
In the world of IELTS, one of the most frequently encountered question types is the Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) in both IELTS Academic and IELTS General Reading section. While they may appear simple, these questions can actually harm your score if you’re not careful. Often, the challenges lie in the subtle paraphrasing and rephrasing of answers in the passage, which can easily lead to confusion.
To help you conquer IELTS Reading MCQs and boost your score, we’ve put together a comprehensive guide on common mistakes, expert strategies, and effective tips to tackle this question type. Plus, we’ve included a helpful IELTS Reading MCQ practice PDF that allows you to practice at your own pace and perfect your skills.
Understanding IELTS Reading Multiple Choice Questions
IELTS Reading MCQs typically require you to read a passage, identify key information, and select the correct answer from several options. The main objective is to assess your comprehension ability. The test evaluates your capacity to:
- Scan the passage and grasp the main idea.
- Identify the relevant information needed to answer the question.
- Select the option that best aligns with the question or is the closest to the correct answer.
Types of Multiple Choice Questions in IELTS Reading
In both the IELTS Academic and General Reading tests, you may come across two primary types of MCQs:
- Single answer multiple choice: Choose the best option from 3-4 provided choices for a given question.
- Multiple answers multiple choice: Select more than one correct option from the available choices.
These questions can appear in either format, depending on the passage. To understand them better, check out the detailed video on IELTS Reading Multiple Choice Questions below!
Proven Strategy for Answering IELTS Reading Multiple Choice Questions
A systematic approach to answering MCQs is key to boosting your IELTS Reading score. Here’s a strategy to help you solve these questions effectively while managing your time:
- Read the questions carefully: Always start by thoroughly reviewing the questions. If you come across any unfamiliar words, try understanding them in context by looking back at the passage.
- Skim through the passage: Quickly scan the passage to get a general sense of its content and structure. This will help you spot key information later.
- Identify keywords: You should use IELTS reading keyword techniques to gain a rough understanding of the main idea of the text.
- Predict the answer: Use your understanding of the passage’s main idea and the keywords to anticipate the correct answer. This will help narrow down your choices.
- Reread the relevant section: If the question refers to a specific paragraph, read it closely to find supporting information that matches your answer.
- Eliminate wrong options: Use the elimination method to remove options that don’t align with the passage’s meaning or context. This will make it easier to focus on the most suitable answer.
- Manage your time wisely: Time management in IELTS Reading is very important for solving question. Remember, you only have 60 minutes to answer all 40 questions. If you’re stuck on a question, move on and come back to it if time permits.
Practice IELTS Multiple Choice Questions with Answers
Let’s explore sample IELTS reading multiple-choice questions and check how the strategies mentioned earlier work.
Sample Reading Passage
One of the most iconic landmarks in the world is the Eiffel Tower in Paris. While many people have seen images of it, they appreciate the experience of viewing it in person. However, if the Eiffel Tower were a famous novel, few would bother to go to a library to read the author’s original manuscript instead of a printed version. This difference could be attributed to the fact that novels evolved through technological advancements that made mass printing possible, while monuments like the Eiffel Tower remain physical, unique entities. Additionally, the way we ‘read’ these mediums differs: with novels, readers focus mainly on the meaning of the words, while viewers of a monument must engage with both its physical form and symbolic significance.
Questions:
- According to the passage, the Eiffel Tower is:
- A famous novel
- One of the world’s most iconic landmarks
- A mere tourist attraction
- A modern building
- Why do people prefer to experience landmarks in person?
- They can appreciate landmarks more deeply in person.
- They get bored of seeing pictures.
- Both A and B.
- None of the above.
- According to the passage, what is the difference between a novel and a landmark?
- No difference.
- Novels are unique.
- Landmarks are unique physical structures.
- None of the above.
- What is the difference between reading a novel and experiencing a landmark?
- No difference.
- In a novel, readers must observe the way it is printed, while in a landmark, they simply understand its meaning.
- In a landmark, viewers must observe its physical form, while in a novel, they focus only on the meaning of words.
- None of the above.
Answers :
- One of the world’s most iconic landmarks
- They can appreciate landmarks more deeply in person.
- Landmarks are unique physical structures.
- In a landmark, viewers must observe its physical form, while in a novel, they focus only on the meaning of words.
Explanation for the Answers:
- For the first question, the answer is in the first line: “One of the most iconic landmarks in the world is the Eiffel Tower in Paris,” making the correct answer B. One of the world’s most iconic landmarks.
- For the second question, the passage mentions that people prefer experiencing landmarks in person because it allows them to appreciate the structure more deeply, meaning the correct answer is A. They can appreciate landmarks more deeply in person.
- For the third question, the answer is found in the part that mentions “landmarks like the Eiffel Tower remain physical, unique entities,” so the correct answer is C. Landmarks are unique physical structures.
- For the fourth question, the passage says, “viewers of a monument must engage with both its physical form and symbolic significance,” while readers of a novel mainly focus on the meaning of words. Hence, the answer is C. In a landmark, viewers must observe its physical form, while in a novel, they focus only on the meaning of words.
Common Mistakes You Should Avoid While IELTS Reading MCQ Practice
Several mistakes can hinder your progress when answering IELTS Reading multiple-choice questions. Being aware of them can help you avoid these pitfalls:
- Not reading the questions first can cause you to search blindly in the passage and waste time.
- Not paying close attention to the text, especially the distractors, might lead you to select the wrong answer.
- Missing key phrases or conjunctions in the questions or passage that could change the meaning (e.g., “however” or “but”).
- Leaving questions unanswered can cost you valuable points. Make an educated guess if necessary, as there is no penalty for incorrect answers.
Tips to Solve IELTS Reading Multiple Choice Questions
To excel in IELTS Reading multiple-choice questions, here are some helpful IELTS exam preparation tips:- Start by reading the questions to know what to look for in the passage, saving time and effort.
- Answers are usually presented in order in the passage, so the answer to question 4 will likely follow the answers to questions 1, 2, and 3.
- Be aware of distractors, as examiners often include misleading options to test your attention to detail.
- Use the elimination technique to narrow down choices and consider paraphrasing statements to identify the correct option.
- Don’t leave answers blank. Even if unsure, make an educated guess.
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