In this short article, after mentioning the difference between academic and general reading along with the types of IELTS reading questions, we will show you how to boost IELTS reading. The IELTS Reading test takes 1 hour. IELTS Reading exams You should answer most of the questions and write the answers in an answer sheet. Unlike the listening test, you won't be provided with extra time to transfer your answers to the clear answer sheet, so write the answers on the clear answer sheet at the same time.The IELTS Academic Reading test is slightly different from the General IELTS test because the writing is a little more difficult.
The difference between IELTS academic and general reading
- The IELTS Academic Reading test is longer and uses more complex vocabulary. Sometimes a diagram or chart might be asked. Academic text is normally extracted from scientific research or journals. There are 3 texts with 40 questions.
- The IELTS General Reading test relates to every day life such as for example work, school, home life, advertising, technology, vacations, making apps, etc. The last text of the General Reading test is the most difficult. You is going to be given 3 sections with 40 questions.
- The initial part: contains 2 to 3 short texts.
- The 2nd part: contains 2 short texts.
- The 3rd part: has a long text with an increase of complexity.
Types of IELTS reading questions
There are different types of questions, each Passage has about 3 to 4 different types of questions. The types of IELTS reading questions are listed below. This is of "in order" grouping is that the answers to the questions are given in order in the text. In other words, when the clear answer to the very first question was in the next paragraph, another questions come in the same paragraph. It's the opposite for "not in order", so that, as an example, in Match the heading questions, the very first heading might be related to the fifth paragraph and the next heading might be related to the next paragraph. Therefore, the order is not a part of them.
- Usually in order
- Sentence completion
- Summary completion / Gap Fills
- Table / Flow chart completion
- True False Not Given
- Yes No Not Given
- Short answers
- Diagram labeling
- Multiple choices
- List selection
- Choose a concept
- Decide on a type
- Match sentence ending
- Usually not in order
- Match the heading
- Match the paragraph
What are IELTS reading strategies?
Skimming : Skimming means reading the title and the very first few lines of the text. In IELTS reading, take about one minute to know the general view of the writing to know the reading topic. This skill is helpful for short answers or multiple choice questions, but may not work very well for other types of questions. Understanding paraphrased texts is a very important skill because the writing says the same but synonyms is going to be used in the clear answer choices, so candidates get confused.
Scanning is another technique that's helpful for finding key information such as for example numbers, names, dates and other key information, but understand that and also this depends on the kind of question.
Read the important points: To find the answer, you'll need to concentrate on the location where you think the clear answer is. This can be a topic that most IELTS candidates ignore since they are told to just scan or skim. You should not read the whole text from cover to cover. Having a wide vocabulary is one of many key points for band score +7.
Identifying paraphrased sentences to reach at an answer is really a key skill.
How to boost IELTS reading?
Remember that you don't need to learn most of the material or fully understand the writing, you just need to consider the clear answer to the question, so you don't need to learn the whole text in detail, you'll need to look for the information you'll need and answer the question. Understanding synonyms, colloquialisms and how to know sentences is one of many basic skills needed to boost IELTS reading. You've to apply more IELTS Reading test with answers and explanations to know from previous IELTS exams.
Note: Reading is not only about matching the words which are similar to the question and the writing, you have to know the meaning of the sentences.
