rebeccadashe@yahoo.
com 23 Sep 2022
[email protected] 23 Sep 2022
10 places to nd IELTS Reading resources (Academic Test)
The IELTS Reading Test is tough, and the biggest problem is that we hardly ever read the type
of texts that we have to read in IELTS.
The only way to get better at IELTS Reading is to read more of these text-types.
Here are the top 10 sources that I recommend.
1. Cambridge IELTS Test Books
These o icial Cambridge IELTS Practice Test Books should be your starting point.
IELTS tests are written in a very specific way, so I recommend that you spend the majority of
your preparation time studying them.
The earlier books (before Book 9) are not as relevant as the later ones, so start with the most
recent one (Book 17) and work backwards.
You can also use the free practice tests on the o icial IELTS sites (Iʼve added the links that take
you directly to the Reading Practice section)
British Council Take IELTS
IELTS.org
IELTS IDP
10 places to nd IELTS Reading resources (Academic Test)
[email protected] 23 Sep 2022
10 places to nd IELTS Reading resources (Academic Test)
2. New Scientist
Iʼve googled a lot of IELTS Reading tests over the years, and
very o en they come from the New Scientist Magazine, for
example this one from Cambridge Book 15 Test 3 Passage 3.
Bookmark the New Scientist Homepage here.
3. BBC News
This is another website where I have found many IELTS
Reading Passages, for example the Book 15 Test 4
Passage 2 can be found here:
Silbo gomero – a whistling language revived.
4. Live Science
Hereʼs where I found Book 16 Test 1 Passage 2:
The Step Pyramid of Djoser.
It has useful sections on Planet Earth.
10 places to nd IELTS Reading resources (Academic Test)
[email protected] 23 Sep 2022
10 places to nd IELTS Reading resources (Academic Test)
5. World History Encyclopedia
Iʼve found quite a few IELTS Reading passages
from this site. For example
The White Horse of U ington (Book 16 Test 2
Passage 1)
Roman Shipbuilding (Book 16 Test 3 Passage
1)
6. The Independent
This newspaper prides itself on being unbiased, and
provides a variety of scientific, evidence-based
articles which are perfect for IELTS. I found these
texts there:
The Huarango (Book 15 Test 4 Passage 1)
Climate change reveals ancient artefacts in
Norwayʼs glaciers (Book 16 Test 3 Passage 2)
7. National Geographic
You are prompted to sign up to the paid subscription to National Geographic , but there are
many articles that you can read for free.
Australian Geographic is also a useful source as so many of the IELTS texts are related to
Australia.
10 places to nd IELTS Reading resources (Academic Test)
[email protected] 23 Sep 2022
10 places to nd IELTS Reading resources (Academic Test)
8. Other ‘science’ sites
There are quite a few science sites. These 2 have been recommended by my students:
The Scientist (Science news and educational articles)
Science Focus (The home of BBC Science Focus magazine)
Science Daily – short, manageable IELTS-style passages
9. The Economist
There are o en articles related to business and the economy in Passage 3 and they come from
random sites like this one about the Future of Work (Book 16 Test 1 Passage 3).
A good place for this type of article is The Economist.
10. Learner sites
My personal favourite is Wonderopolis – it looks a bit ʻchildishʼ but the texts are excellent for
IELTS prep, with lots of interactivity and a focus on vocabulary.
Newsela has news articles that you can choose according to your reading level by changing the
number of words.
I also love CommonLit.org – itʼs free and if you join my Members Academy you get an
upgraded account with more features such as audio text reader.
10 places to nd IELTS Reading resources (Academic Test)
[email protected] 23 Sep 2022
10 places to nd IELTS Reading resources (Academic Test)
Conclusion
Reading only gets easier if you read the right type of texts frequently.
Recent research has shown that the impact of reading on a screen has been very damaging
(there is even an IELTS Reading – Book 16 Passage 4 Test 2– about the changes in our reading
habits and how the way we read these days means that we can no longer read complex texts).
What can you do about it?
Print o texts and write on them. Sorry, I know itʼs not great for the environment but
engaging with the written word in a deliberate and focused way is the only way to fully
understand a text.
Set aside a specific time of the day when you just READ.
Do this without distractions.
Always have a pencil to underline and take notes.
Organise your notebook – review it once a week.
Get more in the Members Academy.
Get instant access to all courses, challenges, boot camps, live classes, interactive and
engaging classes, 1:1 support, and a friendly tight-knit community of like-minded learners to
get you to Band 7+.
10 places to nd IELTS Reading resources (Academic Test)
[email protected] 23 Sep 2022
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