of the passage, so you won’t have to read the whole passage to fill in the important information.
|
IELTS Reading Band Score
The IELTS Reading band score is calculated based on the number of correct answers. With a total of 40 questions, answering all of them correctly will help you achieve Band 9.
Note: There is a slight difference in the calculation of the IELTS Academic Reading band score and the IELTS General Reading band score due to variations in difficulty levels.
Use the IELTS Reading score table below to determine your band score for both the Academic and General Reading sections.
| Correct Answers for IELTS Reading Academic |
Correct Answers for IELTS Reading GT |
IELTS Reading Band Score |
| 40-39 |
40 |
9 |
| 38-37 |
39 |
8.5 |
| 36-35 |
38-37 |
8 |
| 34-33 |
36 |
7.5 |
| 32-30 |
35-34 |
7 |
| 29-27 |
33-32 |
6.5 |
| 26-23 |
31-30 |
6 |
| 22-19 |
29-27 |
5.5 |
| 18-15 |
26-23 |
5 |
| 14-13 |
22-19 |
4.5 |
| 12-10 |
18-15 |
4 |
| 9-8 |
14-12 |
3.5 |
| 7-6 |
11-9 |
3 |
| 5-4 |
8-6 |
2.5 |
How to Complete IELTS Reading in Less than an Hour?
The IELTS Reading section can be challenging, especially with the following tasks:
- Reading 3 long texts (or 5 in the General Training exam)
- Answering 40 different questions
- Transferring your answers accurately to the answer sheet
With just 60 minutes to tackle all this, effective time management is key. Follow these expert tips to complete the IELTS Reading section in less than an hour!
| Tip |
Details |
| Learn about the test format |
Get familiar with the test format and question types in advance to improve your reading skills and avoid surprises on test day. |
| Understand different question types |
Practice the 14 IELTS Reading question types. Start by reading the questions before diving into the passages to better manage your time. |
| Implement skimming and scanning |
Use skimming to grasp the overall idea of a passage and scanning to locate specific details quickly and accurately. |
| Use context clues |
Context clues can help you figure out the meaning of unfamiliar words, making it easier to locate answers. |
| Distribute your time wisely |
Allocate 20 minutes per passage in the Academic test. In General Reading, spend extra time on the third passage as it’s more complex. |
| Build your vocabulary |
A strong vocabulary helps you identify synonyms and paraphrased ideas, which are crucial for answering questions correctly. |
| Transfer answers concurrently |
Transfer your answers to the answer sheet after completing each passage to avoid last-minute rushing. |
| Practice regularly |
Regular practice with sample papers and lengthy texts improves accuracy, pace, and familiarity with complex words. Use reliable resources. |
Advanced IELTS Reading Tips and Strategies
Before diving into advanced strategies, let’s explore two essential IELTS Reading keyword techniques: Skimming and Scanning.
- Skimming : Read the text quickly to get a general idea or main theme of the passage.
- Scanning : Read the text rapidly to find specific details like names, numbers, or key terms.
| Step |
Details |
| Skim the passage |
Quickly read the passage to understand its main idea. |
| Read the question |
Identify the type of question being asked. |
| Remember the technique |
Apply the specific strategy for the question type. |
| Find the keyword |
Locate the keyword in the question and find it in the passage. |
| Read around the keyword |
Read the sentences before and after the keyword to find the correct answer. |
| Infer meaning |
Use context clues to guess the meaning of unfamiliar words. |
| Write the answer |
Write your answer and move to the next question without wasting time. |
Common Mistakes to Avoid in IELTS Reading
Knowing the common pitfalls in IELTS Reading can significantly improve your performance. Below is a list of frequent mistakes made by candidates and tips to avoid them effectively.
| Issue |
Details |
| Misinterpretation of questions |
Carefully read the instructions and questions to understand what is being asked. Misinterpretation can lead to incorrect answers. |
| Disregarding instructions |
Follow all instructions meticulously, especially those related to word limits for each question type, to avoid unnecessary errors. |
| Overlooking details |
While skimming the passage, pay attention to critical details. Missing key information can affect the accuracy of your answers. |
| Ineffective time management |
Don’t spend excessive time on one question or passage. Distribute your time wisely to complete the entire section. |
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