IELTS Reading

Overview
 IELTS Reading Overview

IELTS Reading assesses a variety of reading skills, and

while the question structures are identical for the
Academic and General Training tests, the text styles are
different. There are three sections to the Reading test,
and you will have about 60 minutes to respond to 40
questions.
 Test Format
The 40 questions on the IELTS Reading test evaluate a variety of reading skills. These
include:
Reading For detail
Skimming Scanning
Reading quickly to locate a Reading to understand a logical
Reading for gist or the main idea
specific information. argument, opinions, attitudes
and the writer’s purpose.
 Time limit during the IELTS Reading test

You have 60 minutes to complete 40 questions, so managing your

time is crucial. There are three sections in the Reading test, and
you should aim to spend no more than 20 minutes on each
section. As the test progresses, the sections increase in difficulty,
so make sure you allow yourself enough time to complete each of
the sections. You may find you are able to get through the first
section more quickly, giving you more time to spend on the more
challenging questions in the next two sections.
 Academic Reading Contents

The academic IELTS Reading section has three long passages. These could be descriptive, factual, discursive, or
analytical. These passages are picked from books, magazines, journals, or newspapers.

The Academic Reading Three sections, each of

The Academic Reading test
test consists of 40 which contains a long text
evaluates a variety of reading
questions that you must taken from current books,
skills, including your ability to
answer. These can include journals, magazines, and
follow an argument and
short-answer questions, newspapers make up the
identify the opinion, attitude,
matching headings or Academic Reading test.
or intent of a writer. It assesses
sentence endings, The texts are based on
your ability to understand
identifying information, issues you would
ideas, details, opinions, and
and completion tasks such encounter in an
implicit meanings when
as sentence, summary, educational or professional
reading. Skimming, scanning,
note, table, and flow-chart context in an English-
and detailed reading are all
completions. speaking setting.
included in the evaluation of
your reading comprehension
Reading Comprehension Strategies
Activate Prior Knowledge Annotate and Visualize
Draw on your existing understanding of Actively mark up the text, make notes,
the topic to better contextualize and and create visual representations to aid
engage with the text. comprehension.

Question Actively Identify Main Ideas

Develop a curious mindset and ask Pinpoint the central themes, arguments,
questions about the purpose, key ideas, and takeaways rather than getting lost
and implications of the reading. in the details.
Skimming and Scanning

Skimming Scanning Combining Strategies

Rapidly previewing a text to Efficiently searching a text Skillfully alternating
get a general sense of the to locate specific information between skimming and
content, structure, and key or answer a targeted scanning to quickly extract
ideas without reading every question, without reading key details and comprehend
word. the full content. complex academic texts.
How to Skim and Scan
Prepare your mind
1
Set a clear purpose and focus before reading.

Scan for keywords

2
Quickly identify important terms and phrases.

Quickly review structure

3
Note headings, subheadings, and visual cues.

Extract key information

4 Pinpoint main ideas, arguments, and
conclusions.

Effective skimming and scanning involve a strategic approach. First, prepare your mind by
setting a clear purpose for your reading. Then, quickly scan the text for important keywords,
phrases, and structural elements like headings. Finally, extract the key information you need,
focusing on main ideas, arguments, and conclusions.
Practice with Academic
Texts
Gain experience comprehending complex academic materials by
regularly practicing with real IELTS reading passages. Focus on
developing strategies to quickly identify key information, grasp the
main arguments, and extract specific details.

Annotate the texts, create visual aids, and actively engage with the
content to deepen your understanding. Exposure to a diverse
range of academic disciplines will build your familiarity and
confidence with the IELTS reading format.
Common IELTS Reading Mistakes
Overlooking Unfamiliar Rushing Misinterpreti
Details Vocabulary through ng Questions
Passages
Failing to carefully Struggling with Reading too Misunderstanding
read and specialized or quickly without the intent behind
comprehend all technical terms properly engaging the exam
the information that are common with the text, questions, leading
provided in the in academic texts, resulting in a to answers that do
passage, leading hindering full superficial grasp of not accurately
to missed details understanding of the material. address what is
and incorrect the content. being asked.
answers.
 Question Types and Techniques
Multiple Choice Identifying Information
You should find the correct answer from You are required to identify if the information
the given list of options to the question. provided is ‘true,’ ‘false,’ or ‘not given’, based
MCQs evaluate your ability to have on the long text. Note that the ‘false’ and ‘not
detailed knowledge and overall given’ options hold different opinions. These
understanding of the text. questions analyse your understanding of the
facts in the text.

Identifying the writer’s views/claims Matching information

The question contains a set of The task requires specific details from the
statements, along with the question, “Do long text; you should locate them and
the following statements agree with the answer the questions. These tasks
views/claims of the writer?” You are determine your ability to identify specific
required to answer with ‘yes,’ ‘no,’ or ‘not information from long texts..
given.’ This evaluates your knowledge of
the opinion and ideas conveyed in the
text..
 Question Types and Techniques
Multiple Choice Identifying Information
You should find the correct answer from You are required to identify if the information
the given list of options to the question. provided is ‘true,’ ‘false,’ or ‘not given’, based
MCQs evaluate your ability to have on the long text. Note that the ‘false’ and ‘not
detailed knowledge and overall given’ options hold different opinions. These
understanding of the text. questions analyse your understanding of the
facts in the text.

Identifying the writer’s views/claims Matching information

The question contains a set of The task requires specific details from the
statements, along with the question, “Do long text; you should locate them and
the following statements agree with the answer the questions. These tasks
views/claims of the writer?” You are determine your ability to identify specific
required to answer with ‘yes,’ ‘no,’ or ‘not information from long texts..
given.’ This evaluates your knowledge of
the opinion and ideas conveyed in the
text..
 Question Types and Techniques
Matching headings Matching features
You should match the list of headings You should match a set of information to the
with the paragraphs that suit the best. right options. The matching features task
The heading must be relevant to the includes matching age groups to
main idea of the paragraph given. These characteristics, historical events to the period
questions show your understanding of it belongs to, and others. These questions
the main idea or opinion of the text. assess your ability to find the connection
between several features in the text.

Matching sentence endings Sentence completion

As the name suggests, you should match You should complete the given sentences
the sentences with the correct endings. by filling in the words. Make sure to
The answers show your understanding of adhere to the instructions given for each
the main ideas of the long text. question, or you might lose points.
Sentence completion tasks analyses your
ability to identify specific information
 Question Types and Techniques
Diagram label completion
Summary, note, and flowchart completion
You are required to complete the summary, The tasks require you to complete the labels
note, or flowchart of a section from the long in the diagram with the help of the long text.
text. Remember to provide your answers It assesses your understanding of detailed
based on the instructions given. These tasks descriptions and the ability to relate the
evaluate your ability to understand the details information to visual data.
IELTS Reading Score
of the long text.
Raw score (out IELTS ACADEMIC
of 40) Reading score
Short answer questions
You are required to provide factual
15 5
answers to the questions based on the
23 6
long text. The questions analyse your
30 7
ability to understand and deliver the
specific information provided in the text. 34 7
35 8
38 8
What is the difference between ‘true,’ false,’
or ‘not given’ options in IELTS reading?

It is important to understand the difference between ‘true,’ ‘false,’ and

‘not given’ options before answering the tasks.

‘True’ means the information provided is relevant to the long text.

The ‘false’ option indicates that the information is not present in the
passage or is incorrect.
‘Not given’ means the information is not confirmed as correct or incorrect
in the text.
How can to improve reading in IELTS?
1. Develop a strategy

Before starting the reading section, ensure you have a plan or strategy. This will help you answer the
questions quickly and accurately. Some methods include skimming to get an overall idea of the
passage, scanning for specific information, reading paragraphs in detail, and checking your answers
against what is written in the text.

2. Read carefully

It is essential to read the questions ahead so you can focus more on finding answers to them when
going through the passage. When reading through the text, take note of keywords that appear
multiple times as they are often repeated within a paragraph or page, which may help you identify
an answer faster than if you had just glanced over them.

3. Practice under pressure

Once you have your strategy in place, practice reading passages under timed conditions to get used
to the pace and pressure of the test. Doing this will help you build up the speed and accuracy of
your answers.
How can to improve reading in IELTS?
4. Take note of synonyms

When looking for an answer, be aware of synonyms or words with similar meanings that may appear
in the passage and not just what is asked in the question. For example, if a question asks about
'workers', look for words such as 'employees' or 'labourers'.

5. Understand question types

Knowing what questions are asked can also help you prepare better for the IELTS Reading section.
Commonly asked questions require you to match headings, complete sentences or fill in the blanks.

6. Check your work

At the end of each passage, check your work and ensure you have answered all the questions.
If there are any answers that you need clarification on, refer back to the text to double-check before
submitting your test.
How can to improve reading in IELTS?
7. Be prepared for vocabulary tests

The reading section will likely contain some vocabulary tests, so it is important to be prepared with extensive knowledge of
synonyms and definitions related to the topics covered in the passages. This can help speed up your responses and increase your
accuracy when answering these questions.

8. Manage your time

Pace yourself throughout the reading section and ensure enough time for each passage. This will help you avoid running out of
time before finishing the test.

9. Take breaks

Focusing on a reading passage for too long can cause fatigue and make concentrating difficult, so take regular breaks and refocus
your attention when returning to the task. Doing this can help keep your mind fresh and alert while tackling the questions in
front of you.

10. Double-check your answers

Remember to double-check your answers once you have completed them!

Make sure your answers are accurate and well-written; otherwise, it could cost you precious points on the exam. Additionally, it
is essential to keep an eye on the time - there is no point in spending too much.
Improving Reading Proficiency

Targeted Practice Diversify Readings Monitor Progress

Regularly engage with IELTS- Expose yourself to a wide Evaluate your growth by
style reading passages to range of academic materials taking practice tests and
hone your skills. Focus on across different subjects. analyzing your performance.
areas needing improvement, This will broaden your Identify weaknesses and
such as identifying main familiarity with vocabulary adjust your approach to
ideas or locating specific and discourse styles. maximize improvement.
details.
Effective Time Management

Plan Ahead Take Breaks Minimize Distractions

Develop a detailed schedule Incorporate regular breaks Identify and limit potential
and prioritize tasks to into your routine to recharge distractions, such as
ensure efficient use of time and maintain focus, notifications and social
and avoid last-minute preventing burnout and media, to stay on task and
scrambling. improving productivity. maximize your time.