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IELTS Reading

Academic Reading

In IELTS Reading module, there are three reading passages with different kinds of questions to answer. Texts are taken from books, magazines,journals and newspapers,all written for a non-specialist audience. Answers are to be recorded on an answer sheet within the hour.

Time: 60 minutes

General Reading

The IELTS General Reading tests are based on the type of material candidates would be expected to meet on a daily basis in an English speaking country. They are taken from sources such as newspapers, advertisements, instruction manuals and books. Answers are to be recorded on an answer sheet within the hour.

Time: 60 minutes

GUIDELINES ON READING MODULE

I. DURATION AND FORMAT

The reading module is generally the second test on the day of the test. You are given a question booklet and an answer sheet. There is no extra time, unlike in the listening test, at the end to transfer answers. As such, you have to write your answers directly onto the answer sheet. You are given 60 minutes for the test. The test instructions indicate how much time you should spend on each section of the test. Even bright students lose marks, if they do not manage time effectively.


The test is generally divided into three sections. You are given a reading passage with questions in each section. The questions can be both before and after the passages. A reading text may include about 40 questions. The topics of the passages are of general interest and come from magazines, journals, newspapers etc. At least one of the passages will present a logical argument. The texts increase in difficulty as the test progresses. There may be a glossary of technical words.

II. STRUCTURE OF THE TEST

You are given a mark for each of the 40 questions. Your result is converted into a score which corresponds to one of the bands from 1-9. You can be awarded a whole band or a half band for the reading section.

III. BASIC RULES OF IELTS READING

Test takers are expected to develop the following skills to pass the reading section successfully.

SKIMMING for general meaning. SCANNING for specific information.
INFERRING MEANING INTENSIVE READING
PREDICTION DEDUCING MEANING

You have to organise your time yourself. Time management is vital in the Reading Test. Many students fail in ‘ Reading Test’ as they cannot find time for the third passage. There is no special time given to transfer your answers to the answer sheet, so you have two options:

Option 1: After each section, go over the section again and transfer your answers. This way you can check your answers while you can still remember the organisation of the text and where you need to look for different answers.

Option 2: After you have finished all the sections, go back to the beginning, check and transfer all your answers. This ensures that you have tried to answer every question at least once before you go back and check. As such, there is less risk that you leave some questions unanswered.

IV. TIPS FOR IELTS READING

Before the Exam-

  • Make sure you are familiar with the instructions for the different question types, so you can quickly glance at the questions and know what to do.
  • Read as much as possible. Work on your reading skills such as ‘guessing the meanings of unknown words’, ‘Understanding reference words in texts’ and reading quickly.
  • Read newspaper articles and practise the following: Dividing the content into facts and opinions. Finding the topic sentences of paragraphs. (Topic sentences are those which contain the main idea in a paragraph and are generally the first sentence in the paragraph).
  • Writing summaries. Interpreting diagrams or tables. Thinking of headings you could give to paragraphs. Underline unknown words and see if you can work out what they mean. Read the first paragraph and see if you can predict what will come next.
  • Work on expanding your vocabulary. Choose 5 new words from the vocabulary sections or articles to leam each day. Write the words on cards and test yourself.
  • Do as many practice tests (This book has 35 Reading Passages with answers) as you can to get used to the instructions and the task types.
  • During the Exam–
  • (Time management is vital. Many bright test takers fail, since they do not get enough time to complete the questlons. You have to practise extensively.)
  • Look through the whole reading module first.
  • Quickly look at the texts. Study: Titles; Headings; Sub headings; Illustrations; Diagrams; Words in bold type or italics.
  • Read the questions carefully. Identify the question type. Make sure you do exactly what they say.
  • Read the glossary beside the passage, if there is one.
  • Don’t spend too long on one question.
  • If you don’t know the answer, guess. Incorrect answers are not penalised.
  • Make sure you copy all words taken from the texts correctly, as incorrect spelling is penalised.
  • Don’t forget that your answer may be given in a diagram, graph or illustration.



For Reading practice tests, go to https://www.readingielts.com/category/ieltsreading/