The content and type of questions

The Reading section is different for Academic IELTS and General Training IELTS. However, for both, in the space of 60 minutes, you will be required to answer as many as 40 questions. This, in effect means 20 minutes to each passage.



Academic Reading

There are three reading passages, of increasing difficulty, on topics of general interest and candidates have to answer 40 questions. The passages are taken from magazines, journals, books and newspapers. At least one text contains detailed logical argument.

A variety of question types is used, including: multiple choice, short-answer questions, sentence completion, notes/chart/table completion, labeling a diagram, classification, matching lists/phrases, choosing suitable paragraph headings from a list, identification of writer's views/attitudes - yes, no, not given, or true, false, not given.



General Training Reading

Candidates have to answer 40 questions. There are three sections of increasing difficulty, containing texts taken from notices, advertisements, leaflets, newspapers, instruction manuals, books and magazines. The first section contains texts, relevant to basic linguistic survival in English, with tasks mainly concerned with providing factual information. The second section focuses on the training context and involves texts of more complex language. The third section involves reading more extended texts, with a more complex structure, but with the emphasis on descriptive and instructive rather than argumentative texts.

A variety of question types is used, including: multiple choice, short-answer questions, sentence completion, notes/chart/table completion, labeling a diagram, classification, matching lists / phrases, choosing suitable paragraph headings from a list, identification of writer's views/attitudes - yes, no, not given, or true, false, not given.



Tips to crack the Reading Section

Like we told you earlier, make sure you stick to the basics principles of time management if you want to do well in this section. Unlike in the Listening Section you won't get any extra time to jot down your replies on the answer sheet. Hence, the bottom line would be: 20 minutes and no more. Just in case after the self-allotted 20 minutes you do not know some answers, pass on to the next question. Remember to write down your answers as you go along.

Another important factor to get bear in mind is to read the questions carefully before reading the passage. In case, you read the passage without reading the questions you have to answer you will be merely wasting your time. Last but not the least; it is imperative you read the instructions carefully. Suppose you are asked to answer a question using no more than two or three words from the text, an answer with more words is wrong. In other instances, you are given a sentence and you have answer in clear ‘Yes' and ‘No' terms. You can't afford to be unclear or slow in coming out with your answers. Remember the key is to be precise.